Try fewer words, choose another category or contact Custom LeisureScapes for an answer specific to your backyard, pool, hot tub or equipment.
01
Start Here
Planning, Consultations & Service Areas
What areas does Custom LeisureScapes serve?
Custom LeisureScapes serves homeowners in London, Stratford and surrounding Southwestern Ontario communities across Middlesex, Perth, Elgin and Oxford Counties. Service areas include communities such as St. Thomas, Strathroy, St. Marys, Dorchester, Woodstock, Ingersoll, Komoka and Grand Bend. Project and service availability can depend on your address and the work required, so confirm your location when you request a consultation.
How do I start planning a new pool or backyard project?
Start by identifying how you want to use the backyard, your preferred pool type, access constraints, approximate budget and ideal timing. Then use Custom LeisureScapes’ free backyard consultation to discuss your property and practical next steps. The London and Stratford backyard pool planning guide can help you organize your priorities first.
How early should I begin planning a pool installation?
Begin as early as practical, especially if you hope to swim during a specific season. Design decisions, site review, municipal requirements, product selection and installation scheduling all happen before construction. An early consultation with Custom LeisureScapes gives you more time to compare options and build a realistic project sequence.
How long does it take to install an inground pool in London or Stratford?
A complete inground pool project can span several weeks because the schedule includes design, selections, municipal approvals where required, excavation, pool construction, equipment, electrical work, inspections and finishing. Custom LeisureScapes’ current FAQ uses roughly 8 to 16 weeks from first consultation to first swim as a general planning range, but weather, access, soil, utilities, product selection and the individual property can change timing. Review inground pool options and request a project-specific schedule before making plans around an exact date.
Will I need permits, fencing or inspections for a pool in Southwestern Ontario?
Pool projects in London, Stratford and surrounding Southwestern Ontario municipalities are subject to local requirements that can cover permits, pool enclosures, gates, setbacks, grading, drainage and electrical work. Requirements vary by municipality and property. Confirm current rules for your address and ask Custom LeisureScapes how approvals fit into your project planning.
Can a pool work in a sloped, small or difficult-access yard?
Possibly. The right solution depends on usable space, grading, drainage, equipment access and local setbacks. An onground pool can offer useful flexibility for some sloped or challenging properties, while other yards may be better suited to an above-ground pool or a custom inground design. A site review is the best way to determine what is practical.
02
Compare Your Options
Swimming Pool Questions
What types of swimming pools does Custom LeisureScapes offer?
Custom LeisureScapes offers above-ground pools, onground pools, inground pools and a current selection of fiberglass inground pools. The best fit depends on your yard, desired appearance, customization goals, installation access, budget priorities and how your household plans to use the pool.
What is the difference between an above-ground and an onground pool?
An above-ground pool sits above the surrounding grade and is often chosen for straightforward backyard swimming and value. An onground pool can be integrated more closely with grade changes, decks and surrounding outdoor-living features. Compare Custom LeisureScapes’ above-ground pools with onground pools based on the property and the finished look you want.
Should I choose a vinyl-liner or fiberglass inground pool?
Vinyl-liner pools offer broad flexibility in size, shape and features, with a smooth liner surface that can be replaced later in the pool’s life. Fiberglass pools arrive as manufactured shells with established shapes and built-in features and can provide a streamlined on-site installation phase when access allows. Compare Custom LeisureScapes’ inground pool options and fiberglass pool collection around your yard, design goals and maintenance preferences.
How do I choose the right pool size, shape and depth?
Start with how the pool will actually be used: family play, swimming lengths, relaxation, entertaining or a combination. Then account for usable yard space, local setbacks, access, patio or deck space, equipment location and safe circulation around the pool. Custom LeisureScapes can help translate those priorities into a practical design during a backyard consultation.
What affects the cost of a new swimming pool in London or Stratford?
Pool type, size, site access, excavation conditions, grading, electrical work, equipment, decking, fencing, water features, landscaping and finishing choices can all affect the final investment. Compare written project scopes rather than only a base pool price. Use the backyard planning guide to organize a working budget, then request a Custom LeisureScapes consultation for recommendations tied to your property.
