Why “Free Pool Design” Is Rarely Free
Most pool builders are structured to sell you a pool.
My role is different: I help you purchase your poolscape wisely.
That distinction matters more than most homeowners realize — because the common “free design” model quietly asks you to forfeit three things that compound on one another: expertise, time, and long-term return on investment.
1. Expertise: Design Versus Sales
In Nevada, formal design credentials are not required to sell pools. As a result, most homeowners begin the process not with a trained designer, but with a salesperson.
“Free designs” are primarily a lead-generation tool — created quickly to support a sales conversation, not to deliver a holistically considered outdoor environment.
They do not guarantee certified design expertise, construction literacy, or cohesive master planning.
I’ve chosen a different standard. I’ve pursued advanced training and certification beyond state requirements, placing design integrity — not speed — at the center of the process.
2. Time: The Hidden Cost Of “Free”
When design is tied to sales, homeowners are often forced into a time-consuming, repetitive cycle:
Meeting multiple salespeople.
Sitting through similar presentations.
Reviewing designs that feel interchangeable or incomplete.
Speed becomes the priority, rather than refinement.
The goal is to determine quickly whether a project will convert, not to curate every element for long-term coherence and enjoyment.
The result is often fatigue, confusion, and decision paralysis — on both sides.
By contrast, commissioning an independent design professional collapses this process. You gain a clear masterplan first, then move forward with precision rather than guesswork.
3. Money And Return On Investment: Beyond The “Sum Of Parts”
An outdoor living project is not merely a collection of materials and labor. That’s the minimum bar.
The real measure of value is daily life enrichment:
A space you enjoy waking up to.
A sanctuary for restoration.
An environment that invites connection, beauty, and ease.
If a six-figure backyard is built on a rushed or compromised design — where creative potential was left unexplored, details were glossed over, and cohesion was sacrificed for speed — the financial investment may be complete, but the return is not.
Something that appears free at the beginning can quietly cost you far more in missed opportunity, mediocrity, and regret.
A Different Model: Design Advocacy
Commissioning your own design director changes the dynamic entirely.
Instead of navigating sales pitches, you gain an advocate—someone who:
Leads the project in your best interests
Applies both creative and construction intelligence
Curates from a pre-vetted network of craftsmen
Delivers a professionally master-planned roadmap before decisions are locked in
Design is no longer a sales device … It becomes the strategic foundation.
And yes—if you’re wondering where to find someone who works this way…
Don’t worry. I know a guy.
