Posted by Jason Hughes on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 @ 10:08 AM
The process of setting a Deep End Fiberglass Pool is the most critical phase of the construction process. An improper set could result in damage to the pool shell when the weight of the water is placed on the structure.
This video demonstrates 3 critical aspects of setting a Deep End Fiberglass Pool:
1. Proper transition alignment
When the pool is set, it is critical to insure that the breaks in the shallow and deep ends align with the breaks of the excavation. As you will see, this requires carefull placement of the pool as well as inspecting the set from inside the excavated area.
2. Checking for voids under the Fiberglass Pool
It's critical to insure that the entire pool floor rests on the base material....especially along the shallow and deep end breaks. This video shows the process of walking the floor of the pool to insure it is on a solid foundation.
3. The pool must be Level
Any experienced fiberglass pool installer will tell you that it's more difficult to level a transitional, or hopper bottom fiberglass pool, like the one in this video, than a pool with a constant slope. Notwithstanding, it is critical to insure that the pool is level along the shallow and deep end breaks first because they cannot be adjusted, then focus on the shallow and deep ends of the pool. As you'll see, the pool in this video was within 1/2" of level on the first set without any adjustment.....prop's to Leisure, it's a very well built pool.
Hope you enjoy the video!
Comments and questions welcome as aways.
Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Mon, Aug 09, 2010 @ 09:53 AM
7 Qualities of the Best Fiberglass Pool Builders in America
Although I’ve been living the life of a ‘pool guy’ for about 10 years now, it has been over the last 3 where I’ve really begun to know the industry in and out. Because of this blog, the eBook, and the events I’ve had the opportunity to teach at, my conversations with fiberglass pool builders and consumers all over North America have increased 100-fold. In fact, on a normal day I’m now getting as many emails outside of our installation area (Va/Md) as I am inside.
I do not mention the facts to brag. No, such is not my goal at all. As most of you know, I’m all about teaching. I love learning, giving, and sharing knowledge in all its forms. Being a part of ‘the great discussion’ has satiated this tremendous need I have. Along this path of discussion with so many people, I’ve come to notice certain qualities that every great fiberglass pool builder has. And although most of these qualities are certainly applicable to vinyl and concrete pool builders, I decided to focus on fiberglass for now as it’s a subject that has weighed heavily on my mind for quite some time now.
So without further yapping on my part, I’d like to point out the top 7 qualities of the best fiberglass pool builders in the world today:
1. A Focus on Fiberglass: Although there are a few exceptions to this rule, in general the best fiberglass pool companies only focus on fiberglass. Instead of pretending to be great at more than one type of swimming pool, they focus their thoughts and efforts on becoming great with one thing. As I’ve watched many pool builders throughout the country expand into fiberglass due to consumer demand and the need for diversification in a down economy, I’ve also seen quite a few mistakes by builders who got into the business and simply assumed that installing a fiberglass pool would be a piece of cake. Granted, installing such a pool is not rocket science, but there are certainly many things that can go wrong. This is why a crew that installs fiberglass all the time, and experiences the repetition that comes with said installations, will likely commit fewer errors than a crew that ‘occasionally’ installs fiberglass.
2. Gravel over Sand: If there is anything about this blog that I’m proud of, it’s the fact that it has brought so much attention to the importance of using gravel (small size, roughly 3/8”) as a base and backfill versus the antiquated approach of using sand with fiberglass pools. Even better, most manufacturers have embraced this paradigm because inevitably, even though installations usually end up costing more initially, the pool structure benefits over time. 5 years ago I’d say only about 15% of fiberglass pool builders used gravel as a base and backfill. Today, I’d estimate the number of gravel users to be about 70%--a huge change for sure, and one that will only benefit the industry in the long run. At this point, even the most old-school installers have begun to embrace the common-sense and qualitative approach of gravel utilization.
3. Not Accepting the Status Quo: This goes along with sand versus gravel but it needs to be given attention as well. You see, for years there were a few ‘power-players’ in the fiberglass pool industry that really controlled the industry’s image, consumer awareness, and installation methodologies. But as we all know, the ‘status quo’ is often times NOT a good thing. Today, instead of just accepting things ‘the way Daddy did it’, builders all over the United States and Canada are looking for new ways to innovate, change, and become better at what they do. I think this movement is wonderful and I’m excited to see what it will bring to the industry over the next decade.
4. An Understanding of Product Limitations: This quality applies to all pool builders and what it stems from is the fact that most pool builders are very biased. The ‘liner guy’ thinks everyone should go liner. The ‘concrete guy’ looks down on the ‘other guys’ because ‘unless it’s concrete, it’s not a real pool’. The fiberglass guy tries to pretend their product has no limitations at all…and on and on and on.
The fact is that fiberglass isn’t for everybody. Yes, it does fit the needs of about 85% of the market, but for the person that absolutely has to have a size/shape/depth beyond the scope of fiberglass, then it might not be a great fit. This is why every year I tell every homeowner, quite bluntly, that I might not have a product for them. And do you know what? I’m OK with that…because it’s the truth.
