Everyone has heard the expression, “You get what you pay for.” This saying is never more relevant than when you’re planning a swimming pool construction or having some renovations on your old pool.
Either way construction or renovation means money, how much Do you expect to spend? Which is the right budget, how to know you found the right pool contractor?
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Finding the right Pool Contractor
Initially when you have a pool construction project you should get three estimates form different companies. If one of those three is suspiciously low, then you must seek out at least two more competing bids. This will give you a total of five bids to compare prices.
It is essential to understand that price reflects quality. If you contacted a few local companies, and you get a budget much lower than the others you should be doubtful.
Furthermore, you would really like to spend less money if this is a viable option.
So, you decide to meet with the contractor knowing that a very low budget is a red flag. Even more, he seems to know what he´s talking about. We ask you, at least before making any decision and to avoid future regrets, keep reading this article to get some advice.
How can one asses a budget much cheaper than others for the same type of work?
If a pool contractor offers you a ridiculously cheaper price in comparison to the others, watch out, that´s more than a warning sign, that’s hurricane Dorian in your backyard.
There are very few things in life worse than going with an excessively low pool construction bid.
Let´s think about it. when you build a pool there are many technical elements involved that require a highly qualified and trained staff that knows and understand each step, making the right decisions in case they have to correct a mistake.
Let’s face it, only in the last steps, just with the shotcrete phase is when the pool starts looking like a pool. All that previous work is buried under the gunite and it is until you start using the pool that you might notice if something went wrong.
There are many ways to save a few dollars by building a slightly lower quality pool. In most cases this is not a bad move, they are just people who try to be competitive, but they don’t have enough experience or knowledge to make the right decisions in order to benefit the client. Unfortunately, this happens more than you imagine in the pool construction industry.
When meeting a pool contractor you should ask—- for his recommendations on how the project should take place. In the long run, is it worth cutting off expenses for a temporary fix? The lowest bid is not always the best. Request a written description of the materials necessary for the job. A low bid may indicate that a company uses sub-par materials or is desperate for work. The more accurate bid is likely somewhere in the middle.
Look into the contractor’s background.
Check out records and investigate the background of your chosen swimming pool building company by heading to the Better Business Bureau to check for complaints.
The Better Business Bureau is not affiliated with any governmental agency. Businesses that affiliate with the BBB and adhere to its standards do so through industry self-regulation. To avoid bias, the BBB’s policy is to refrain from recommending or endorsing any specific business, product or service
Protect your peace of mind.
The cheapest price is not always the best way to go. Sometimes you have to pay a bit more for peace of mind. Fly by night contractors may save you money in the short run, but what happens when you have an issue later on and they’re nowhere to be found to correct it? Pay more for a consummate professional who will be around for many years so you can rely on him for seasonal attention.
Research is essential when planning a pool construction project
Before meeting any pool contractor, it is fundamental google about the kind of pool you want. Things like the type of swimming pool that fits with your property, gives you the necessary knowledge to discuss with your pool constructor, so that, the final result is exactly what you’ve been dreaming of.
Pool construction permits
Any pool construction project starts with permits. Some contractors like to do construction work without the necessary permits. You must be sure that they have processed all the necessary permits before the excavator starts digging the ground.
Other contractors do not include the permission in their quote to lower costs, but then, it is the client who must deal with these procedures and of course must pay them, so at the end, the pool construction costs increase.
Engineering is crucial
For the construction of any concrete pool it is essential that a pool engineer designer inspects and approves the project. Soil testing is also necessary to ensure that your pool will be built on a stable and uniform soil. If the budget is too low they probably haven’t included engineering, so run away!
Engineering for the installation of residential pools could cost between $1000 and $1500 and should include one or two site inspections so that the engineer could approve the pool is being built in accordance with the designed plans.
Diging the ground
Finally, what you thought until today was the first step in the process of building a swimming pool.
Here begins the dirty work, literally. When we are in the excavation phase we usually have to deal with pulling up fences, trees, shrubs, lawns. Basically your backyard is becoming a complete disaster/ total mess.
Some important questions to ask yourself when choosing your pool builder, is who takes care of the giant pile of earth that’s left behind after the excavation. Who will replace the fences or replace the grass that breaks down when the excavator is digging the hole.
If you’ve been offered a very low budget, be sure to ask about the temporary security fences that are required by law to restrict access to the giant dangerous hole in your backyard during the construction phase.
Connect with the company manager
The right person for the job will be easy to talk to. Make sure you see eye to eye by hiring a contractor that understands your goals and is a professional in the kind of job you are looking for. Communication is key for all projects, so, insist on regular contact by email, phone or text messages. Allow the work crew to manage their day-to-day work, but set up a weekly face-to-face update from the company manager.
At Urban Pool Service with our South Florida Pool Construction Service we are committed to making your dreams of a shiny, luxurious new pool in your backyard a reality. Our team of Pool Builders in Florida specializes in building customized pools with affordable prices for you, with the best materials and finishes, taking care of your budget. That´s why more and more customers of ours recommend us as the Best Pool Builders in South Florida.
