Okay, I saw this and had to post it...
(warning: there is a bad word or two spoken in the video, so you may want to turn the volume down if kids are around)
28 May 2009
Swimming Pool Design
There are several different ways that a potential builder may deploy to design your project. The old fashion, or least expensive, way is graph paper and a pencil. The new high tech way is with a design software program. There are general CAD (computer aided design) construction/engineering programs and a couple of swimming pool design programs.
The salesmen will use this to not only design your pool but also as a tool to stimulate your senses. One of the rules of sales is to create a visualization of what it would be like if you owned the product they are trying to sell you. Since a pool is rather hard to picture in your yard, the design programs actually do the work for the salesmen.
Here is a video of a 3D design program:
The salesmen will use this to not only design your pool but also as a tool to stimulate your senses. One of the rules of sales is to create a visualization of what it would be like if you owned the product they are trying to sell you. Since a pool is rather hard to picture in your yard, the design programs actually do the work for the salesmen.
Here is a video of a 3D design program:
21 May 2009
The BBB And What It Means
The Better Business Bureau is a good place to check up on potential pool builders. You can find out if they are in good standing, have any complaints and how they operate. Although this is an excellent source, it should not be your only research tool.
When looking at the BBB, there are some things to take into consideration. Just because they have some complaints may not be enough to run for the hills. Take into consideration how many pools they build in relation to how many complaints they have. Also, complaints may not have necessarily made it onto those reports. Of course, the pool builders will tell you that they have a few complaints but it is because they build so many pools. You will have to look into this and decide for yourself. Remember, they are going to spin it however they can. Also, see if the complaints all tend to be about the same thing.
Another thing that can come up is if the business is accredited with the BBB. If not, it could be for a simple oversight like they have not paid the fee yet or it could be for something that is cause for concern. Either way, you should look into it and address this with the potential builder.
I just did a search on a pool builder and found that they are operating under several different names (although all are very similar). This can be a red flag. Each of these could be independently owned, franchised, or set up to protect the parent company from lawsuits. In this situation, it is important to find out who you are signing a contract with and who is going to be standing behind the product. Are they being upfront and honest with you about how their business is set up or are they hiding something?
The BBB can be very useful, but don't stop there. In order to file a complaint with the BBB, you have to go through a little bit of a process. Many complainants shy away from this but still have a story to tell. The complaints sites are easy to post your disgust and do it anonymously, so many people choose that avenue. Look into it all in order to get a better perspective.
Here are some videos from the BBB about hiring a contractor. Even though they are not directly about pools, they are very relative...
These are the first two of a series. If you want to watch more, the rest are here on YouTube.
If you really want to look into a business, you can get the Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) report on them. This delves further into the operation than the BBB but it does cost money. The D&B can tell you the company's financial situation and who actually owns the company.
When looking at the BBB, there are some things to take into consideration. Just because they have some complaints may not be enough to run for the hills. Take into consideration how many pools they build in relation to how many complaints they have. Also, complaints may not have necessarily made it onto those reports. Of course, the pool builders will tell you that they have a few complaints but it is because they build so many pools. You will have to look into this and decide for yourself. Remember, they are going to spin it however they can. Also, see if the complaints all tend to be about the same thing.
Another thing that can come up is if the business is accredited with the BBB. If not, it could be for a simple oversight like they have not paid the fee yet or it could be for something that is cause for concern. Either way, you should look into it and address this with the potential builder.
I just did a search on a pool builder and found that they are operating under several different names (although all are very similar). This can be a red flag. Each of these could be independently owned, franchised, or set up to protect the parent company from lawsuits. In this situation, it is important to find out who you are signing a contract with and who is going to be standing behind the product. Are they being upfront and honest with you about how their business is set up or are they hiding something?
The BBB can be very useful, but don't stop there. In order to file a complaint with the BBB, you have to go through a little bit of a process. Many complainants shy away from this but still have a story to tell. The complaints sites are easy to post your disgust and do it anonymously, so many people choose that avenue. Look into it all in order to get a better perspective.