Are decking, landscaping, fencing and electrical work included with a pool?
Inclusions vary by pool type, property and written proposal. Before comparing quotes, confirm what is included for the pool, excavation, equipment, delivery, electrical or gas coordination, permits, fencing, decking, grading, drainage, landscaping, inspections and cleanup. Custom LeisureScapes can explain the proposed scope during your project consultation.
03
Protect Your Backyard Investment
Pool Care, Maintenance & Repair Questions
What pool services can Custom LeisureScapes help with?
Custom LeisureScapes provides pool service and renovation support that includes onsite diagnostics, pool openings, pool closings, sand and cartridge filter care, liner replacement, equipment upgrades and broader pool renovations. Start with the pool service and maintenance page to find the right next step.
When should I open my pool in Southwestern Ontario?
Many Southwestern Ontario pool owners plan around the spring warm-up and Victoria Day season, but the best timing depends on weather, water temperature, equipment and your preferred swimming date. Opening before prolonged warm conditions can make spring cleanup easier and gives you time to identify winter damage. Review Custom LeisureScapes’ pool opening service for the current process and availability.
When should I close and winterize my pool in Southwestern Ontario?
Pool closings in Southwestern Ontario are commonly planned for early fall before sustained freezing conditions. Avoid waiting until freezing weather creates unnecessary risk, while also considering water temperature and how long you want to use the pool. Proper winterization protects plumbing and equipment from freeze damage. Review Custom LeisureScapes’ pool closing service and book early for your preferred timing.
Why is my pool water cloudy or green?
Cloudy or green water can result from low sanitizer, unbalanced water chemistry, algae, poor circulation, a dirty filter, heavy use or debris after weather. Test the water before adding unfamiliar products, confirm that the pump and filter are operating normally, and follow product labels. For equipment concerns, use Custom LeisureScapes’ pool service resources; for water-care products, visit the online pool and hot-tub shop.
How can I tell whether my pool is leaking or just losing water to evaporation?
Evaporation changes with heat, wind, humidity and pool use, so compare water loss under similar conditions and look for a pattern. Check the equipment area, liner, fittings and surrounding ground for visible clues. Persistent or unexplained water loss should be assessed professionally. Custom LeisureScapes’ onsite diagnostic service can help determine the next testing or repair step.
How do I know when my pool filter needs professional attention?
Watch for weak circulation, pressure that remains abnormal after routine cleaning, recurring cloudy water, short filter cycles or filter media that may be worn out. Record your system’s normal clean-filter pressure and compare changes with the manufacturer’s guidance. Custom LeisureScapes offers sand-filter cleaning, cartridge-filter cleaning and cartridge replacement.
What are common signs that an inground pool liner may need replacement?
Common warning signs include brittleness, cracking, tears, stretching, persistent wrinkles, material deterioration, severe fading or water loss traced to the liner. Because similar symptoms can also come from underlying water or structural conditions, diagnosis matters before replacement. Explore Custom LeisureScapes’ inground pool liner replacement options.
When should I repair or upgrade pool equipment?
Repair can make sense for an isolated, serviceable problem. An upgrade is worth comparing when equipment is unreliable, inefficient, difficult to source parts for, undersized or no longer supports how you use the pool. Custom LeisureScapes’ pool service and renovation team can help evaluate pumps, filters, heaters, salt systems and other equipment before you decide between repair and replacement.
What information should I provide when requesting pool service?
Provide your address, pool type, equipment brand and model when known, the symptoms, any error code, when the problem began and what troubleshooting has already been attempted. Clear photos of the equipment and problem area can also help the service team prepare. Start with Custom LeisureScapes’ service booking page or book an onsite diagnostic when the cause is unclear.
04
Relax in Every Season
Hot Tub Questions
What hot tub brands does Custom LeisureScapes carry?
