// Phase 1
Site and View Study
We study the grade, sun angles, views, existing stone walls and the septic and well locations, and confirm what can be built where.
Your Trusted Project Partner
Harvard, in Worcester County, is a small country town known for its apple orchards, its classic town common, the village of Still River and Bare Hill Pond. Many homes sit on generous lots with views across rolling hills, which makes the layout of a pool or terrace as important as the build itself. Mountainscapes designs the whole property first, using slope and outlook as part of the plan, then manages permitting and construction. We also take on modest jobs, such as opening a pool in spring or fixing a patio that has heaved over the winter.
On a sloping Harvard lot, the best pool position is rarely the obvious one. Our custom pool design process tests a few placements against views, sun and grade before anyone commits to a plan.
Pool shapes, depths and terraces worked out on paper first, so the pool suits a hillside setting.
Whole-property plans that tie the house, gardens, paths and outbuildings into one connected layout.
Shaping sloped ground into level terraces for pools, patios and lawns, with water directed safely away.
An efficient way to green large or sloping areas and hold soil in place after construction.
Bluestone, fieldstone or paver patios sized for outdoor dining and turned to face the view.
Swales, French drains and dry wells that carry hillside runoff around the house instead of into it.
Low, warm lighting for paths and steps that keeps dark country evenings feeling natural.
Spring startup and fall winterizing so your pool comes through the cold months without damage.
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
Mountainscapes is led by Christopher Underwood, a Landscape Architecture graduate whose career building pools and outdoor spaces now runs past two decades. In a town where the land itself is the main attraction, we design pools and gardens that respect the existing terrain, stone walls and long views.
// All Services
From a new pool to a single drainage fix, these are the pool, landscape and site services available to Harvard homeowners. Small jobs are welcome.
Pool Construction
Pool Renovation & Care
Pool Features
Landscaping
Hardscaping & Outdoor Living
Drainage & Site Work
Do you build pools in Harvard, Massachusetts?
Yes. We design and build gunite, fiberglass and vinyl liner pools for homeowners in Harvard, MA, from early layout through permits and construction. Our pool construction page explains each pool type and how we pick the right one for a site.
How much should I budget for a pool and landscape project in Harvard?
Budgets vary with the pool type, the amount of grading a slope needs, and how much patio, wall and planting work is included. Most complete projects we take on fall in the $50,000 to $150,000 range. Seasonal pool service and minor repairs cost much less.
What permits apply to a pool in Harvard?
A new inground pool needs a building permit from the Town of Harvard and a barrier that meets the Massachusetts building code. Projects near wetlands, streams or Bare Hill Pond may also need review by the Harvard Conservation Commission under the Wetlands Protection Act. We help with the paperwork and coordinate engineers.
Can a pool work on a steep Harvard lot?
Often it can. We may cut into the slope, build up the low side with a retaining wall, or step the patio down in terraces. The right choice depends on soil, drainage and views. Our article on planning an inground pool covers the questions to settle early.
How do you light a rural yard without too much glare?
We use fewer, softer fixtures aimed at paths, steps and a few trees, rather than floodlighting the whole property. That keeps the night sky visible and the neighbors happy. Our guide on lighting a backyard without overdoing it shows the approach.
From initial planning and design to engineering, permitting, and construction, we manage every stage of your pool and landscape project with precision and care.
