Before You Quote a Pool, Check the Whole Backyard

Before quoting a new swimming pool, you need to understand more than whether the pool fits in the backyard.

Setbacks, impervious surface limits, existing patios and driveways, and terrain can all affect what's possible on a property.

FutureLot helps pool builders evaluate these requirements, test different pool and deck configurations, and create preliminary site plans before investing time in detailed design or site visits.

Pool feasibility is available nationwide, covering all 50 states.

1. Check the Property and Zoning Requirements

Start by entering the property address in FutureLot and selecting Swimming Pool as the project type.

FutureLot analyzes the applicable zoning regulations, including pool setbacks, lot coverage, and impervious surface limits. You can also review available environmental and site constraints, such as wetlands and flood zones.

The required setbacks appear directly on the map, helping you understand where a pool may be placed.

2. Design the Pool and Deck

Select one of your pool models and place it on the property.

You can:

• Move, rotate, and resize the pool.
• Add or remove decking.
• Adjust the deck width and materials.
• Test different configurations to see what fits.

As you make changes, FutureLot automatically updates the impervious surface calculations and displays warnings if your design exceeds the applicable limits.

Important: By default, FutureLot counts both the pool and decking as impervious surfaces. Some municipalities treat them differently, so you can adjust whether each counts toward the calculation.

3. Account for Existing Driveways, Patios, and Other Hardscape

An important part of pool feasibility is understanding how much impervious surface already exists on the property.

FutureLot automatically accounts for existing building footprints, but you should also include driveways, patios, and other hardscape.

Using the aerial imagery and sketching tools, you can outline these features and mark them as impervious.

FutureLot then recalculates the existing, proposed, and remaining impervious surface, giving you a better understanding of how much capacity is available for the new pool and deck.

For example, if the proposed pool and deck exceed the allowable impervious surface, you can reduce the deck size or adjust the layout and immediately see how the calculations change.

4. Review Terrain and Site Conditions

Terrain can have a significant impact on pool construction costs, particularly on sloped properties.

FutureLot includes contour lines and a terrain analysis tool that estimates the cut and fill required for a proposed pool.

Select the pool and click Elevations to review the estimated earthwork. You can also adjust the proposed finished elevation to explore different scenarios.

This helps identify potential grading challenges before investing in detailed engineering.

5. Generate a Preliminary Site Plan

Once you've developed a layout, you can generate a professional site plan showing the proposed pool, decking, setbacks, measurements, and relevant property features.

Customize the plan with your company branding and export it as a PDF or CAD file to share with homeowners, designers, or other project professionals.

The result is a more informed starting point for discussing the project, preparing an initial estimate, or planning a site visit.

Keep in mind: FutureLot provides preliminary feasibility analysis. Site conditions, zoning interpretations, and construction requirements should be verified before finalizing designs or pricing.

Explore FutureLot for Pool Builders to see how you can evaluate pool projects, create site plans, and help homeowners explore what's possible on their properties.