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Top 10 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Pool Contractor
When building a pool, you wish to hire a company that will do an excellent job within stipulated time without causing you any stress. You always need to check various aspects of a contractor to avoid shoddy work and encountering a stressful ordeal. You do not want to sign a fraud contract or have your project delayed for various reasons and having your backyard unusable. Although they do not often occur, these reasons can scare anyone from building a pool.
However, here is a guide on the top ten avoidable mistakes that homeowners make when hiring a pool builder...
1. Failure To Do Thorough Research On Pool Contractors
You can encounter some problems even with an experienced and trustworthy pool builder. While researching on a pool can consuming time, failure to do so can lead to future problems. You need to track down pool contractors, check their references, and compare estimates and offers among other important aspects of pool builders. See the contractor’s achievement on projects similar to yours. Finding the right pool company makes the process much easier and is worth the effort.
2. Micromanaging
Once you hire a reputable contractor, avoid looking over their shoulder while they carry out their job. However, do not shy from asking questions, particularly when you have concerns about the proceedings of the work. Avoid nitpicking as much as you can as this will only stress you and strain your relationship with your contractor.
3. Failing To Read The Fine Print
Reading the fine print is boring, but it is important that you know and understand some fine print. Always read the contract before signing it. Understand what the contract stipulates about payment and payment schedules. It is evident that you will purchase some products for the pool. Always read the warranties that come with all the products you are considering for the pool.
4. Bargain Hunting
You need to stick to your budget and avoid shortcuts. It is very tempting to go for the lowest bid. The important thing is to understand what value you are getting for the cost. Check that the value matches the workmanship, materials used, and the warranty. Hiring the cheapest contractor and settling for sub standard material will cost you more money in the long term. Have a realistic approach and build the best quality pool you can afford.
5. Settling For Oral Agreements
One of the common mistakes property owners make when hiring pool builders is failing to get everything in writing. The contract should entail every aspect of the pool building including a detailed description of the project, plans, scope of work, materials, quantities, payment schedules and the estimated commencement and completion dates for the projects. A contractor might explain all these aspects but ensure you have them in writing. Ensure you get a written warranty that clearly spells out what it covers, what it does not cover, and how long the warranty covers the project. The written document should also specify the handling of changes in the work plan and the protocol for cancellation if necessary.
6. Signing A Contract Without Fully Comprehending Its Contents
First, you need to know there is no dumb question and all your queries are valid. If anything is unclear in the contract, consult and have the contractor explain all your concerns before proceeding with the project. Lack of clarity may arise from insufficient details or your misunderstanding of the terms of the contract. Either way, it is okay to ask. You would rather understand now than in the future when it may incur additional cost or when it results in change orders.
7. Large Down Payment
The law stipulates the amount of money a contractor can ask for before commencing a project. A contractor that asks for a large down payment may lack sufficient money for overheads or payment of materials. With contractual work, this is not a good indication.
8. Lack Of Clarity In Your Targets
You need to spell out clearly what you want to achieve in your project. Let your contractor understand how you want the pool to appear on completion. Specify the material and the mode of installations you have in mind even during the project. Be very specific how you want your pool to appear. Making changes might result in a change order, which increases the cost of your pool. However, this is better than having something you do not desire.
9. Failure To Check For Proper Documentation
You should check several documents before hiring a contractor. The first thing is to check the contractor’s license status. Confirm that the contractor has all the necessary insurance including worker’s compensation cover and general liability insurance. A reputable pool company will have a permanent physical address and a published phone number.
10. Failure To Request A Waiver Of Lien
Contractors and subcontractors have a legal right to file a lien against your property whenever you fail to fulfill on the agreed payments. This can incur legal issues if you pay the pool builder and he or she fails to pay the subcontractor. The contractors can file a lien on the property you own and demand payment. When you obtain a waiver of lien from the contractor and the subcontractors, you protect yourself against this problem.
Top 10 Benefits Of Installing A Solar Power Pool Heater
Pool heating is never considered as a luxury but rather a necessity. Research indicates that the more you swim, the less stress you get and health and happiness doubles up. Most of the swimming pools only operate during the summer since the other seasons are cold and will need the energy to heat the water. A solar power pool heater will help customers swim comfortably under their desirable temperatures. The following are some of the benefits of installing your pool with a solar power heater.
1)) It Is Eco-Friendly
Solar power is a basic form of renewable energy. A solar heater panel converts heat from the sun to electrical energy, which in turn supplies heat to your swimming pool. Solar heaters reduce the need for fossil fuels and the emission of nitrogen dioxide released in the process of burning fossil fuels. It also reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As a result, installing solar power pool heaters reduces the effects of global warming and climate change.