Pool builders need to stop acting like their product is perfect. The concrete guy needs to accept the higher maintenance that comes with their product. The liner guy needs to stop misleading homeowners to believe that the liner will go at least 15+ years before replacement. Fiberglass guys need to accept size limitations.
I have seen a few builders around the country utilize such an honest approach and to them I say Good for You. You are doing a favor to the industry. Your honesty will be rewarded.
5. Hold Manufacturers Accountable: Nobody is perfect. This applies to all pool builders and it certainly applies to fiberglass pool manufacturers. I’ve seen 2 types of builders over the years:
1. The one who thinks their manufacturer is flawless
2. The one who appreciates their manufacturer yet looks for them to improve
As you might imagine, I’m not a fan of the ‘Our Pool Manufacturer is Perfect’ builder. As everyone knows, I’m a huge fan of Leisure Pools. I think their quality and company are tremendous. Notwithstanding, they have their flaws, and I let them know it at times. In fact, I’ve gotten in arguments with the owner, Ashely Gill. Why? Because we both care and are passionate about the industry. And when it comes down to it, we both want the same thing. We want the industry to be better, and we want the pools found therein to be built and installed better. That is our goal and I see us getting closer each and every day.
6. Willing to Fix Mistakes: Ahhh, the tough one. Maybe the hardest thing to do in any business is to fix mistakes that eat up profits. The life of a pool builder is no different. We all make mistakes. In fact, I tell every customer that I by no means can guarantee their job will go perfect, but I can guarantee they’ll recommend us to their friends when it’s all said and done. Such is the true mark of a great company. Are they willing to fix mistakes when it was their fault or do they just tell the homeowner to deal with it?
7. A Focus on Education: As previously mentioned, I love teaching. That’s why I (and my biz partners) write this blog. 90% of the people that come to this website are not even a potential customer of River Pools. But this matters not, as our goal here with this blog and everything we do is to empower pool shoppers through great education. I’ve seen other pool companies around the country begin to jump on this education wagon, which, to say it in the very least, thrills me. So as you go about looking for your pool builder, ask yourself how much time they’ve invested in your education. Are they ‘though leaders’ or focused solely on making more sales? The difference between the two can be quite profound.
Although I’m sure there are other mentionable qualities with merit, I hope these at least help some of you out there that are in the process of researching swimming pools to make the best decision for you and your family. I would also invite the pool contractors/manufacturers out there that have read this to offer your thoughts on the matter. What qualities would you add? Do you agree or disagree with what I’ve written here?
As always, Happy Swimming to everyone.
Marcus Sheridan
Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Wed, Jul 28, 2010 @ 01:44 PM
T
his article is the first in a two-part series I’ve done interviewing the winners of the prestigious Masters of Design Award given out by the pool industry’s leading magazine, Pool and Spa News. As you can see from the photo, this 16’x40’ model by Leisure Pools is no ordinary fiberglass pool, and major props to Signature Pools of Chicago Illinois for bringing this project to fruition. If you’re considering the purchase of a fiberglass swimming pool, this article is a prime example of a company doing things in the fiberglass pool industry the right way. Signature’s leading designer, Todd Emmerson, is the voice in the following interview:
Question: The homeowner could have chosen any type of pool for this project, what made them choose fiberglass?
“….. Vinyl was never an option for them because they realized it was a look that wouldn’t match the house as far as quality is concerned and they also realized vinyl wasn’t a good option with all of the trees on the property (twigs falling into the pool and tearing the liner). So it came down to deciding between fiberglass and concrete. Because of easements on the property they couldn’t fit a pool wider than 16’ so they weren’t opposed to the size of fiberglass pools. The client loved some of the pictures on our website and could see that we did quality pools so that helped me get my foot in the door. After we met and I explained the value of a fiberglass pool as being a life-long investment that would never need acid washed or re-plastered, and would also use less chemicals they were convinced. “
Question: Often time consumers worry that rectangles will look plain. Was that a concern here and how were you able to overcome that?
“The home is a very grand and formal home and from a design perspective it just made sense to go with a rectangle. From our first meeting I knew they wanted an auto cover to extend the swimming season and being a heavily wooded lot they wanted to keep as many leaves out of the pool as possible. I knew from seeing the house they would like nice clean lines and that an under guide auto cover was the only option to suggest.
We did three things to overcome the plain looking rectangle pool stigma:
- We used only high quality materials throughout the project including a natural stone deck around the pool.
- We softened up the rectangle look by adding a slight curve to a couple of the retaining walls and small portions of the patio.
- The job also had several different patio elevations with steps coming down from the back of the homes garage area as well as an existing patio off of the rear of the house. The large steps that we designed separating the main pool deck from the lower outdoor living area with the outdoor fireplace also helped make a rectangle pool look spectacular and elegant.”
