If you’ve been dreaming of adding a pool to your backyard, there’s no better time to start planning than right now. Fall and winter are the ideal seasons to lay the groundwork for your new outdoor space so that when spring arrives, you’re not waiting – you’re swimming!
Here in Northeast Florida, warm weather often hits early, and pool construction schedules fill up fast as soon as the new year begins. Homeowners who begin the process before year-end gain a major advantage: they can complete design, permitting, and budgeting early and be first in line when it’s time to build.
At Clarkson Pools, we’ve spent over 35 years refining a process that makes pool building smooth, informed, and enjoyable, from your first conversation to your final walkthrough. Here’s how to prepare now so you can make next spring the season your dream backyard comes to life.
1. Dream Big Now: Define Your Vision Before the Holidays
Every great pool project begins with a dream and that’s exactly where Clarkson Pools’ process starts.
Your Dream Meeting is the first step. It’s a relaxed, creative consultation where you share your ideas, inspirations, and goals. Whether you’re envisioning a serene retreat surrounded by palms or a lively outdoor hub for family and friends, our team listens closely to understand your lifestyle and space.
During this stage, we’ll:
Discuss your home’s style and architecture
Review any HOA or site requirements
Talk through your preferred features – like tanning ledges, spas, or waterfalls
Explore your budget range to help guide smart design decisions
Next, using advanced 3D design tools, our experts bring your ideas to life, showing how your pool and outdoor living space will look within your property’s layout. By starting this phase before the holidays, you’ll have time to refine your vision and enter the new year with a clear, exciting plan in motion.
2. Choose Your Design Path: Custom or Clarkson Classics
Not everyone knows exactly what they want from the start – and that’s okay. At Clarkson Pools, we meet you wherever you are in your pool journey.
If you’re ready for a custom design, our design team will craft a one-of-a-kind pool tailored to your home, lifestyle, and backyard layout.
If you’re just starting to explore possibilities, our Clarkson Classics collection is a great place to begin. This curated lineup of high-quality pool designs showcases popular layouts, sizes, and features, paired with clear pricing guidance. It’s an easy, transparent way to see what’s possible for your budget – and it can help you make informed choices faster.
Starting this process before year-end means you’ll have plenty of time to compare options, make confident decisions, and secure your spot in the spring build schedule.
3. Get Your Property Evaluation and Site Plan Completed
Once your design ideas begin to take shape, it’s time to evaluate your property. Every yard has its own unique opportunities and challenges, from soil conditions and drainage to access points for equipment.
A professional site evaluation ensures your pool is positioned for sun exposure, functionality, and aesthetics. Addressing these details now prevents delays later and allows for accurate pricing and planning.
At Clarkson Pools, our experienced team handles this step early in the process, coordinating everything needed to create a design that works beautifully with your landscape and local conditions.
4. Step Into the Presentation Phase
The next milestone in Clarkson Pools’ process is the Presentation and it’s where your backyard vision really starts to come alive.
In this meeting, your design consultant walks you through a full backyard concept that integrates your pool, decking, landscaping, and outdoor living features. You’ll review your 3D design, project proposal, and timeline while discussing every detail of your space.
This phase is collaborative and low-pressure. You can ask questions, share feedback, and fine-tune your plan until it feels perfect. By starting this phase during the fall or winter, you’ll have the breathing room to refine your design at your own pace—without the springtime rush.
5. Budget Smart: Secure Financing and Plan Ahead
A pool is both a luxury and an investment, so thoughtful budgeting is key. Before the new year, take time to review your financial options. Clarkson Pools provides clear, detailed proposals with no surprises, and we can connect you with trusted pool financing partners who specialize in outdoor living projects.
Planning your budget early also helps you make informed design choices. You can prioritize the features that matter most, whether that’s a raised spa, energy-efficient equipment, or a stunning travertine deck—without feeling pressured later.
6. Get Ready: Finalize Details and Lock In Your Schedule
After your presentation, the next step in our process is the Get Ready stage. This is where everything starts to come together.
You’ll have the chance to visit our Design Center and Showpool, see materials in person, and confirm your tile, coping, decking, and equipment selections. This is also when our team finalizes your project scope and estimate, ensuring everything aligns with your goals and budget.
Completing this step before the new year means you can secure your spot in the spring construction schedule – a huge advantage when demand begins to surge in Northeast Florida.
7. Navigate Permitting and HOA Approvals Early
Permitting can be one of the most time-consuming parts of any pool project, so it’s wise to get a head start. Depending on where you live in Northeast Florida: Jacksonville, St. Johns, Ponte Vedra, Orange Park, or the surrounding areas, you may need city, county, or HOA approvals before construction can begin.
Clarkson Pools manages this process for you. Once you’re ready to move forward, our team prepares and submits all necessary plans, handles engineering documentation, and coordinates with local agencies. By beginning before the holidays, we can ensure your paperwork is complete and ready to go when construction season kicks off.
8. Let’s Go: Make It Official and Get on the Build Schedule
When you’ve finalized your design and are ready to move forward, it’s time for the Let’s Go! stage.
This is when your dream becomes a plan. Clarkson Pools handles all final paperwork, confirms permits, and locks in your spot on the build schedule. From there, our skilled craftsmen and project managers take over, handling excavation, plumbing, electrical, and finishing with care and precision.
You can relax knowing your project is in trusted hands, supported by more than three decades of local experience and a reputation for quality that stands out in the Northeast Florida pool industry.
9. Think Beyond the Pool: Complete Your Outdoor Living Vision
One of the biggest advantages of planning your pool early is that you have time to design a complete outdoor environment, not just the pool itself.
Clarkson Pools specializes in creating integrated outdoor living spaces that transform your backyard into an extension of your home. Consider adding:
Outdoor kitchens and bars for entertaining
Cabanas or Pergolas for shade and comfort
Custom lighting and sound systems for ambiance
Fire features for cooler Florida evenings
Native landscaping for a natural, low-maintenance finish
By coordinating these features during the design process, you ensure your entire space looks cohesive, functions beautifully, and fits your lifestyle perfectly.
10. Be Ready to Swim When Spring Arrives
By starting now – before year-end – you’ll enjoy a stress-free experience and a faster path to the water. Most pool projects take 8–12 weeks from groundbreaking to completion, depending on complexity.
That means if you begin planning this fall and finalize your design and permits by winter, you could be swimming by March or April, right as Northeast Florida’s pool season begins.
Start Your Pool Journey with Clarkson Pools
Building a pool should be exciting, not overwhelming—and with Clarkson Pools, it is. Our proven process is designed to guide you every step of the way, from dream to design to first splash.
Whether you’re ready for a fully custom pool or exploring our Clarkson Classics collection, our team is here to make it simple, transparent, and fun.
Get started today with your Dream Meeting and take the first step toward a spring filled with sunshine, relaxation, and backyard memories.
Contact Clarkson Pools today to schedule your consultation and start planning the outdoor living space you’ve always imagined.