2)) Good Return On Investment
Research shows that the equipment lasts for up to a period of 20 years whereas its electrical or gas counterpart lasts for only five years. Moreover, there are no other monthly costs of operation because solar energy is freely available and renewable. This in the long run increases the return on investment and profitability.
3)) Energy Efficiency
A solar power pool heater works with the pool pump you already have thus made it the best energy efficient option. The pool pump supplies water to the solar collector to be warmed by the sun and back to the pool. The other forms of pool heating have low energy efficiency compared to solar heaters.
4)) It Is Cost Effective
Researchers recommend that swimming businesses and owners should consider replacing other options with solar pool heating because it is the most cost-effective way of utilizing solar energy. It costs between $3,000 and $4,000 with a payback of about 2-7 years after which you will be able to heat your pool freely for the rest of its lifespan.
5)) Require Less Maintenance
Within its lifespan, a solar power pool heater requires little or no maintenance while a gas or electric heater needs regular and annual maintenance costs. Gas heaters are troublesome and can be damaged by rodents, rust or rain and diagnosing/repairing them is expensive especially after the warranty is up.
6)) It Is Durable And Reliable
A solar power pool heater has no internal wiring, circuits, controls or moving parts. There is no rusting and can last twice as much as other forms of pool heating. It is ultra-reliable since there is nothing to ware out or break.
7)) It Is Easy To Install
Gas or electric pool heaters require plumbing, gas or electricity with experienced personnel who charge a lot of money per hour. On the other hand, you can Do It Your Own (DIY) within a very short period. What you need to do is to secure the panels on the roof or rack with other hardware using simple hand tools that can be bought locally.
8)) Solar Energy Is Free
Sun rays is non-taxable neither is it sold. You can convert it to heat your swimming pool by installing a solar power pool heater. This reduces the electricity and fuel bills that you would have otherwise incurred when using electric or gas pool heaters.
9)) Offers Quality Time With Family
Installing a solar power heater in your swimming pool enables you with your family to enjoy warm and luxurious water all year round with temperatures above 80 degrees. Your kids will largely enjoy swimming while giving parents time to undertake other activities.
10)) It Uses A Clean Energy Source
Doctors and other health professionals recommend the use of solar power pool heaters because they have no health effects. The pumps have no contamination and can be used in case of power loss.
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There are two basic types of pool installations available, which is either an Above Ground Pool or an Inground Pool.
There are different types of swimming pools you can choose from, depending on your budget, where you want to install the pool, swimming pool layouts and designs, whether you choose an above or below ground pool, and so on. Here are the most common types, along with the pros and cons of each…
This type of pool is the easiest to install. There are many different sizes and styles you can choose from. Because the pool is above ground, you don't have to excavate the ground which makes the installation much easier and affordable.
If you have a small area or a small budget, an above ground pool is a great option.
A fiberglass pool is pre-constructed and simply lowered into a hole in the ground. If you decide to purchase a fiberglass pool, a construction crew will come and excavate a hole the size of the pool, then lower the pool into the hole.
This type of pool is installed in the ground, but in a very inexpensive manner. A hole is excavated, then a pool structure is erected inside the hole. A sheet of vinyl is then stretched over the structure, thus creating the pool.
This is much less expensive than just about any other method of building an in-ground pool. The tradeoff is that the vinyl needs to be replaced about every 10 years or the pool could start to leak.
Finally, you can custom build your pools. Those pools are either made out of gunite or out of concrete.
As you might expect, purchasing a custom-built pool is much more expensive than purchasing any of the above pool types. The upside is of course that you can design the pool however you want it to be built.
When you purchase a gunite or concrete pool, the crew will first excavate the hole, then put in the water pumping and drainage systems. Then the crew will create the framework for the pool out of rebar and metal wire.
Once the framework is complete, gunite will be sprayed onto the rebar framework. This works a lot like cement. Once it dries, the crew will apply either plaster or paint on the pool.
Start by determining the area that you want to install the pool in. How big is the area? Is it indoors or outdoors?
Then get price quotes for the various different kinds of pools that you might install. Look at pictures and visit various pools to get a sense for the different kinds of pools that you could choose from.
Once you know the different types of pools that your area qualifies for and their respective prices, you'll be able to make an informed decision.
Now that you know what the basic types of swimming pools are and their average cost, there's only one thing left to do...
Looking for pool builders in the Sacramento area? Experts are ready to help you with your quote estimate now. Get in touch today.