// Phase 1
Look and Listen
We visit, measure the yard, check access routes for equipment, and listen to how your family wants to use the space day to day.
Your Trusted Project Partner
Reading is a well-established Middlesex County suburb, with tree-lined streets, many older homes and yards that are usually more compact than in rural towns farther west. On a lot like that, every foot counts. Mountainscapes plans the pool, patio, plantings and drainage together so a Reading yard feels open rather than crowded, and treats the neighbors’ windows and fences as part of the design. We also work on what is already there: older pools that need new coping or equipment, patios that have sunk, and beds that have outgrown their space.
In a closer neighborhood, privacy and access drive the design. We plan screening with trees and shrubs, keep pool equipment out of sight, and work out how machines will reach the backyard through a narrow side yard.
A planned update for an older pool, with surfaces, coping, decking and equipment fixed in a sensible order.
Cracked or loose coping stones replaced around the pool edge before water gets behind them.
LED underwater lights and retrofits, wired by a licensed electrician, for safer evening swims.
Stone or paver patios laid out to fit a compact yard and connect cleanly to the back door.
Grill stations and counters planned close to the house so cooking outside stays convenient.
Evergreens and layered shrubs that screen a pool or patio from nearby windows and streets.
Overgrown foundation plantings and worn lawns replaced with a cleaner, easier-to-care-for layout.
Downspout lines, French drains and dry wells for damp basements and soggy side yards.
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 was started by Christopher Underwood, whose background joins Landscape Architecture schooling with more than two decades on pool and landscape job sites. On a Reading lot, that design training helps us fit more into the yard without it feeling cramped.
// All Services
From a new pool to a single drainage fix, these are the pool, landscape and site services available to Reading homeowners. Small jobs are welcome.
Pool Construction
Pool Renovation & Care
Pool Features
Landscaping
Hardscaping & Outdoor Living
Drainage & Site Work
Can you renovate an older pool in Reading?
Yes. Many Reading pools were built decades ago and now need new coping, a new surface or updated equipment. We assess the whole pool and set priorities. Our guide to pool renovation vs building a new pool helps you weigh the two paths.
How much does a pool or landscape project cost in Reading?
It varies with what you want built, the size of the yard and how hard access is for equipment. Full pool and landscape projects with us generally run from $50,000 to $150,000. Coping repairs, drainage fixes and planting work cost considerably less.
What permits will my Reading pool need?
An inground pool needs a Reading building permit, and the pool barrier and gates must meet the Massachusetts building code. If your property is near wetlands, including those along the Ipswich River, the Reading Conservation Commission may review the project under the Wetlands Protection Act. We help with both.
Will a pool fit in a smaller Reading backyard?
Often, yes. A compact pool, or a pool paired with a slim deck, can fit lots that seem too small at first. We also check setbacks from property lines and how equipment will get in, since a narrow side yard can shape the whole plan. Our article on planning your backyard for a pool covers how to size it.
How do you add privacy around a Reading patio or pool?
We combine fencing, layered evergreens and shrubs, and sometimes a low seating wall, to block the views that matter most. Plants are chosen for New England winters so the screen stays dense year round. Placement matters as much as the plants, so we stand where you will sit and check what needs hiding. See tree and shrub planting for options.
What towns near Reading do you serve?
We also work in Woburn, Burlington, Lexington, Andover, North Andover and Tewksbury, plus towns across southern New Hampshire. Contact us with your address and we will confirm coverage.
From initial planning and design to engineering, permitting, and construction, we manage every stage of your pool and landscape project with precision and care.