Question: What was the most difficult element of design with this project?
“Two elements of the design were difficult with this project:
The yard had lots of slope to it and also had a few elements that we couldn’t change. The windows on the walkout basement room were at an elevation where we were forced to lower the patio height in certain areas as to create a beautiful view looking out the lower level house windows. On the far side of the property we needed to raise the pool as much as possible to create proper drainage around the pool. Where these two areas intersect we created the large expansive steps. So the large change in elevation between the two areas was necessary due to the elevation of the property and we were able to design them in a way where the large steps and different elevations added to the overall design. Good design is always going to take into consideration both good engineering and water flow drainage as well as the desire for a beautiful aesthetically looking project. As a designer you need to take into account the challenges of the property and then often times some of the design challenges on a project can be turned around and become a benefit to creating a stunning looking backyard. (Although the challenges can make the design look nicer it typically means higher costs to the client)
The other element of the design that was difficult was working within a heavily wooded lot. We knew we were going to have to lose some trees, but we wanted to save as many as possible to retain the natural looking setting.”
Question: Now that the project is complete, what are some comments you've received from the homeowner? Are they enjoying the pool? Do they like salt? Have they received comments from friends?
“The wife has hosted several events at the house including a large wedding rehearsal dinner as it is a great entertaining area. Her friends commented that they felt like they were at a Four Seasons Resort Swimming Pool. The pool has also been used for an end of school party for the family’s son.
Because of this job I am in the process of designing a pool for a neighbor of our client who has owned a concrete pool for the past 20 years. The neighbor is moving to a new property and would like a pool that requires less maintenance. The neighbor was excited to learn of the benefits of a fiberglass pool and should have her new pool installed this fall. All leads we receive are very valuable, but the most valuable leads we receive are personal referrals from our past clients and I’m sure in the years to come we will receive many other leads because of this job.”
****Watch a video of the project here:
Todd’s Bio:
Todd Emmerson is a nationally recognized pool designer who has been featured in many of today’s top pool design publications. His work has also been featured in advertisement materials for companies such as Leisure Pools, Fiberstars, Garden Prairie Pool Enclosures, Blue Haven Pools, and Composite Pools. Todd’s straight forward and honest sales approach has helped over 300 Chicagoland clients achieve their own signature pool. Todd is a native of Tucson, AZ and currently lives in Geneva, IL with his wife Sara and son Lincoln. (One more child on the way )
Tom’s Bio(owner):
Tom McNelis has been installing fiberglass pools for almost 15 years in the Chicagoland area. As a working owner he has personally installed well over 300 fiberglass pools and has also won a Masters of Design award. Tom lives with his wife and two children in Yorkville, IL. The McNelis family enjoys spending time together in their own signature pool – an Elegance 33 model from Leisure Pools.
Posted by Jason Hughes on Thu, Jul 08, 2010 @ 07:52 AM
One of our goals with this blog is to nullify what we refer to as the “curse of knowledge” throughout the swimming pool industry. Pool professionals, and all professionals for that matter, often forget that the common customer lacks the depth of knowledge that they have taken years to acquire. What results is a breakdown in communication regarding products, services, construction processes, and an overall misconception of what exactly will happens in the backyard.
I’m certainly not immune to this, as I certainly make the same mistake from time to time with my clients. So the purpose of this article is to discuss one of the most common pool construction processes that fall under the dreaded “curse of knowledge”: Swimming Pool Excavation.
Here are 4 Questions You May Not think to Ask about Pool Excavation:
1. What if You Hit Rock or Water When You Dig?
Your backyard is like a box of chocolates. Without a soils test (which 999 of 1000 customers don’t get), pool contractors never really know what they’ll hit when digging in your backyard. Frankly, none of this really matters to you unless one of two things happen: your soil condition compromises the structural integrity of your pool, or it costs you more money to install the pool. The structural component will have to be determined by your pool contractor and is beyond the scope of this article. However, from a budget perspective, there two primary things a contractor may find when excavating that could result in an unforeseen cost to you: rock and water.
Options when hitting rock:
1. Move the pool to an area with less rock: This one is guess work. Just start digging some test holes and hope for the best.
2. Elevate the pool and keep it in the same location: Work with what you have. There could be extra cost associated with the elevation change (walls, additional fill dirt, etc.)
3. Hammer or blast the rock out and install the pool in the original location: minimum cost of $2k just for the hammer rental plus any additional labor the contractor may charge.
4. Fill the hole in, pay the contractor for his time, and install a pool at your next houseJ
*Note: We may encounter rock in approximately one in every fifty pools we install. If any contractor with more experience with rock would like to chime in, please feel free to contribute in the comments section.
