According to respondents of this year's State of the Industry survey, the pool building business is on a positive roll. An impressive 63 percent said business this past year improved, while only 12 percent reported a decline and 25 percent said they saw no change.
What are you building?
(Respondents were allowed to pick more than one response.)
 |
 |
On the subject of whether or not builders' businesses include a showroom respondents were divided with 59 percent saying they do not have a showroom and 41 percent saying they do.
 |
 |
Professionals from outside the industry are playing and increasingly important role for builders responding to the survey, with design professionals and general contractors leading the way as project collaborators.
 |
Looking Back
We got a lot of feedback about January 2015's "Natural Origins" story. In it, we talked to experts at BIOTOP about two of their new innovations: the "Natural Pool," which features the classic swimming zone and regeneration zone, and the "Living Pool," which looks like a classic swimming pool but lacks a regeneration zone — and still uses no chemicals.
When respondents were asked what pool features/amenities have surprised them with their popularity among clients, we received a remarkably long list. Among the more popular features builders cited:
outdoor living areas outdoor kitchens, automatic covers, fire features, robotic cleaners, caves and grottos, laminar jets, swim jets, smartphone remote control apps, LED lighting, UV sanitation, tanning ledges, vinyl liners over steel steps, VSD pump technology, diving boards and splash pads
Looking Back
If you've heard of David Owens, it's probably because he appeared in AQUA twice over the last year. First, he told us about following his father's footsteps into the pool industry and what he learned along the way ("Like Father, Like Son," June 2014). (That's his dad, Gary, in the above photo.) In October, he wrote a piece for the magazine about his impressive work his raw materials. Clearly, he learned a lot from his pops. (See "Stonework in Progress" for more.)
Looking Back
Not all award-winning pools are made for humans! This project, by Del Rancho Pool & Spa of Encinitas, Calif., took silver in APSP's Awards of Excellence competition. The dog waterpark features everything a canine could want: jets, tunnels, bridges, shallow areas for smaller pups and deeper areas for big splashes. Read more in "Goin' to the Dogs," August 2014.
As the industry ages, many professionals have become concerned with attracting a new generation of professionals to the pool and spa construction business. When asked the question what's the best way draw more young people into the fold, we received a number of insightful responses including:
Of the many issues that concern clients, respondents indicated that a majority are concerned with energy efficiency:
 |
Looking Back
Thanks to the Cold War, a time some of you might remember for the "duck and cover" drills practiced in school, America saw a new craze: bomb shelters. And the lucky pros who benefited from the boon? Pool builders. Read more in the January 2015 issue.
Finally, we asked you to identify issues have had the greatest impact on the pool construction industry over the past three years. Comments included:
