If you’re under contract on a new-construction home, you don’t have to wait until closing to start planning your backyard. Some things can start right away; others genuinely have to wait. Knowing which is which keeps your timeline realistic.
What you can typically do before closing
- Review your home’s floor plan and any available plot survey or site plan.
- Talk through your priorities — pool size and shape, a spa, decking material, an outdoor kitchen — and how they fit your actual lot.
- Get a preliminary budget range, built around real assumptions you can see and question.
None of this requires you to own the property yet.
What has to wait, and why
A pool permit application generally requires proof of ownership — in Broward County, that typically means a copy of ownership from the Broward County Property Appraiser’s records, which doesn’t exist until after your closing is recorded. That’s a document requirement, not a preference, so it applies regardless of which contractor you use.
What depends on your specific community
Architectural review requirements, builder-specific pool programs, HOA or CDD approval steps, and construction-access rules vary by community and sometimes by builder. These aren’t things we can generalize — ask your builder’s sales or customer-care team, and your HOA or CDD once one is seated, for your community’s specific process.
If you’re buying in Estates by Turnberry specifically, see our Estates by Turnberry planning page for what’s been confirmed there.
What’s generally true statewide
Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requires an approved safety barrier before a pool passes final inspection, under Florida Statute 515.29 and Florida Building Code Section 454.2.17. That requirement applies to any residential pool in Florida, independent of which community you’re in — unlike the permit-timing detail above, which is specific to document requirements, not a statewide rule about communities.
A realistic sequence
- Before closing — plan your design and budget.
- At closing — your ownership is confirmed.
- After closing — permitting begins, followed by construction once approvals are in place. Exact timing depends on your specific permit and any community review steps.
Start planning now
A free consultation with Custom Watershapes costs nothing and doesn’t commit you to anything before you’re ready. We’re an independent, licensed Florida pool contractor (CPC1458973) serving Broward and Palm Beach County. Schedule a free consultation to get started.
About the author
Custom Watershapes Inc. is a licensed Florida pool contractor (CPC1458973), serving Broward and Palm Beach County since 2016.
Related reading: builder pool package vs. independent contractor, and our Davie pool builder page.
New-construction pool planning FAQ
Can I start designing my pool before I close on my home? Yes — design and budget planning can typically start as soon as you’re under contract, even though the permit itself has to wait until after closing.
Why can’t I pull a pool permit before closing? Permit applications generally require proof of ownership, which doesn’t exist until your closing is recorded — this is a document requirement, not a builder or community policy.
Do new-construction communities all have the same rules for independent pool contractors? No — architectural review, builder pool programs, and HOA or CDD approval steps vary by community. Check with your specific builder and HOA.
Is a pool safety barrier required everywhere in Florida? Yes — Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requires an approved barrier before final inspection, regardless of which community or county you’re in.
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