Options when hitting Ground Water:
1. Install dewatering system (which is standard for us anyway), keep the hole dry until the pool is installed, and keep the pool where originally planned. This option works especially well for fiberglass pools because the pool is installed and full of water in a matter of hours after excavation, lessening the ‘fight’ required to tame the ground water. When encountering high water tables in conjunction with sandy soil, severe “cave-ins” may occur which increase the amount gravel backfill required around the pool. In our case, we will allow for one additional load of gravel beyond a normal installation, the customer covers the cost of any additional gravel beyond that. A load of gravel runs around $400-$500 in our area and it’s very, very rare that we require more than one additional load and have to charge the customer anything.
2. Elevate the Pool: same as when hitting rock.
Note: Don’t let these potential unforeseen expenses intimidate you. Of the 600+ pools we’ve installed, only around 1% have incurred any additional cost due to rock or ground water.
2. Exactly How Much Dirt Will There Be?
Part of planning every pool project is determining what to do with the dirt. Generally speaking, people have no concept of how much dirt actually comes out of a pool excavation……how could you know right? I usually tell people to imagine how much dirt they would expect and multiply it by 5 or 10. Your average pool excavation will generate a pile of dirt the size of about five garden sheds. So, this is significantly more than we can ‘lose’ in a typical flat yard. The best plan is to haul that stuff out of there so you aren’t stuck wheel barrowing it on the weekends or hiring someone else to come and get it.
3. What will happen to my yard?
We haven’t figured out how to haul dirt, gravel, water, and concrete by helicopter yet; so until we do, we have to move all that big heavy stuff in and out of your backyard the old fashioned way…..via the ground. And we do this with very large trucks. So the reality is that your access lane and yard may incur some damage. Say good-bye to most or all of the grass around the pool as well as a 20’x20’ area for piles of material and the entire access lane if through the yard. Hey, I’ve yet to hear any complaints about less grass to cut!
4. Do I really save $ by Digging My own Hole?
Many folks think they can save big bucks doing the pool excavation themselves and have the pool contractor do the rest. Actually, most pool companies would probably prefer to charge you at least double if you want to dig your own hole, but we’re not quite that generous:). Seriously though, it doesn’t save much money at all, maybe $500-$1000, because we have to bring our machine to the site anyway to lift and set the pool. It only takes a couple of hours to dig the hole so we might as well go ahead and do the pool excavation while we’re there.
Well, as you can see, there will be some major stuff going on in your backyard (which you can watch in a really cool video here). But how exciting is a pool....right? All of this stuff goes by the way-side the first time you and your family relax, play, and laugh around your awesome new pool. Good Luck!
Jason Hughes
Comments and questions welcome as always.
Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Mon, Jun 28, 2010 @ 07:58 AM
This is one of those articles that may not win me many fans in the swimming pool industry, but I'm frankly OK with that. I write about subjects that are on my mind--subjects that I feel are true and have merit, and this is certainly a subject that I've been thinking much about as of late.
A few years ago I was driving through our town with my wife and we passed by a movie rental store called ‘The Movie Gallery', which, at the time, was one of the largest chains of its kind in the country. Notwithstanding, as we passed this particular store I told her with a slight frown that I knew they would be out of businesses within just a few years. And not only would The Movie Gallery be out of business, but so would Blockbuster and every other business that shared such an antiquated business model.
Fast forward a few years. The Movie Gallery has now closed all its stores. And yesterday, I read in the Wall Street Journal that Blockbuster would soon be no more.
I do not mention this little story here to infer that I'm any smarter than the average Joe. I only say it because the movie rental industry, because of innovations like Netflix, The Red Box, and Pay Per View, is no longer viable. It can't work the way it used to and that's just the facts-- which in many ways mirrors the swimming pool industry and brings me to the point of this article.
Times Have Changed
I love the pool industry. I really do. I love what it does for families and I've developed great relationships with many pool builders and retailers all over the country. Notwithstanding, when I take a hard look at the world as we now know it, I have a strong feeling swimming pool retail stores may soon be practically extinct, and here are five reasons why I've come to this conclusion:
1. Big Box Stores and Wal-Mart
One of the biggest hits swimming pool retailers have taken over the last 10 years has been the shift of consumers to do practically ALL their shopping at stores like Wal-Mart. Yep, despite their lack of service and knowledge, the Big Box stores are able to offer pool chemicals at prices that are often times 30% less than what a normal pool retailer could. For consumers, the choice between Big Box vs Joe's Pool Shop comes down to a debate between spend more and get much better help and service, or spend less and get no service at all. Sadly, especially with the difficult economy, Big Box often wins. Heck, I've had scenarios where customers came in our retail store to have their water tested and then drove directly to Wal-Mart to buy their chemicals....ouch.
2. The Internet
Just like Wal-Mart, online swimming pool stores have the ability to sell chemicals for much, much less than a normal brick and mortar store can. Despite the fact that online companies typically have practically no hands-on service, their growth over these last 10 years has been unbelievable, making it harder and harder for the mom and pop pool stores of the world to survive.
