We have been excavating for over 30 years so we know your swimming pool from its foundations at the ground up.
At Port Pools by Design, we’re more than your average swimming pool contractor. Pools are our passion and we design, build and install your dream swimming pool as if it were our own. It is our mission to merge form and function to create the perfect environment to meet your vision of a beautiful yet practical pool design. We aim to make building your pool with us an enjoyable experience, leaving you with equipment that will be not just trouble-free but fun for many years to come.
We don’t subcontract any of our work out. Owning GTH Earthmoving means we have full control over your build from start to finish, and we pride ourselves on our reputation for being the fastest and most efficient pool contractors in Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast.
When you choose Port Pools by Design, you are also choosing to support a locally owned family business. Licensed pool builder, Meredith Howard will manage your project from the start to finish, ensuring your dream pool meets our perfectionist quality standards. From excavating to paving and everything in between, your dream pool deserves our expert dream team.
The Dream Team
We only work on one pool at a time and get you swimming as soon as physically possible:
MEREDITH HOWARD
Director, Pool Builder Certificate IV in Building & Construction
Multitasking is Meredith Howard's middle name. Co-owner, licensed Pool Builder, and Project Manager, Meredith is our head of all things pool building, project management and logistics, while also specialising in house renovations and project building including styling and design from start to finish. Meredith prides herself on her high level of organisation, ensuring utmost efficiency in all aspects of every project, and will always advocate for her customers’ needs. She sees pools as a special device free place in the home where memories are made and loves nothing more than seeing the joy on children’s faces when their family dream pool comes to life. Off the clock, Meredith loves hanging out with her kids, and taking the boat out on fishing trips.
BRENDAN (Brendo)
Supervisor
Brendo has been operating machinery of some sort or another since before he could walk. He’s since traded in his Tonka toys for a full time career as a machine operator, asphalter, truck driver and is now our resident Supervisor. With over 5 years’ experience in the pool industry, Brendo loves digging holes, with a laser-like eye for levels and getting heights right. A Port boy through and through, Brendo is a proud and passionate member of the PPbD dream team. On his days off, Brendo loves working on the land, fishing and taking to the water by boat.
JAMIE
Leading Hand
While he may describe himself as just a “Basic Man”, Jamie’s skills and experience are far from fundamental. Dabbling in a little of everything, this leading hand has over 3 years experience and will jump into whatever job needs doing, from truck driving, installation and machine operation, to tiling and tyre fitting. Jamie loves being a part of the Dream Team and works hard to reach his favourite part of the pool install - the end product. When Jamie’s not juggling his fave tasks at PPbD, you’ll find him cruising on his motorbike, taking his cars for a spin, or with tacklebox in hand for a day off fishing.
BRETT (Muzzer)
Pool Installer
A qualified carpenter, it’s Muzzer’s attention to detail that makes him such a valuable asset to the PPbD Dream Team. You can always count on Muzzer to keep a sharp eye on every detail of the project from start to end, with the delivery of a perfectly finished product being his greatest strength. Muzzer is a proud vegan and wears the badge for keeping food waste to an all time low, with not even banana skins going to waste (yep, who knew they were edible??). A fellow camping enthusiast, Muzza loves checking out the plethora of 4WDing experiences available in and around our beautiful Port Macquarie landscape.
JEFF (Jeffro)
Pool Installer
‘Multitalented’ is a theme in the PPbD Dream Team, and Jeffro is no exception to the rule. With experience and qualifications across electrical, tiling, bricklaying and concreting, Jeffro is a valuable member of the team. His favourite part of the pool install process is plumbing and concreting, but you’ll always find Jeffro happy to lend a hand where needed, with a strong worth ethic and passion for helping people. Despite having grown up in the city, Jeffro is a country boy at heart and enjoys camping, fishing, boating, footy, and making time to hang with his kids.
STEVEN (Blue)
Pool Installer
With Teamwork his middle name, Blue’s favourite part of the job here at PPbD is the variety in each day. Holding a White Card, Bobcat Ticket, and Medium Rigid Truck License, Blue fits right in with the PPbD Dream Team’s love of all things machine operated. When he’s not on the tools, Blue’s busy fixing the tools, with a special interest in truck maintenance. In his time off, he’s lapping up our beautiful coastal lifestyle, either fishing, 4WDing, camping or even better - all three at once.
WESLEY (Wes)
Pool Installer
Describing himself as “Just Perfect”, Wes joins our team with a Certificate II in Construction and a keen talent for learning quickly on the job. Wes is a team player who’s happy taking on any task he’s qualified for, provided he’s working alongside his PPbD mates. Wes shares the team’s love of the outdoors, with a special interest in 4WDing, made better when sharing this hobby with his kids.
HUGH (Heffner)
Pool Installer
Growing up on the fields of Ireland, Heffner (as he’s affectionately known) traded in his childhood job as a potato picker for a career in construction and has now clocked 20+ years in the industry. With excavation his fave phase of the pool install process, you’ll usually find Hugh manoeuvring our heavy vehicles around an install site or tinkering with our machinery to ensure they’re in tip-top condition. Keeping in touch with his heritage, Hugh never misses a chance to teach the team a little Gaelic and has adapted well to the Aussie coastal lifestyle with a love for all things fishing, camping and golfing.
JAKE (Hercules)
Pool Installer
Describing himself as a quick and eager learner, Jake (a.k.a. Hercules) is always on the lookout for tips and tricks from his teammates as he continues to build on his 8 years of experience across demolition, excavation, bobcat operation and heavy vehicle driving. Having only been a part of the PPbD team a short while, Jake fits right in with hobbies in fishing and 4WD, although he gives the team a run for their money when it comes to lunchtime, with a unique talent in eating competitions, holding a current PB of 58 chicken wings in one sitting!
DEBB
Admin & Accounts
Debb joins the PPbD Dream Team as our Admin and Accounts Extraordinaire, with a can-do attitude and a focus on delivering exceptional customer care. When Debb isn’t making customers smile at PPbD, you’ll find her reading, scrapbooking or catching up on the latest Netflix binge. She also loves spending quality time with her family, which extends not only to a furry feline and birds, but to her love of reptiles.