Edwards Pool Construction, based in Wichita, Kansas, has steadily carved out a niche for itself as the premier pool builder in the area. Headed by the visionary Steve Edwards, a seasoned pool builder and hot rod aficionado, the firm has transformed from its roots in pool service to one of the most respected names in pool construction. This transformation reflects their commitment to not only creating stunning designs but also building pools with service in mind.

Approaching Pool Construction With Future Maintenance in Mind

Steve Edwards, the driving force behind Edwards Pool Construction, has a unique approach to his work. In an interview with Pool Magazine, he shared his journey, stating, “I never worked for anyone and just reverse-engineered everything, as I learned.”

Hot Rodding Pools For Performance

Edwards’ passion for hot rods coupled with his mechanical knowledge has significantly influenced his pool construction techniques. He revels in modifying pool equipment pads for higher performance, drawing parallels between his love for speed and his innovative pool designs.

Averi Edwards, Steve’s daughter, maintains pools for the company. She explained that the service aspect is always an important consideration in her father’s mind. “My dad started in the business servicing pools. He would hot rod equipment pads and make them easier to work on. That is what is always in the back of his mind when he’s building something.”

On Building Pools With Maintenance in Mind

Edwards says that her father’s doctrine of building around ease of access for maintenance remains a mission-critical aspect on every pool project.

“He’s always thinking, how is this going to be serviced? How are we going to clean this and get a vacuum hose down here? He’s making sure that we have adequate filtration. That the pipe sizes are big enough, that we’ve got enough pumps, enough chlorinators, enough sanitation. These things are always in the back of his mind. So really, by the time that our service guys come in, it makes it really easy on us to take over,” Averi explained.

Seeing Things a Little Different

One of the most intriguing aspects of Edwards’ philosophy to building pools with service in mind is his ability to envision three-dimensional structures in his head, a skill that has helped him hone his craft as a builder. “I make my living doing things I’ve never done before and it’s been like that since day one,” explained Edwards. “The art of putting water over an edge or up in the air; that type of plumbing, it all comes back to hot rod knowledge, mechanical knowledge, and my ability to see hydraulics and structure in my head.”

Bringing The Wow Factor to Wichita

When it comes to designing and constructing pools, Edwards begins with the homeowner and the traditional expectations of Wichita’s conservative market. “Rectangular pools with auto covers are popular out here because we’ve got a lot of wind up here. So how do you dress that up? You curve it up on the inside, curve it up on the deck,” explained Edwards, “most of my design work is on the ground with a can of paint. Once people can see what I’m able to do there are x amount that will just let you go. Those are my favorite projects. I’ve had several clients just turn me loose. Not loose financially, but a little bit architecturally.”

Going outside the box seems to be working for Edwards. One of his most recent projects features killer geometry with an almost ampersand-shaped swimming pool and lazy river. The project presented numerous technical challenges and we were eager to learn more about what went into building the vessel.

“This project was brought to me by a builder I’d never heard of,” said Edwards, “he just walked into my shop and threw down a set of plans. That project ended up probably at 10 million, I would think. We shot that pool and it was challenging.”

When an opportunity to hot rod the lazy river aspect of the pool presented itself, Edwards jumped on it. “I made some changes to the lazy river and how it was designed. It’s got two Riverflow, 3000 gallon-a-minute pumps in it. I’ve used Riverflow twice before. Never in a lazy river, but it all works amazing,” said Edwards.

Edwards’s unique ability to find ways to improve the aesthetic of the overall project would foster a unique collaboration with one of the industry’s leading tile artisans.

“They wanted to do tile and we introduced the idea of glass. So we contacted Jimmy Reed. We ended up tenting the pool. It was nice and air-conditioned through the rain and heat and the guys were able to work continuously for six or seven weeks. Then we had to cover the tile up and set for another winter before we ever plastered that pool,” explained Edwards.

The end result of this sophisticated and avant-garde design represents a significant departure from the prototypical geometric-shaped swimming pools typically found throughout the Wichita market. In fact, the design is so unique that one might wonder if this pool in particular might usher a renaissance towards more unconventional designs.

“Batman Lives There”

“It’s an incredible pool,” Edwards remarked cheerfully, “you could plop that pool down in California just about anywhere but it’s really crazy for Wichita. I tell people Batman lives there because the Batmobile sitting in front of that house would look right at home.”

The success of this build has already led to more work of this nature for the Wichita pool builder. “I’m lucky to have been a part of this project I thought I’d never build anything like that. I just walked it the other day, and it’s just crazy when you realize you built something like that,” said Edwards. “Now we’ve got two other projects of that scale going at the same time in the same neighborhood. I never would have thought I could build two at the same time, but we’re doing it.”

Listen to our entire conversation with Steve & Averi Edwards on the Pool Magazine podcast.

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For more than 62 years, Master Pools Guild (MPG) has been a beacon of excellence in the pool industry, providing a unique platform for collaboration, education, and support among its members. Founded in 1962 by a group of visionary pool builders in California, MPG has evolved into an exclusive international network of custom pool builders, with a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of construction and ethical practices.

At the helm of MPG stands its current Executive Director, Teri Wiltshire, who brings over 15 years of experience in the pool and spa industry to her role. In a recent interview, Wiltshire shed light on the organization’s history, mission, and the transition into her position as Executive Director.