3. Salt
The popularity and rise of salt chlorine generators has scared some pool retailers for many, many years. In fact, there have been quite a few chemical manufacturers that have tried their best to hurt the image of salt water systems by spreading bogus claims regarding their negative impact on swimming pools. But regardless of this, salt chlorine users have almost no need for chemicals other than salt and a few water balance chemicals-hence the major concern of their introduction to the US market a few years back.
Despite all this, salt water systems have had a major positive impact on the swimming pool industry as well. Consumers are spending less time fooling with chemicals and maintaining their pool than ever before, which, in my opinion, is leading to a great and positive image shift for swimming pools throughout the world.
4. Increased Regulation
More and more, chemical manufacturers are having to deal with huge amounts of environmental and safety red tape from government agencies. With such red tape, the overhead for chemical production just keeps going up, forcing retailers to increase their prices and ultimately causing consumers to save money wherever they can.
5. Brick and Mortar Doesn't Equal Sales
When we opened River Pools and Spas almost 10 years ago, it was our goal to have as many retail stores as possible, which we figured would correlate directly with more inground pool sales. But within about 6 years, we realized two very important realities:
1. Inground swimming pool shoppers now do their research online, not by physically going store to store. Just look at the biggest inground pool builders in the country: Anthony Sylvan Pools and Blue Haven Pools. Neither one of these companies has much of a retail division at all, yet they have installed way more pools than any other company over the last few years.
2. It's extremely difficult to turn a profit in retail due to overhead costs, staffing, building expenses, etc
These two realities have forced us at River Pools and Spas to completely change our business model over the past 3 or 4 years. Today, we realize that consumers view a company's ‘store' as its website, not what's found behind actual brick and mortar. Also, our retail division, which once consisted of 2 substantial stores, is now being phased out.
The Future is Still Bright
But I do not write this article with a frown. Although I feel bad for the great mom and pop swimming pool retail stores that may not be around in just a few years, I also see this as a great opportunity for pool companies to make their businesses better, stronger, and more consumer friendly. I envision more and more companies investing the money they used to spend on retail and instead inverting it into their company websites, thus creating better content for consumers and a stronger learning environment for anyone considering ownership of this wonderful product we call a swimming pool.
But those are just my thoughts, and only time can tell us the real answers. Be rest assured though, as the trends in the pool industry make themselves more and more apparent we at River Pools and Spas will continue to discuss their happenings and do our best to keep the market informed.
Marcus Sheridan
Questions? Agree or Disagree? If you're a builder or retailer, feel free to leave your thoughts regarding what you feel the future of retail will be in the swimming pool industry.
Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Fri, May 14, 2010 @ 09:02 AM
I was on an appointment last night with a potential pool owner and was reminded of the important, as well as frustrating, theme of this article. To make a long story short, the homeowners had received a couple of quotes for their swimming pool and despite the fact that they obviously needed a small retaining wall on one side of their pool, none of the other companies had mentioned this relevant fact. And why had such an important element of the project been tossed aside? Simply put:
Because the homeowner had a very set and lower budget, and because ever dollar mattered in order to make the sale, the pool builders simply left it out knowing such an issue could be dealt with later.
Now this may sound harsh. It may also come across like the two companies that had already been out and quoted the homeowner were dishonest. Although I'm not going to say they were dishonest, they were certainly willing to overlook imperative parts to the project so as to win the bid.
This is a classic example of ‘hidden costs' for pool shoppers. After being in this business for about 10 years now I've seen examples of homeowners getting hit with such costs after the start of the project by their pool company many, many times. And although the occasional hidden cost is inevitable, most can and should be caught, or at least brought to light, beforehand.
So that's the purpose of this article. I want you, the homeowner, to be fully cognoscente of the potential extra expenses you're going to have with your swimming pool project. The whole idea here is that you can set a budget and won't have to go into a panic once the project has actually begun because something surprising has popped up. And if you already own a pool, then feel free to stop reading at any point. ;-)
Top 6 Hidden Costs of a Swimming Pool Project
Retaining Walls
You've already heard my story from last night, but such an experience happens to me at least once a month. If I had a dollar for every time a homeowner told me, ‘The pool guy said I may need a retaining wall after the project is done, but said we'll just have to wait and see', I'd be a rich man. Fact is, retaining walls can get pretty expensive. They also have extreme importance in terms of pool and decking stability as well as proper yard drainage. So if anyone says you may
need a retaining, please do yourself a favor and get a set price on the wall before
the project ever starts.
Extra Concrete
Like retaining walls, there are often times not nearly enough discussion about a pool's patio leading up to the project. And because most people get at least an extra 300-700 square feet of patio beyond their initial 3'-4' border, the cost of additional patio is usually the most expensive option to the pool. Although I do understand that some homeowners are going to get the minimal amount of patio up front so as to save money and at least be able to enjoy their swimming pool, they should still have a plan/design already in place (with help from the pool builder) showing the amount of additional patio footage they'll need in the future. Again, do not overlook or push aside this important element to learning the true cost of your swimming pool project.
