A Luxurious Endeavor
by Jenn Rein
Shawn “Hoss” Hossack, founder of Panorama Pool Builders in Whitefish, describes himself as a jack-of-all-trades. A pool building contractor since 2012, he has been laying concrete flatwork since 1992 in Flathead Valley. Using the knowledge surrounding these two endeavors, the work he performs is done with expertise and an eye for perfection.
Accommodating the Territory
Living in the Intermountain West, in places such as Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and Washington, can present challenges when winter sets in. For those who wish to enjoy an aquatic feature, special consideration to the environment must be paid. Panorama Pool Builders (PB) are called to perform work in all of these locales, and Hossack and his team set the approach on each property in question, no matter the nature of the build.
“I never tell the client what they want. I will give them my input and let them go with it. But ultimately, it is their decision to choose what suits their needs,” says Hossack. He explains that many homeowners coming into the West from different locales have not experienced the harsh winter months that are so notorious in the areas he serves. “Providing an indoor experience means year-round use, while an outdoor pool means draining and special maintenance,” he adds.
“I never tell the client what they want. I will give them my input and let them go with it. But ultimately, it is their decision to choose what suits their needs.”
–Shawn “Hoss” Hossack, Founder, Panorama Pool Builders
As far as indoor pool options go, clients need to be educated so they are up to speed on what they are getting themselves into. Other trades must be involved in order to address how a pool will affect the interior of the home. “I get in-depth talking through the other trades that are needed to pull off the build. It’s crucial to take in the scope of venting, dehumidification, proper air circulation, drainage, and pool codes,” Hossack explains.
All of this input is provided in order to help the homeowner address maintenance questions, but in the end, the final result needs to be in keeping with the vision that is resting in that client’s mind. “I’m applying true craftsmanship here, and it has to be personal to what the owner wants in residential pool building,” says Hossack.
Creating the Wow Factor
“Throughout the territory of the northwest United States, I do keep close to Montana, Idaho, and Washington,” Hossack explains. The possibilities beyond the indoor pool selection are vast, and there are elaborate design demands involved. Taking a look at the PB portfolio expands the mind as to what might be possible.
A lengthy lap pool is not out of the question, and neither is a cold plunge or spa addition. But it is often the pool with shapely features, accentuated with carefully chosen tile and lighting that adds experiential value. In addition, the pool coping that is chosen can make all the difference.
“I get in-depth talking through the other trades that are needed to pull off the build. It’s crucial to take in the scope of venting, dehumid
ification, proper air circulation, drainage, and pool codes.”–Shawn Hossack, Founder, Panorama Pool Builders
Coping is the edging that encompasses the top perimeter of a swimming pool. It’s the surface that one would sit on, jump from, or stand on at the pool’s edge. Available in a wide range of materials such as concrete, natural stone, or tile, this edge around the pool guides the overall aesthetic and also provides a protective barrier between the pool and its surroundings.
With the help of Hossack, a plan can be realized in accordance with the client’s taste and also preference in texture that lends to the pool’s overall look. Coping is integral to the build but is only one consideration. There could be natural rock features added that host a waterfall, or perhaps a playful addition of a stone slide fed by running water. If you are looking at your property, and have a vision in mind, PB will work to make that dream a reality.
The Basics of Outdoor Living
Hossack continues to apply the concrete work that defined the early part of his career. “Ninety percent of flatwork installation has nothing to do with pools. I am still working on projects that require sidewalks, driveways, or outdoor living areas,” he shares. He has been tasked with a pool installation, and then been asked to enhance a separate area with flatwork. It comes with the territory of having such a flexible skill set.
PB is also called to perform work in many remote locations, and the nature of the region in which they are tasked to apply their specialized trade can present some challenges. “When I submit my proposal for a project that is very remote, the client needs to be willing to agree to a higher expense,” Hossack explains. “Not only that, but they also need to understand that the maintenance of the build itself may not be so easy.”
Finding a pool technician in Utica, Montana, where Hossack is currently working on a build, is a near impossibility. With a population of 23, and one bar, it is certain that his skills will be called into play once the build is complete. Pools must be tested for structural competency, and the final phase of a build doesn’t necessarily mean that PB’s job is done.
“Ninety percent of flatwork installation has nothing to do with pools. I am still working on projects that require sidewalks, driveways, or outdoor living areas.”
–Shawn Hossack, Founder, Panorama Pool Builders
Finding Gratification in the Work
Although Hossack has participated in commercial builds, his heart is in residential work. “We are not doing a formulaic hotel pool. We can explore so much customization with residential.” He does admit, though, that his favorite project may be the most elaborate he has ever been assigned to work on. “This build included a moveable floor and lift,” he explains. The engineering behind it essentially allows the pool to “disappear” in order to protect it from the elements.
Still, Shawn Hossack is beholden to those residential projects that amplify a property and make it special. “The most gratifying part is the challenge of what I’ve accomplished,” he says. “It’s how I got that box onto the property, and how I took it to a high level. I’m able to lend a voice and make it personal.”
“The most gratifying part is the challenge of what I’ve accomplished. It’s how I got that box onto the property, and how I took it to a high level. I’m able to lend a voice and make it personal.”
–Shawn Hossack, Founder, Panorama Pool Builders
