CHOOSE A BUILDER

Planning your pool is a very important process for any individual or family. As with any investment, it must be planned with care and input from an experienced advisor.

The advisor must be capable of understanding your needs and then formulating a plan which reflects those needs while also considering the practical realities of space and site requirements, safety, and cost. A professional swimming pool builder should possess the technical expertise, imagination, and integrity to be such an advisor.

Selecting a qualified builder is, therefore, vital to the planning process. Swimming pool design and construction is a highly specialized field and the technology going with it changes continuously. The builder you ultimately choose to work with should bring to you the latest in available products, building techniques, and services.

Determine through your local Better Business Bureau how long the builder has been in business. Other good sources for qualifying a builder are Engineering and Architectural Firms in your community, for a proven track record of excellence by a pool builder will always be recognized by other professionals.

Characteristics of a Quality Pool Builder

1. He is a member of a builder's guild or a professional organization.
2. He involves himself in industry educational programs, technical seminars, and trade shows where new ideas and products are displayed.
3. He can provide you with a reference list of both recent and older projects.
4. He is capable of bringing to you a wide range of products and services for your consideration without overwhelming you.
5. He presents his products and services fairly without attacking competitive products and services.
6. He has a strong support network like a Guild which he can call upon to inform himself if he is lacking information on a particular item.

CHOOSING CONSTRUCTION TYPE

At a quick glance, it may appear that all swimming pools are basically the same, however, this certainly is not the case. There are many different materials and methods by which pools are constructed. Concrete or gunite pools are considered the most permanent as opposed to pools constructed of other materials such as fiberglass, steel, aluminum, or polymer walls with or without separate vinyl liners.

The permanent concrete or gunite pool requires your builder to have specialized methods and equipment. The actual structural characteristics of the pool are professionally designed to consider soil conditions, concrete formulations, and building codes.

The final result is that the professionally designed concrete or gunite pool, with the appropriate deck, tile, and interior finish, will provide many years of enjoyment, and this steel reinforced pool shell is your best "guarantee" for the future.

In recent years, advances in the design of the other types of pools have also occurred. Improved corrosion resistant metals, formulations of fiberglass, formulations of vinyls, and more attention to structural details are all helping to make these products good value. However, it is very important to pay very close attention to the details of warranty, product life expectancy, and routine service requirements when assessing pool types.

As a general rule, most investors in swimming pools agree that the permanent gunite pool will out-last any other type of pool.