Dirt Hauling
When an inground swimming pool is built, a significant amount of dirt comes out of the ground. And when I say significant, I mean a LOT. In fact, homeowners are usually shocked to see the actual amount when all is said and done. In some cases, the dirt that comes out of the hole can be spread out or dumped on the homeowner's yard or land. But as often is the case, the dirt will need to be hauled away. Hauling dirt, especially in the big cities, can be pretty expensive. Therefore, make sure you always know if dirt hauling is included in the cost of the project as I've literally seen cases where the homeowner was left with a big mound of muck in their backyard.....Yikes!
Landscaping
The process of putting in an inground swimming pool is a rather involved one, using quite a bit of heavy equipment to make the project a reality. Because of this, anywhere equipment comes in and out of the property so as to get to the pool area may be damaged. This means that any grass in this area will need to be seeded/replaced after the fact. In many cases, homeowners will just go ahead and sod in the area around the pool so as to get things looking back to normal right away.
If a driveway is the main entrance to the backyard, keep in mind there is a chance it driveway will sustain damage during the project. This is especially true in cases where the driveway, be it concrete or asphalt, was built too thin. In such cases, damage due to the weight of the equipment is basically inevitable. In fact, there have been many, many jobs where we have told homeowners that they needed to understand that their driveway was likely going to get very damaged due to the fact that it was obviously poorly constructed. Although such a conversation is never a fun one, it is critically necessary because we believe the only way to paint a picture when it comes to pool planning is by painting a realistic and honest one. At least this way, all parties know fully what to expect.
Electrical
Some pool builders included the electrical hook-up to the project in their standard package, and others treat it as a separate invoice. I have no problem with either, but in our case we always handle it separately. The reason for this is simple. The extent of an electrical job with a pool is based on how many items the homeowner is getting with their project that require power. For example, a pump, salt chorine generator, light, automatic cover, hot tub, and heat pump all require additional power when doing a pool's electrical. So depending on these factors, as well as additional outlets or lighting in the pool area, electrical costs can vary significantly. So just as with all the other categories we've discussed, make sure you have a clear cost for the electrical hook-up before the project starts.
Fencing
Just about every pool in the world is required to have a fence around it in some way, shape, or form. Unfortunately, I've seen many instances where the homeowner didn't even think about the fencing component of the project until the swimming pool was completely finished. Such an order of operations is not a good idea and should be taken care of at the same time the swimming pool and patio are planned.
So there are my top 6 hidden expenses of a swimming pool project. I hope this article helps you to be more prepared when you're ready to buy your swimming pool and if you having any questions, comments, or additions to the article; please don't hesitate to leave your thoughts below.
If you're considering the purchase of an inground pool and live outside of the Va/Md/Wva area, receive a quote from our affiliate site here. If you live in the Va/Md area and would like to receive a pool quote from River Pools, please click here.
Marcus Sheridan
Image courtesy of TruShu
Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Mon, May 10, 2010 @ 10:43 AM
When one looks back on the fiberglass pool industry over the last 25 years or so, it's truly amazing the amount of progress the industry has made as a whole. Upon reflection on these changes, I figured it would be a good thing to look at this time period and mention the innovations that have made their mark on the industry.
Top 5 Fiberglass Pool Innovations of the Last 25 Years
1. Vinyl Ester Resins
Without getting too technical here, there are many grades of resins that can be used in the construction of a fiberglass swimming pool. Unfortunately, fiberglass pools a few decades ago were being constructed without vinyl ester resin, which is a tremendous barrier and prevents water wreaking havoc on a fiberglass pool over time. When cheaper resins are used, such issues as cobalting and blisters rear their ugly heads, which was certainly the case with some of the first fiberglass pools. But today, just about every manufacturer in the fiberglass pool industry is using at least a layer of VE resin in their pools, which is a great stride in the right direction.
2. Cantilevered Coping
Maybe the biggest knock on fiberglass pools from pool builders and consumers in the past was their ‘bathtub' and modular-looking appearance. This stigma was mainly a result of concrete patios being poured up to the fiberglass lip versus on top of the fiberglass lip. I've spoken heavily on this subject before (watch a how-to video here), as it still is a subject of debate at times due to antiquated thought on behalf of certain builders and manufacturers, but the simple fact is that cantilevered concrete coping not only forms a powerful bond-beam around a fiberglass pool, but also allows it to rival a concrete/gunite pool in terms of aesthetics.
3. GOOD Color Finishes
Notice I did not write here ‘Colored Finishes'. This is because colored finishes on a fiberglass pool have had a tremendous benefit in terms of aesthetics to this industry, but is some regards these colors have hurt the industry as well. I mention this because like everything else in the world, just because a manufacturer produces a shell with colored finishes doesn't mean it's a quality product. Heck, warranties don't even mean it's a good finish considering some of the semantic games I've seen certain manufacturers play in recent months. Fact is, there are companies
out there that are offering great colored finishes on their pools that will last a long time, which is a great thing for the consumer. I can only hope some other manufacturers that are not so ‘quality oriented' will soon follow suit.
