Custom Pool Archives - Page 4 of 5

17 May

New Pool Construction: What to Ask Your Houston Pool Builder

Once you have an idea of what kind of pool you want, it’s time to look for a pool building company to make your dream a reality. But don’t just hire the first company that shows up on Google. As the future owner of a swimming pool, you owe it to yourself to know exactly what you’re getting into.

Make an informed decision about your swimming pool construction project. Here’s a few good questions to ask your pool builder before work starts. Click To Tweet

Swimming Pool Questions and Answers

Remember that the pool builder is working for you, and the final swimming pool will be a part of your home for the foreseeable future. Don’t be afraid to ask questions until you’re fully satisfied. Here are a few important questions to start with:

Can they accommodate all your requests?
Do they have a good reputation and good reviews?
What plumbing, electrical, etc. needs will the finished pool have?
What will the complete project cost?
What warranties or insurance are available?
What building materials will be used?
What maintenance will the completed pool require?

1) Can They Accommodate All Your Requests?

You probably have an idea of the shape, size, custom features, etc. you want for your swimming pool. See how much your pool builder can create for you. Be prepared for the unexpected when it comes to new pool construction. You may have to scale your project down slightly if your original ideas are too expensive or complex, but don’t give up on your dream pool. Keep looking until you find a pool builder that can make your dream come true.

2) Do They Have a Good Reputation and Good Reviews?

Customer testimonials, while not necessarily a dealbreaker, can give you an idea of a pool builder’s community standing. Do they do quality work and offer good customer service? How often do their pools need repairs done? Ask around and look online to see what kind of company you’re hiring.

3) What Plumbing, Electrical, Etc. Needs Will the Finished Pool Have?

This partially depends on how many custom features you want to be included in or near your swimming pool. Make sure you know what kind of mechanics will be in the finished product. This will give you an idea of how frequently maintenance will be required and how much repairs can potentially cost you.

4) What Will the Complete Project Cost?

Don’t let yourself be surprised by the price. Before you sign the contract, make sure you know down to the penny how much your swimming pool project will cost. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often people rush into a project without considering the total cost. Make sure you know how much you’ll be spending.

Pro Tip: Don’t default to the pool builder with the lowest price. You may be getting a good deal on paper, but the lower cost may indicate the builder will cut corners elsewhere and leave you with a defective pool.

5) What Warranties or Insurance Are Available?

Whether due to damage or wear and tear from age, your swimming pool will need repairs from time to time. A reputable pool builder will offer insurance and limited repairs for your pool, though exact services will vary. Ask about future repairs and how much you can expect to pay for them.

6) What Building Materials Will Be Used?

The more durable the building materials in your pool, the fewer repairs it will need and the longer it will last. Ask for details on construction materials and additional costs for upgrading to more durable ones if necessary.

7) What Maintenance Will the Completed Pool Require?

Finally, make sure you know how to care for your pool when it’s finished. Will you have to regularly call in professional help for maintenance, or will the biggest chore be pulling bugs and loose leaves out of the water with a net? See how much time and money will go into keeping the pool functioning.

Creating Your Dream Pool for Houston Summers

Your swimming pool will add value to your home and provide hours of entertainment for years to come. You deserve the best. Before any construction begins, make sure to get swimming pool questions and answers from your pool builder.

Want to learn more about designing your dream pool? Join the conversation to speak with our professional pool designers!

10 May

New Pool Construction: How Long Will It Take to Install Your Inground Pool?

You probably don’t want to wait too long to use your brand new pool. Rest assured that your construction team also wants to finish the job quickly to move on to other work! Exact times can vary greatly, but your pool should be completed reasonably fast.

Wondering why your pool construction is taking so long? Here’s what you need to know about inground pool design and installation. Click To Tweet

For a no-complications pool building project, you can expect to wait about 6-8 weeks. Of course, delays will happen. Multiple problems can add days or weeks to your waiting time. Here’s everything you need to consider when it comes to installing an inground pool.

Custom Features

That waterfall will look amazing when it’s completed, but it will probably add an extra few days to your pool installation. The more custom features you want, the longer construction will take. As you customize your pool to your heart’s content, prepare yourself to wait a little longer.

Pro Tip: Don’t make changes to your pool design once construction starts. The builders may have to undo some progress to add in your new ideas, consuming yet more time.

