Swimming Pools: The Importance of Having a Plat or Survey

WHY DO I NEED A COPY OF A PLAT OR SURVEY BEFORE A SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION CONSULTATION?

 

 

This blog post will be very informative to those considering the purchase of a home with the idea of installing a swimming pool in the future. Many potential customers ask for our assistance before purchasing a home to make certain their new home will accommodate a pool. We are here to help, but in order for us to do so, this is what you will need and the questions you should ask before purchasing a home:

  

• Is the home on sewer or septic tank? If the home is on septic tank, where are the lines and tank located? A copy of the septic drawing can be obtained from your local environmental health office. If the lines run through the backyard, there will be an expense to move the system. Ask LOTS of questions and if possible, hire professionals to assess the situation before purchasing the home. Most jurisdictions require no construction to be within 20 feet of the septic tank and lines. Also, you must have a reserve area if the system were to fail in its current location. We have seen instances where a system cannot be relocated even though the home buyer was told this was an option!

  

• You must obtain a copy of the survey or plat before purchasing the home. Your realtor should be able to obtain these documents for you. If for some reason the current homeowner does not have a copy of the plat or survey, a copy can be obtained from the tax assessor’s office in your county. Never buy a house without looking at the plat or survey and the septic drawing.

  

• Once you have a copy of the plat or survey, please be on the lookout for notations like drainage easements, build lines, flood zones, river corridors, wetlands, etc., especially in the back yard. All of these items could possibly prevent you from being able to build a pool. We can look at these professional documents as well and can advise you about building a pool.

  

• As mentioned in the opening paragraph, we are frequently asked to evaluate homes and home sites for potential purchasers. We cannot "guarantee" you can construct a pool without first seeing a copy of the plat or survey! We can look at a yard and believe that it is satisfactory for a pool, when in fact, there is an easement running through the center of the back yard that is not visible to the eye. We have seen this happen MANY times. Please do your due diligence and obtain these documents first to make your purchase as positive and accurate as possible.

  

• The items above can also apply to potential Hilltop customers looking to build a pool in their current home. We ask each customer if they can provide a plat or survey as this is essential for your initial visit.

 

Also, many of our current customers have learned this the hard way, so feel free to comment and provide your input. :-)

  

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

 

Sincerely,

 

Your Friends at

Hilltop Pools and Spas, Inc.
www.hilltoppools.com
770-471-3889


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