Construction Best Practices

Purpose and Objective:

Pool construction costs in the US typically range from $35,000 to $65,000. Many construction projects are very successful in terms of quality, cost and schedule while others fraught with problems. All construction projects can be impacted positively from best practices that have been developed and improved over the past 50 years. One aspect of the best practices is the contracting process itself. Often prospective pool owners face as many challenges in this contracting process as they do in learning to care for their pool until they discover TFP methodology. Contracting best practices are just as easy for the average pool owner as TFP pool care methodology. This post will document basic best practices in construction contracting as they apply to pool construction and pool renovation.

Getting Started (develop Scope of Work)

The first step in any project is to determine the appropriate scope of work. For pools this can be a lot of fun and a little frustrating. Here’s a good way to make it more fun:

• Start with a realistic amount you can afford
• Decide what the purpose is. Is this for the kids, adults, both? Lap-pool for exercise? Year-round, summer only? Budget driven – how much? This should be something you decide early since it will be important in making final decisions on scope
• Decide on your size and layout. There is software that can be useful just Google “pool design software”. Another good thing to do is to look at other pools in your neighborhood. What are the features you like and dislike? Start a post on TFP this site under pool constructions. You’ll get expert advice from people that are selling you nothing, but they get a kick out of helping you set the design specs for the best pool for you. A very rough estimate can be obtained using information at Home Advisor and other sites. You can also estimate at $100/sq ft. The exact price will only be known with a truly competitive bid from highly qualified contractors with a very well-defined scope of work
• You’ll be tempted to want to start talking to a pool builder, but you should resist until you’ve read this entire process and progressed to step 3. You’ll be in a much better position to engage with a pool builder after you know more about what you want and the contracting process itself. Then you’ll be taking them through a best practice bidding process. You should drive the process but unfortunately many are driving by the pool builder before the competition even starts.
• Inadequate scope definition is a prime cause of construction project failures. Make sure the following are decided BEFORE your bid documents are issued:
• Size, shape, depth and depth gradient
• Integrated Spa?
• Decking type (concrete, pavers, other)
• Equipment
• 2-speed or VS pump
• Filter type (sand, DE, cartridge0
• SWG?
• Controls (timer, automation, wifi?)
• Lighting
• Water Features
• Diving board or platform?
• Special Configurations like never-ending pool
• Pool Sub-Panel and capacity
• Pool finish type and color
• In pool features such as swim up table, sun table etc
• Rails, steps and ladders
• Site access limitations and obstructions

o Final grading and site completion requirements It is desirable to completely define the scope as soon as possible there are certain scope aspects that shouldn’t be finalized until after the bids are received. Hard scope are differentiated from soft scope in the bid documents. For example, the owner may decide they want a variable speed main pump. So this would be considered “hard scope” They may also prefer a manufacturer but want to see pricing for other manufacturers. So the bidders will have a pricing sheet that reflects this. One column lists all the required bid. Another will give the bidder an opportunity to provide a solicited alternate pump manufacturer. A starting point for the Scope of Work and Bid price sheet is given in Section 2. The final pricing sheet should reflect the owner’s preferences, soft scope, and hard scope. The final step in scope development is to document it in tabular format as shown in the example in section 2. After all the decisions are made about scope, hard scope, preferences and solicited alternates there is one final decision. How do we want the pricing broken out? This is important if late changes are necessary since the more detailed the price break-down the easier it is to negotiate fair pricing for changes. Successful bidding occurs when the following are accomplished: • Scope of work is finalized and clearly documented • Obligations of the contractor are clear and understood by both parties • Obligations of the owner are clear and understood by both parties • The best possible contractor is found and wins the bid. Pool construction is complex and there are always some unpredictable events. When the points above are achieved there is a good foundation for cooperation of both parties and the outcome is always the best possible.