New Pool Construction — Full Project, One Contractor

Both are excellent choices and the right option depends on your priorities. Fibreglass pools are manufactured in a factory to fixed shapes and sizes, craned into the excavation, and connected to plumbing and electrical — the process takes 2–6 weeks and the smooth gelcoat surface is easy to clean and resists algae better than concrete. They are the most popular residential choice in SEQ for their speed and lower long-term maintenance. Concrete (gunite or shotcrete) pools are fully custom — any shape, size, and depth — and are the premium choice for large or uniquely shaped pools. They take 3–6 months to build, require replastering every 10–15 years, and need more chemical management due to the porous surface. Budget for fibreglass is typically lower; for custom designs, concrete is the only option.

From design consultation to completion, a fibreglass pool project typically takes 3–5 months (including the 4–8 week DA approval period). The physical installation once approvals are in hand takes 2–6 weeks. A concrete gunite pool takes longer — typically 4–8 months from approval to handover, as the concrete shell requires curing time before the interior finish can be applied. These timelines are weather and council-dependent. We provide a project timeline at the quoting stage.

A Development Application (DA) is required from your local council for all new residential pools across SEQ. The DA covers the pool structure, pool fencing, and site drainage. Depending on your property and council, additional assessments may be required. Building work approval (or a private certifier) is also required for the pool construction itself. Most councils also require a plumbing permit for the pool hydraulics. We manage all of these approvals as part of the project — you do not need to engage separately with council.

Queensland has mandatory pool safety laws under the Building Act 1975 and Queensland Development Code MP 3.4. All pools must be fenced with a non-climbable zone (NCZ) of 1.2 metres on all sides, with self-closing, self-latching gates that open away from the pool. No climbable objects — furniture, garden features, fence rails — are permitted within the NCZ. A Pool Safety Certificate must be issued by a licensed Pool Safety Inspector before the pool is used for the first time, and again every time the property is sold or a new tenancy begins. Non-compliance can result in significant fines. Every pool we construct leaves site fully compliant and with the pool safety certificate obtained.

Pool Safety Certificates are issued by licensed Pool Safety Inspectors — a separate certification role to the building certifier. We coordinate the Pool Safety Inspection and certificate as part of every pool project. The inspector checks the entire pool fence and gate system against the AS 1926.1 requirements. The certificate is valid for a period depending on the sale or rental context. We do not hand over a pool without the Pool Safety Certificate in place.

In SEQ's climate, a well-constructed pool with quality surrounds typically adds meaningful value to a residential property — particularly in established suburban areas of Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast where outdoor lifestyle is central to the market. While exact uplift varies by suburb, property type, and pool quality, a pool is generally regarded as a positive feature in SEQ unlike in cooler states where the benefit is more marginal. The quality of surrounds and landscaping significantly affects the perceived and actual value uplift — a beautifully finished pool area adds more than a bare pool in a gravel yard.

Minimum setbacks from boundaries vary by council but are typically 1–1.5 metres from side and rear boundaries, and pools must not be within 1.5 metres of the house (for most council areas). Beyond setbacks, you need space for the coping surround, pool fencing, and safe access around the pool. On a standard 600m² suburban block, a pool of 6m x 3m to 8m x 4m is typically achievable. Plunge pools (3m x 2m to 4m x 2.5m) suit smaller urban lots that would not accommodate a full-size pool. We assess your block in the design consultation and advise on realistic sizing.

Pool fencing is quoted separately from the pool shell, as scope and material choices vary significantly. Options range from aluminium framed fencing (most cost-effective, $120–$200 per linear metre) through to semi-frameless glass panel systems ($280–$450 per linear metre). All fencing is installed to Queensland AS 1926.1 requirements. We strongly recommend including fencing in the overall project scope rather than adding it separately later — it is more efficient to install fencing as part of the overall construction sequence.

Ongoing maintenance costs depend on pool type, size, and your chosen sanitisation system. A fibreglass pool with a saltwater chlorinator is the lowest-maintenance option — typically $500–$1,200 per year in chemicals and equipment servicing for a standard residential pool. Concrete pools require more chemical management and replastering every 10–15 years (typically $8,000–$20,000 when due). All pools require regular cleaning, filter backwashing, and chemical balancing. Many owners use a pool maintenance service ($80–$150 per month) rather than managing it themselves.

