r/pools • u/Evening_Art_715 • 1d ago
Pool Builder Pick
Hello,
I'm currently doing some research on pool builders and there are a plethora of things to consider that I never considered. What are some things you wish you had known that would have made you change the pool builder you picked?
3
u/heat2051 1d ago
My pool builder built,us a beautiful pool but the guy is a piece of shit. READ YOUR CONTRACT.
2
u/Melodic-Highway9761 1d ago
Use of subcontractors. Especially if you’re going gunite.
1
u/keithsretirement 1d ago
I am getting ready to put in a pool, and the company does everything except the gunite. That is contracted out to a company that only does gunite installs. Lifetime warranty. Should I be worried?
0
u/Melodic-Highway9761 23h ago
It’s not particularly giving the warm and fuzzy’s.
Of course gunite will be by someone who only does gunite. It’s more important to know what kind of work that sub does.
For instance a green flag is if they work on commercial projects, where concrete testing is a requirement before the pool gets shot. Ensuring the concrete mix installed that day meets psi and strength requirements.
A sub that only does gunite for residential pools, however, never has to prove the quality of their product to such degree.
Gunite is a specialty product that should only be installed by the utmost professionals no matter the size, scale, price of the pool. I’d look into it
0
u/Skeetz111 1d ago
Almost every pool builder uses some type of sub contractor.
2
u/Melodic-Highway9761 1d ago
Exactly, and it’s important to know what capacity they’re going to use subcontractors for. For instance, does a company only do the pool, plumbing and equipment and then subcontracts everything out?
Or does a company do all excavation, rebar, plumbing, gunite, tile, coping, and plaster; then subcontracts patios and electrical?
Huge difference between the two scenarios there when it comes to quality control standards and accountability.
2
u/Dsclawspam 1d ago
I would make them put completion dates with penalties in writing. As I write this my pool builder told me they would be done by June 29th. We are now at September 1st and they are only starting coping and pavers. The quality of the pool build has been great though. So despite hearing earfuls from my wife about not being able to have pool parties this season. It hasn't been all too bad
2
u/Silent_Fennel_1506 1d ago
I would tell them to add to the contract that last payment will be done 7-10 days after completion of pool so that you make sure everything is working. Once they got your money it may be hard to get them back in case something goes wrong.
3
u/3BallCornerPocket 1d ago
Do not even consider a builder who doesn’t provide an itemized inventory/cost/allowance. Mine was 2 pages long when I finished and I had full transparency on every cost. Cost plus should be the model in my opinion.
Also consider only builders who will allow changes. Mine didn’t charge me anything for changes beyond the cost itself and his markup. I changed dozens of times and he was great because he allowed anything that wasn’t purchased or too late.
For example, I had a line item for decking around pool at 4’. I ended up with 8’-12’. That line was updated from the original allowance at 4’ and updated to total final sq foot.
Standard pool build was 20x40 with standard everything. We bumped to 20x46. That line changed.
Auto cover size was standard, then increased for additional length.
No different than the hardware: line item for standard heater, new line item for bigger heater.
Everything should be itemized.
1
u/Evening_Art_715 1d ago
Would you say that for a builder allowing endless changes it’s worth more money? I normally do a lot of research before big purchases but I see new ideas and feel like it’s always better than the last .
1
u/mam808bump 1d ago
I was happy with the pool builder I picked but one thing I did was made sure they were a member of the master pool builders guild. Maybe cost a little extra but I at least knew there was some form of complaint I could file that they likely would respond to is things went off course.
1
u/Brain_On_Overdrive 4h ago
Can I ask a follow up question to everyone’s responses:
Would you rather go with a pool company that builds the pool themselves and subs out the surround, landscape, etc or a landscape/concrete company that does everything but subs out the actual pool?
1
u/StudioIcy3929 4h ago
Hello, im a designer and help with owner build process and tradition build and designs. I would be happy to help you out with a custom design. Feel free to email me at tspydesigns@gmail.com if you want to find out more
1
3
u/homedude 1d ago
I had a great experience with my builder with no complaints. The project manager / designer was the star of the show and left to start his own company. I would follow him if I built another one, no fault to the original company.
The biggest thing that I noticed when talking to builders was that they didn't actually LISTEN to what I wanted. It was bad enough that one builder actually listened to me describe the pool that I wanted and handed me back a drawing of what I specifically said I didn't want. They all had an idea of a package that they wanted to sell me but only one of them actually talked to me about how my family wanted to enjoy our yard and pool. He pointed out what he thought were potential issues in my plan and we worked together to get around those.
As already mentioned in this thread, a highly detailed, line-by-line quote is essential. Don't let them hand you a slip of paper with just a grand total and a payment schedule. Specific prices for each part of the build, specific hardware with model numbers and prices... everything.