• Custom Swimming Pool Little Rock

    Parrot Bay Pools

    Serving Central Arkansas

    501.664.6861

    Larry's Cell 501.580.6364

  • In ground pool little rock, AR

    Parrot Bay Pools

    Serving Central Arkansas

    501.664.6861

    Larry's Cell 501.580.6364

  • Freeform Pool Benton

    Parrot Bay Pools

    Serving Central Arkansas

    501.664.6861

    Larry's Cell 501.580.6364

  • Custom Pool and Spa

    Parrot Bay Pools

    Serving Central Arkansas

    501.664.6861

    Larry's Cell 501.580.6364

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

Understanding Your Swimming Pool Company's Schedule

Posted by Larry Rogers on Mon, Oct 19, 2015

Summer is fading and it is actually beginning to feel more like fall. Less thoughts are on swimming pools and barbeques, and anticipation for the holidays and cooler weather are setting in. For the serious pool planner though, the one hoping to have their pool finished in time for next summer, you might need to keep thinking about that dream backyard a little longer instead of putting it off until spring. 

Because of the relentless snow/icy and rainy weather this past spring, many swimming pool company's scheduled projects have been pushed back by some 3 - 5 months.  Rain damage can set a project back significantly, like the pools in the photos below from last spring. While most projects take about 8-12 weeks to finish, the time before your project can be started will vary a lot based on the time of year and how many projects the pool builder has in their "queue".  Most reputable pool companies have several projects scheduled at any given time. Because of the challenging spring we had this year, project "start times" may be farther out than you think.

Test

So for YOU, the serious pool planner, what does all this mean? If you’re goal is to have a sparkling new pool up and running by summer 2016, contact your short list or potential swimming pool contractors sooner rather than later. Find out from each when you’re project would begin, what the estimated time to completion would be based on the scope of the project, and what potential delays could arise based on the season it would be under construction. 

Once you have this information you’ll be better prepared to make a decision on when to initiate a contract, break ground, and get your dream backyard project underway. 

With this being said, don't delay your project any longer if it is still on your plate to do.  Schedule meetings with your chosen pool companies and move toward placing your project on a companies schedule board.  

Enjoy this nice fall-like weather.

Larry

Tags: Pool Planning

Finish Your Pool Project Before The Season Begins

Posted by Larry Rogers on Tue, Jan 6, 2015

pool project planning

With temperatures hovering around freezing this week, planning a pool project is the last thing on most people’s minds. But, waiting until the warmer weather encourages you to seek out a pool builder, your backyard project may not be ready until after summer is well underway. While it takes 8-10 weeks to finish most backyard projects, what customers don’t always take into account is that most "reputable" pool contractors will not be able to begin right away.  If there are several other projects in front of yours, the contractor may be a couple months away from breaking ground on your pool. Add 8-10 weeks onto that and April is the earliest new projects will be finished. If you are seriously considering a backyard project and want to get the most out of it this summer, NOW is the time to begin your search.

Below are some resources to help you get started:

In Ground Swimming Pool Financing

Getting the Most Out of Your Backyard Pool Planning Consultation

Selecting a Pool Shape - What is right for your family?

Thinking About Planning an Outdoor Kitchen? There are Three Things You Must Know

 

3D-Design

 

Tags: Pool Planning

Somethings To Look and Watch For When Hiring a Pool Builder:

Posted by Larry Rogers on Fri, Mar 16, 2012

So your thinking about building an inground pool.  You may want to ask your prospective pool builder the following questions:
  • How long have you been building pools under this company name
  • Which type of pools do you build and how long have you been building them.
  • Are you an Arkansas Corporation, if so, when was your date of incorporation. (This is public record)
  • Where is your place of business.  Go there and look around
  • Do you have a financial reference, i.e, bank letter in good standing
  • Are you a member of the APSP (Association of Pool & Spa Professionals)
  • Do you build to their (APSP) Standards & Guildlines for Pool Contractors
Just to name a few.
 
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.

Tags: Little Rock pool contractors, pool builders Little Rock, Pool Contractors, Pool Planning, Custom Concrete Pools in Arkansas, swimming pool little rock, Larry Rogers

In-Ground Swimming Pool Considerations

Posted by Larry Rogers on Wed, Nov 9, 2011

 

 

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.

Pool Plan

 

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.

 

Tags: Little Rock pool contractors, pool builders Little Rock, In Ground pools AR. Pool Designs, Pool Designs, Pool Planning

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