What to Know Before Building a Pool

Having your very own pool has many benefits. To begin with, swimming is a great way to spend quality time with your kids and spouse. A pool also provides you the opportunity to get adequate exercise to stay healthy. Lastly, when the time comes for you to sell your home, your pool can become the unique selling point of your property.

Of course, having one installed is a big investment you shouldn’t just dive into. Before proceeding with installation, keep these things in mind:

Above or Below? A Look at the Two Pool Types

When it comes down to it, swimming pools are either below ground or above ground even though they all come in various shapes and sizes. Their names are rather self-explanatory, although there are some instances where an above ground pool is much better than one that has to be dug. The inverse is also true, which is why homeowners should consider the pros and cons of each type.

Above ground pools are generally simpler to build and easier to maintain, primarily because they don’t involve plenty of excavation work. They are also generally more affordable than below ground pools, although they are not as durable. Above ground pools also don’t offer much in terms of aesthetics and design. Size is also an issue since they’re generally much smaller than their more-permanent counterparts, although that might actually be a boon for households who have a small backyard.

Below-ground or in-ground pools are obviously the opposite; they require more labor and incur larger costs at the expense of being more reliable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing than above ground pools. Aside from those things, in-ground pools usually have better temperature control which, could be useful for swimmers who have sensitive skin and/or underlying health problems. Finally, in-ground pools can boost the household’s real estate value, provided that they are properly-renovated and decorated.

Assessing Potential Pool Builders for Your Home

It’s not that hard to find a pool builder. What’s hard is to determine which one to choose from among your prospects. But what are your criteria for choosing in the first place?

Much has been written about what to ask your potential pool builders, but have you recognized the logic behind those questions? However way you word your questions, inquire about the potential builder’s business stability, technical competence, standards of quality, worth of experience, and level of commitment to deliver as promised. The answers to these questions can tell you how they operate and what you can possibly get when you hire them.

You ask how long they’ve been in operation to gauge whether or not the work they do is able to sustain their existence.

You request for proof of licenses to verify if they have the relevant skills and technical know-how to carry out the task. Their compliance to the industry standards also gives you an idea of how they define quality work.

You request for samples of their work to have a clearer picture of how they create and translate solutions.

You even read customer feedback to know how good or bad they have performed historically.

So the next time you ask these things to a potential pool builder, you already know what to establish. If you don’t get the kind of answers you want at the first try, phrase your question a different way and raise a follow-up inquiry when necessary.

Tips for Hiring a Pool Builder

If your twin boys have aspirations to be like Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, a good way to get them closer to reaching their dreams is to have a pool built right in your own backyard. However, similar to hiring a roofing or remodeling contractor, hiring the right pool builder requires a lot of effort on your part. Don’t just pick the first company you come across in a phone book or on your way home.?

Research as much information as you can about prospective pool builders in your area. This doesn’t only mean visiting their websites and taking every word at face value; it also means giving them a call or visiting their offices for an initial consultation. How well you communicate with each other will help determine whether you can rely on them to build a pool according to your exact specifications.?

Next, be sure to look into each prospective pool builder’s credentials, including years of experience in the industry as well as licenses and insurance. Since building a pool entails considerable technical knowhow, you’ll want to choose a pool builder who has received the appropriate training and certification from the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. Once you’ve verified all of these things, you can look forward to having the kind of swimming pool that can help fulfill your sons’ Olympic dreams.