I am often asked what sets us apart from other pool builders when we are vying for the opportunity to be the pool builder on a project. The typical packaged answers one expects are; “That we hold our guys to a higher standard” or “We use only the best equipment” etc. although that is very true, my first comment usually catches them by surprise. “We will be more Expensive than our competitors” Might sound like an odd opening statement, but I guarantee it always gets their attention. The truth is that we are almost always more expensive for a similar looking pool of similar size. However, the real difference is the value you are getting. Price is important to everyone, but much more important is the Value you receive for your money. What is the added value we provide you ask?

Our pools are Designed Completely. We don’t build pools from pretty pictures drawn by creative minds, expecting our subcontractors to figure out all the mechanical and hydraulic systems on the fly. We don’t assume that the plumber, working for a days wage, has read the installation manual for the pumps he is installing. We don’t assume that since it is always been done that way that it is correct. Quite the contrary; as a pool builder myself, I am allowed to comment on the fact that the pool industry at large is made up of builders that only sort of know how to build pools. There is no swimming pool construction school to go to that trains every pool builder before he gets a license (there are great sources for education I will discuss later). Most municipalities are very un-educated when it comes to pools as well. They are more than happy to issue a pool building permit with the same pretty picture used by the plumber that shows the skimmer location, stairs, and maybe the returns and main drain, with a big “X” that marks the spot for the equipment to sit. I can count on one hand the number of pools built by someone else that are plumbed with the correct size plumbing and pump for the job. I see pumps with fittings way to close to the suction inlet, pumps larger than the filter can handle, plumbing drastically undersized, with extra valves to restrict the flow so that the pump does not cavitate (Cavitation typically happens when a pump cannot get enough water through the suction line). That is not to say there are not other builders that understand the importance of proper design. It is just they are few and far between. Most builders don’t understand pump curves, don’t understand turn-over rate, don’t realize that pipe friction goes up exponentially with velocity within the pipe. Proper design takes time and education that most pool builders have not sought out. They don’t even realize they can pay someone else for that expertise, the simply overlook it, then spec out a larger pump then needed, forget to match all of the equipment (filters, heaters, spa jets, etc) so they work together properly, and you end up with an extremely inefficient hydraulic system. This in the long run costs the owners considerably more cost for energy; sometimes as much as 80% more, (less short term value) and should expect premature failure or wear on the equipment (less long term value). When the energy usage of swimming pool is the second largest consumer of power for a residence, that can mean a substantial added cost per month. Replacing equipment is also not an inexpensive proposition.

When choosing a pool builder, the first thing one should ask is what education does ownership and management have. Have they sought out training from the likes of the world renowned Genesis 3 (David Tisherman, Brian Van Bower, and Skip Phillips) have they followed the blogs of industry leaders like Randy Beard and Paulo Benedetti? Are they members of the APSP (Association of Pool and Spa Professionals) which provides education to the industry at large. Ask if they will provide a hydraulic design, pipe sizing and schematics? Do they know what is required by the ACI (American Concrete Institute) for shotcrete used as a vessel for permeability, (Hint: is it not 2500 or 3000psi which has become industry standard based solely on structural strength, not permeability) Do they even know why they usually use 2” plumbing and a 2hp pump? You will be surprised by their answers.

The reason you should choose your builder carefully is that you need to make sure you are getting a good value, not just the lowest price.