4. Gravel Base and Backfill
Another point of controversy here but I'm happy to say that just about every forward-thinking, quality-minded builder and manufacturer (Trilogy Pools was pushing gravel 6 years ago)in the industry has now moved to gravel as the base and backfill to their pools. Having discussed this point in multiple other
articles, I'm still at times saddened by the fact that some manufacturers have put up a fight against suggesting gravel as the base and backfill for their pools, which is a clear sign of delusion. In fact, just as vinyl ester is now a standard part of the fiberglass pool experience, gravel will soon be as well, mark my words. Simply put, there is just too much science, evidence, and common-sense on the side of gravel.
5. The Use of Tile
These days, it's quite common to see the use of ceramic tile in fiberglass swimming pools. Whether it's tile on the waterline, inlay tile in the steps and seats, or possibly a mosaic in the floor; ceramic tile has allowed fiberglass pools to take one more step in their customization abilities as well as their aesthetic rivaling of concrete pools. Other than the great videos
that are available on our site, I'd also suggest you learn from one of the premier tile experts in the industry, Robert Ault, to learn more about the subject.
So there are your top 5 fiberglass pool innovations over the last 25 years. Although I'd could certainly list many, many more, suffices to say that these 5 have been critical to the growth of the industry.
Marcus Sheridan
Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Mon, May 03, 2010 @ 08:01 AM
Ok, so you've finally decided this is the year for a swimming pool in your back yard. Great, because as I sit here at my kitchen table and consider the words for this article I want you to know this article is specifically written for you, the inground pool shopper.
Because buying a pool is something we don't get much practice at, many people frankly go about it the wrong way. This is understandable; especially considering "How to Buy a Pool" is not currently part of high school curriculums across the country. But we live in a day and age where information abounds at every corner. And with such information now available to everyone, the pool shopper of today is nothing like the one of just 5 years ago. But with more availability of information comes with it more of a responsibility on the pool shopper's part. Such is the focus of this article and the responsibilities of you, the shopper, are laid out as follows:
5 Things Every Pool Shopper Should Know BEFORE They Receive an Estimate
1. Know You Want a Swimming Pool (all parties involved)
I know, you probably think this sounds silly but trust me it's not. In fact, knowing that you do or do not want a swimming pool in your back yard is the key to your ability in making sound and rash decisions on what will be a pretty expensive project. Just the other day, I had a lady call me and tell me how much she wanted a pool, and all I had to do was convince her husband that he also wanted a swimming pool. Although I certainly empathized with this lady's dilemma, I simply told her that such wasn't my job. That's just not what I do. I help people, who know they want a pool, choose the right pool with the right options that will meet their needs not just today but years from now as well. So in the case of this lady, I sent her our educational company DVD and also referred her to multiple articles on our website, but as far as the ‘convincing' was concerned, that would be contingent on the husband's intrinsic efforts to seek the right answers.
2. Know What's MOST Important to You about the Pool
Low maintenance? Aethetics? Customization? Warranty? Designability? Play Area? Water Feature Etc, Etc? These are just a few common goals pool shoppers normally have when considering what they want their pool to be. This is why every pool shopper should consider what's important to them about their pool and then rate these in order before they meet with the pool installer. Trust me when I say that by doing this your ability to focus on the right pool with the right options will be enhanced drastically.
3. Know What's MOST Important to You about the Pool Installer
Are you looking for turn-key? Are you solely focused on lowest price? How much do quality and workmanship come into play regarding your decision? These are incredibly important questions that every pool shopper should answer before they meet with a pool guy. In fact, I believe the question of price is maybe the most important question a shopper will ever ask themself. This is because if a consumer is solely price-motivated then they likely don't even need to have a bunch of pool guys come to their home for estimates. And to be honest, I've had pool shoppers tell me their biggest concern was getting the lowest price to which I responded we probably weren't the company for them. I say this because it is impossible to be the lowest priced guy and give the best workmanship and quality. The whole idea is contradictory and simply not feasible when running a business.
Over the years, I've given well over 1000 swimming pool estimates and on most of these, our company was the middle or top guy in terms of how much the quote was. Notwithstanding, I've also witnessed roughly 60% or so of the pool companies I've competed with go out of business during this time. Fact is companies must make a profit in order to establish longevity and be able to offer great service down the road. So please consider these questions as you shop for your swimming pool. Write down your priorities and let these priorities be your compass as you seek to find the best pool installer for you and your family.
4. Know Your True Budget
Times are very different than they were just a few years ago. Today, it's much more difficult to get loans for items like swimming pools because property values have gone down, meaning equity lines and second mortgages can be very tough to come by. I wrote an in-depth article about pool financing recently but the key is that you, as the homeowner, take the time to get your financing in order before you actually start getting pool quotes. I know for many this might seem like putting the cart before the horse but in reality the exact opposite is true. For example, last year I had over 20 customers give me deposits, get on our install schedule, and then find out the financing wasn't going to be available to them. This is why I strongly suggest to homeowners to seek out your financing resources before you sit down with the pool guy. I can assure you that if you do this neither your, nor their, time will be wasted.
