Contact us now to discuss your project, whether it's for commercial or residential landscaping services. We're here to assist you.
Summer has a way of sneaking up on you, and one week you're looking out at your backyard thinking "we really should do something about a pool this year" and the next week it's July and the St. Louis humidity is sitting at 90 percent and every pool builder in the Metro East area is booked out three months.
People love the idea of having a pool, but the preparation side of it is where most homeowners don't know where to start, and that's exactly what I want to walk through here. None of this is meant to overwhelm you, because we're here to help you figure out the details and we do it every day. The more you can walk in with a general sense of what you're after, the faster and smoother that first conversation tends to go.
After years of installing custom pools throughout St. Louis and the Metro East area, the clients who end up happiest with their finished pool are almost always the ones who spent time thinking through the right things before the first shovel hit the ground. The ones who struggle are usually the ones who skipped a few steps in the excitement of getting started. None of this is meant to slow you down so much as make sure that when your pool is finished, it's exactly what you wanted and it fits the life you're actually living rather than some version of it you imagined on a cold February weekday.
The first thing I always tell people is to spend real time in your backyard before you call anyone. Walk it at different times of day. Notice where the sun hits in the morning versus the afternoon, where the shade falls from your house or any large trees, and where water naturally drains after a rain. These things matter more than most St. Louis homeowners realize when we're deciding where to position a pool and how to design it for the way your specific property works.
You also want to have a clear sense of how you plan to use the space. A family with young kids who wants a pool primarily for summer fun has very different needs than a couple who entertains regularly and wants something that looks and feels more like a resort. Both are completely attainable goals, but they lead to very different conversations about shape, depth, features and surrounding hardscape features. The clearer you are about how you actually picture yourself using the pool, the better we can design something that genuinely fits your life rather than just filling the available space in your yard. If you're not totally sure yet, that's okay too, because we can walk you through the options and help you figure out what makes sense.
Think about the property lines too. Every municipality in the St. Louis metro and Metro East Illinois area has setback requirements that dictate how close a pool can be to fences, the home itself and utility easements, and those requirements vary depending on whether you're in Edwardsville, O'Fallon, Belleville, Collinsville or somewhere else entirely. We handle all of the permitting work on our end, so you don't need to have it figured out before you call us, and knowing roughly where your property lines fall just saves time early in the process and prevents us from designing something that has to be relocated before the permit gets approved.
One more thing worth mentioning: underground utilities. Before any excavation happens, we go through the proper locating process, but homeowners who already have a general sense of where their irrigation systems, gas lines or drainage setups run help that process move faster. If you've got a sprinkler system that took three summers to dial in, it's worth knowing where those lines are before we start digging.
This is the part of the conversation that some people find uncomfortable, but doing it early saves everyone a lot of time and frustration. Inground pool installation in St. Louis is a significant investment, and the range of what a pool can cost is genuinely wide depending on size, materials, features, equipment and the complexity of your yard. Coming into a design conversation without a realistic budget in mind usually leads to falling in love with something that doesn't fit the number, and that's a tough spot for everyone. We're happy to help you think through what a realistic budget looks like if you're not sure where to start, and we'll always be straight with you about what things cost rather than letting you get deep into a design before the numbers come up.
My honest advice is to think about your total outdoor budget rather than just the pool itself, because the pool is one piece of a larger outdoor living space and decisions about decking, covered patios, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls and lighting all connect to each other both visually and financially. At Integrity Pool Scapes, we handle all of those pieces in-house, which actually makes the budgeting conversation easier because we can look at the full picture together rather than coordinating across multiple contractors who don't know what the others are spending.
Clients who think about the full outdoor space from the beginning tend to make smarter decisions about where to allocate the budget and end up with a finished yard that feels intentional rather than pieced together over time. It's also worth talking to your lender early if you're planning to finance your pool installation. We've partnered with HFS Financial to give our clients flexible financing options, and having that piece sorted out before you're ready to sign a contract removes one more variable from the process at a moment when there are already a lot of moving parts. We're happy to walk you through those options if you have questions about how it works.
Something I tell clients fairly often is that a well-built pool at a realistic budget will serve you far better than a stretched budget that leaves no room for the equipment upgrades or finishing details that make a pool enjoyable to own long-term. Prioritize the structure and the equipment first, because the outdoor kitchen and pergola can come in a second phase if needed, and we can help you plan for that from the beginning so the whole space comes together the way you're picturing it.
A lot of homeowners go into a pool project without a realistic picture of what installation involves, and that surprise can create stress that's easy to avoid with a straightforward conversation upfront. Installing an inground pool means your backyard is going to be a construction site for a period of time, with equipment, excavated material, noise and disruption that are all completely normal parts of the process. Planning around it ahead of time makes it much easier to live with day to day. We'll walk you through exactly what to expect at each stage so nothing catches you off guard.
