SWIMMING POOL CONTRACTORS
Ottawa’s Best Choice for Inground Pool Design and Installation
As experienced Ottawa pool installers, Ottawa Home & Garden designs and installs custom inground steel wall and vinyl liner pools built for long-term durability in Ottawa’s climate.
Family-owned and operated for over 25 years, we handle every aspect of your project in-house – from design and manufacturing coordination to installation, landscaping, hardscaping, and aftercare. As a family-run business, we understand the importance of having a private retreat during hot Ottawa summers – a place to reconnect, recharge, and make lasting memories together.
The result is a fully customized dream backyard oasis built to last, and tailored to how your family lives and entertains for generations to come.
Why Choose Steel Wall and Vinyl Liner Pools
Reinforced Steel Wall Construction
Our steel wall pools use reinforced panels with steel gussets spaced no more than two feet apart. This added structural strength keeps pool walls straight and true over time, preventing the flexing that can occur with fiberglass pools.
Encapsulated Rail System
Radius panels feature an encapsulated rail system on both the top and bottom rails. These rails are cold-pressed into place, helping maintain a true radius and long-term wall alignment.
Concrete Footing for Ottawa’s Climate
Steel wall pools are assembled with structural bracing that is fully encased in concrete around the entire pool perimeter. This effectively creates a continuous concrete footing that helps prevent movement during freeze and thaw cycles common in the Ottawa Valley. Fiberglass pools rely on a bond beam at grade, which does not function as a true footing and can be more susceptible to shifting.
Unlimited Customization
Steel wall and vinyl liner pools offer complete customization. Homeowners can choose custom shapes, sizes, stairs, benches, and vinyl designs. Fiberglass pools are limited to fixed molds, regardless of homeowner preference.
Premium Canadian Vinyl Liners
The vinyl liners we use are manufactured using virgin vinyl produced in Ontario. We never use recycled vinyl commonly found in offshore liners.
Our liners are welded using the InvisiSeal welding system, independently rated as more than twice as strong as traditional radio-frequency welding. This system creates a seamless weld throughout the entire pool – not just the walls – providing superior strength and longevity. Our supplier was the first company in Canada to implement this technology.
About Us - Proudly Canadian!
Ottawa Home & Garden is a family-owned and operated company with hands-on ownership overseeing every project. Since 1998, we have built a reputation for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and exceptional customer satisfaction.
We are swimming pool contractors, and we do not use subcontractors. Every aspect of your pool installation – from design through construction and aftercare – is completed by our skilled in-house team. This ensures consistent quality, accountability, and clear communication from start to finish.
We work with Canadian manufacturing partners to ensure quality, accountability, and consistency. Steel panels are sourced in Ontario, manufacturing takes place in Ontario, and our pools are built specifically for Canadian conditions. We are a Canadian company serving Canadian homeowners – not a regional division of an American manufacturer.
We provide consultations and quotes for homeowners throughout Ottawa, Kanata, Nepean, Orleans, Stittsville, Barrhaven, including Prescott Russell, Mississippi Mills, North and South Dundas and surrounding areas.
Why Choose Us
We are one of Ottawa’s most comprehensive inground swimming pool contractors, offering full-service pool installation, interlock landscaping, and hardscaping under one roof.
Family-Run Business
A pool is more than a luxury – it’s where families come together. We design every pool with that purpose in mind.
No Subcontractors
From pool installation to hardscaping and aftercare, all work is completed by our in-house team.
Backyard Pool Oasis
Your backyard will become the centerpiece of summer entertaining – a place for relaxation, barbecues, and lasting memories.
One-Stop Shop
With direct owner involvement on every project, quality control and attention to detail are never compromised.
Our Process
Installing an inground pool is a major investment, which is why our process is designed to provide clarity, transparency, and confidence from start to finish. We take the time to walk you through design options, construction requirements, timelines, and site considerations before work begins. By clearly outlining each phase and maintaining open communication throughout the build, we ensure your project stays organized, on schedule, and aligned with your expectations. We utilize an internal checklist, so the whole team is up to speed.
Cost Estimate
We visit your property to provide an accurate on-site estimate and visual rendition of what your outdoor pool paradise will look like.
Triple Check
We review access, drainage, permits, zoning considerations, and equipment requirements to ensure the project is executed smoothly.
Contract & Scheduling
Once finalized, a contract is signed and your Ottawa pool installation is scheduled.
Pre-Installation Review
As your installation date approaches, our team schedules a final review to ensure everything is in place for a smooth start:
- Confirm the pool layout is accurately marked according to the approved design
- Ensure all selected materials, steel panels, and vinyl components are in stock and ready for delivery
- Review site access and staging areas for equipment and materials
- Discuss any last-minute adjustments or considerations
Reconfirm the installation timeline, accounting for weather or scheduling factors
This final check ensures the project begins efficiently, safely, and exactly as planned.
Installation & Quality Control
Once installation is underway, our experienced team follows strict quality standards to ensure every detail is completed correctly:
- Install all pool components according to approved design specifications
- Verify structural alignment, wall integrity, and finish details
- Coordinate final grading, backfill, and surrounding site cleanup
- Review the completed installation to ensure quality, safety, and consistency
- Walk you through your new pool, including care, use, and next steps
By maintaining clear communication and hands-on oversight throughout the final phase, we ensure your pool is completed on time, on budget, and to the highest standard.
Enjoy Your Paradise
When the project is finished, all that’s left to do is relax and enjoy your new backyard oasis—knowing that expert craftsmanship and over 20 years of local experience went into perfecting your property.