Inclement Weather

Unpredictable Houston weather could cost your pool builders valuable construction time if constant rain or overwhelming heat makes it impossible to work. There isn’t really a good way to solve this problem. Your best bet is just to wait for the weather to improve so work can resume.

Building Material Delays

Finally, sometimes a material supplier won’t ship the necessary tiles, concrete, or other necessities in time, leading to a delay on your pool project. Your pool builders might be able to speed up the delivery if this happens, but chances are, you’ll just have to wait a little longer. You may be tempted to go to the hardware store and try to continue the work yourself, but don’t do that! When the materials arrive, having a weak spot in your new pool will just lead to disaster later.

Anticipating Your New Inground Pool

Delays can be frustrating, especially when they’re out of your control. Just remember that you can reduce some of the most common delays by choosing easily shipped building materials and a good time of year for the construction. While unexpected problems might still occur, at the very least you can reduce them.

Excited for your new pool? Connect with us and see what the finished product will look like!

03 May

New Pool Construction: Dig Day Expectations

You finally put down the money on that new pool you’ve been dreaming of! Once you’ve finished designing it and adding all the design features you’ve always wanted, it’s time to start construction. Day one of your pool construction project will consist entirely of excavating your new pool’s construction site.

Excavation seems simple enough, but there’s plenty of factors to consider as the day nears. Make sure your backyard is prepared for the pool building traffic and potential problems that may arise during the project.

Get ready to build your custom designed swimming pool! Here’s what to expect during excavation. Click To Tweet

Identify Potential Hazards in Your Backyard

Make sure your pool builders locate and clearly mark anything that you know will get in the way of digging, such as water pipes or buried electrical cables. A reputable pool designer will understand the importance of this. However, be prepared to address other problems that aren’t so easily identified at first. For example, if the construction crew hits bedrock, a large boulder, or a shallow water table, construction may be slowed as the problem is dealt with or your pool’s location changes. You may have to accommodate delays or additional expenses resulting from inevitable problems like these.

Protect Your Backyard

A major construction project like a pool means a lot of people and machines will be in and out of your yard all day. To prevent damage to your backyard, make sure to move small decorations like bird baths to a safe location like your garage. Ask if you should remove part of your fence so construction vehicles can get in easily. Most importantly, consider how to protect unmovable features like an outdoor kitchen. Trustworthy pool contractors should already have a plan to protect your kitchen, but never forget to ask if there’s anything you can do as well. You don’t want to ruin one backyard landmark for the sake of a new one.

Pro Tip: Your grass will inevitably get trampled during a pool construction project. Make sure to buy some new sod when the work is done.

Decide What to Do with the Dirt

Regardless of how big your pool is, you’ll end up with a lot of excavated soil. Most swimming pool builders will let you choose to either pay a little extra to have the dirt hauled away or keep it for yourself at no extra charge. Keeping the dirt allows you to add a hill in your backyard and provide an elevated space for a cool feature like a firepit to overlook your new pool. On the other hand, paying a little more to get rid of the dirt forever cleans up your backyard that much faster. Whatever you ultimately decide, make sure your pool contractor can accommodate you.

Get Ready for the Next Step!

A typical pool excavation normally takes a full day and may expand to two or three with work complications. Once the digging is finished, it’s time to start on reinforcement and plumbing! The best way to prepare for this is to keep the new gaping hole in your backyard clean and easily accessible. Don’t rebuild your fence or install anything else until the construction is fully finished. Most importantly, don’t go into the hole yourself–without the structural reinforcement from further construction, the dirt could still collapse.

Preparing for Dig Day

You’re most likely excited about your new custom pool and increased outdoor time! Although the design and construction phase will not be as fun, your new pool will be worth it. The best way you can help is to make the contractor’s job as easy as possible. The faster they can work, the faster you get your new pool!

Interested in reading more about the pool construction process? Connect with us and see how to get started.

26 Apr

How to Choose the Best Houston Swimming Pool Builders

As the weather gets warmer, Houstonians are getting out their bathing suits again. An increasing number of people also want to swim in the privacy of their own backyards. If your backyard is in need of a swimming pool for the upcoming summer months, you’ll need to find a trustworthy Houston pool designer.

Choosing a pool builder is nearly as important as choosing a construction company for a brand new house. Every decision you make during the process will impact you and anyone you may sell your home to years down the road. Consider these critical factors when choosing your pool contractor.

