Our Blog | Advice on In Ground Swimming Pool Construction and Maintenance

I receive calls from many perspective home buyers who want to have an inground pool built in their backyard.  Sometimes putting in a pool is NOT possible due to easements, sewer mains, bill of assurance issues, and most of all, not having enough distance between the house and the back property line.  Some cities require a distance of ten feet off the house, and ten feet off the back property line.  If your total distance is thirty five feet from house to property line (fence), that only leaves you fifteen feet width to place a pool in your yard.  

 

 

My best advice is to ALWAYS obtain a legal survey from the builder and /or seller at closing, or better yet, before you make an offer and move forward with the purchase of the home.  This survey will depict any easements on the property, building setbacks, drainage easements if applicable, etc.  More often than not, the survey is NOT conveyed over to the buyer at closing by the seller.  Generally because the seller did not have one in the first place.  A typical residential survey cost around five hundred dollars or so depending on the property.  A cost the seller does not want to have to pay.  This can be negotiated between buyer and seller as well.  Additionally, your pool contractor will need this survey to obtain the proper permit with the city.  If you live outside the city limits, a permit is generally not required.  As an aside, you can always contact your pool builder before you decide to purchase the home to assist you in your efforts to obtain whether or not a pool can be built in the yard.

 

 

Everyone wants a good deal on a major purchase and no one wants to overpay.  However, you also want to make sure you do not get cheated and do get the best value for your dollar.

When it comes to selecting a pool contractor for a major home improvement project, these desires really hit home. In particular, building a new swimming pool is a prime example of such a project. 

To ensure that you get the most for your money, it’s crucial to resist the temptation to choose your builder primarily on price—particularly if it is significantly lower than other bids you receive.

Here’s why: Low-priced contractors are often the ones who cut corners on a variety of fronts.  For example, they may operate without proper business insurance, liability insurance, workers comp insurance, or property-damage insurance.  In states where a license is required, as it does in Arkansas, the low-ball firms are often those without one.

They may install cheaper equipment or brands with poor warranties.  They may use low-quality materials or skimp on the required amounts.  They may rely on crews and subcontractors who charge less—due to limited skills, experience, or an unfavorable reputation among local pool builders.

Sometimes a low-ball price is a sign of desperation.  A builder may sell a pool virtually at his cost.  Why?  While he may make only slim or no profit, he may be on a money treadmill; he will take the job just in order just to keep cash flowing to pay the rent or the bills on his last customer’s project. 

Remember: To make profit to stay in business, any good business needs to charge enough for their product or service.  The same is true for pool contractors. 

However, a contractor staying in business is important not only for them—but for homeowners too.  You want your contractor to be around to take care of any warranty issues that may arise!

Certainly, your budget must be a major factor in guiding what you purchase.  However, it should not be the primary factor in guiding you with whom to make that purchase.

Weigh factors such as local reputation, length of time in business, financial stability, scope and depth of insurance coverage, expertise of the designer, and the quality and scope of equipment offerings.  Above all, when shopping for a pool builder, seek overall, long-term value.

 

Often you will find "pool" builders who perform other disciplines such as, concrete finishing, landscaping, carpentry, and even home building to name a few.  These contractors are what's referred to as "jack of all trades", master of none.  Beware of "pool" contractors who participate in multiple facets of operation.  Becoming a professional pool contractor takes experience and dedication, industry training, specialization in design and company structure set up as a bona fide pool company with a place of business.  This information is easy for one to validate.  With companies coming and going in and out of business these days, you do not want to be left holding the bag as they say.

When it comes to building a new pool, it’s the subject that can be a bit touchy: Money.

However, it’s a topic that’s better dealt with up front so everyone knows what to expect.
The good news here at Parrot Bay Pools is that you are entering into an Agreement with a reputable pool builder, the cost of your pool and your payment schedule should be clearly outlined—in writing—for you.  You may also ask to "review" our Agreement before placing your signature on the bottom line.
These written terms should include phased payments that dovetail with key construction phases such as excavation, gunite application, tile and plaster. 
Typically, there will be a down payment, and several additional payments throughout the construction process. The total number of payments will vary in accordance with any applicable state regulations.

You should also receive details on acceptable methods of payment, to whom checks should be made out, and to which individuals you should give the payments.  

Be wary of anyone from your pool company or of any subcontractor who asks for a cash payment. Sometimes, they will use a ploy, such as telling you a cash payment will enable them to give you a discount.
If your pool is financed, be sure you understand how the payments will work.  If the checks are from a lender, be sure all required parties endorse the check.
Prompt payments are vital to your construction timeline. They will help your builder achieve smooth scheduling and coordination of related logistics, such as ordering materials.  And when everything goes as planned, it’s a win-win for everyone.  

When taking care of a in-ground swimming pool, having the right type of cover can make all the difference. Finding the right cover can be a bit tricky and will depend upon a variety of factors including your pool shape, size, and of course, what you need the cover for. The guide below should help you identify just the right cover(s) for your pool.