Wiltshire emphasized the familial nature of MPG, stating, “Our group is tight-knit, 100 members. They have always been incredibly supportive. We’re a tight-knit family.” This cohesion is crucial as it fosters a spirit of openness and communication, a unique characteristic in an industry where competitors often find themselves at odds.

Continuing a Proud Tradition of Excellence

Since its inception, MPG’s mission has remained focused on communication, networking, and continuing education. Wiltshire notes that one remarkable aspect of the organization is the emergence of third and fourth-generation members, who, having grown up within the organization, contribute to smooth transitions in ownership and management within their respective companies.

Contrary to misconception, MPG is not a buying group. While they do provide a small annual rebate to members based on their purchasing, the organization’s primary focus is on sharing knowledge and education. Wiltshire clarified, “Overwhelmingly our purpose is sharing and education. We provide our members with the continuing education they need to stay at the top of their game.”

Becoming a Member of Master Pools Guild

Membership in MPG is by invitation only, and the organization maintains a rigorous vetting process to ensure the highest standards in construction and ethical practices. Wiltshire outlined the meticulous process, including reference checks, discussions with banks and vendors, and the use of digital platforms to assess a business’s online reputation.

Wiltshire emphasized, “We want to make the right choice, and we want to make sure that we are the right choice for that organization as well.” This stringent selection process reflects MPG’s commitment to maintaining a family-like atmosphere within the organization.

Shared Core Values

Integrity, honesty, and honorability are foundational cornerstones for MPG and its members. Wiltshire stated, “All of those qualities are extremely important to us,” and highlighted the organization’s proactive approach in monitoring members’ online presence on platforms such as Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Yelp, and addressing any negative reviews promptly.

Wiltshire emphasizes the importance of the relationships MPG has built with its approximately 150 vendor partners through the Preferred Equipment Provider Program. She notes, “In March and October of every year, when our members get together, we invite those vendors to attend as well. There are great networking and communication opportunities throughout our three-day program, fostering great relationship building.” Wiltshire emphasizes the significance of these relationships, especially during critical times like the unprecedented ice storm in Texas, where the vendor partnerships proved instrumental in supporting and aiding MPG members.

A Commitment to Educating Pool Builders

At the core of MPG’s mission is education, and Wiltshire explains the various avenues the organization employs to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing. She highlights the collaboration with Genesis organization and Watershape University, providing optional education for members during meetings. Additionally, the organization partners with vendor allies to offer online education components throughout the year, ensuring a continuous flow of knowledge. “We feel like on all of those touch points, we are doing everything we can do to give our members the ability to get as much continuing education as possible,” says Wiltshire.

Wiltshire elaborates on the guidelines for becoming an MPG member, underscoring the organization’s commitment to maintaining high standards. “Some of those guidelines are that the business has to have been in existence for a minimum of five years. There can be no bankruptcies in the past. We ask that they build primarily gunite pools, and there should be no other memberships with other associations in our industry, competing associations,” she explains. These stringent criteria ensure that MPG continues to uphold its reputation for excellence.

Connecting With Master Pools Guild

For emerging professionals eager to join the ranks of Master Pools Guild (MPG), Wiltshire encourages aspiring members to explore various channels to connect. “There’s a place on our website that allows you access to the contact information for our office anytime anyone would like to reach out to us.” The MPG website serves as a gateway for potential members, offering valuable insights and contact information. Wiltshire emphasizes her openness to conversations, inviting individuals to reach out and discover more about the organization.

MPG’s website serves not only as an informational hub for its members but also as a valuable search tool for homeowners seeking top-tier builders. Wiltshire details, “The guild office has the goal of providing an avenue from the consumer to our member builders. If you click through and enter a zip code or a location, it will dial you down to your nearest Master Pools Guild member builder.” This initiative underscores MPG’s commitment to facilitating connections between discerning homeowners and elite pool builders.

While the website serves as a centralized resource, Wiltshire also highlights the importance of personal connections within the MPG community. “Any Master Pools Guild member builder that someone knows is a wonderful resource. My office can give you everything you need, but if you really want insight into what it means to be a Masterpools Guild member, you will not find a better resource than an existing member.”

Welcoming The Next Generation

As the pool industry continues to evolve, Master Pools Guild remains committed to cultivating a community of excellence. Whether through the digital realm, industry events, or direct connections with current members, MPG offers a multitude of avenues for aspiring professionals to explore and join this exclusive network.

For those with a passion for craftsmanship, innovation, and a commitment to the highest standards in pool construction, Master Pools Guild stands ready to welcome the next generation of builders. The open-door policy and the wealth of knowledge within the existing community ensure that aspiring professionals will find the support and mentorship needed to thrive within the MPG family.

Listen to our interview with Teri Wiltshire, Executive Director of Master Pools Guild on the Pool Magazine podcast.

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In the heart of California’s Central Valley, where the scorching summer sun dominates, Thomas Pools & Spas has been making a splash since 2005. Founded by Todd Thomas, this family-owned business based in Modesto, CA, has become a reputable name in the custom pool industry, specializing in the construction of residential inground pools and spas.

The journey began for Todd Thomas in the mid-2000s, as he transitioned from a role at a water district to discovering his passion for pool construction. Todd reminisces, “I fell in love with the construction of swimming pools. I worked three or four years, subcontracting, and kind of learned the ins and outs and decided I’d go get my contractor’s license and start doing it myself.”