Bring your backyard paradise to life with an excellent swimming pool design! These tips will help you make the best decision for your new pool. Click To Tweet

Make Sure Your Ideas are Realistic

Unfortunately, not all of us can raise dolphins in the backyard swimming pool. When meeting with a contractor, bring your own ideas and preferences to the table, but also look over what the company is capable of building. They will probably have their own advice and design suggestions as well. This will save you from spending money on a massively bloated project and let you design a realistically ideal pool.

Find Positive References and Past Work

Every successful pool contractor will have past clients and work to show. Read their online reviews, find pictures of their projects, and ask questions about their relationship with clients.

Pro Tip: When looking for a pool builder to trust in Houston, ask any friends or neighbors with their own backyard pool which contractor they used, since you are very likely to get an honest answer.

Keep Records of Everything

Whenever your pool contractor makes an offer or discusses cost and labor with you, write it down or keep records in some fashion. This will guarantee that your contractor will stand behind his promises. Furthermore, a detailed record of every conversation will help you comparison shop to find the best possible price for your custom swimming pool project.

Ask About Insurance and Warranties

Accidents will happen. Can your chosen pool builder cover incidents during the construction process? What if a manufacturer defect or poorly installed equipment cause problems for you later? Make sure your contractor offers a reasonably priced warranty or knows a good place to direct you for insurance.

Don’t Make a Decision Too Quickly

Until you sign a contract, you’re under no obligation to choose any particular company. Trust your instincts. After all, your choice of pool builder and the quality of their work will affect your custom backyard pool for years to come. Weigh all the factors carefully and make your decision wisely.

Look Forward to Your New Pool!

Contractor negotiations are the hardest part of any pool construction project. The good news is, once everything is finalized, all you have to do is wait! The construction company will build the custom designed pool of your dreams while you send out invitations to the next pool party. Get ready to make the neighbors jealous!

Looking for inspiration for your own project? Connect with us to see how we can help you make your dream a reality!

12 Apr

Swimming Pool Design: Expectations vs. Reality

Designing and planning a brand new swimming pool is an exciting time for any homeowner. But as you weigh your options, make sure to keep a few important factors in mind. Not all of your ideas can plausibly be built, and not all pool builders will give you the best deal.

What Should I Know About Swimming Pool Designs?

Pool designs come in all different shapes and sizes, and it’s exciting to consider your design options for what will look best in your yard. However, don’t forget to give serious thought to the basics of pool building. Your expectations for pool design and construction may not be realistic. Here are some factors worth paying attention to:

Cost expectations
Hills and uneven ground
Benefits of a pool house

When you’re ready to add a pool to your outdoor space, keep these considerations in mind before the building process begins. Click To Tweet

1) Cost Expectations

The first thing to look into is what type of pool design works within your budget. If fountains or waterfalls make up your dream pool, it’s important to consult with a builder about all of the features you’re hoping for and assess the cost up front. You may decide to reconsider certain pool additions if you find that the cost of materials is more than you expected.

ProTip: When making your decision on what pool design is best for you, create a wish list of all the features that are important for your outdoor oasis. Assess the cost of each and narrow down your choices to only what’s practical for your budget.

2) Hills and Uneven Ground

Before beginning any build, evaluate the space where your new pool will be. Make note if it’s at the bottom of a hill or will sit on uneven ground. Consider rainstorms– will your pool be easily flooded if there’s a large amount of rain? Will one end of the pool have more or less water in it due to a difference in elevation? Don’t wait until the building is in progress to think about these potential problems. A reputable pool builder should evaluate these potential scenarios before excavation.

3) Benefits of a Pool House

In the excitement of building a new pool in your backyard, you might have forgotten about the purpose of a pool house. Do you have tile in the entryway to your backyard? Wet feet are a hazard and can be messy with guests getting out of your pool and coming inside the house. A pool house is beneficial because it can be used as a changing room or a “towel-off” station.

Speak with a Professional About All Concerns

After thinking over all of the above expectations, speak with an outdoor living specialist and ask them if they have any other insights you may not have thought of. An outdoor living specialist will give you honest advice and provide you with the quality customer service you deserve.

Join the conversation to learn more about pool building services and what you can expect from your pool builder!

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