Building ADU & Pool – need advice
I’m building an ADU behind an existing home in Austin TX. Home owner is building a 15’x40’ Pool between existing home and ADU. The pool will start approximately 2 feet away from the ADU porch/foundation. There will be 8’ of clearance to enter the jobsite on one side of existing home. And limited access due to heritage trees (requiring protection) and set back likes.
I really want to at the very least, pour the foundation for the ADU before excavating the pool.
Homeowner is trying to value engineer excavation by having all excavation and trenching completed in one trip:
– foundation excavation and backfill
– pool excavation
– utility yardline trenching
I’m an experienced home builder though I have not built any pools. I feel strongly that having a 15’x40’ hole in the ground between job site access point and área where I will need to be setting form boards and pour a foundation is gonna be a serious issue.
The homeowner is adamant on starting on the pool ASAP because their family wants the pool completed by summer.
Any advice on when to excavate for a pool when building it concurrently with an ADU? Or advice on how to meet the homeowner’s wishes?
I’ll attach a screen shot of site plan.
Replies
You can consult with an engineer who is familiar with soils.
How are you planning to move the soil from the pool hole?
We’ll be able to fit a mini excavator and mink skid steer back there.
I am just wondering out loud here. How much does the bucket on the skid steer hold, and how many trips will it take for the dirt you will remove from that pool?
seems like a lot of trips, so close to the existing house, under the overhang.
Where will the new utility lines go?
Seems to me that you need a retaining wall engineered as or beside the long side of that pool so the side does not cave in. This would have to be put together considering the soil properties.
the whole thing looks pretty tight to me.
A poured in place pool? How deep?
How much over excavation is required for the pool construction?
Where are the utility trenches going?
Seems like the old addage is coming into play. You get to pick two: Fast, Affordable, Quality. Your homeowner wants fast and cheap.
How deep is the pool and how deep are your footings? Will you underpin the ADU foundation if the pool is excavated after the footing?
my 2 cents - is there a set back requirement for the building and the pool? Is the ADU considered a separate residence and has to be fenced off from the pool? from what I know, the pool has to be "secured" from public access
I'm hoping you've already had some conversations with the local AHJs and zoning officials about the ADU and the pool - not good if someone rents the ADU and then falls in the pool
also thinking an engineer may be required by the AHJ to be sure you've got no collapse concerns
hopefully I'm not ruining everything or insulting anyone
good luck