Phil Sherry runs Platinum Pools SRQ on the idea that a pool is not just a hole in the ground filled with water, it is the centerpiece of how a family lives outside. On this episode he walks the hosts through what separates a good pool build from a great one, from design decisions that get overlooked to the permitting and construction realities of building in Sarasota's climate and soil conditions.
Sherry gets into the details homeowners rarely think about before they start a project: drainage, decking materials that hold up to Florida sun, and the timeline pressures that come with a business as seasonal and weather-dependent as pool construction. He is candid about managing client expectations during a build, since a custom pool project can stretch out longer than homeowners initially picture, and about the trust it takes to get a family through that process happily.
Designing for How Sarasota Actually Lives Outside
Sherry talks about how Platinum Pools SRQ approaches each project as a custom design rather than a cookie-cutter installation, factoring in how a specific family actually plans to use their backyard. He credits steady referral relationships with Sarasota builders and real estate agents for keeping the pipeline of projects full.
The roundabout question and Rapid Fire Gauntlet round out the episode with a lighter, personal look at Sherry, capping a conversation about a business built on turning ordinary Sarasota backyards into something families actually want to spend their time in.
What you'll take away
- Platinum Pools SRQ treats every project as a custom design rather than a standard installation
- Florida's climate and soil conditions create construction challenges unique to Sarasota builds
- Managing client expectations around build timelines is a major part of Phil Sherry's job
- Referral relationships with local builders and real estate agents help keep the project pipeline full
- Good pool design starts with understanding how a specific family plans to use their backyard