One thing we offer that helps a lot during the planning stage is our 3D design rendering service, which lets us show you exactly what the finished space is going to look like before a single piece of equipment shows up in your yard, including the pool, surrounding hardscape, structures and landscaping. That visibility lets homeowners make real decisions early rather than trying to visualize a two-dimensional plan and hope it lands the way they imagined. For homeowners who feel uncertain about design choices, this is usually the part of the process where things start to click into place.
If you have an existing fence, patio, landscaping or outdoor structures near where the pool is going, think through what needs to be removed or protected ahead of time. We walk through all of this during the planning process and will tell you exactly what needs to happen and when.
Timing is one of the most important factors in a successful pool installation, and this is probably the thing I feel most strongly about when I talk to St. Louis homeowners who are seriously considering a pool. If you're hoping to be swimming by the Fourth of July, that conversation needs to start in the winter or very early spring at the latest. The clients who reach out in May hoping for a June pool are usually the ones who end up waiting until the following season, not because we don't want to help them, but because quality work takes the time it takes and rushing a pool installation creates problems that show up for years. The permitting process alone takes time before a single piece of equipment touches your yard, and that timeline is largely out of our hands once a project is submitted. If summer is the goal, winter is when the planning happens.
Owning a pool means maintaining it for decades, and thinking about that reality before you install it leads to better decisions about equipment, materials and design details that might not seem significant in the moment but absolutely matter over time. If you're not sure what to prioritize, that's exactly the kind of conversation we have with clients during the design process, and we'll give you honest guidance rather than just steering you toward the most expensive option on the list.
Higher quality equipment costs more upfront and saves money and headaches over a ten or fifteen year span in ways that are hard to appreciate until you've owned a pool long enough to see both sides of it. Variable speed pumps, efficient heating systems and LED lighting have all gotten significantly better and more affordable, and the operational cost difference between a well-spec'd equipment package and a builder-grade setup adds up meaningfully over the life of a St. Louis backyard pool.
Thinking honestly about how much maintenance you're willing to take on yourself versus what you'd rather hand off is also worth doing before the pool is built, because there's no wrong answer, and knowing where you stand helps us make the right recommendations for your equipment.
Summer in St. Louis is worth having a pool for, and there's no better way to get through a midwest July than in your own backyard with cool water and nowhere you have to be. The families who are swimming in June are almost always the ones who picked up the phone in February.
If you've read through all of this and you're still not sure where to start, that's completely fine, because this article is meant to give you some footing going into the conversation and we're here to help you work through the rest.
Reach out to the Integrity Pool Scapes team and let's start talking about what your East St. Louis backyard could look like by summer.
The rise of custom outdoor kitchen installations has transformed the way we think about grilling, cooking, and entertaining outside. No longer confined to just a simple grill, today’s outdoor kitchens are fully equipped cooking spaces that rival the best indoor kitchens. Whether you’re looking to entertain guests, cook up family meals, or create a specialized cooking haven, choosing the right equipment for your outdoor kitchen is essential to making the most of your space. In this guide, we’ll take you through the various types of cooking surfaces, from griddles to propane burners, pizza ovens to smokers, and help you choose what’s right for your backyard culinary setup.
Griddles have become a popular choice in outdoor kitchens due to their versatility and ability to handle a wide range of cooking tasks. A griddle is essentially a flat, smooth surface that provides even heat distribution for cooking everything from pancakes and eggs to bacon, stir-fries, and burgers.
For those who love to entertain guests during brunch or who have a large family, an outdoor griddle can be a game-changer. Griddles are perfect for cooking multiple items at once, allowing you to prepare an entire meal in one spot. Popular models like the Blackstone Griddle offer a large cooking surface that heats up quickly and provides even cooking. They are typically fueled by propane, making them easy to control and manage during outdoor cooking sessions.
One of the best things about griddles is their ability to give you that same smooth, even heat that you find on indoor stovetops, making them perfect for foods that require consistent temperatures. They also allow for great flavor retention, especially when cooking delicate items like eggs or fish.
If you're someone who enjoys stir-frying, wok cooking, or deep frying outdoors, a propane burner is an essential piece of equipment for your outdoor kitchen. These standalone burners, often made from durable stainless steel, are designed to deliver high heat for faster cooking. They are perfect for preparing dishes that require high temperatures, such as frying tempura or making quick stir-fries. Propane burners come in various sizes, so whether you’re looking to cook for a few people or host a large outdoor gathering, you can find a propane burner that suits your needs. Some premium models also offer multiple burners that allow you to cook multiple items at once, adding to the overall efficiency of your kitchen.
