Custom swimming pools
Architectural Elements
Waterfalls / Ponds
Fine Details
Patios / Terraces
Retaining Walls
Walkways / Steps
Decorative Driveways

BR Design Build is featured in the Metro Washington Home Improvement may 2007 issue.  The feature title is called "Taking The Plunge".

Several of our photographs are featured in the article, the photos reflect the different personality of each residence by the pool design they selected.

The article brings up the most important advice and that is to do your research and consider the different types of pools, filter systems, heaters and also the options that you have on your tile selections are vast. 

The article has many good tips and that adding a pool to the backyard could be one of your biggest purchases of your life.  So if your thinking about making some changes to your backyard please give BR Design Build a call at 410-798-5400.

It is a common fallacy among the general population that fish ponds need to be shut down in the winter.  Most professionally created fish ponds have enough of a recycling water flow to be left running year round, moving water will not freeze and the pond may freeze over with 2-3 or 4 inches of ice, but the moving water that circulates through the pump and the waterfall will not freeze, because the water molecules are constantly in motion and will not stand still to be able to freeze.  Therefore it is healthier for the fish and the pond and the environment to leave the pond running year round and there by having a healthier pond once the winter freeze is finished.

It is also another common misconception that fish, animals and plants are put into the homeowner's pond will not make it through the winter.  If the pond is constructed according to the manufactures specification then you have the depth of two feet and the fish just hibernate and will come back and be active in the spring, this is considering that the fish that are used in the pond are of the variety that can tolerate the winter temperatures.

The fact that fish and plants can survive throughout the winter is proven by ponds in nature, our own environments natural ponds and lakes have a plethora of living organisms and the fish and animals that are in the ponds can freeze over every winter and again the fish come back every spring healthier and become more active once the ponds thaw.

Please contact BR Design Build on your next project at 410-798-5400.

Techo-Bloc has just released its new 2007  catalog which highlights its release of new products to the industry.

Pavers

• Blu - Has a casual slate appearance for patios.
• Natura - A natural, sculptural look for driveways or sanctuary.
• Permega - Permeable paving stone, lets water return naturally to its source.
• Villagio - Has a old street cobble look for your patio area.

Walls

• Rocka - Is a new step tread released by Techo-Bloc for garden paths.
• Pillar - 24" x 3" - Pillar stone used for driveways, walkways or patios.
• Pillar - 24" x 6" - As above same projects for that aged, tumbled finish
• Escala

Cap

• Escala Cap
• Cap 28" x 28"

BR Design Build is proud to be able to utilize Techo-Blocs extensive line of superior paving product in many of its outdoor projects.

Please contact BR Design Build for your next project at 410-798-5400.

A pool construction schedule-

Homeowners generally want to have their pool built by early spring so they can utilize the pool throughout the entire swimming season, what they fail to realize is that in a large custom project the lead time that is needed to complete the pool can be anywhere from 3-5 months.

 -This is broken down by 1-2 month need fro field work and design.

 -One month needed for contract negotiations and pricing and fine tuning, scope of work, permit process, which can take anywhere from one week to six months.

 -Construction time, for a standard backyard construction concerning a swimming pool and all it's elements a minimum time of one month should be allocated for pool construction as well as paving steps, walls, fencing, pool equipment, etc. etc.

 -Therefore construction time on a pool can vary from 1-4 months depending upon the scope of the work.

Adding up all these time lines can result in a project that can take 3 months or more from your initial phone call to having a pool in your backyard that is usable.

For more information on pools please contact BR Design Build, 410-798-5400.

Homeowners need to be aware that when they purchase a paver installation that there are vast differences between a company that will do just generic installation using standard pavers creating an untumble commercial appearance verses a company that will install the antiqued pavers doing a custom installation with banding of various colors, circle inlays, and fine details on the cuts and corners.

Another difference that homeowners will see, is in a generic installation, the contractor will try to cut corners to keep the cost down, and they are generally pricing a project per square foot, where as a custom installer is not looking to cut the corners but he is looking to create a nicer finish product creating a truly beautiful finished installation for the homeowner.

The price difference the homeowner will see between these two types of installation is not a great amount of difference when comparing on a per square foot bases, the costs might be $14-$15 per sqaure foot for generic installation verses $17-$20 a square foot for a custom installation, considering that is a $3-$4 square foot difference the cost difference would not be a significant percentage of the project.

A Homeowner can truly expect to pay $100,000 or more for a quality backyard design and swimming pool installation and this is a breakdown on how those costs can occur.

1.  Basic swimming pool can start at $35,000 - $40,000+ 

2.  Spa can range $10,000 - $15,000+

3.  Automatic cover can be $12,000 - $16,000

4.  Pebble Sheen or Pebbletec finish can be $12,000 - $15,000+

5.  Water feature, waterfalls or sheer descent waterfall can be $3,000+

6.  Paver pool deck can be $10,000+

7.  Retaining walls, steps?

8.  Polymeric sand or sealing of the pavers?

9.  Lighting can be $3,000+

10.  Irrigation $3,000+

11.  Fencing $5,000+/-

12.  Landscaping $5,000+

13.  Dive rock $3,000+

14.  Swim jets $9,000+

15.  Extra seats, ledges and steps, sunning ledges inside the swimming pool?

16.  Upgrading electric supply for pool - sub panel-$5,000+/-

These are just some of the costs that are associated with a swimming pool construction.  These costs are basically labeled as the starting point for some of the costs.  A lot of the costs are dependent on what quality or how elaborate a homeowner wants to build, which could be 2-3 &4 times or more depending upon the extent of the increases or alterations to a very basic construction.  Because of the deceptive nature of the pool industry, they only quote you the 35k - 40k figure, they neglect to disclose all of the other aspects of pool construction.

For any questions that you may have please call BR Design Build 410-798-5400 or please view our website at: www.BRdesignbuild.com                 

It is acceptable to install paver and segmental retaining wall block during the winter months.  This type of construction is not dependant on the weather, since these paving and wall systems are flexible there is no chance of failure due to freezing temperatures.  In addition to this, winter time is usually the time when homeowners can get their best pricing because of a seasonal slowdown.

However there are certain types of construction that are weather dependant for example: anything with poured or stamped concrete like pool, patios, foundations, walls, stone work and driveways.  This type of construction isn't safe to install in winter using poured concrete.

For any questions or help in construction knowledge give BR Design Build a call  410-798-5400 or please view our website at: www.BRdesignbuild.com