Yes — this is one of our key strengths and the main reason clients choose us for pool projects. We coordinate the complete outdoor space: pool construction, coping and surrounds, pool fencing, retaining walls, paving or decking, landscaping, planting, irrigation, lighting, and garden structures. Managing it all with one contractor rather than five separate trades eliminates sequencing conflicts, responsibility gaps, and the coordination burden on the client. We provide a single proposal, a single point of contact, and a single completion guarantee.

There is no single regulatory maximum depth for residential pools in Queensland, but most residential pools are designed with a shallow end of 900mm–1.2m and a deep end of 1.5m–2.0m. Pools deeper than 1.5m are generally not required for recreational swimming and add significant construction cost due to additional excavation, concrete volume, and structural requirements. Dive pools (typically 2.0–2.5m at the deep end) require specific design and are not common in standard residential projects. We will advise on appropriate depth for your intended use during the design consultation.

Yes — for larger landscaping projects we offer a landscape design consultation where we discuss your goals, style preferences, budget, and maintenance expectations before any work begins. We provide concept plans and staged project options so you know exactly what you're getting. For smaller jobs like turf installation or garden maintenance, detailed design isn't necessary and we'll discuss your preferences on-site.

In Queensland's climate, we most commonly install Sir Walter Buffalo (excellent shade tolerance, soft underfoot), Zoysia (fine leaf, great for high-traffic areas), Kikuyu (fast growing, drought tolerant, suits sunny yards), and Couch (excellent for sports and active families). The best choice depends on your sun exposure, soil type, drainage, and intended use. We'll recommend the right variety during your consultation.

New turf needs to be watered 2–3 times daily for the first 2 weeks to establish roots. After that, reduce to daily watering for week 3, then every 2–3 days from week 4. Your first mow should be around 3–4 weeks after installation when the grass is firmly rooted. We'll give you a full aftercare guide with every turf installation.

Yes — we build timber sleeper and concrete block retaining walls for residential and commercial properties. Properly engineered and installed timber sleeper walls last 20–30 years. Concrete block walls have an even longer lifespan. All our retaining walls over 1m high are engineered and comply with Queensland council requirements. We obtain any necessary permits as part of our service.

Yes — we offer ongoing garden maintenance plans that can be tailored after a landscaping project or for any existing garden. Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly visits covering lawn mowing, edging, weeding, pruning, mulching, and seasonal planting. A well-maintained garden looks dramatically better and the investment in landscaping lasts much longer with regular care.

Yes — poor drainage is a very common Queensland problem, especially after heavy rain. We provide drainage solutions including surface channel drains, agricultural drains, dry creek beds, and reshaping of ground levels to direct water away from homes and structures. Fixing drainage also dramatically improves lawn health and reduces mosquito breeding. We assess drainage as part of any landscaping consultation.

A full garden makeover for a standard residential property typically takes 2–5 days. This includes clearing, soil preparation, edging, planting, mulching, and lawn work. Larger projects with retaining walls, paving, or irrigation can take 1–3 weeks. We always provide a clear timeline before starting.

Yes — we design and install automatic irrigation systems for lawns, garden beds, and vegetable gardens. A properly designed irrigation system saves water (often more than a manual watering routine), ensures consistent coverage, and can dramatically improve lawn and garden health in Queensland's dry seasons. We offer both in-ground pop-up systems and drip irrigation for garden beds.

In Southeast Queensland, the cooler dry months of April–September are ideal for most landscaping work — planting new gardens, laying turf, building structures, and major soil work. Summer (November–March) is fine for maintenance and some planting but the wet season can affect concrete pours and some installations. We work year-round and will advise on timing during your consultation.

We handle smaller tree and shrub removal as part of landscaping projects. For larger tree removal or trees near structures and power lines, we coordinate with licensed arborists. Stump grinding can be arranged as part of any job. We'll be upfront about what we can handle in-house versus what requires a specialist.