Do your clients want a pool? Take the Plungie!

Homes have evolved into more than just a roof over our heads. They are our workplace, school room and sanctuary from the outside world. So it is unsurprising that when renovating or building a new home, a pool tops the list of desired inclusions. However, just as homes have evolved, so too has the humble backyard pool. What was once a costly and time-consuming process can now be fast, affordable and easy for both client and builder – without compromising on quality or style.

An aquatic nation

What's an Aussie summer without sunburnt noses, snags on the barbie and the sound of kids splashing in the pool? As a nation, we're pretty passionate about poolside living: nearly 2.7 million Australians live in a home with a swimming pool – and that figure is climbing. The family pool is a lifestyle hub and the focal point of laid-back summer entertaining.
But, while a slice of aquatic paradise tops many homeowners' wish lists, the traditional barriers to pool ownership can be significant. Space is a common issue, with shrinking blocks and expanding homes leaving little real estate in the backyard. Pools are also perceived as being prohibitively expensive: Canstar Blue estimates that the average spend on a concrete pool installation starts at around $50,000 and can quickly escalate depending on site conditions. 
 
Another hurdle? Logistics. Traditionally, getting a pool is a demanding process for the homeowner, involving shopping around for a suitable installer, site assessment and engineering, council approval, followed by a lengthy construction period – which may or may not coincide neatly with the timeline of their home build. 

But what if getting a beautiful, high-end pool didn't have to be difficult, expensive or require a huge amount of space? As a home builder, what if you could offer your clients a pool as a seamless, integrated and cost-effective part of their new home or reno project – and handle most of the installation yourself? 

All this is possible – with Plungie. 

Plungie is Australia's largest manufacturer of premium precast concrete swimming pools. They work directly with builders to help their customers achieve the backyard pool they've always dreamed of — in days, not months. No fuss, no compromises. 

Pool your resources

'Plungie is a whole new approach to concrete pool installation. The pools are prefabricated, purchased off-the-shelf, and simply craned onto site,' explains Plungie Australia founder and General Manager, Ben Petersen. 'Plungies are designed to be fast and easy for qualified builders to install during any new home, reno or landscaping project, that gives the builder full control over the project. A Plungie won’t break the bank, and are sized right for small backyards or steep, tricky sites.'

Plungies are reliably manufactured in Brisbane to precise dimensions and stringent QA standards, so you know exactly what you're getting. And, importantly, there's no aesthetic compromise – Plungie can be installed in-ground, semi-recessed, or above-ground, and is easily tailored with tiling, coping and landscaping to deliver the same resort-inspired luxury you'd expect from a custom concrete pool. Plungie support the whole process with technical support and documentation to make sure it’s a seamless process for everyone. 

The solution is already proving popular with HIA members. Deniz Huseyin, owner of Built Lifestyles, recently installed a Plungie as part of a custom duplex build in Sydney's eastern suburbs. 'Plungie pools provide speed and efficiency, as well as cost savings when compared to a traditional onsite concrete pool,' he says. 'This is a significant advantage for us and our clients.' 

Brisbane-based builder and owner of Novo Property, Cameron James, recently collaborated with Plot Architecture on a stunning knock-down rebuild on a sloping inner-city block in Ashgrove. For the lifestyle-oriented clients, a pool was non-negotiable, despite the considerable site constraints. 

'When we started to plan for our Ashgrove project, which was on a steep site, we were not looking forward to the pool build,' Cameron says. 'We did some research on traditional pools, but on a site like this where the house is coming out from the very steep block, it wasn't practical. 

'We would have to do a poured in-situ formed up pool at the back, and the cost was an issue. Getting a product that is, for all intents and purposes, the same, we decided to go with Plungie Max. And, it was a better product.'

Seven steps to success

'The Plungie system allows would-be pool owners to work with their own selected and trusted builder to have their dream pool installed in tandem with their new build or reno project,' says James Murphy, Head of Sale for Plungie.

So how does the installation process work? First up, you'll help your client choose the perfect Plungie for their space. It's available in four standard sizes and shapes, so there's something to suit every home and garden. Plungie then provides all the required pool documentation you need to get certification and council approval organised. Once that's all signed off on, the fun begins.

1. Excavate (for in-ground or semi-recessed installs) and prepare the pre-engineered concrete slab footing for the pool to sit on, specific to the particular soil type of the site.
2. The pool is delivered and craned into position.
3. Plumb-up and initial electricals. 
4. Backfill the over-excavated area of the footing (if required).
5. Bespoke finishing with coping tiles, waterline tiles, fencing, decking or paving.
6. Final inspection for fencing and council certification and then,
7. Fill her up and dive in! 

'We provide builders with all the help and support they need to get the job done, from start to finish,' James says. 'This includes comprehensive and straightforward pre-engineered specifications, how-to documentation, and instructional videos.'

Builders who have managed a Plungie installation are blown away at the simplicity and speed. 'Install was easy. We arrived onsite at about 10:30 am, and by 12:30, the pool was in place,' says Cameron James. 'The entire work package was finished by lunchtime.'

Poolside perfection

Versatile and user-friendly, Plungie puts poolside luxury within reach of every backyard. Whether your clients want a sophisticated sanctuary, a tropical hideaway, or a Palm Springs paradise, the possibilities are limited only by their imagination – not by their budget or their site. 
Plungie is a holistic solution that gives you complete control over every aspect of the installation – from improving onsite efficiencies and timing to aesthetic integration with the overall home – on a smart budget. 

'Cost is always a driver, and when we could put a Plungie in and build around it, meant that it was better on the build and the bottom line,' says Julie Lawrence, director of Plot Architecture. 

And, as a valuable addition to your service offering, pool installation gives builders a point of difference in today's competitive marketplace. Bringing it in-house also eliminates unexpected budget blowouts from installation delays, material price rises or trade shortages. 

Your clients will enjoy the simplicity of paying one single bill and dealing with the professional they already know and trust – you. 

For more information on how easy it is to specify a Plungie pool on your next project, visit www.au.plungie.com
Brand promotion: This article was compiled with contributions from Plungie