You’ve heard it before. The water’s great . . . dive right in!
However, building a swimming pool in your backyard is not a decision you want to dive into without a great deal of thoughtful consideration.
Matt Harms, owner of Modish Pools, recognizes that, in order to build a pool, the first hurdle is that the client must really want a pool.
“I’ve not sold a single pool since I started this business,” Harms says. “I get inquiries, and I try to present the facts that allow the client to determine if it's the right fit for them.”
Clearly, Harms doesn’t view himself as a sales person. Rather, he sees himself as a guide, walking his clients through the design and construction process.
Having spent his entire professional career in the construction industry, Harms strives to provide clients a similar experience to what they would encounter if they were building a new home or doing a major home remodel, steering homeowners through choices on pool design, materials, sanitation and more.
“Appearance, cost and maintenance are all things to take into account when discussing your pool options,” Harms states, “but you also need to consider which system will provide the best swimming experience for you, your family and your guests.”
Unlike most area pool builders, Modish Pools offers all three types of traditional in-ground pool construction options: vinyl liner, fiberglass, and gunite. Vinyl lined pools are often the most economical option, while fiberglass pools often provide the most expeditious construction cycle. However, gunite, which is essentially concrete mixed on site, can be fashioned to create virtually any shape or structural feature. This easily allows for special additions such as negative edges, grottos, water features and underwater benches, making it a popular choice for homeowners who want to create a unique, personalized swimming experience in their backyards.
Modish also offers both chlorine and salt water sanitation systems as well as diatomaceous earth (DE), cartridge and sand filtration systems.
“Every option has certain pros and cons,” Harms says. “We try to provide information and manage expectations so that people understand what they’re purchasing.”
Sometimes homeowners ask about maintenance-free pools.
“I always tell them that there is no such thing as a maintenance free swimming pool,” Harms says. “It is always going to come with a certain amount of responsibility, but we can plan ahead to try to minimize that as much as possible. We make design decisions that are not going to increase that work but make it as manageable as possible.”
Another request Modish often gets is to recreate a look a client has seen online or in a magazine. Harms says that, despite the fact that while design inspirations prove helpful, it's important to understand that what is being done in Florida, California or other warm weather locations may not be advisable given Indiana’s climate. As a result, Modish offers solutions-based suggestions to achieve the desired look in a more functional way.
“We try to be problem solvers and find solutions that fit the market we’re in,” he says.
However, Harms never wants to limit a person’s imagination or customization.
“Every pool we build is different in some way from the previous,” Harms says. “Our business is custom pools, so our goal for every project is to create original designs that are unique to each of our clients. We walk them down the path to the perfect pool for them, translating what’s in their heads into a plan and leading them to accessories and additions that will make their pool experience more than they ever dreamed it could be.”
Making a Splash
When looking for a builder for your pool project, you want to find a company you can trust.
Here are a few items to consider:
-Do representatives communicate effectively?
-Do they address my concerns professionally?
-Do they understand my vision?
-Will they carry out my wishes in a timely manner?
-Does the company stand behind its work during and after the project?