Building Pools is a Family Affair

The family aspect of Thomas Pools & Spas became integral when Todd’s wife, Paula, joined the business to manage the administrative workload. As Thomas reflects on this transition, he shares, “Once the business started taking off, it was just getting too overwhelming for me to handle everything. So she stepped in to help me manage the business.” Fast forward nearly twenty years later and their thriving family business has become a leading name in Modesto for custom swimming pools.

Top Rated by Consumers

The Modesto Bee recently named Thomas Pools & Spas one of the best pool companies in Modesto. Todd Thomas expressed his excitement, stating, “That was awesome to hear. I think when you make a higher percentage of people happier than other companies, it reflects what you’re doing out there in the market. I’m very pleased they voted for us.”

The company’s unique approach sets it apart; not only does it excel in pool construction, but it also offers ongoing maintenance services. Thomas emphasizes, “We don’t build the pool and leave the customer behind. Once it’s finished our customers have the option to stick with us for however long they choose.” Thomas touts the fact that nearly all of his pool construction customers have become lifelong service and maintenance clients as well.

The Hands-On Approach Works

Being family-owned and operated, Thomas Pools & Spas takes pride in their hands-on approach. Todd, along with his two daughters who work for the company, ensures a personal touch. “I’m really hands-on, so I’m out there doing the plumbing, and I’m always with the customer through each individual stage of the job,” says Thomas. This level of involvement is a telling attribute of the firm’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

As Thomas Pools & Spas approaches its 20th anniversary, Todd reflects on some standout projects. One noteworthy project involved designing and executing the water feature at Bass Pro in Manteca. Another extravagant endeavor was creating a backyard water park for a client with an almost unlimited budget. Todd describes the project, saying, “It took a while, but that swimming pool certainly makes my highlight reel. The whole project ended up taking probably close to five or six months.”

Finger on The Pulse in Central California

Central California, known for its warm climate, has seen a surge in pool ownership over the past few years. While the market has slowed through 2023, Todd believes this trend won’t diminish the desire for pool ownership, stating, “I think for California homeowners, it’s kind of a no-brainer that they’re going to build a pool in the backyard.” The desire to keep children entertained and safe at home has contributed to the growing popularity of backyard pools among the younger generation over the past three decades.

Knowing What The Market Wants

While fiberglass pools have gained market share, Todd explains why custom concrete pools remain the preferred choice in California. The flexibility of design is a crucial factor. Todd notes, “Because we can virtually build a swimming pool in any backyard, concrete remains the leading choice with consumers. With fiberglass pools, you’re kind of limited to a finite amount of shapes.”

Paula Thomas, who is responsible for most customer interactions, shared her insights into what’s moving the needle with today’s pool buyers. “Our customers in the Central Valley love waterfalls. We also do alot of raised decks with sheer descents. Deck jets, fire features, and laminar jets are also enormously popular with pool buyers,” Paula details. However, with these add-on features come additional costs, and Paula notes, “It just depends on the customer’s budget because when you start adding accessory features, the pool price starts getting pretty costly.” Keeping costs down while adding maximum value is something they’ve become laser-focused on.

The Post-Covid Landscape Looks Different

In a post-COVID environment, financing the dream of pool ownership has become more challenging with rising interest rates. Todd acknowledges the impact, stating, “It has affected us. It’s slowed things down a little.” The rise in both pool costs due to inflation and interest rates has prompted a shift in how customers have approached financing their dreams of pool ownership.

Another significant challenge has been the surge in material costs. Todd Thomas shed light on this issue, stating, “Just to give you an example. For one stick of one-inch PVC electrical conduit. We were paying $4 a stick. It’s $12 a stick now for a ten-foot stick.” The substantial increase in prices is not limited to a specific material but spans across various components required for pool construction.

As Todd discusses the inflationary impact, he notes, “Some things didn’t just double in price. Some things tripled.” This unprecedented rise in material costs has reverberated through the industry, affecting not only the bottom line for companies like Thomas Pools & Spas but also posing challenges for potential pool owners.

The consequences of these increased costs are tangible, influencing the overall price structure of pool construction. Todd reflects on the changes, stating, “Pre-COVID was probably around $32,000 for an entry-level pool. Now they’re probably right in the range of around $42,000 to $45,000. So you’re talking an extra $10,000 that’s just due to inflation.”

Adapting To a Changing Market

The ripple effect of these cost increases extends beyond the balance sheet. As materials become more expensive, customers may need to adjust their expectations or budgets for their dream pools. Despite these challenges, Thomas Pools & Spas remains committed to delivering high-quality projects while working closely with clients to find innovative solutions.

Reflecting on the changing landscape, Todd shares, “With the inflation, obviously the cost has gone up of the pool itself and then also the interest rate. It’s just kind of knocked a lot of people out of the market.” Despite these challenges, Thomas Pools & Spas has witnessed resilience as customers adapt, saving more or financing partially to achieve their goal of pool ownership.

Learn more about Thomas Pools & Spas, listen to our interview on the Pool Magazine podcast.

Photo Credits: Thomas Pools & Spas

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Approximately 15 months ago, the Buchanan family envisioned enjoying backyard pool parties. After careful research, they selected a contractor who was in the process of installing a fiberglass pool for another family in Gardendale. Chaz Buchanan recalls the contractor, Greg Kirk of Pristine Pools of the Shoals, as being professional and seemingly trustworthy. However, their dreams turned into a nightmare after paying over $50,000 to Kirk.

