// Phase 1
Walk the Land
We look at tree cover, rock, slope, the well and septic locations, and how equipment can reach the work area from the road.
Your Trusted Project Partner
Pelham sits on the Massachusetts line beside Dracut, with Hudson, Windham and Salem as New Hampshire neighbors, and much of the town still feels rural: wooded lots, old stone walls and homes set back from the road. Many Pelham houses rely on private wells and septic systems. Building a pool or patio here often starts with site work, such as clearing trees, dealing with ledge and boulders, and grading so water moves away from the house. Mountainscapes handles that groundwork, then designs and builds the pool and landscape on top of it.
On a wooded lot, where you clear decides where you can build. We plan the clearing, the pool location, the septic area and the finished grades together, so you keep the trees worth saving and nobody moves the same soil twice.
Trees, brush and stumps removed to open space for a pool, lawn or patio, while keeping the healthy trees you want.
Digging for pools, footings and utility trenches, with ledge and boulders handled as they turn up.
Shaping the ground so rain flows away from the house, septic area and pool deck instead of toward them.
Boulder, stone or block walls that turn a sloping yard into level terraces you can actually use.
Layered crushed stone with a crowned surface that sheds water and holds up to plowing and spring mud.
Sprayed concrete pools that can take almost any shape, a good fit for irregular or terraced backyards.
Seed, mulch and water sprayed over large graded areas to grow grass and hold soil in place on slopes.
Replanting cleared edges with hardy trees and shrubs that cope with New Hampshire winters.
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 Us
Rural lots punish poor planning: a pool dug in the wrong spot can sit in a wet hollow or crowd the leach field. Christopher Underwood brings a Landscape Architecture degree and over 20 years of hands-on construction to the site plan, so the groundwork supports everything that comes after.
// All Services
From a new pool to a single drainage fix, these are the pool, landscape and site services available to Pelham homeowners. Small jobs are welcome.
Pool Construction
Pool Renovation & Care
Pool Features
Landscaping
Hardscaping & Outdoor Living
Drainage & Site Work
Can you build a pool if my Pelham lot has ledge?
Usually, yes. Ledge is common in southern New Hampshire, and how much of it there is affects the excavation method and the cost. We assess the site before design, and if rock turns up during digging we explain the options before going further. Our excavation page has more detail.
How close can a pool be to my well or septic system?
Septic systems need room, and digging near a leach field or well can cause real problems. We locate the tank, leach field and well early, keep the pool and its equipment well clear of them, and follow the separation rules that apply to your lot. This often decides where the pool can go.
How much does a pool project cost on a wooded Pelham lot?
Most of our full pool and landscape projects fall between $50,000 and $150,000. On wooded or rocky lots, clearing, rock removal and grading can be a meaningful part of that total, so we show site work as its own line in the budget. Smaller jobs, like a gravel driveway or drainage fix, cost much less.
Which permits apply to pool and site work in Pelham?
A pool needs a building permit from the town and must meet the state building code rules for barriers and fencing. Work in or near wetlands, streams or brooks may need a permit from the NHDES Wetlands Bureau, and we always call Dig Safe before excavating. We help prepare each application.
Should I hydroseed or sod after clearing my lot?
For large or sloping areas, hydroseeding is usually the better value because the mulch in the mix holds seed and soil in place while grass establishes. Sod gives an instant lawn on smaller, flat spaces. Compare both on our lawn installation and hydroseeding pages.
From initial planning and design to engineering, permitting, and construction, we manage every stage of your pool and landscape project with precision and care.
