As the sustainable environment trend continues to take root in the U.S., more and more people are growing curious about the natural swimming pool movement. To that end, Maine’s Portland Press Herald recently ran a profile on Chris Paquette of Robin’s Nest Aquatics, who considers himself to be the only builder in Maine who creates natural swimming pools. A few things we learned from the story:
1. You can charge a lot for a natural swimming pool.
"'I could probably squeeze one in for $35,000,' he said. But the average cost is much higher. 'Typically it runs about $65,000.' And a time commitment on both ends; it takes about three years and many regular checkups for the system to become self-sufficient."
RELATED: The Pursuit of a Chemical-Free Pool
2. They take a long time to build.
"It takes about three years and many regular checkups for the system to become self-sufficient," author Mary Pols writes.
3. They create an element of surprise.
“'You walk up to it and you can’t tell, ‘Did somebody build this? Or was it here and they built the house next to it?’”
RELATED: Who Should Build NSPs: Pool Builders or Landscape Contractors?
4. With such a small niche, no advertising is required.
Paquette and his wife don't need to advertise their natural swimming pools. "They just hit the Portland Flower Show, bringing along various burbling displays. No, not pools, those displays are smaller water features. 'Because water is just fun and cool. If you do it right, it turns people on.'"