Custom LeisureScapes currently features three premium hot-tub lines: Bullfrog Spas, MAAX Spas and OWOW Hot Tubs. Compare seating, hydrotherapy, insulation, controls, size and installation needs rather than choosing only by jet count. Browse the current hot tub collection or visit the London or Stratford showroom to compare options in person.
Can I use a hot tub year-round in Southwestern Ontario?
Yes. A properly installed and maintained hot tub designed for the climate can be enjoyed throughout the year. Winter performance depends on insulation, a fitted cover, water level, circulation, heating performance, wind exposure and consistent maintenance. Compare cold-weather and efficiency features when viewing Bullfrog, MAAX and OWOW hot tubs.
How do I choose the right hot tub size and seating layout?
Consider how many people will use the spa regularly, whether you prefer open seating or a lounger, the height of the bathers, desired massage areas and available installation space. Seat depth and jet placement feel different from person to person, so compare layouts carefully. Start with Custom LeisureScapes’ hot tub selection and, when possible, compare models at the London or Stratford showroom.
What site preparation and electrical work does a hot tub need?
A hot tub needs a level, stable and load-appropriate base, safe access around service panels and an electrical supply that matches the exact model. Requirements can differ between smaller 120V-compatible configurations and larger 240V spas. Confirm the model before finalizing electrical work, and use a qualified electrician where required. Custom LeisureScapes can explain model-specific preparation during a consultation.
What should I check before hot-tub delivery?
Confirm the spa dimensions, travel path, gate widths, overhead wires or branches, corners, steps, ground conditions and final base. Also confirm electrical readiness, service-panel access and where the cover or cover lifter will move. Difficult access may require special equipment, so share photos and measurements early with the Custom LeisureScapes hot tub team.
How often should I test and maintain hot-tub water?
Test often enough to keep sanitizer, pH, alkalinity and other required water values within the ranges specified for your spa and water-care system, and retest after heavy use or a fresh fill. Clean filters and replace water according to the manufacturer’s guidance, bather load and water condition. Never mix chemicals, and always follow product labels. Custom LeisureScapes’ online shop carries pool and hot-tub water-care products.
What affects the cost of operating a hot tub in Ontario?
Electricity rates, outdoor temperature, spa size, insulation, cover condition, water temperature, pump design, wind exposure and usage habits all affect operating cost. A tight, well-insulated cover and properly maintained system help reduce unnecessary heat loss. Compare energy-related features—not just purchase price—when viewing Custom LeisureScapes hot tub options.
When should I replace my hot-tub cover?
Consider replacement when the cover becomes unusually heavy, waterlogged, sagging, cracked, poorly fitting or unable to seal around the spa. A worn cover can increase heat loss and become difficult to handle. Explore Custom LeisureScapes’ custom-fit hot-tub cover replacements.
What should I do when my hot tub shows an error or stops working?
Record the error code, brand, model and serial number, note what changed, and check the owner’s manual for safe basic steps. Do not open electrical components or keep operating equipment that is leaking, overheating or behaving unpredictably. Review Custom LeisureScapes’ hot-tub services or submit a hot-tub service-call request.
05
Care Made Easier
Products, Parts & Shopping Questions
Can I buy pool and hot-tub supplies online from Custom LeisureScapes?
Yes. Custom LeisureScapes has an online pool and hot-tub supply shop for chemicals, parts, accessories and everyday water-care products. Check product compatibility and follow product labels and equipment-manufacturer instructions before use.
How do I choose the correct chemical, filter or replacement part?
Use current water-test results for chemical decisions and the exact equipment brand, model and part number for replacement components. Avoid choosing only by appearance because similar parts can have different ratings or connections. If compatibility is unclear, contact Custom LeisureScapes or use the pool service resources before ordering.
Where can I see Custom LeisureScapes pools and hot tubs or speak with the team?
Custom LeisureScapes has showrooms in both London and Stratford. The London showroom is at 775 Wharncliffe Rd S, and the Stratford showroom is at 404 Erie St. You can also explore products and services online, then use the free consultation form for a project-specific discussion.