Solar Pool Covers: A very common pool cover, solar covers utilize the suns energy to generate heat for your pool. These covers float freely on your pool surface and are designed primarily for heating your pool and prolonging your pool season. They are not the most efficient covers for keeping debris out of your pool and should not be consider a safety cover.

Solar Rings: While designed to provide heat for a pool similar to a standard solar pool cover, solar rings have a few unique benefits. Due to their design, solar rings are very adept at passing heat to deeper parts of your pool. They can also be turned over when the pool temperature is ideal, enabling them to act as barriers to sunlight that will evaporate water and precious pool chemicals. Solar rings work well with automatic pool cleaners as well.

Leaf Nets: With these covers the name says it all. Leaf nets are basic covers designed to keep leaves and other larger containments out of your pool. Simply place the leaf net over the pool, anchor it down and watch as the leaves fall harmlessly onto your net. If you have a lot of leaves to deal with every year, it may be wise to remove this net multiple times to clean the leaves off. Leaf nets are often used in combination with a heavier winter cover. 

 

Winter Pool Cover: These heavy-duty pool covers are designed to protect your pool from debris as well as other unwanted pool contaminators. While many winter covers offer features such as thermal protection or coloring to help guard against algae growth, they do often vary in weave thickness which can be a determinate in the durability and overall quality of the cover. As mentioned above, winter pool covers can be used in concert with leaf nets. It’s important to note that winter pool covers are not necessarily considered safety covers.

Safety Nets and Safety Covers: Pool safety covers are available in a standard net/mesh form, as well as solid covers. Safety nets are designed with gaps too small for a child to fall through, but too big to allow efficient balancing or movement. Solid safety pool covers are heavy covers that are designed to be anchored down and keep everything from loose debris to kids and pets out of your pool.

Automatic Covers: Automatic covers have permanently mounted reels that automatically cover and uncover the pool at the push of a button. They are the most expensive option, but are also the most convenient. These reels can be run from either an external motor or using an internal motor that spins the reel.

 Parrot Bay Pools is fully qualifed to measure and install any of the afore-mentioned covering systems. Let us know how we can help you manage your covering requirements if any.

 

 

Question Your Intentions Its a simple beginning, but why do you want a swimming pool? Pools come in all shapes and sizes. Ask yourself how you will use the pool: for swimming, lounging, exercising? Will you need space for grilling and entertaining? Will young children use the pool? How important is the visual appearance of the pool versus its functionality? How much time do you want to devote to maintenance? Whether you decide to contact a contractor yourself or work with a landscape professional to develop a custom pool to fit your landscape, if you're armed with answers to these questions as well as examples from books and magazines of pools that appeal to you, you’ll be better prepared to articulate your desires. And that means you’ll be more likely to invest in the pool that's right for you. "People tend to focus on size, shape, and depth, but these factors only become relevant after you've determined the role the pool will play in a family's lifestyle." Picking a Location Pools can slip into backyards, front yards, and even side yards of all shapes and sizes, so the perfect location can vary greatly by site. A good place to start when evaluating a site is the interior spaces of your house. You'll spend 50 hours looking at a pool from inside for every hour you spend in it, so the view inside-out is important. Other factors include zoning codes, existing utility lines, and ease of access. Zoning codes can impact the safety features surrounding your pool, moving existing utility lines can add to the expense of a project, and convenient pathways to and from your home can impact how much you use a pool and spa. The pool's visibility from the house may also be an issue with children. Don't forget to evaluate sun and shade patterns. A pool shrouded in shade all afternoon may languish unused or, depending on your climate, it may be the perfect place to cool off.   Interior Looks Most in-ground swimming pools are made from concrete, vinyl, or fiberglass. Concrete (gunite) is most popular because it offers many design possibilities. It is generally sprayed over steel-reinforced rods on-site to form a seamless surface. A finish is then applied on top of the concrete. Plaster is the most commonly used finished it has an average life of ten to twelve years. Exposed aggregate, which is made from crushed pebbles or a mixture of concrete and crushed quartz, is more expensive but gaining in popularity. Its prized for its durability, array of color options, and textured, nonslip surface. At the top of the line is ceramic tile. It can finish an entire pool or just be used along the water line for decorative detailing. Color combinations are varied, and maintenance is minimal. Preformed fiberglass shells and vinyl liners offer less design flexibility, but their smooth surfaces are nice. Vinyl liners are supported by manufactured wall systems made from steel, aluminum, polymer, concrete, or wood. Exterior Surrounds Highly visible and highly trafficked, the surface (deck) that surrounds a pool also deserves serious consideration. Plain concrete offers a smooth, non-slippery surround and is an inexpensive, reliable option, but it can lack pizzazz. A stamped concrete finish can add charm inexpensively, but watch out for dark colors, as they can quickly become toasty underfoot. Bricks or concrete pavers make a classic, colorful choice and are easy on bare feet and on the eye. For earthy tones and a natural look, fieldstone, slate, flagstone, and marble are beautiful, non-slippery surfaces but carry a hefty price tag. Wood and new synthetic woods can also play a role poolside. Features of Fun A decade ago, the bigger the volume of water in an in-ground pool, the better. But today's pools tend to downsize gallons of water, investing the saved money in accessories that add aesthetic and functional appeal. Popular accessories include waterfalls and fountains that add soothing sounds of moving water; beach entries that offer space for young children to play and easy access for disabled or elderly visitors; swim-in-place jets that allow fat-burning exercise in pools too small to swim laps in; and LED lighting to illuminate steps, plants, and water features for a spectacular night time show. There are also underwater barstools for happy hour, umbrella supports inside the pool for instant shade, and shallow underwater sunbathing ledges to host those who want to get only a little sun.  There are so many exciting things happening in pool design, that there's no reason to opt for a plain (blue) hole in the ground when you could add tremendous features without necessarily busting the budget.

