How to find Subs? OB & DIY in So Cal

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JPRS51

JPRS51

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Bronze Supporter
Jan 10, 2019
20
Pomona, CA
I was wondering what ways people have used to find subcontractors successfully. I have done some simple searches and am about to start making some calls.

I also found a website, which I believe I have seen mentioned here before, which offers a list of subs if you join their membership. Anyone with experience with that site? The How I Built My Own Pool site.

Is there a reason there isn't a general resource thread which would offer a compiled list of Subs and even Pool Builders by region?
 
How we suggest you search for subs in your area is to look for signs for active pool builds. Wait at the trucks to talk to someone from the crew doing the work. Ask them who THEY would want to do such and such if it were THEIR pool. Once you start asking enough people some names will stand out. Some for the good work they do and some for the not so good work.

TFP does not endorse or recommend any company. You will notice we are AD free and work very hard to keep it that way. What we do is give you what to look for and do for each stage of the build. Our specialty is really caring for your pool once it has water in it.

We do allow members to share info about builders and such using the PM/conversation feature. We just ask this kind of into not be shared on the open board. We have found things work best this way.

Kim:kim:
 
We looked at that site (How to build your own pool), but once I called the company I wasn’t impressed. I was paying thousands for his list and some pre-exsisting computer pool layouts. I decided though that I wanted to meet with the guy and talk some more, and he said in order to drive to Orange County I have to be 100% decided and have cash ready. I never called him back.

I spoke with a friend and she built a pool on her own using a retired firefighter to help her through the process (like an advisor). That’s the way we’ve gone. We are still in the middle of all of it, but I’m learning a lot as I go. Our first step was to hire a designer. We had a large slope to deal with and I wanted the yard landscaped in addition to a pool. Houzze has lots of designers that can help. After it’s designed, we took it to structural engineering (in Anaheim) and then to our local permit office. There were bumps along that way, but we worked through them. Once it was all done, we started getting the bids.

We have a huge retaining wall that has delayed us the most. The bids gave me severe anxiety! The cost was way above what we wanted, so we had to continue looking. A minimum of 3 bids for each sub contractor is so important. We had bids for things like excavation range from $10k to over $25k. Once you find one sub though, they will usually give you a ton of recs for the rest. The advisor I hired has helped with some advice along the way and shows up during large parts like the excavation and shotcrete to make sure it’s being done right. I don’t know if you necessarily need him, but the idea that someone who is around pool builds a lot is overseeing helps make me feel a little more comfortable with what’s happening.

Get the design, get the permits, start calling subs for bids. I’ve found some on yelp, referrals from other subs, asked on Facebook, on here, driving by construction sites... for excavation only I think I called at least 12 people. Funny enough, many of them know each other. The guy doing ours is related to the guy I really wanted (but was way more money) and good friends with the guy my plumber suggested (but he never came back to me with a bid).

I also have a notebook that I’m using, keeping all my bids in it under each section. All my notes. I have contracts for each person that we hire. I keep a running log of payments with receipts from the bank if I pay in cash and their signatures they received it. I have final contracts they sign that they are paid in full to help protect me from any liens. I have a list of everyone’s full name, numbers, addresses, contractors licenses, etc. The notebook is huge with stuff now, but it’s been incredibly helpful to keep me organized. All my receipts from tile to scuppers to pool chairs. Permit paperwork and stuff from engineering. I also have to save all my dump receipts to get money back at the end from the city. It’s all saved in one notebook.

Hopefully that wasn’t too much information!
 
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Ha! I should have explained that more. No, he is a retired firefighter (possibly a former calendar model? ?‍♀️) who has been cleaning pools for years and years while also a firefighter (my husband thinks he’s done other things too, so he’s been in the “pool industry” for about 25 years). Once he retired, he started to help help home owners build their own pool. He doesn’t advertise, just word of mouth. But he’s helping about 3-4 builds right now and so far, all his feedback and help has been really good. Again, the best part for me is him actually showing up during phases like the excavation to ensure it goes right. But, he only does pools. No help with anything else like retaining walls or landscape. I don’t know if you need his help, just posting what we are doing as Socal owner builders.
 

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