A LARGE,
irregularly shaped
pool and deck
take advantage of
the site. There is
ample open area,
for sunbathing;
the large trees
provide a shady
area for the
tables. The pool
has extras like the
diving board and
spa.
SWIMMING POOLS CAN
BE BUILT IN ANY SHAPE
YOU WANT -EVEN
WEIRD ONES.
PERFECT PLUNGES
A Ithough Michigan sum-
mers may not be sultry
and the state may not en-
joy the warmest springs
and fall, more people are choos-
ing to enjoy the benefits of swim-
ming as an exercise and the
casual congeniality that outdoor
pools tend to reflect.
"Our busiest period starts in
May and ends in October," says
Todd Rosa of Paddock Pools, Inc.,
Farmington Hills, one of the largest
pool construction firms in
southeastern Michigan. "People
just don't start thinking of building
a pool until the warm weather sets
in. But with today's modern
technology and materials, we can
construct pools all year. Smart
customers are taking advantage of
this and having their pools built
when we're not so busy. They have
their pool to use on the first warm
day."
According to Rosa, the expen-
diture for a new swimming pool
that measures 20' by 40' averages
about $20,000. Costs can rise
quickly, and it's not unheard of to
spend $100,000 on a swimming
pool with special lighting, tile, deck
work, and plumbing.
Filing and completing all the re-
quired state and city permits may
take longer than the actual con-
struction work. Design plans have
to be approved, as well as
building, electrical and plumbing
permits paid for and approved. In
addition, the fence, mandated by
law to surround a swimming pool,
usually reqires the approval by
the neighborhood association for
design. All of this takes time — up
to two months.
Rosa explains that construction
time also varies depending on the
kind of pool, the location of the
pool, and even on the city or
township in which you live. For in-
stance, if the location requires
hauling away a lot of dirt, or rear-
ranging the landscape, or working
with a more intricate plumbing
system or tile design, it's going to
take longer than the usual two to
four weeks for construction.
Paddock guarantees their work
for 15 years and Rosa says that a
good pool should last 30 years.
Pool maintenance is adding
chemicals to the water such as
chlorine, and cleaning the pool
and deck for leaves and debris on
a regular basis. Maintenance costs
range from $100 a month for sup-
plies to $500 or more a month for
hiring a maintenance service.
Barbara and David Kaplan,
Bloomfield Hills, enjoy both a
swimming pool and a tennis court
surrounding their home.
"There's really not much
Continued on Page 25
SPRING '88
21