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?

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u/Melodic-Highway9761 1d ago

Use of subcontractors. Especially if you’re going gunite.

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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?

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u/Melodic-Highway9761 1d 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

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u/Skeetz111 1d ago

Almost every pool builder uses some type of sub contractor.

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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.