Here are some videos from the BBB about hiring a contractor. Even though they are not directly about pools, they are very relative...
These are the first two of a series. If you want to watch more, the rest are here on YouTube.
If you really want to look into a business, you can get the Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) report on them. This delves further into the operation than the BBB but it does cost money. The D&B can tell you the company's financial situation and who actually owns the company.
11 May 2009
Doing Work Off Contract
Many homeowners decide to use their own contractors outside of the pool or do things themselves. Normally, this is perfectly fine but there are some things you should consider. This could be anything from landscaping to decking.
Make sure that you have fully discussed your intentions with the pool builder. Even if you have a non pool related project going on, the contractor and the builder should be apprised of what each is planning on doing. There could be things that the pool builder expects from his contractor that your contractor is unaware of when they bid the job.
For example, you use your own decking guy. He bid the job thinking that he just had to come in, form and pour the deck. When he shows up, there are forms, rebar, etc. that need to be removed from the pool before he can start and he has no place to throw that stuff away. He now has extra work that he wasn't paid for and wasn't expecting to have to do. The pool builder's decking guy is paid a couple extra bucks to take care of this and you took the decking off contract. Now it becomes a finger pointing episode and a matter of who is paying for what.
There may also be things that your contractor needs to do the way the pool builder wants. Not doing so can comprimise your warranty.
For example, your decking guy lays pavers around the pool without putting in a foam expansion joint between the deck and the pavers. The paver guy didn't think it was necessary and that it was ugly. The pool guy thinks that is necessary because it can put pressure on the pool coping and cause problems down the road. That beautiful paver job may have just voided out part of your warranty. A simple phone call would have eliminated all of that.
I mentioned decking guys because that tends be the biggest problem area when taking it off contract. Decking guys may have done lots of jobs but not done a pool. They also may have done pools but for a different company. Whatever the situation, it is important that everyone knows what they are doing and what is expected.
Make sure that you have fully discussed your intentions with the pool builder. Even if you have a non pool related project going on, the contractor and the builder should be apprised of what each is planning on doing. There could be things that the pool builder expects from his contractor that your contractor is unaware of when they bid the job.
For example, you use your own decking guy. He bid the job thinking that he just had to come in, form and pour the deck. When he shows up, there are forms, rebar, etc. that need to be removed from the pool before he can start and he has no place to throw that stuff away. He now has extra work that he wasn't paid for and wasn't expecting to have to do. The pool builder's decking guy is paid a couple extra bucks to take care of this and you took the decking off contract. Now it becomes a finger pointing episode and a matter of who is paying for what.
There may also be things that your contractor needs to do the way the pool builder wants. Not doing so can comprimise your warranty.
For example, your decking guy lays pavers around the pool without putting in a foam expansion joint between the deck and the pavers. The paver guy didn't think it was necessary and that it was ugly. The pool guy thinks that is necessary because it can put pressure on the pool coping and cause problems down the road. That beautiful paver job may have just voided out part of your warranty. A simple phone call would have eliminated all of that.
I mentioned decking guys because that tends be the biggest problem area when taking it off contract. Decking guys may have done lots of jobs but not done a pool. They also may have done pools but for a different company. Whatever the situation, it is important that everyone knows what they are doing and what is expected.
04 May 2009
Swimming Pool Waivers
Here is an example of what can happen if you sign a waiver for something. The homeowner saw a picture of a grey finish pool and really thought it would fit in nicely with their backyard. They were trying to create a pond-like look. The builder handed them a waiver stating that a grey finish can have variations in color and differs from job to job. They signed it, thinking that it was no big deal. Imagine their surprise when they did not get what they thought they were getting. Unfortunately, they were stuck with it. Before you sign anything, make sure you read it and read it again. Wording like this can mean just about anything and is purposely done to protect the builder.
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