5. Know the General Difference Between Vinyl, Concrete, and Fiberglass
I find in general that the internet is much less biased than pool guys when it comes to explaining the pros and cons to different types of pools. Personally, and anyone who has dealt with me can attest to this, I try not to be ‘that guy'. Despite the fact that my company only sells and installs fiberglass swimming pools, that doesn't mean I haven't told people before that we simply didn't have a product to fit their needs. Fact is, fiberglass, although it fits the needs of most consumers, isn't for everyone.
If a homeowner has a distinct idea as to the pros and cons of each type of pool before they receive an estimate, they will be more able to make logical decisions on the type of pool that will fit the needs of their family for years to come. So do your research on the different types of pools and I can assure you it will greatly help you as you go about this pool shopping experience.
So there are 5 things you should know before you receive a quote for your inground swimming pool. I've literally given this advice to pool shoppers all over the country with great results and I hope you implement these suggestions into your pool buying experience as well.
Marcus Sheridan
Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Thu, Apr 29, 2010 @ 05:19 PM
Yesterday, I had to witness one of the components of being an inground pool installer that really, really bothers me--A recent pool owner had been ripped-off.....and in a bad way.
But before I relate my sad experience with this pool owner, I need to address a certain point. I've received a decent amount a flack recently from some ‘pool professionals' who don't particularly like the fact that I talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of the swimming pool industry. When I hear such complaints, I can only shake my head, because the reality is that no swimming pool owner has ever mentioned one negative thing about the fact this blog is so open, honest, and forthright. I've always found in life that if someone is truly honest, then eventually that person will earn the respect of those whom he cares most about. And in this case, the main purpose of this blog, and all the articles found herein, is to help future and current pool owners maximize their experience.
We at River Pools have seen thousands of family lives enhanced through the joys of owning a swimming pool. Unfortunately though, people can still have bad experiences. As we all know, in any industry there will be a variation of builders, products, etc. That's why this blog was created and that's exactly why it has become as popular as it is--it's all about giving consumers enough information to make smart decisions in terms of how and where they spend their money.
But sadly, in the case of the swimming pool we're going to discuss in this article, the homeowner did not have enough knowledge up front. And because of this fact, they are now in a legal battle with the company that installed their pool. Although I could point out a mountain of mistakes this builder made with the pool's construction, for the sake of time I'm only going to focus on one main aspect--the pool's backfill.
As many of you know, we have discussed many times on this blog how to properly backfill a fiberglass swimming pool. And when it comes to backfilling, there are three main methods:
The Right Way (gravel)
The Not-So-Good-Way (sand)
The wrong way (dirt, clay, fill, etc)
In the case of the homeowner I visited yesterday, the builder had set the pool on stone-dust, but had made the unbelievable decision to backfill the pool with the same materials they'd dug out the hole, which was a combination of dirt and clay. Sadly, the homeowner had no idea this was not the proper method for backfilling and trusted the builder's ‘expertise'. And what were the results?
Well, in less than 6 months, the backfill has completely settled the entire way around the pool. In other words, the patio, at least for its first 18" or so, is sitting on air (see photo, which reveals the cavity beneath the pool's patio).....Ouch....
As you can imagine, this is not a good thing, as it appears we'll likely now have to reinstall the entire swimming pool. But the key here is that homeowners are aware to never allow their fiberglass pool to be installed with any material that is not sand or gravel, with a huge preference leaning towards gravel as it really is the only material, other than possibly flowable-fill, that will not have settling issues.
Questions? Comments? As always, if you are a homeowner seeking advice regarding your swimming pool installation, please know that we are here to assist you and if you'd like to contact me personally, my email address is riverpoolsmarc@gmail.com
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Marcus Sheridan
Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Wed, Mar 24, 2010 @ 11:02 AM
Fiberglass Pool Coping: A How-To Video
One of the biggest factors in the success of a fiberglass pool project is the proper forming and pouring of the concrete patio. The absolute best way to achieve maximum structural integrity, as well as aesthetics, is to use cantilever forms. But as we've talked about many times in this blog, the reality is that many fiberglass pool builders have not yet fully grasped this construction technique.
This is why we at River Pools and Spas are so excited about this video, as it is, at least far as we're aware, the first of its kind. We hope that this video will be a tool for novice and even experienced fiberglass pool builders around the world to help them refine their trade and in-turn elevate the entire industry. We also hope this video will be utilized by homeowners attempting to bite off the huge task of building their own fiberglass pool from scratch in a DIY project.
If anyone has any questions regarding this unique skill, feel free to email Jason Hughes, who produced and narrated this entire video, at riverpoolsjason@gmail.com ...
Also, we invite all to leave comments, questions, or thoughts below.