Getting The Right Design

The most important aspect of your pool is the design. Take your time understanding every aspect of your design prior to signing any agreements, and especially prior to starting construction. The following are the most important things to understand:

Pool location and shape - Make sure you see and approve a "scaled" drawing with all measurements and depths on it.
Equipment location and type - Approve the actual site and footprint of the pool equipment.
Material list - Understand the materials you are getting or at minimum, the budgets included for the materials.
Plumbing sizes - Make sure the plumbing is not undersized for the equipment that you are using. Pipes that are too small can shorten the life of your equipment and create high energy bills.
Inclusions List - You should have a list of everything included. This list might include things like permits, engineering, main gas and electrical lines, inspections, etc)

Understanding these things will help you to get a more accurate and competitive estimate, assure an easier construction experience, and make you a more educated homeowner.

Is your builder an experienced professional?

Every pool has it's own unique complications. This is important to know when considering that the experience of your builder will make or break the project. Many times pool owners say that their builder had to ask for more money during construction because of an unexpected cost; or that the project took much longer because of their inexperience in building that type of pool. Be assured that your builder has built at minimum 250 pools in the county you reside. This may seem like a lot. However, less than that puts you at risk of your builder being aware of the all the conditions that exist with pool construction, warrantee, good business systems, and being capable of overcoming those issues efficiently and effectively.

How long has the company been in business?

It is very common for contractors to jump into owning their own business just because they understand how to build a pool. However, successfully owning a pool company is built around a very strict set of systems that are rarely followed by the average contractor. Thus many pools are built by newly formed companies who quickly go out of business leaving projects unfinished with liens on the property, and warrantees unwarrented. Chose a company who has been in business for a minimum of 15 consecutive years. This assures they have gone through at least one major business cycle. You can find how long your contractor has been in business and if your contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured by going to the California State License Board's website at https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx

Is the company financially strong?

There isn't any real way to know how financially sound a company truly is. However, a bid that is too good to be true is a tell-tale sign of a builder who is about to go out of business. Many times these bids are a last ditch effort to keep cash flow moving another 6 months. But it always catches up, forcing them out of business and leaving many customers with an empty pool that is worth a lot less than what they have paid. Builders must make money. If they don't, the liability soon catches up to them forcing them out of business. This is not a fun position to be in as a homeowner.

It is unwise to pay to much. But it is worse to pay to little and find that the thing you are buying is incapable of doing what it was meant to do.

Does your builder have a set of construction standards?

It is common to believe that as long as the pool is permitted and the completion is signed off, all pools are built the same. This could not be farther from the truth. There are fundamental design and engineering principles that each pool must have to stand the test of time and are not covered under local municipalities. Especially in the many varying conditions that exist in California soil. Ask to see your builders construction standards. More importantly, ask to see how those standards are adhered to. A good company will be able to tell you exactly what their standards are and how they follow them. It is important that you feel comfortable with their response because those standards are what will help to assure they wont cut corners. In addition, you should ask to go and see some of their work.

Is your builder local?

Every city has it's own codes and nuances. Companies who don't frequently work in those cities end up taking longer to complete the project due to failing many of the inspections that take place. Moreover, builders who's home base is more than 45 minutes from the project site, can not quickly resolve common problems during construction. In addition, warrantees often times never get resolved at all.

Is your builder customer service oriented?

Frequently homeowners say, "My pool project was a nightmare". While most companies do their best, it is impossible for many companies to perform efficiently because they are drowning in insufficient business systems, financial difficulties, or inexperience.

You should ask your builder for the names and phone numbers of a minimum of 5 past customers. You should call these customers and ask the following questions:
Was the project finished within budget?
Was the project finished on time?
Did the representatives respond quickly and courteously to your questions?
Was the project site kept clean throughout construction?
Did your pool come out the way you planned?
Did your builder prepare you for construction?
Did your builder educate you on how to use your pool equipment?
Did you have clear plans on how the pool was to be built?
Was there sufficient communication with your builder during construction?

Does your builder have a program for assisting you after the pool is completed?

Typically, when a pool is completed, the builder rightfully parts ways. Customers are then handed over to the world of servicemen, pool repair, and pool stores to help with the needs of the pool. It can sometimes be daunting trying to find the right people to handle those needs, especially when if handled wrong, could void warrantees from the builder. While not all companies have a program to assist customers after the pool is completed, it is a huge bonus if they do.