Expert Insights

In this WaterShapes feature, Scott Cohen uses The Green Scene’s PHTA award-winning “Side Hustle” project to show how an overlooked side yard can become one of a property’s most distinctive spaces. He covers working with tight site constraints instead of against them, layering hardscape, water, light and planting to add depth without adding footprint, and designing for sound and atmosphere as much as looks. His conclusion: good watershape design isn’t always about going bigger, but about making a small space matter more.

Many California home improvement contracts fail to meet the state’s strict legal requirements — and the consequences can be severe. Drawing on more than 24 years as a CSLB Industry Expert, this guide breaks down the 19 elements every compliant contract must include, from proper font sizes to swimming pool project disclosures, and explains why a defective contract can leave a contractor unable to collect payment.

Starting January 1, 2026, California home improvement contracts must disclose whether subcontractors will be used on a project — and if so, provide their names, license numbers, and classifications upon request. SB 517’s amendment to Business and Professions Code section 7159 adds new Yes/No disclosure boxes to contracts and change orders. Contractors still using pre-2026 templates risk CSLB discipline — and for pool contracts specifically, non-compliance can render the agreement void and unenforceable.

Don’t let root invasion ruin your drainage system! Learn why professionals glue drain pipes and how annual hydrojetting keeps your backyard drainage flowing smoothly and damage-free.

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense, but your outdoor space doesn’t have to be at risk. Firescaping—strategic landscaping with fire-resistant plants, smart hardscapes, and even pool water systems—lets you protect your home while keeping it beautiful. Discover how proactive design can turn your yard into a fire-safe, resilient oasis.

When construction sites are left unsecured, the consequences can be devastating—especially for children who don’t recognize the dangers. Drawing from a tragic real-world case, expert witness Scott Cohen explains how basic safety failures, attractive nuisance laws, and overlooked hazards can turn ordinary job sites into fatal risks—and why these tragedies are entirely preventable.

Should pools at short-term rental properties be subject to commercial pool standards and codes? It’s a question that begs serious consideration, says Scott Cohen, given the nature of pools that are residential in scope and scale; but, in some respects, more like commercial watershapes in the way they are used.

Returning to his Lessons Learned series, Scott Cohen revisits one of the simplest yet most critical safety practices: always closing the pool gate. Drawing from real-world cases as an expert witness, Cohen illustrates how a single overlooked step can lead to devastating consequences. His message is clear—safety isn’t just procedure, it’s a professional responsibility.

In the high-stakes business of building custom outdoor living spaces that feature swimming pools and associated amenities, success is driven by creativity, craftsmanship, and client satisfaction. But behind the artistry and engineering lies a legal framework that contractors sometimes ignore at the risk of losing everything.

By Scott Cohen, Chairman of the California Pool and Spa Association (CPSA). Originally published on WaterShapes.com When designing landscapes around swimming pools, trees are among the most valued elements. They provide shade, scale, greenery, and privacy — all hallmarks of luxury backyard design. But the wrong tree in the wrong location