We've had our pool about a year. I was actually just talking with our builder today. We "might" be building another on a new lot in town and we're discussing things I'd do same and different:
-we have an automatic cover . We have a lot of trees and I will definitely do again as new lot has similar amount of trees. This is not something you can add later so it's a must. You do have to have a rectangular pool for this to work though.
-have a heater. Agree with above. It's expensive to run and we don't heat the pool in winter, but we've used it this month when weather is nice but water is too cold. We got the pool to use, so heater is something we will do again (incidentally, this and a chiller for that matter can be added later, unlike the cover, so I'd save here if you had to decide between things. Could always add it later)
-we have a three tiered wall with water falls. Kids absolutely love this to jump off of. We all like it going when we're swimming or if we're just outside. It adds a lot to the atmosphere even during the non-swim months.
-the best thing however, is a long bench under the waterfalls. It is the best place to sit to let that wide stream of water fall on your shoulders. Super bonus is to sit there when the heater is going cause the water coming out is like 100 degrees and it feels great this time of year (spring/fall)
-I almost passed on the hot tub. In fact, I only got it because it worked aesthetically with my design. Turns out we really love it. I will definitely add again. When the temp is cool to cold, you can't reasonably heat the pool, but the hot tub heats up quick and it's great. We built a huge hot tub (7' x 12'). Will do that again. Lots of people can fit in there and it's a favorite for the kids friends and for me when it's just the kids and I in those cool months
-we have a big beach and we love that too. Another spot to jump off of. We don't use it a ton for lounging but it's another feature or point of interest. Believe it or not, you may get bored with a pool but having those points of interest help (fountain, beach, bench, etc...). We tiled the beach with the same tile we used for the waterline. I was nervous that it would be too slippery but it isn't slippery at all and I will definitely do it again . Looks great. Feels great on your feet. Breaks up the visual from the pebble on a large pool.
-we used pebble on the pool. I was looking at the glass type pebble but it was going to be another 15-20k so that was a no. However, my pool guy said they could buy some after market glass and throw it in the pebble as they shot it. He made the analogy of throwing in flakes on an epoxy floor. Anyway, I was nervous cause our contractor said he'd never done it before. we did it and it looks good. Only complaint was I wish they threw a lot more on. So, I'm going to repeat that but ask them to triple the amount they threw in. It was only a couple hundred bucks to throw it on by the way.