The contractor dug the hole for the pool shell, but the promised pool shell never materialized. Frustrated by the lack of progress, the Buchanan family canceled the contract and sought a refund, which they never received. Chaz Buchanan described the situation, saying, “You had a ten-foot by 25-foot hole that was 9.5 feet deep.” This led the family to file a lawsuit, alleging breach of contract and fraud. In response, Greg Kirk’s lawyers denied the claims made in the lawsuit.

Bankrupt Pool Builders Owe $1.4 Million

The Buchanan family’s experience is not isolated, as revealed by Pristine Pools’ bankruptcy filing last fall. In the bankruptcy documents, Kirk listed three dozen rejected contract creditors owed a total of $1.4 million. Mapping these creditors showed that most were in North Alabama, with nine in Madison, including three in the same neighborhood.

Shanna Averette, one of the affected homeowners in Madison, hired Kirk after the Buchanan family, attracted by his competitive pricing and promised installation timelines. Averette paid Pristine Pools $44,000 but faced delays and received the pool shell seven months later. Frustrated by the prolonged process, the Averette family eventually canceled their contract and paid an additional $36,000 to another company to complete the pool installation.

Efforts to seek Greg Kirk’s perspective on these issues were met with evasion. When approached at his home in Muscle Shoals, he instructed reporters to call him later, and subsequent attempts to contact him went unanswered. Beyond the Buchanan lawsuit and two other unresolved customer complaints, Kirk faces criminal theft and fraud charges initiated by the Alabama Attorney General, relating to two failed pool projects in Madison County.

In light of these challenges, the Buchanan family, having abandoned their initial plans for a backyard pool, hopes to raise awareness about their experience to prevent others from falling victim to similar situations. Despite the pending criminal charges and ongoing civil lawsuits, Kirk’s bankruptcy proceedings are currently affecting the resolution of the legal matters surrounding Pristine Pools.

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MACON, Ga. (Sept. 7, 2023) – America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP) launched a new Construction Division and now has hundreds of franchised locations around the country that can offer the installation of inground concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass pools, as well as luxury pools and outdoor features. This expansion of services from the nation’s leading swimming pool service franchise comes as the pool and hot tub industry reports skyrocketing demand for new residential pools and hot tubs. According to the Pool and Hot Tub Association, 96,000 new residential inground pools were constructed in 2020, the highest number in over a decade.

“ASP was built on providing valuable services our customers need to maintain and enjoy their swimming pool and protect the investment they have made in their property. As people have begun spending more time at home over these past several years, there is an increased desire to turn the backyard into an oasis. Now we can help homeowners with their pool installation needs as well, offering a complete suite of pool services,” said Jimmie Meece, Brand President of America’s Swimming Pool Company.

ASP franchise owners find that construction and related services are major revenue opportunities for their businesses. This is in part thanks to the size and scope of these projects, as well as the frequency that consumers are requesting the service. As more owners take on new pool build requests, pool construction is trending toward becoming a driver of growth for those in the ASP franchise system.

Shaun Hurley, ASP’s director of renovation and construction, is definitely seeing the demand for not only inground pools and hot tubs but also outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and fire pits. Hurley said, “Our ASP locations that offer construction and renovation services are seeing their business boom with requests for popular additions like strip lighting installation in pools, recessed firepits, water bowls, and fire bowls. Another popular trend is outdoor kitchens. I’ve been urging homeowners to think about a kitchen during their initial pool build because it’s an option that most people end up realizing they want.”

Hurley added, “Many homebuyers consider a swimming pool an asset and are likely to pay more for a home with one. This is especially true of a concrete pool, which is a more permanent structure than either a vinyl or fiberglass one. A pool may substantially raise values in hot weather regions such as the Southwest and Southeast, where swimming pools are a near necessity to beat the heat.”

Since its inception in 2002, ASP has continued to set a higher standard of performance and stability within the industry. The company has since cemented itself as the largest and most trusted swimming pool service in the country, with over 360 franchise units sprawling across 26 states. Swimming pool owners nationwide trust ASP for its affordable, reliable, and knowledgeable service—including maintenance, inspections, repairs, renovations, and construction. To learn more about owning a pool franchise, visit https://www.aspfranchising.com/.

About America’s Swimming Pool Company

ASP is the largest swimming pool cleaning, repair, and renovation franchise system in the nation. Founded in 2002 by Stewart C. Vernon, the company is based on the belief that by providing a higher quality pool service at a reasonable price, the brand would raise the industry standards for pool service. In 2005, ASP began franchising and now covers 26 states across the nation. For more information on ASP’s swimming pool franchise opportunities, click here. For more information on ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Company, visit the website or find us on Facebook @asppoolco.

About Authority Brands

Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands’ companies include 15 leading home service franchisors: America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Painting, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, STOP Restoration, and Woofie’s. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 2,000 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology, and operational support. See www.authoritybrands.com for more information.

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Tal Thevenot, the founder and principal designer of AquaTerra Outdoors, is a visionary in the field of pool and backyard design. With a passion for all things outdoor and a keen eye for detail, Thevenot has built a highly successful business that creates award-winning outdoor living environments. Based in Carrollton, Texas, AquaTerra Outdoors has made its mark in the field of high-end custom backyards and continues to set the bar for many firms throughout the industry.

Recently we had the opportunity to catch up with Thevenot on the Pool Magazine podcast. He first came to our attention a few years ago after one of his incredible over-the-top projects, a Roman bath house, was highlighted on HGTV and featured in Luxury Pools.

During the course of our conversation, we discussed his process for connecting with homeowners on designing their ideal outdoor living environment. Thevenot indicated that when working with homeowners on a design for the space, the discovery process goes well beyond simply understanding the site, the scope of work, and what they want their backyard to look like.

“We always have a lot of questions for them about their lifestyle. We want to know how they want to live, relax, and play outdoors. It’s all about making that connection so we can begin to understand what they’re looking to accomplish,” said Thevenot, who indicated that the key is understanding their overall vision and using that as a foundation to create a personalized and customized outdoor living space.

Thevenot says he has observed a growing trend among clients who draw their inspiration from travel photos in order to conceptualize their dream backyard oasis. Whether it’s the magic of Disneyland or the laidback vibes of a Caribbean island, clients are eager to try and recreate the essence of places that have resonated with them. According to Thevenot, it’s about bringing that resort lifestyle into their own backyard.

“Inspiration photos are always great. We have a huge portfolio for them to look through and to give us different ideas of what they like and more importantly, what they don’t like. From there, we start the conceptual design phase and begin presenting ideas to them,” said Thevenot.

Exactly how long that process takes varies according to the customer. “With a lot of our clients surprisingly, there’s very little going back and forth. Sometimes we’re able to just dive into what their vision is. Then there are other projects where there’s a lot of back and forth going on. I’d say more times than not our final design ends up close to that preliminary concept design,” said Thevenot.

Certainly no stranger to building custom luxury pools, Thevenot says quite frequently, consumers are looking for guidance on what is hot and trending. “Right now the open concept is huge. Minimizing boundaries from interior to exterior. We are trying to merge and blend the lines between the indoors and outdoors so there isn’t any strong separation of space as far as tying structures together,” said Thevenot.

“Last year we had a project in University Park with a large water wall, big slide house, and rain curtain. That’s one actually incorporated into the foundation of the house where we had to merge the structures together with the basement and the pool,” explained Thevenot.

For Thevenot, inspiration seems to come from many sources. He states that some of his best projects are when he has the opportunity to collaborate with designers and architects that are breaking the mold and setting new style trends.

“As far as collaboration in the pool industry or even the landscape industry, it’s really just Randy Angell. He and I are very good friends and he’s an amazing designer. I love working with him. We also collaborate with a lot of architects, so quite a lot of our projects are new construction,” said Thevenot.

“We are being brought into the project early for the landscape architecture approach and designing along the side of the architects and collaborating with them and the interior designers as well,” said Thevenot.

“Once they’ve engaged a good interior design firm, I really like to get involved with them and talk about our vision and their vision. It gives us an opportunity to discuss color palettes, look at color theory throughout the home, and of course, the furnishing package inside, what’s that look like? What’s the style going to be? How do we really merge these spaces and make it feel like a continuation again, going back to minimizing those boundaries from interior to exterior,” explained Thevenot.

Thevenot’s firm has received a lot of attention as of late, racking up award after award for their inspired and meticulous approach toward designing stylish contemporary outdoor living environments. Not being one to sit there and count their laurels, Thevenot said that AquaTerra Outdoors will continue to push the envelope.

“We’ve got some amazing and exciting projects we’re working on now. So we’re just going to continue to do what we do. We want to grow each day, each year advancing as a team and individually in our craft. There are some amazing builders out there but we want to be one of the leaders within the industry that others can look up to so we can help grow the industry as a whole,” said Thevenot.

AquaTerra’s exceptional work has garnered recognition from esteemed publications such as Luxe Interiors + Design, Modern Luxury, Pool and Spa News, Hearth and Home, and prominent architecture books. Their outstanding achievements have been acknowledged with prestigious accolades, including being featured on the Luxe Gold List and receiving multiple awards such as the Luxe RED Award, Luxury Pools Pinnacle Award, APSP awards, and TNLA awards. AquaTerra’s innovative projects have also been selected for the American Institute of Architects Home Tour, showcasing their exceptional craftsmanship and design expertise.

Listen to our entire conversation with Tal Thevenot on the Pool Magazine podcast.

Photo Credits: Jimi Smith Photography

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MerLux Pools, a once-popular pool builder in North Texas, is facing accusations of taking money from dozens of customers for pool projects that it never completed. The company is now in bankruptcy, and its former customers have been left holding the bag. Some of them have even begun to speculate that one of the company’s owners, Jared Hall, may have faked his own death to avoid responsibility.

The story begins with Caprice Bohr, who dreamed of having a pool in her backyard. She paid MerLux Pools last summer to build one, but the company never completed the project. Today, Bohr is left with an unfinished pool that collects rainwater and debris. She is one of many homeowners in North Texas who have paid MerLux for projects that the company never finished.

Other customers, like Anusha Raavi and Kedar Kunal, paid MerLux over $142,000 to build them a backyard oasis with a pool, waterfalls, fire bowls, and an outdoor kitchen. They say that everything was perfect until just before Thanksgiving, when a fellow customer warned them that the company was going under. By that Sunday, MerLux was declaring bankruptcy.

