investing their money into something that their family will be able to use and enjoy for many years to come. TAILORING POOL DESIGN TO EACH SPECIFIC CUSTOMER
At Baker Pool Construction, every pool is custom designed and, therefore, unique. “We tailor each and every project to the customer,” says lead designer Rob Warren. “The yard may lend itself to certain design possibilities, but the homeowner is the ultimate influence. No two customers have the exact same needs and desires, and so no two projects ever turn out exactly alike.”
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Creating the Ultimate Staycation Destination with Baker Pool Construction
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hroughout history, there have been numerous significant events that have helped to shape modern life as we know it today. However, it’s safe to say that very few, if any, of these events have had the same widespread impact on the world as the COVID-19 pandemic. In the early months of 2020, COVID-19 spread like wildfire around the globe and rapidly changed our perception of “normal, everyday life.”
As the number of cases continued to grow into the summer of 2020, it quickly became evident that COVID wasn’t going to be a short-term obstacle. With no end to the pandemic in sight, people realized that any vacation plans they had made were now futile. They began thinking about other alternatives and ways to keep their families busy and entertained while stuck at home. The idea of a staycation destination suddenly became very enticing and, for many people, downright necessary. And with travel no longer a viable option, many families had the extra funds available to invest in such home-remodeling projects.
INCREASING DEMAND FOR POOLS
Almost as soon as the first lockdown went into effect, the phones at Baker Pool Construction began ringing off the hook. “We went from receiving three to five bid requests per day to 20, sometimes 30 per day,” says office administrator Jennifer Hacker. “The increase in demand was drastic and happened basically overnight. It’s definitely a challenge to keep up with at times, but we’re also extremely grateful to have so much business during such a tumultuous time.” Those leads have slowed a bit since last summer, but demand for new construction is still much greater than it was prior to COVID. Of course, while homeowners are eager to get started on projects as quickly as possible, they also want to make sure that they are
The design process begins when sales manager Ken Mikes first meets with the homeowners. During this initial consultation, Ken is able to visually assess the backyard and get a feel for what the clients are looking for out of the project. “I’ve been with Baker for over 15 years now, and so I’ve learned what questions to ask people to get them thinking and to open their eyes to all the different possibilities,” says Mikes. “Many of our clients want more than just a traditional swimming pool. They want to create a relaxing environment where they can spend time together and create lasting family memories.” Baker specializes exclusively in custom concrete swimming pools, and so the design options are virtually limitless. Have a small backyard or a boundary easement that limits where you can build? With concrete, you can build any size or shape pool imaginable. Backyard not completely flat, or even steeply sloped? In most cases, a pool is still possible with some grading work and possibly the addition of a retaining wall or two. ADDING ELEMENTS ENHANCES THE POOL EXPERIENCE
When determining what depth to build a swimming pool, it’s important to think about how the customer plans to use the pool. If they have small children, then they will probably want a substantially sized shallow end. Large tanning ledges are also popular with families with young children, as they provide room for the kids to comfortably sit in the water and play. If a slide or jump board
