Verve dives in for a chat with Julie Runciman, director of Frontier Pools, to learn more about how they make “clients’ dream designs into reality”.
How has the pool market changed during your 30 years in the business?
Pools were always seen as luxury add-ons, but now most high-end house builds include them. The lockdowns and travel restrictions certainly saw people focusing on their backyards and we saw a significant increase in pool builds to existing residences. We were very fortunate in that difficult time had a positive impact on our business and we didn’t take that for granted.
What’s the most popular trend for pool design?
We’re seeing the integration of lots of spas allowing people to go from the cool of the pool to the warmth of the spa with ease as they’re usually only separated by a ledge or small wall.
What sets Frontier Pools apart from other pool companies?
We’d like to think that you’re getting the most committed, experienced of teams. We strive to make a clients’ outdoor living dream a reality by constructing beautiful, high-quality pools to be enjoyed for years to come.
Can you tell us about the most challenging project you’ve undertaken?
Most of our projects have an element of complexity – something which Frontier Pools’ reputation has been built on. Using a steel-reinforced, sprayed-concrete method enables us to create pretty much any design and size, which attracts us to those with yards that are uniquely shaped, have limited space or tricky to get to.
Success comes down to maintaining good, constant communication with the client and addressing issues as soon as they arise. The construction process can be extremely messy at times, particularly in winter months, so it’s vital to let clients know what to expect. No surprises are imperative to the smooth management of a project!
Many homeowners dream of having a pool. What advice would you give to someone considering such a project?
Good planning and design are key to any successful building project and that definitely extends to outdoor living projects. When a client contacts us, if they haven’t already engaged with a landscape architect to design their pool/outdoor living project we will always refer them to one of the various amazing ones we partner with across Auckland. Do your homework and know who you are dealing with – most of our clients are referred by a friend or work colleague who have used us before.
Also, make sure you know what’s not included in your quoted price and what are provisional costs such as excavation to minimise any surprises that can potentially blow out the budget. Again, communication with your project manager and key contractors are imperative to a successful build project.