Upset customers began to gather on Facebook, sharing videos and stories of their experiences with MerLux. Some customers even confronted one of the owners, Jared Hall, in person, weeks before the bankruptcy. In court records, MerLux reports that it owes money to at least 35 customers and has a total debt of more than $2 million.

During a recorded phone meeting with a bankruptcy trustee, the company’s co-owner, Ryan Setty-O’Connor, claimed that the main reason the company failed was because of Hall. He accused Hall of stealing money, spending it lavishly, and deceiving everyone, including him. Setty-O’Connor testified under oath that Hall died in January from an unspecified illness. During his testimony, Setty-O’Connor also revealed that he was aware that some of the positive reviews for MerLux Pools were not genuine.

However, some customers are not convinced that Hall is actually dead or that he’s the only one to blame. They have questioned the absence of an obituary or public death certificate, and some have even suggested that he may have faked his own death to avoid responsibility.

“Maybe two years later, they both might be sipping margaritas on some beach,” Anusha Raavi told reporters.

CBS News who broke the story was unable to confirm that Jared Hall, co-owner of MerLux Pools, has indeed passed away. However, bankruptcy trustee Shawn Brown has reported that he was provided with a “scan copy of the death certificate” that “appeared authentic.”

With few assets left, MerLux is unlikely to pay off much of its debt. This leaves the company’s former customers to clean up its mess, and many of them are left wondering whether they will ever see their dream pool become a reality.

Photo Credit: @SFamBam – YouTube

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When it comes to the world of pool and outdoor living design, there are few who have come close to the success and recognition that Danny Wang has achieved. Based in Orange County, CA, his firm DW Design & Build has established a reputation as one of the leading design firms. Racking up award after award for his over-the-top luxury pool and backyard designs, Wang’s ability to help homeowners conceptualize their ideal outdoor living environment is unprecedented.

With an uncanny ability to envision complete outdoor living design concepts on-the-fly, Danny Wang is almost a household name in the pool design world. He seems to possess a rare ability that gives him near-instant insight to look at a home and see the potential for a complete redesign in his head before ever putting pen to paper.

“I’m not freestyling it but it’s almost like when I go walking into someone’s backyard an image of a project literally pops up in my head and I see it,” said Wang, “I don’t know how else to describe it. Usually, by the time I’ve walked through the yard and talked to the homeowner, the designs are done within 5 to 15 minutes.”

“It’s probably based on all my experience. You build so many pools, that you kind of know what goes where and what can and can’t go on in the design,” said Wang.

“Lately, when I’m approached for a design the homeowner just lets me do my thing,” said Wang, who admits he’s looking to work with clients who allow him free reign to create them an over-the-top design for their backyard. “That’s kind of how we screen our clients to know if they’re going to be very involved in the process. I mean, that’s okay, but more and more what we like are folks who know they are hiring me to build them an award-winning pool and know that I’ll get it done right,” he explained.

“I don’t think every designer could say that confidently. We’re building a very complex pool, so there are only a few people that can execute at that level. This is why a lot of times we build our own projects,” said Wang.

“Of course, it’s not my house, so what we have to do is still take into account what they want and need. We take those elements from discovery and incorporate those into a design around that,” said Wang.

Wang says he draws inspiration from what other folks like Paul McClean are doing in the field of architecture. “I think pushing that boundary is important, seeing what’s possible both technologically and artistically. What have people not seen before? I think that part really motivates me to be creative and innovative in the design and build aspect. That, makes it more fulfilling and kind of drives me,” said Wang.

“I get a lot of inspiration from just looking at different places. I would look up resorts in Bali, Mexico, and other various parts of the world and try to understand their different design language,” explained Wang, “looking at things globally and saying ‘well what are these people doing in different parts of the world?’ and then taking inspiration from that and combining elments into what we’re designing for our clients.”

Things didn’t always come so easy for Wang, who let us know that the moment he started to become known, he made a typical mistake many design firms make. “I think in 2017, at that time, I had a lot of business. I made a mistake, as a lot of people do, and took on way more than I could chew. I think at that time, I had about 50 projects backlogged, and I was doing about 30 projects at once. It was brutal, and we were losing money left and right,” said Wang.

In order to regain some sanity, Wang said that he was forced to take a break to complete the projects he had in backlog. “I couldn’t build for like two years because we just had so many in backlog,” explained Wang, “I did have time to do design, so what I ended up doing was I was doing my projects during the day, and at night, I would go home and design for other people.”

“That was roughly the same time that I started doing social media. People see would see our designs on social media and it just kind of took off from there,” said Wang.

Wang’s visionary designs are clearly not only appreciated by the pool industry but by the general public as well. Having amassed an enormous social media following, he has plans to leverage his brand in new and exciting ways.

“Our content is entertaining and also educating people. There’s a lot of stuff we can learn now through social media, where we have a worldwide audience. I didn’t know that there were so many different types of building techniques and different elements used throughout the rest of the world. So that’s really eye-opening, and I learned a lot. I also see other people learning a lot from the content that I’m producing and that’s very interesting to me,” said Wang.

Often eager to show off the latest design trends, we asked Wang what’s trending with his social media audience. “I think bigger and crazier water features. We’re using a lot more lighting versus just the traditional on-and-off people are used to. We’re doing smart lighting where we can control the water feature lighting and that creates a whole new element of the design. DMX lighting where the water features change color with the music. LED’s can have patterns and the pool almost becomes like a musical stage.”

