NOWADAYS, BUILDING A POOL IS MORE THAN AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR PROPERTY VALUE: IT'S AN EXTENSION OF YOUR HOME. Pools are for more than swimming and often act as a gathering place for family and friends—including an ever-increasing amount of cooking and entertainment opportunities. While it may seem strange, this time of year is actually the best time to begin planning your new pool project, according to Bryan Hull, co-owner of Del Val Pools and Spas. House & Home spoke with Hull about best practices in planning a pool and about Del Val Pools' generations of experience.

AS THE WEATHER GROWS COLDER, DO THINGS SLOW DOWN IN THE POOL BUSINESS? Our three Del Val Pools and Spas locations will experience a slowdown in terms of chemical and pool accessory sales now that most have closed their pools until next spring. That being said, this time is a very busy planning season for the new pools we will build before the summer of 2025. So, while retail slows down, pool construction and planning amps up.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO PLAN FOR A NEW POOL? If you want to be swimming in your personal backyard oasis by next summer, you need to get on our calendar and start planning right away. We build custom gunite pools and aim to bring your vision to reality—which means plans change as your dreams change. We know our customers will read articles, find inspiration on social media and maybe even come up with their own ideas over winter break. Getting on the schedule now locks in the calendar and gives one time to finesse and polish original concepts. In addition, planning a budget now is always a better idea than scrambling in the future. We do all our own work—we do not subcontract any aspect—so we are able to establish a firm price now.

IF YOU WERE BUILDING A POOL IN YOUR BACKYARD IN 2025, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT? Nowadays, the pool is an extension of the home—becoming more of a function of the home and the house's architecture. This stylistic congruency simply means an extension of the home outdoors. I recently finished my pool right before the summer and we built ours with ample seating, lighting, spa and outdoor cooking facilities. My pool is right off the back of my house— not hidden in the back corner of the property. It's where we relax, enjoy our families and make memories.

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR YOU TO HAVE THE THIRD GENERATION OF YOUR FAMILY AT DEL VAL POOLS? I remember when we were the up-and-coming generation. We constantly questioned "why" and "how" all the time—it drove the first generation nuts—but we know that inquiring is the birth of innovation. My brother, myself and our wives are the older ones now and share our decades of experiences with the upand-coming third generation, and encourage them to ask their own questions and offer ideas. Everything from the business model and industry to where and how we build pools has changed throughout my generation, but we continue to grow and evolve our knowledge and services. Building at the Shore has proven to be an immensely rewarding challenge. The second and third generations at Del Val own that, and we have found a superb niche in South Jersey building "Sandyproof" pools—a much-needed concept following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE TO PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT BUILDING A POOL IN 2025? Do your research and discover what your dream pool looks like. Create a file and fill it with inspo pictures, concept maps of your yard and a list of your top priorities to create an overall plan. Pools in 2025 aren't the single-purpose rectangle pools of my childhood; they've evolved a tremendous amount. Technology is the way of the future and now phones have the ability to control your pool's cleaners, lighting, waterfalls and so much more. In addition to dreaming big, learn more about Del Val Pools—like how we control costs by buying inventory two-tothree years out, do all of our own work and set standards to ensure your pool is built to last. Quality, innovative work, and going above and beyond in construction is what we're known for—it's who we are and who we will continue to be as the fourth generation of Del Val Pools is here.

Del Val Pools and Spas
4431 Route 42 | Turnersville, N.J. (856) 629-2999 | DelValPoolsAndSpas.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 24, Issue 11 (October 2024)
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