The short answer
Plan the pool while you design the house. Placement, utilities, drainage, sight lines from the kitchen and HOA rules are all easier to get right on paper than to retrofit later. Cozort builds both homes and pools. Our five pool designs range from 14x28 to 18x36, and you can add a hot tub, tanning ledge, salt system, heater or color plaster.
Most families who want a pool want it eventually. The ones who are happiest planned for it from the start, even if they didn't dig it until later.
Why plan it with the house
- Placement and view. You want to see the pool from the kitchen and living room. That is a floor-plan decision.
- Utilities. Power, gas for a heater and equipment pads are cleaner to plan than to trench in later.
- Drainage and grading. The lot gets graded once, for the house and the pool.
- Outdoor living. Patios, outdoor kitchens and an outdoor bath belong in the same plan.
- One team. We build both, so nobody is pointing fingers between the house builder and the pool company.
The Opal in Broken Arrow is a good example. It sits on 1.68 acres, was set up for a future pool, and already has an outdoor powder bath. Angela says it plainly: "Cozort Custom Homes can build pools, shops, and pool houses."
Cozort pool designs
| Cherokee | 14x28 sport pool, 4x12 tile, white plaster |
|---|---|
| Cheyenne | 14x28 sport pool, 6x6 tile, white plaster, 8x10 tanning ledge |
| Pawnee | 16x32 sport pool, 6x6 tile, white plaster |
| Apache | 16x32 sport pool, 6x6 tile, white plaster, 8x16 tanning ledge and 8x8 hot tub |
| Osage | 18x36 sport pool, 6x6 tile, white plaster |
Add-ons include an 8x8 hot tub, tanning ledge, salt water system, 400,000 BTU heater and color plaster (color plaster is an upgrade). Contact us for pricing. See all pool designs.
Check the HOA before you fall in love
Many communities limit fences and outbuildings. In Timber Creek, for example, the HOA has rules on fence type and outbuilding size. Pool fencing, pool houses and shops all need to fit those rules, so we check them during design.
Questions to answer in the design phase
- Pool now, or set up for later?
- Do you want a hot tub you will use in January?
- Lounging on a tanning ledge or swimming laps?
- Do you need an outdoor bath or a pool house so wet feet stay out of the house?
- Where will the equipment go so you don't hear it from the patio?
Already in your home?
We build pools for existing homes around Tulsa too. The same questions apply. We just start with the backyard you already have.
"I'm a third-generation home builder, and what my father and grandfather have taught me is that you always take care of your clients, you make sure that you build a quality home, and you always do what you're supposed to do."
Matt Cozort, President and Owner
The number-one plan change
"The most popular thing our buyers ask us to change on a current plan is to modify the outdoor living space. This includes extending the patio, adding a pool, a pool house, or a shop."
Angela Cozort, Realtor and Design
That is why we treat the backyard as part of the floor plan. A few things we lay out together with you:
| Patio depth | Deep enough for a full table and a sitting area, not just a grill |
|---|---|
| Sight lines | The pool visible from the kitchen sink and the living room |
| Wet path | A short route from the pool to an outdoor bath or mudroom |
| Shade | A covered patio or pool house for July afternoons |
| Shop and storage | Room for pool gear, mowers and toys, kept out of the garage |
Lot size matters
A 1.68-acre lot like The Opal's leaves room for a pool, a pool house and a shop. A standard lot in a gated neighborhood may fit the pool but not the shop. Check setbacks, easements and HOA rules first, then size the pool. We walk the lot with you before anything is drawn.
Building a pool for the home you already own
"Cozort Custom Homes builds on people's land all over the Tulsa Metro area. It's something that we specialize in. If you want us to help you find land, we can also do that. We're actually very good at doing that."
Matt Cozort, President and Owner
The same goes for backyards. We build pools for existing homes around Tulsa, and the process is the same: look at access, utilities and drainage first, then design.
Built by the same team as the house
"The best thing about working for Cozort is they're a third-generation builder. That means the consistency of the guys that show up to each house every day. It's consistent work, doing it the same way, which means fewer warranty issues, and we think through all the problems that could potentially be there."
Cozort superintendent
Choosing between the five designs
- Cherokee (14x28): a clean, classic sport pool for a standard lot.
- Cheyenne (14x28 + 8x10 tanning ledge): for families with small kids or anyone who likes to lounge in the water.
- Pawnee (16x32): more swim room without a huge footprint.
- Apache (16x32 + 8x16 ledge + 8x8 hot tub): the all-in-one backyard for year-round use.
- Osage (18x36): the biggest of the five, for families who swim and entertain big.
Every design can be tailored, from tile to plaster color.
Using the pool year-round in Oklahoma
Oklahoma summers are made for pools, but spring and fall are where add-ons earn their keep. A 400,000 BTU heater stretches the season, and an 8x8 hot tub gets used on cold January nights. A salt water system is a popular choice for families who want an easier feel on the skin and simpler upkeep. We walk through each one so you only pay for what you will use.
Planning for a future pool
Not ready to dig yet? Plan for it anyway. Leave room in the setbacks, run conduit and gas where the equipment will go, and keep the area clear of trees and septic lines. Then, when you are ready, it is a backyard project instead of a redo. The Opal was set up this way.
The pool timeline
When the pool is part of a new build, we schedule it alongside the outdoor living spaces so the patio, drainage and landscaping come together. For an existing home, we start with a site visit and a free estimate.
Safety and family planning
Pools and kids need a plan. Think about fencing that fits your HOA rules, door and gate placement, sight lines from the kitchen and living room, and where the little ones will play. Many families like a tanning ledge for younger kids, because it gives them shallow water and a place to sit. We bring these questions up during design so the backyard is fun and safe from day one.
Pool, pool house or shop: which comes first?
If budget means picking one now and adding the rest later, we help you lay out all three on the lot plan first. That way the first project doesn't block the second. A pool placed without the future pool house in mind can leave you without room for it. One plan avoids that.
Frequently paired upgrades
- Covered patio with an outdoor fireplace
- Outdoor powder bath near the pool
- Outdoor kitchen or grill station
- Pool house with storage for gear
See our pool designs or call us for a free estimate.
Ready to talk it through? Call us at (918) 364-5215, stop by the office at 7607 E 126th St S in Bixby (Monday to Friday, 9 to 5), or send us a message. Let's get cozy.