By the millions of likes and shares his content is getting, it’s clear that folks are excited about what Wang is doing in the backyard. “You just don’t see these types of things happening in your ordinary backyard,” said Wang.

It’s clear Wang’s portfolio of over-the-top luxury resort-style swimming pools continues to grow almost as quickly as his social media following. Wang said he has every intention of turning the brand into a household name. “We’re kind of getting into product development. Right now we’re talking with tile and fire pit manufacturers. We’re also going to start developing our own indoor and outdoor product lines. So lots of exciting things going on,” said Wang.

Listen to our entire conversation with elite pool designer Danny Wang on the Pool Magazine podcast.

The post One on One With Elite Pool Designer – Danny Wang appeared first on PoolMagazine.com - Get The Latest Pool News.

I have seen a lot of ‘great new ideas’ come into our industry and I have been on the ground floor to help work on them. I’ve helped in the field development as I was trying to incorporate these great new ideas into my own projects.

Ideas such as therapy spas that were created in my little town of Lafayette by Jacuzzi for one of their family members, or working with the very first robotic pool cleaners that were created by Andy Pansini or Howard Arneson, right here in the bay area. Or maybe it was being the first person to introduce the Bay Area to fiberglass spas along with being part of the Redwood hot tub craze that was started right in northern California by Bill Brown, whose grandfather started building redwood water tanks in the East Bay over 125 years ago. 

The fact is, I have seen and been part of what is next and cutting edge in of our industry almost from day one when I decided this was what I wanted to do for a craft for the rest of my life. I have seen some great new ideas come into our industry and I am forever keeping my eye out for what is just around the bend. 

With that being said, I recall a conversation that my son, Nicco, asked me about 5 years ago. He asked, “just how sustainable is the pool industry?”. I said that there always seems to be the next great idea around the bend that rejuvenates our industry. Innovations that take us to the next level, come along every so many years. I reminded him that our family had been building pools in our local market since 1955 and that we’ve never been without work because the pool industry is forever evolving.

With some of this history in mind, I want to tell any of you that are reading this article what I’ve noticed as the next big trend in our industry for those of us that build swimming pools. About 15-20 years ago I started to hear about companies that were specializing in pulling out pools instead of building new ones. It became such a big market that it was not uncommon for excavation companies to remove over 100 pools a year. I started to worry that maybe the lifestyle of owning a swimming pool in your backyard was changing. Was this the moment that enjoying a luxury pool in the privacy of your own backyard might be passing? Was our society was no longer interested in the lifestyle of owning your own pool?

As the momentum grew for pool removal I started to notice that some people weren’t just pulling their pool out because they didn’t have an interest in having a pool in their backyard. What was happening is that they were doing some major remodeling to their home and the pool didn’t fit their needs in its current location, however they still wanted a pool as part of their yard. 

I thought our market was getting saturated and that all the good pool sites were built on already. Were all the good pool sites gone? With fewer and fewer lots to build a pool on, is this how the pool-building market ends in my corner of the country?

Instead, along comes this great new opportunity. If you don’t like your pool or if the cost to repair it is too expensive, then invest your money in the new backyard of your dreams. 

At first, I thought how wild a concept this was. I remember when my father was building pools back in the ’50s and ’60s that his average pool was $2,000 all in. As we continued to get calls to remove a homeowner’s old pool, I didn’t want others to know that I was actually throwing away an old pool to replace it with another “state of the art” new well engineered, and hydraulic-designed swimming pool with all the latest and greatest innovations that we use on all of our projects today. 

Along with the idea of building a new pool came the need to also redesign the entire backyard. That led to scrapping the backyard so that everything was gone and we had a fresh new canvas to design on. The idea caught on like wildfire and before I knew it we were involved in building much higher-priced projects. Not only were we building state-of-the-art swimming pools but also the latest and greatest concrete designs and patterns. Now we could incorporate a gas fire pit in the yard next to the pool. We would design and build a bocce court as another entertainment area. Building a solid roof pavilion with an outdoor fireplace, bar, BBQ, dining room, and a TV above the fireplace; was now possible We could accomplish that in our builds as custom pool builders in our new backyard designs. 

Almost every client that I showed the possibilities to seemed to share the vision. Now the opportunity to personalize their very own backyard with a new swimming pool was possible. All you need is a creative mind and a willing client that believes in your ability to help transform their backyard. They also need a budget big enough to fund their dreams. It no longer became a conversation about what they could do once the old pool was removed, it then became what are all of their possibilities. This new mentality has become such a big part of our business. We no longer talk about just the pool and now focus on the entire backyard. 

My son and I are part of a team of artisans that have all figured out that together we can create some beautiful artwork as we all work together for the common goal of building the entire backyard. In most of our projects, I become the project manager by helping bring in the other team players in coordination with building the swimming pool. It used to be that I would look in various magazines for pool ideas. I would be in awe of the elaborate yard designs that we are now seeing in our industry. Now Nicco and I are the ones that are building these elaborate entertainment backyards. Working alongside our landscape designer to help set the theme of the backyard.  