Our Services
Inground Pool Installation
An inground pool transforms your backyard into a space for exercise, relaxation, and meaningful family time. Our team specializes in custom steel wall and vinyl liner pool installations designed for durability, performance, and long-term enjoyment in Ottawa’s climate.
We manage the entire process in-house, including site evaluation, layout planning, excavation coordination, structural installation, liner fitting, and final finishing. Careful attention is given to factors such as optimal placement, drainage, access, and site conditions to ensure your pool is built correctly from the ground up.
When your pool is complete, you’re left with a high-quality installation that’s ready for everything from lap swimming and water aerobics to casual afternoons with family and friends.
Poolscaping – Landscaping Around Pools
Professional poolscaping plays a critical role in both the appearance and longevity of your pool area. A well-designed poolscape provides safe footing, proper drainage, and materials that stand up to moisture, salt, chlorine, and Ontario’s freeze-thaw cycles.
Our team designs and installs custom pool surrounds that integrate seamlessly with your pool and the rest of your backyard. From patios and walkways to grading and transitions, every element is planned to create a cohesive, functional, and visually appealing outdoor environment that continues to look great year after year. We offer flexible phasing options so you can prioritize your immediate needs while planning for future enhancements.
Landscaping and Outdoor Living
With deep roots in landscaping and hardscaping, we design and build complete outdoor living spaces that extend well beyond the pool itself. Our services include interlock patios, steps and walkways, natural stone features, drainage solutions, outdoor lighting, waterfalls, fire features, decks (wood or composite), pergolas, sheds, saunas, and custom outdoor structures.
By handling pool installation, landscaping, hardscaping, and wooden structures under one roof, we ensure every element works together as part of a unified design. The result is a backyard that feels intentional, balanced, and built specifically for how you want to live and entertain outdoors.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAbout Inground Pool Installation in Ottawa
Contact usWhy do pool quotes in Ottawa vary so much between contractors?
Pool quotes vary because of what is included, what materials are used, and how the work is structured. A quote using subcontractors includes a coordination markup. A quote using imported or recycled vinyl liner materials will be lower upfront and more expensive over time. Ottawa Home & Garden uses Ontario-manufactured steel panels and virgin vinyl liners only, employs no subcontractors, and itemizes every cost so you can compare accurately. See our pool types comparison to understand the material differences.
What is not included in a pool installation quote?
Most pool quotes cover the pool shell only. Fencing ($5,000 to $15,000) is not included but is legally required. Heating ($3,000 to $8,000+), electrical upgrades ($3,000 to $8,000), and poolscaping are typically quoted as separate line items. At Ottawa Home & Garden, every quote itemizes each of these categories.
How much does inground pool installation cost in Ottawa?
Inground pool installation in Ottawa currently costs between $49,000 and $100,000+ depending on pool size, lot conditions, and what is included in the scope. A small 10ft x 20ft steel wall vinyl liner pool installed swim-ready runs $49,000 to $60,000. A medium 14ft x 28ft pool runs $59,000 to $80,000. A large 16ft x 36ft+ pool runs $79,000 to $100,000 or more. These pool-only prices do not include fencing (required by Ontario law), heating, electrical upgrades, or interlock decking, which are quoted separately.
How do I book a pool opening or closing in Ottawa?
Call us at 613-833-2645 or fill out our online contact form. Spring and fall booking windows fill quickly across Ottawa. We recommend booking your opening in March and your closing in August to secure your preferred date.
Do you handle water feature opening and closing?
Yes. Pool water features require their own supply line blowout and winterization at closing. Waterfalls, sheer descents, deck jets, and bubblers all have supply lines that will freeze if not properly drained. We include water feature winterization in every pool closing service we complete.
Do you open and close pools you did not install?
Yes. We provide seasonal opening and closing services for Ottawa pools regardless of who installed them. For pools we did not install, we conduct a full equipment inspection on the first visit to understand the specific configuration before proceeding. Contact us at 613-833-2645 or through our contact form to book.
What happens if a pool is not properly winterized in Ottawa?
Water left in supply lines will freeze, expand, and crack the line or the fitting. Equipment that is not fully drained can crack its housing. A liner with incorrect water chemistry going into winter will experience accelerated bleaching and may develop stress fractures. Pool covers that are not sized and tensioned for Ottawa snow loads can fail under accumulation and allow debris into the pool. These are not unlikely scenarios in Ottawa. They are what happens to pools that are not closed correctly.
Why can’t I just follow a generic pool closing checklist?
Generic pool closing guides are written for typical North American climates. Ottawa’s winters are significantly more severe than most of Canada’s major centres. Ground temperatures, the depth of the freeze line, the spring groundwater pressure from snowmelt, and the specific risks to vinyl liner pools in freeze-thaw conditions all require Ottawa-specific protocols. A closing procedure that is adequate in Toronto’s slightly milder winters may leave an Ottawa pool with cracked supply lines by March.
When should I close my pool in Ottawa?
Mid-September to mid-October, before the first hard frost and ideally when water temperature drops below 15°C. Closing too late risks freezing equipment and supply lines. Closing too early is just wasted swim season. Ottawa’s first hard frost can arrive with little warning in October. Do not wait for frost before booking a closing.
When should I open my pool in Ottawa?
Late April to mid-May, once daytime temperatures consistently hold above 10 to 15°C. Many Ottawa owners target the May long weekend as a practical goal. Opening too early in Ottawa risks algae growth in cold water that is not yet warm enough to hold chlorine effectively. Opening too late just shortens your season unnecessarily. Read more on our pool opening timing guide.