 

As an experienced pool builder we know that the process of obtaining funding for your back-yard project can be a daunting task these days to say the least.  It’s almost a necessity for one to “qualify” for funding if you plan to finance your project BEFORE you begin to do all the planning and processes necessary for design and cost estimates. You don't want to plan your project in detail only to find out you can not obtain enough funding to do the project in the proper manner.  We highly encourage our potential customers to look into financing if they are serious about building a swimming pool and starting the planning and design process. 

The application process is free and the customer does not have to commit to financing until they OK any loan papers. Once the application is submitted the loan process can begin. The minimum amount of time for the home equity loan or line process is 7 business days. On an unsecured loan two business days maximum.

Most decline loan applications are turned down due to high debt, high revolving debt or low home value. Having our lender personally working on pool financing gives the customer other options than a decline. Also; if a customer has a certain budget that they need to stay within to afford the project a banker can work with them to get the loan term or rate comparable to the customers’ ideal monthly payment.

Our lender can offer competitive rates on home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, unsecured home improvement loans and personal lines of credit. 

Home equity loans do not have a payment until the money is used and there are no prepayment penalties.  If someone does not have enough equity in their home to secure a project loan a banker will be able to offer an “unsecured” product or line of credit.

Some of our customers have taken advantage of financing two loans, a home equity and an unsecured to be able to finance the exact amount or monthly payment that they need.

Consolidation of existing debt can also be accomplished sometimes as well.  With rates as low as they are now, this is a viable option for some potential clients.  It’s always best to just apply and see where one stands and the options you may be qualified for your project.

As a member of the Blue Haven Pools network of builders, we offer financing through that organization. You can view the application here. 

 

With so many decisions to make when buying a pool—including choices about design, materials, features, equipment, location in your yard, decking, and other additions such as fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, or landscaping—there may be times when you want to change your mind about an earlier selection.

Before any dirt is turned in your backyard, your pool designer will develop a construction plan and give you a copy to review.  Typically, a plan will outline elements such as, but not limited to:

Elements of the planning process:

>  Backyard measurements

>  Pool position in the yard

>  Footprint of the house

>  Property lines, fences, and other barriers (e.g., overhead power lines)

>  Underground utility lines (e.g., electric, phone)

>  Pool dimensions (e.g., width, length, perimeter)

>  Pool depths

>  Pool capacity (number of gallons)

>  Access points into the yard

>  Pool equipment location

>  Pool plumbing (e.g., drains, return lines, skimmer(s))

>  Location of gas meter and/or electric meter for home

>  Pool structure (e.g., steps, benches, raised bond beam)

>  Coping type for the perimeter (e.g., brick, flagstone, safety-grip)

>  Tile type for the waterline

>  Deck for the pool (e.g., type, color, footage)

>  Equipment options (e.g., filter, pump, heater, remote control, sanitizer)

>  Pool cleaner type and line location

>  Any accessories, such as a slide, diving board, or water features

>  Pool lighting and locations

>  Type and color of interior finish

>  Spa—shape and configuration

>  Spa options (e.g., light, blower, remote control, number of jets)

>  Areas to be landscaped

>  Areas for other backyard amenities (e.g., fire pit, island barbeque)

Ideally, any changes that you may want are best made now.  This is the best time to be sure the plan shows exactly what you want!  If something gives you hesitation, ask your designer about it. 

If you are thinking about a backyard project, a Parrot Bay Pool designer will visit with you to outline all of the above processes, provide you a detailed plan, cost analysis breakdown, and a 3D rendering of your project before you ever dig any dirt.  These processes take time, so plan early and allow for several weeks, if not months, before you want to begin your project.

 The oppressive Arkansas heat has finally lifted and that swimming pool you thought about building this summer is probably far from your mind, but did you know Fall is actually the perfect time to start that project?