Pool Life

For most people water equates to relaxation, so find the perfect combination in a creative pool design.

There are great pools and then there are awesome pools. Those that rise above the rest are usually designed with space, proportion, use and view in mind. There’s nothing more relaxing than an afternoon by the pool with family and friends, especially when your pool is nicely finished with all the details.

Finding the right design and implementing it with perfection is best done with the help of a qualified professional. But you can begin the process, by doing a little research and determining what you want. Familiarize yourself with pool materials, options, designs and your budget. Many of today’s homeowners are opting for small sized pools with big design features like waterfalls, sun decks and shapes that follow the lines of the house. Picking a pool shape that compliments the lines of your home and yard will allow the pool to blend into the landscape rather than stick out like a sore thumb.

Determine what construction method is most suitable for your area by talking to local experts. In the low country, in-ground concrete, either gunite or shotcrete, are the most predominant. When properly applied, either of these should provide a pool that will last a lifetime. Some have tried fiberglass pools with little success, and also, rarely, vinyl liner pools. These don’t work well in our area because the sandy soil base cannot consistently support the weight of the pool and 10-20,000 gallons of water. The ‘savings’ will be short lived!

Once you have made some preliminary decisions about the type of pool you want, contact a qualified contractor. A pool is a major expense, and the pool builder should not be taken lightly. You wouldn’t hire an amateur to design your home, so don’t make the mistake of hiring one for your outdoor project. The costs for using a professional may be a little higher, but with pool construction, you don’t want to gamble on poor quality.

Finding a Qualified Contractor

Common sense tips to find the right professional.

Ask questions. If you live in a gated community, you should contact the Architectural Review Board for their experiences and recommendations, as well as to understand the particular requirements they may have that you may be unaware of.

Check with your neighbors. If you see a pool company at work in the area, ask the homeowner about their experience and the timeliness of the project. Start to finish should be about 6-8 weeks, not 4-6 months.

Experience matters. Consider the years of experience of the contractor, and visit their offices. Are you comfortable with someone working out of their garage? Look at some of their completed jobs that are similar to yours.

Understand Payment. The draw schedule, warranty period and terms, and follow up service and support if needed should be clarified. No payments should be made prior to work being completed.

Also make sure that all costs are planned for like tree removal, landscape and irrigation repairs, electrician costs, dirt removal, etc.