What I have come to realize is that we aren’t the only ones across the country that have seen this change coming to our industry. I am a member of the Carecraft Pool Professional Buying Group and as I talked to other top professionals in our group, they too are starting to see the designs of the full backyard growing by removing the old pool and installing a new complete backyard entertainment area. 

Most of the pools we remove are typically from the previous generation of the ’60s and ’70s. Not that they were poorly built, but most of the architecture of those swimming pools were based on templated design. This was just before the era of the custom design pool that started in the late ’70s to early ’80s.

1979 was the year that many of us custom builders seem to get our start as we transitioned from the basic pool design to the unique one-of-a-kind, personalized pool designs that you see today. This was the beginning of such builders as David Tisherman, Lew Aikens, Skip Philips and Brian Van Bower.

This was the beginning of a new era of pool design and building. One where we talked about taking our building skills to the next level or raising the bar for our industry. Our generation ushered in the creation of the vanishing edge or the negative edge pool design. This time period seemed to be the era of the rising tide that would lift all boats.

In the ’80s builders like Geremia Pools and Aquarius Pools in Sacramento seemed to be the trendsetters for natural lagoon pools that incorporate the beauty of the landscape into a swimming pool that was personalized for each homeowner. Gone were the days of basic pool template designs. Now there was the freedom of expression to create your own pool design each time you designed and built a swimming pool.  

There have been numerous ups and downs in our industry. Whether it be the economy or whatever shortage was in our market that year, the pool industry seems to have not only survived but thrived in those moments of sunshine. I truly feel that this trend of removing old pools and building all-new backyards is going to be a big part of our industry. The value of our homes seems to only be going up and I am seeing clients realize that if they are going to stay home more then ought to improve their property. 

The photos in this article are one of seven projects we have completed this year where the focus was removing an old outdated pool and installing a whole new entertainment area in our clients backyard.

On 3 of our “Extreme Backyard Make Overs” we found a buried, half-removed pool that was full of broken concrete and capped with dirt. Fortunately, we own all of our own equipment and have our own in-house crew that were well aware of how to remove the old buried pool and prepare the site for a new vessel. 

I highly recommend that if you do take on removal projects like this that you always consult with a soil expert and structural engineer. There is little room for error and you have to prepare the bottom of the pool properly before you put a new, state-of-the-art pool on top of it. 

Building custom swimming pools has been a passion of our family for the past 3 generations. As I slow down to reflect on my career, I could not be prouder of the advances and direction my son Nicco, has already taken our company, since he became part owner. I attribute a lot of the advances to his attending many of the higher level education courses that are now being taught on pool construction by Watershape University and GENESIS.

In my day, you learned on the job from the experience gained by just doing what needed to get done and by sharing ideas with other designers and professionals in the pool industry. Joining together with other like-minded pool professionals has made a big difference in the success of our work and in our reputation. Nicco and other young pool builders have the benefit of learning from generations of pool builders like myself that continue to expand their horizons and raise the bar. 

Creative Environments

creativenvironments.com
P.O. Box, 586, Alamo, CA 94507
Email chuck.baumann@gmail.com
Phone (925) 837-2715

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For decades, my associates and I have tirelessly worked to enhance the knowledge and image of pool builders as highly skilled professionals through educational seminars, technical publications, hands-on demonstrations, certifications, and licensing in many states.

Yet, in your recent commercial, those efforts were thwarted by your organization’s portrayal of a pool builder. 

The commercial, “Meet the kind of people who are in our parking lot at 5:45 a.m.” portrays pool builders with an old stereotype – a guy with an old beat-up truck and notepad drawing.  

The video pans in on each of the “people” in their vehicles as the voiceover describes their profiles and why they are coming to The Home Depot. The last profile is Ed…  “Ed’s putting in a pool for a friend… we all need an Ed!”  The visual is of Ed making notes on a pad. As the commercial continues, the store opens and each of the “People” climb out of the vehicles to go inside. “Ed” with a window sticker “my other truck is a boat”, walks away from his vehicle, an old beat-up truck.  

The original 1-minute commercial produced by BBDO Atlanta/BBDO New York was released in March 2022. A shortened 30-sec version was also released.  

As a licensed pool contractor in Las Vegas, Nevada, a Certified Building Professional, and former director on the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance national board, I take offense to how your commercial depicts my industry.  Not only is this commercial insulting to the many highly educated pool professionals across the US and internationally, but it also encourages the viewpoint that pool builders are simply a guy with old trucks and notepads. Furthermore, “friends” don’t know everything there is to know about building a safe and efficient pool. 

There are many states that require licensing for pool construction. Most have specific guidelines such as building standards and regulations, ANSI and ISPSC codes and in some states- water use restrictions just to name a few.

Nevada homeowners do have the option to build their own pool. However, the Nevada State Contractors Board has outlined in strict detail the guidelines for such activity including registering the project, permitting, insurance responsibilities and mandatory use of licensed sub-contractors to do the work. 

It is a crime for an unlicensed person to perform construction work even on an owner-builder pool project and that includes one’s “friend”.  

While it seems that your creative team at BBDO wanted to capture a variety of individuals, needs and projects, they did not take time to consider the negative and dangerous implications of the “Ed” character.” 

The Home Depot commercial could sway an unlikely consumer to seek a “friend”, an unlicensed and untrained individual to install their pool, jeopardizing the wellbeing of the family both physically and financially. 

Ed might be better off “Putting in a garden for his wife!”

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