Wondering what the key questions I should ask regarding the pool construction.....not about business practices, but the engineering and build of the pool & equipment. Any help?
Is there a list of questions to ask potential builders?
- Thread starter neverenough
- Start date
Biggest issue for me was how they clear mechanics liens. In california, if you pay the builder but the builder doesnt pay the subs, you are still liable. Ultimately asking builder to,furnish the mechanic lien releases at each payment schedule will help protect you.
Ask about rebar (prefer #4 in Texas), structural warranty (lifetime transferable in case you sale your home). If they stand behind a solid structure you can be fairly confident. Equipment is really all up to you but make sure there are 2 drains and plenty of returns for good water circulation. Lastly, plaster, pebble, quartz, etc. Look into your finish and desired water color. Then look again and again. The builder may even have pools you can go look at. Finish/Plaster is probably the single most important thing to obsess over.
In the market today if you have to worry about liens then you chose the wrong builder.
How many pools per year do they do. Small guys with subs should be doing at least 20 , 30 to 50 is better. Integrated builders at lest 200. 300 to 400 is better.
Get the name and phone number of five or ten references.
Are they a integrated builder or do they use subs. If they use subs how long have the subs worked for them.
How long have they been in business?
Will they get the pool engineered? Some Texas jurisdictions require engineering, others don't.
Make sure the payment schedule is back loaded. If you have to pay anything up it should be small. At least 10% should be payable five days after final inspection and completion of the punch list.
What brand equipment do they use. What automation system?
What is the warranty on the pool shell and finish. Do they add to the manufacturers 3 year warranty on the equipment.
How much extra are the specialty finishes?
That's a start.
Always get bids from at least two builders, three bids is better. Try to get them to bid on roughly the same thing. I paid for a conceptual drawing and got bids off of that. Pool builders want to have use their design and choices so it is difficult to compare bids.
How many pools per year do they do. Small guys with subs should be doing at least 20 , 30 to 50 is better. Integrated builders at lest 200. 300 to 400 is better.
Get the name and phone number of five or ten references.
Are they a integrated builder or do they use subs. If they use subs how long have the subs worked for them.
How long have they been in business?
Will they get the pool engineered? Some Texas jurisdictions require engineering, others don't.
Make sure the payment schedule is back loaded. If you have to pay anything up it should be small. At least 10% should be payable five days after final inspection and completion of the punch list.
What brand equipment do they use. What automation system?
What is the warranty on the pool shell and finish. Do they add to the manufacturers 3 year warranty on the equipment.
How much extra are the specialty finishes?
That's a start.
Always get bids from at least two builders, three bids is better. Try to get them to bid on roughly the same thing. I paid for a conceptual drawing and got bids off of that. Pool builders want to have use their design and choices so it is difficult to compare bids.