Experts at The Spruce Eats note that propane burners offer significant flexibility when it comes to outdoor cooking, as they can handle larger pots and skillets than most traditional grills. Additionally, propane burners heat up quickly and are ideal for cooking food that requires consistent, high heat. Whether you need to make a large pot of chili, stir-fry a big batch of vegetables, or deep fry foods, a propane burner is a highly adaptable tool for your outdoor kitchen. Its versatility makes it a great addition to any outdoor setup, complementing other cooking surfaces like grills or pizza ovens.
If you’re a fan of slow-cooked, smoky meats or you enjoy experimenting with different flavors, the Big Green Egg might be the perfect piece of equipment for your outdoor kitchen. A kamado-style smoker and grill, the Big Green Egg is one of the most versatile and beloved outdoor cooking tools available.
It works by using a combination of lump charcoal and wood chips to create a smoky flavor that infuses your food. The ceramic construction helps retain heat and moisture, allowing for long cooking times, which is perfect for dishes like smoked brisket or pork shoulder. Additionally, the Big Green Egg can also double as a pizza oven or even a roaster, offering multi-functional value for your backyard kitchen.
The ability to regulate the temperature with the top and bottom vents is key to the Big Green Egg’s success. Whether you’re grilling at high temperatures or slow-smoking a brisket for hours, the Egg can handle both extremes with ease. As Consumer Reports highlights, the Egg is also remarkably fuel-efficient, making it a great option for those who want to maximize their cooking experience while minimizing the impact on their gas or charcoal supply.
There’s nothing quite like a pizza made in a wood-fired outdoor pizza oven. If you’ve ever dined at a pizzeria that uses a traditional brick oven, you’ll know how the high heat of the oven gives the pizza a perfectly crisp crust and charred flavor. Recreating that experience at home is easier than you might think with the right pizza oven for your outdoor kitchen. Wood-fired pizza ovens, like those from Ooni or Bertello, can reach temperatures as high as 900 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for creating that perfect crispy pizza crust. Many models are compact, making them a great addition to smaller outdoor kitchens. These ovens not only cook pizza but can also be used for roasting meats, baking bread, or even preparing desserts like pies.
The ability to cook a pizza in minutes at extremely high temperatures is what makes pizza ovens so popular in outdoor kitchens. Unlike traditional ovens, which can take a while to heat up and often cook at lower temperatures, wood-fired pizza ovens create an authentic pizza experience. They also add a rustic charm to your backyard, as cooking with live fire brings a sense of warmth and energy to the atmosphere. According to The Kitchn, wood-fired ovens also have the benefit of imparting a smoky flavor to your food, which adds depth and character to your meals. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or just enjoying a quiet night in, a pizza oven can be a valuable addition to your outdoor kitchen.
For those who love rich, smoky flavors, a smoker grill is an outdoor kitchen must-have. Smoking meat at low temperatures for extended periods results in deeply flavored dishes with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Smoker grills are especially popular for preparing ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and other meats that require hours of slow cooking. There are a few different types of smoker grills, including offset smokers, vertical smokers, and pellet smokers. Each type has its own benefits. For example, offset smokers have a traditional design where the firebox is separate from the cooking chamber, allowing for indirect heat and smoke. Pellet smokers, on the other hand, use wood pellets for fuel and offer easier temperature control.
Pellet smokers have been gaining in popularity because of their user-friendliness and consistent results. BBQGuys reports that pellet smokers are a great option for beginners due to their digital temperature controls, allowing users to set the temperature and walk away. This makes pellet smokers ideal for long cooking times, where the food needs to cook slowly without constant attention. Regardless of the type of smoker you choose, these grills add a unique depth of flavor to meats, and their low-and-slow cooking method produces deliciously tender and flavorful results.
When choosing your outdoor kitchen equipment, it’s important to think about your personal cooking preferences and the types of meals you most enjoy preparing. Whether you’re grilling a quick dinner, smoking meats for hours, or creating the perfect pizza, there’s a piece of equipment to suit your needs. Outdoor kitchens are all about making cooking and entertaining a seamless, enjoyable experience. By investing in the right equipment, you can create an outdoor space that’s not only functional but also a true extension of your home, perfect for cooking, dining, and socializing with family and friends.
Ready to build your ideal outdoor kitchen? Integrity Pool Scapes can help you design and install the perfect cooking setup for your backyard. Whether you want a fully equipped outdoor kitchen or just a few key cooking surfaces, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today to start designing the outdoor kitchen of your dreams!
Contact us now to discuss your project, whether it's for commercial or residential landscaping services. We're here to assist you.
