When you start designing a pool, one of the first questions that comes up is:
“Why does Southern Pool Designs charge a design fee when others don’t?”
It’s a fair question — and the short answer is simple:
Because we’re not sketching a pool. We’re engineering an investment.
Free Designs Aren’t Free
Many builders advertise “free designs,” but that cost still shows up somewhere usually in rushed plans, padded construction pricing, or expensive mistakes down the road.
A “free” design is typically a sales tactic. It’s not engineered, not dimensionally accurate, and rarely accounts for site conditions, utilities, or elevation changes.
At Southern Pool Designs, we approach design differently. We treat it as the foundation of the entire project and we price it honestly.
What You’re Really Paying For
Your design fee covers far more than a few renderings. It’s a structured process that saves time, money, and stress later.
Here’s what’s actually included:
| Category | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Concept Design | 3-D renderings, layout options, visual balance, and lifestyle flow |
| Engineering Input | Preliminary structure, hydraulics, and grading coordination |
| Material Planning | Tile, coping, decking, finishes, and feature recommendations |
| Budget Alignment | Real-world cost modeling so your design matches your investment goals |
| Permitting Prep | Early coordination to prevent surprises in city or county review |
| Ownership Rights | The design becomes your intellectual property, not a sales hook |
In short — your design isn’t a drawing; it’s a roadmap that eliminates costly unknowns.
Why It Matters
The design stage is where 90% of future headaches can be prevented.
We invest the time upfront to think through everything — drainage, hydraulics, site access, and constructability — so your build phase runs smooth and predictable.
That’s why our designs come out build-ready, not sales-ready.
When you hire Southern Pool Designs, you’re hiring a professional design-build partner that takes full accountability from the first concept to the final inspection.
Bottom Line
A “free” design is a sales tool.
A paid design is a professional service.
Your pool will live for decades — it deserves to start with precision, not guesswork.
At Southern Pool Designs, your design fee is your guarantee that the plan will be engineered right, budgeted honestly, and built beautifully.
Because in pool construction, you either pay for design upfront — or you pay for mistakes later.