Reviewed and updated for 2026 by the Land-Con landscape design team.
A pool that’s designed on its own, separate from the rest of your backyard, almost always looks like it was added on afterward. At Land-Con, we design your pool and your landscape together — from the first sketch — so the water, the patio, the planting, and the lighting all read as one space instead of a pool with some grass around it. This is what sets custom pool design and build apart from a standard pool installation, whether you’re in Toronto or elsewhere in Ontario.
Pool Design and Construction, Planned as One Project
Studying your existing landscape — the slope, the sun exposure, the trees you want to keep, the view from your kitchen window — is where every project starts. From there, we build a pool design and construction plan that works with those conditions instead of fighting them. Our exquisite pool designs across Toronto pair the pool build itself with the patio, planting, and hardscape around it, so the finished result functions as a complete outdoor living space rather than separate projects stitched together. If you’re looking specifically for landscaping and planting ideas around an existing or planned pool, our pool landscaping design guide covers that in more depth.
If you’re looking specifically for a dedicated pool specialist rather than a full backyard redesign, our sister company Toronto Pool focuses exclusively on pool design and construction. Land-Con’s strength is the integration — the pool as one part of a complete landscape.
25 Years Designing Pools as Part of Toronto Landscapes
We’ve spent the last 25 years working on pool design and landscape design together — figuring out how a pool changes drainage, grading, planting, and hardscape decisions across an entire property. That combined experience is what let us take on projects other pool-only contractors turn away: sloped lots, mature trees close to the build zone, small urban yards, and heritage properties with specific landscape requirements. It’s also why homeowners across Ontario pool design projects, not just in Toronto proper, come to us for the GTA-wide service area we cover.
Case Study: Forest Hill Estate
This Richmond Hill project shows what pool-and-landscape integration actually looks like in practice. The home’s natural stone construction and traditional feel, mixed with modern elements like large square windows, shaped the whole design direction: a modern lower landscape beside the pool that transitions smoothly into the more traditional, organic shapes near the house. The most striking design moment is a large curved cut in the stone where the straight pool walkway meets the steps up to the patio — a transition point that had to be planned before the pool itself was built.
Drainage was a real site challenge here, addressed through careful slope work and garden space, with a pond overflow system built in. The 18×38 concrete pool was constructed first specifically to set the grade for the lower-tier patio and surrounding area — proof that pool and landscape decisions on this project genuinely had to happen in the right order, together, not as two separate jobs.
Certified & Award-Winning Pool Design and Build Team
Our credentials for pool design and build in Toronto aren’t just marketing claims — they’re independently verified:
- HomeStars Best of Award — recognized for consistent customer satisfaction.
- ICPI Certified — certified in interlocking concrete pavement installation, relevant for pool decks, patios, and surrounds.
- Concrete Masonry Certified — verified expertise in concrete construction for pool shells, retaining walls, and hardscape.
- BILD Member — Building Industry and Land Development Association.
- Landscape Ontario Member — the province’s professional landscaping association.
What Pool and Landscape Integration Actually Involves
Every project follows the same core process regardless of scale. When designing and constructing pools, we strictly adhere to industry standards and local regulations governing swimming pool design and installation, and we manage permits, plumbing, and electrical coordination as part of a single project — not separate contracts you have to manage yourself. Every pool-building project is completed with attention to how it fits the surrounding grade, planting plan, and hardscape, so the final design reflects your taste while integrating with the rest of your property.
This matters more than it sounds. Many Toronto homeowners make the mistake of hiring separate teams for pool construction and landscaping — the result is often miscommunication, design clashes between the two crews, and unexpected rework that slows the project down and drives up costs. Working with a team where landscape design and pool construction happen under one roof avoids that entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Design and Build
Do I need permits to build a pool and landscape it at the same time?
Yes. Most municipalities in and around Toronto require permits for both pool construction and significant landscape/grading changes. Land-Con manages all permit and permission requirements as part of the project, so your pool and surrounding landscape are approved together rather than as separate applications.
I have a small backyard. Can I still get a fully landscaped pool area?
Absolutely. A compact layout with vertical greenery, smart decking, and a plunge pool or lap pool footprint can work in surprisingly small spaces. Our Aurora project is a good example — a homeowner who believed their yard was too small ended up with a pool, multiple sitting areas, and a fully custom privacy solution in a genuinely tight footprint.
Do you design and build concrete pools with landscaping included?
Yes — we offer complete concrete pool construction alongside custom landscaping, and we also design and install vinyl pools with the same integrated approach, including grading, planting, and hardscape around the pool area.
Can you help redesign the landscaping around my existing pool?
Yes. Whether it’s updating tired landscaping around a pool that’s otherwise in good shape, or a full remodel that changes the pool layout along with the surrounding space, our team can assess what’s there and design a plan that brings both up to date together.
How long does the pool design and build process take in Toronto?
Design and planning generally takes 2-6 weeks depending on project scope, followed by a construction timeline of roughly 6-10 weeks from design approval to completion for most pool-and-landscape projects. Land-Con manages the full timeline so pool construction and landscape installation stay coordinated rather than happening as disconnected phases.
What’s the average cost of a custom pool design and build in Toronto?
Cost varies widely based on pool size and material, the scope of landscaping around it, and site conditions like slope or drainage needs. We provide a detailed quote after an initial consultation and site assessment, tailored to your specific budget and property.
Why plan pool construction and landscaping together instead of separately?
Pool construction changes the grading and drainage of your entire property, which directly affects what will and won’t work for the landscaping around it. Planning both together — as shown in our Forest Hill Estate project, where the pool was built first specifically to set the correct grade for the patio above it — avoids the rework and design conflicts that come from treating them as two unrelated projects.
Bring Your Pool Design and Build Project to Life
When it comes to pool design and build, the choice is only limited by your imagination and budget. Let our professionals guide your backyard project so the final result — pool, patio, planting, and lighting together — exceeds what you expected from your budget. For pool-specific landscaping and planting ideas, see our pool landscaping designs guide, or explore how the two disciplines affect each other in our piece on how landscaping impacts swimming pool building.
Feel free to get in touch with us by calling 416.504.5263 to get started!