01
The design and the scope
Agree the swimming area, filtration approach, finishes and entry points, plus which paths, terraces, planting and reinstatement are included. The written proposal should make inclusions and exclusions clear.
A CLEAR PATH FROM THE START
Your garden. Your pool.
Four considered stages.
A natural pool should feel like it belongs, not like something added afterwards. We begin with your garden and how you hope to use it, then work through the design, the practical details and the build with you.
Designed around the place you call home 01 LISTEN & EXPLORE
Start with your garden,
not a drawing.Your first design consultation is free, with no obligation. We visit, listen to your ideas, photograph the space and take measurements, looking at the house, the garden and the way the two connect.
We discuss swimming space, the style you are drawn to and a comfortable budget, alongside practical questions about levels, trees, access and the ground. You do not need to arrive with all the answers.
Arrange your free consultationWHAT THIS GIVES YOU
A shared brief and a clearer sense of what could work in your space.
See the possibilities before the build 02 DESIGN & VISUALISE
See how it feels.
Refine how it works.We develop the layout in CAD and bring the proposal to life through visualisations. You can consider the pool in the context of your own garden, rather than trying to imagine it from a plan alone.
This is the time to refine the shape, swimming area, planting, entry points and materials. We talk through the proposed filtration, the scope of the work and the guide price before you decide how to proceed.
Explore the visualisation processWHAT THIS GIVES YOU
A design you understand, with plans, visualisations and a proposal to review.
Every edge, level and connection considered 03 PREPARE & BUILD
From the agreed plan
to water in the garden.Before work starts, we agree the design, scope, price and programme, along with access and the working area. Any necessary approvals and site investigations need to be addressed before construction begins.
The build moves through excavation, the swimming structure and waterproofing, then the filtration and circulation system. Edges, entry steps, decking and planting follow the agreed design. The exact construction differs between a swimming pond, natural pool and living pool.
What we agree before work startsWHAT THIS GIVES YOU
A pool built to the agreed design, ready for filling, commissioning and handover checks.
A new part of the garden, through every season 04 HANDOVER & AFTERCARE
Your first swim.
And the seasons after it.Filling the pool is not the same as finishing the project. We commission the system, carry out the relevant checks and explain when your particular pool is ready to use, rather than promise a fixed number of days.
At handover we walk you through the equipment, routine care and what to expect as the pool settles. You will know what needs your attention and who to contact, with maintenance and servicing options available for ongoing support.
Explore maintenance and aftercareWHAT THIS GIVES YOU
A familiar care routine, clear handover guidance and a route to support beyond the build.
MAKING ROOM FOR THE BUILD
A realistic programme.
Not a rushed promise.
Tell us about the dates that matter to you, from family events to other work on the house. We can then discuss a programme that reflects the garden, the design and the work involved.
2 to 4 weeks
Design & refinement
An initial guide for developing and reviewing the design.
8 to 16 weeks
Construction on site
A typical build guide, depending on scope, access and ground conditions.
These are guide durations, not a guaranteed completion date. Approvals, further investigations, availability, weather and design changes can add time. The agreed programme is specific to your project.
BEFORE ANYTHING IS DUG
The details that make
the difference.
A good proposal considers more than the water. Getting these decisions clear at the outset helps the build fit around your home and gives everyone the same understanding of the work.
Understand the cost considerations02
Access and everyday life
Work through machinery access, soil removal, deliveries and material storage. Discuss routes the household still needs, how the working area will be separated, and arrangements for children, pets and shared access.
03
The site and any approvals
Flag known drainage, underground services, changes in level and any restrictions affecting the property. Allow for further investigation or advice where needed rather than treating the first visit as a complete survey.
Read the planning guide04
Other work and future care
Let us know about other contractors, outbuildings or landscaping plans so levels and services can be considered together. Agree the handover information and any ongoing care separately, so you know what follows the build.
GOOD QUESTIONS, CLEAR ANSWERS
Before your
first swim.
The practical questions people ask when they are considering a natural pool build.
Explore all pool FAQs Ask us about your gardenIs the initial design consultation really free?
Yes. The first design consultation is free, with no obligation to proceed. We discuss your ideas, visit the garden, photograph and measure the space, then develop a proposal with plans and a guide price. The scope and cost of any further specialist work should be agreed separately before it is commissioned.
What should I have ready for the first conversation?
Your postcode, a few garden photographs and an idea of how you would use the pool are a useful start. Share a comfortable budget, any preferred dates and what you know about access or other planned work. Existing drawings are helpful, but you do not need a finished brief to get in touch.
Can I see the pool design before committing to the build?
Yes. Plans and visualisations help you review the proposed pool in the context of your garden before committing to construction. We can discuss changes to the layout, planting and materials at the design stage. The final scope and specification need to be agreed before work starts.
How long does the whole process take?
Our initial guide is around 2 to 4 weeks for design and 8 to 16 weeks for a typical build. That is not the same as a guaranteed time from your first enquiry to your first swim. Approvals, availability, investigations, weather and the scale of the project all need to be allowed for in your programme.
Can you build a pool where garden access is limited?
Limited access needs an individual assessment, rather than an automatic yes or no. Gate widths, routes beside the house, turning space and the movement of soil and materials all affect the practical approach. We discuss what is achievable and any implications for cost or timing before the build is agreed.
How much disruption should we expect?
Excavation, deliveries and construction will change how part of the garden can be used for a while. We discuss the working area, access routes, storage and reinstatement in advance. Tell us about pets, children, shared access and important dates so these can be considered in the site arrangements.
Do all natural pool types use the same construction?
No. The structure, filtration arrangement, planting and finishes follow the pool type and the site. A swimming pond and a living pool can look and function differently, so we do not assume that every project needs the same planted zone, timber detail or layout. Your proposal explains the approach for your pool.
When will we be able to swim after the pool is filled?
We explain this for your particular pool after commissioning and the relevant checks. It is not something we promise a fixed number of days after filling. The system needs to be ready for use, and we will also explain what to expect during the early period as the pool settles.
What is covered at handover?
We go through the installed equipment, operating guidance, routine care and the points you need to keep an eye on. Handover is also the time to clarify the information supplied for your system, who to contact with a concern and any maintenance or servicing arrangements you have agreed.
Does this process also apply to an existing pool conversion?
The consultation, design and handover stages still matter, but a conversion begins with assessing the existing pool and what can sensibly be retained. Its structure, condition and proposed filtration need to be considered before deciding the scope.
Explore chlorine pool conversions ↗