// Phase 1
Map the Trees and Slopes
We note which trees should stay, where the ground rises or falls, any brooks or wet areas, and how machines can reach the work area.
Your Trusted Project Partner
Much of Acton is still wooded, and the town’s glacial hills, called drumlins, along with brooks such as Nashoba Brook and Fort Pond Brook, shape where a pool or patio can go. In Acton Center, West Acton and the other villages, a project may need careful clearing and grading before anything is built. Mountainscapes plans that site work, the pool and the landscape as one job, and we are just as happy to light a path or fix a sunken walkway.
Shaded, wooded yards cool off quickly at night, so features that add warmth and light earn their place: a heated spillover spa, path and tree lighting or a deck that steps down to the pool.
Excavation, utilities and the build itself, planned for tight access between trees and slopes.
A raised, heated spa beside the pool that spills into it, for use well into the cooler months.
LED underwater lights with color options, wired by a licensed electrician with GFCI protection.
Removing trees, brush and stumps to open a sunny spot for a pool, lawn or patio.
Cutting and filling hillside ground into level, well-drained areas for the pool and lawn.
Low-voltage path lights, step lights and soft uplighting on trees that keep a yard usable after dark.
Patios, walkways, stone steps and seating walls that connect the house, deck and pool.
Wood or composite decks on proper footings, useful where the backyard drops away from the house.
It only takes 30 seconds.
Hear what our incredible customers have to say!
Chris installed a beautiful gunite pool for me. My kids love it and they cherish the day it gets opened. Chris did an amazing job designing the layout. He is a true artisan. I’ve been in business for 37 years and I’ve been around countless contractors. I highly recommend Mountainscapes.
I had the need for an emergency skimmer replacement during a pool deck replacement. Mountainscapes was the only company that got back to me and came right out and fixed things up to keep my project on schedule. Chris and his team were top notch. Highly recommended.
I have engaged Chris and his team on a number of landscape projects over the years. The pricing is good, the end result gorgeous, and Chris is always a pleasure to work with.
My experience having a pool installed was a great one! The owner Chris, worked with me to get exactly what I wanted. The team was friendly and very professional. I would highly recommend them!
Working with Chris and his team from MountainScapes was truly a pleasure building our pool this past year. Chris was a huge help working with the town on permitting and approvals (our town is notoriously difficult) and in helping us make our design dreams a reality.
...Today, one year post-completion, we are thrilled with the quality of MountainScapes' work. Chris, in particular, is something of a pool artist. It was truly worth it, but as homeowners you need to be prepared to be patient!
If you are considering an inground pool or any type of hardscape to your property, I would not recommend anyone other than Mountainscapes! Responsiveness, quality, professionalism!
Why Mountainscapes
Christopher Underwood, who founded Mountainscapes, studied Landscape Architecture and has over 20 years of experience in landscape construction and swimming pools. On a wooded Acton lot, that background helps decide which trees to keep, how to grade around them and where the pool will get the most sun.
// All Services
From a new pool to a single drainage fix, these are the pool, landscape and site services available to Acton homeowners. Small jobs are welcome.
Pool Construction
Pool Renovation & Care
Pool Features
Landscaping
Hardscaping & Outdoor Living
Drainage & Site Work
Will you need to remove trees to build a pool in Acton?
Sometimes. Pools need sun and room for equipment, so a few trees may have to go. We try to keep healthy trees that add privacy, and plan the layout around their roots where we can. See land clearing for how we handle it.
Can I add a spa to my pool in Acton?
Yes. A spillover spa sits slightly above the pool and spills into it, sharing the pool’s water and equipment. It can be heated on its own, which makes it useful on cool spring and fall evenings. Adding a spa to an existing pool is possible in many cases.
How much do pool and landscape projects cost in Acton?
Pool type and size, clearing and grading, and add-ons like spas and lighting all affect the total. Most of our complete projects are in the $50,000 to $150,000 range. Lighting a path or adding a small patio costs much less, and we price those jobs separately.
What permits does an Acton pool require?
Acton’s building department issues the pool permit, and the pool needs a barrier that meets the Massachusetts building code. Because Acton has many wetlands and brooks, work close to them may need Acton Conservation Commission review under the Wetlands Protection Act. Pool electrical work is done by a licensed electrician.
How do you light a wooded backyard without overdoing it?
We use low, warm path lights, a few uplights on standout trees and step lights where people walk at night. The goal is to see safely without lighting up the whole woods. Our article on lighting a backyard without overdoing it has more ideas.
From initial planning and design to engineering, permitting, and construction, we manage every stage of your pool and landscape project with precision and care.
