Interview with Andy Crites by Austin Monthly Magazine

A Pool Company with a View
Andy Crites was an Austin contractor for years, building and remodeling homes before he found his calling. Almost 30 years ago, one of Andy's customers wanted a swimming pool along with his newly remodeled home, so Andy took on the challenge. And when the job was complete, Andy watched as the family had a blast splashing around in their simple, but beautiful, little pool. "The guy thanked me over and over for building his family's swimming pool." Andy said. "And that's when I knew I wanted to build beautiful pools for the rest of my life." That was a long time ago.

Since that day Andy and his sons have built thousands of pools, many of them award-winning. "We continually utilize our experience in working with the Hill Country's natural beauty and terrain to build visually aesthetic, top quality pools," Andy said. That is the kind of experience you want when a pool is built in your backyard. Andy has made the commitment to Central Texas residents by becoming the premiere pool builder with extraordinary designs. From simple to sensational, we build each pool like it was our own," says Andy. Almost any homeowner can have a swimming pool.

For new homeowners, it is important to plan the pool before installing sprinklers, building fences, and landscaping. Andy Crites has backgrounds in engineering, landscape and pool design, making the possibilities for your pool almost endless. Red tiles, blue tiles, brick or limestone borders, dolphin fountains with water streaming from their mouths or mermaids arching over a bubbling spa - "it's all up to you", says Andy. One of the most popular styles of pools are those that resemble natural swimming holes, asymmetrical in shape, with rock borders and waterfalls.

One of the most unique swimming pools that Andy and family has built is at a Lake Travis home. The pool was built on a hillside with a 200 foot drop. It has a vanishing edge, which makes the water seem as if it is cascading down a cliff into the valley beyond. The fantastic pool won an NSPI Gold Medal award for Engineering and Technical Achievement. Another memorable job was the construction of a large, swimming hole/pond, complete with gold fish and three waterfalls. "Whatever they want is what they get," Andy said.

If you love your pool and take care of it, it should have a long, healthy life. And maintenance is easier than ever now, with automated cleaning controls and water purification systems that use reduced amounts of chlorine. Texas Pools and Patios is a full service business with in-house crews, so if you ever have any problems or need expert advice, all you have to do is call. Texas Pools and Patios invites anyone interested in turning the approaching summer into a backyard vacation to visit their showroom at 915 RR-620 S, Lakeway, Texas.

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The Crites Family experience and awards:

• The Crites Family has over 30 years designing and building custom pools, homes, patios, and decks
• The Crites Family has completed over 8000 pools in Central Texas.
• National and International Awards for Design Achievement
• National Awards for Engineering Technical Achievement
• One of the first builders in Texas to be recognized by the National Spa and Pool Institute as a certified builder
• One of the founders and former president of the Austin Association of Remodeling Contractors
• One of the founders and former president of the Austin Chapter of the National Spa and Pool Institute
• Licensed, Bonded and Insured
• Member in good standing with the BBB