The following is an article I found which gives good insight on picking a pool builder. I found itgood to read and compare how people might view us as they are deciding on picking a pooldesigner or builder. I am a pool designer for Development Concepts, Inc., dcipool. We designand build medium to high end swimming pools in the metro Atlanta area.
Chauffeur-Driven Pools
Why Some PoolsCost More Than Others
BY PAOLO (PAUL) BENEDETTI
Have you ever wondered why the cost of swimming pools of comparable sizes can vary from $35,000 to $500,000? A pool is a pool is a pool,right? Wrong.While a high price tag doesn't necessarily guarantee quality and complete customization, it does if you are dealing with a top of the line poolbuilder. Luxury pools, designed and built by high-end custom pool builders, cater to clientele who demand the best. Gone are thecompromises that you may face when building a less costly pool. Put simply, you get what you pay for.Before you select your pool builder, it is best to envision the type of pool that you want and to contemplate your expectations for the entireproject. Do you want to be presented with definitive choices for your pool's shape, size and features, or do you want to be more involvedwith your pool's design? Are you in a rush to have the pool completed, or is your timeline more flexible? Are you open to the idea of arunning budget, rather than a fixed price before the project begins? The answers to these questions, along with the following details of whatyou can expect from a high-end pool builder, will help you make the choice that is right for you.Pricing and Project ManagementThink of a first class pool builder the way you would think of a custom home builder. Because each pool is unique in design and materials,the builder takes on fewer new clients to ensure that every project takes top priority. There is usually not an established price list, but thebuilder can give you a range of what your vision will cost and then bring your dream pool to fruition by discussing important factors, suchas your lifestyle and entertainment patterns, your taste in colors, textures and materials, the age groups of intended users, and the site'sviews, privacy, orientation, architecture and possible challenges. Design revisions are welcomed before the final concept is approvedbecause the goal is to give you exactly what you want.Depending on ground conditions, some high-end custom builders will insist on a geotechnical investigation (soil report), which identifiesthe property's specific soil conditions. Oftentimes, the soil report will recommend a shell strength that far exceeds what some pool buildersmight otherwise provide. However, the soil report can also be very favorable and actually save the client money by recommending the basicstrength shell. While these tests add to the initial cost, they are an important part of building a pool that will last a lifetime.The materials selection process is limited only by the designer's resourcefulness and knowledge and the ability of the materials to matchthe suited purpose. Expect the pool builder to have a wide range of options available for each customer's budget and preferences. If onlyimported tiles from Italy will do, you can count on a luxury pool builder to get them for you (provided they are of sufficient strength to meetthe suited purpose).A Comprehensive PlanLeading pool designers act as aquatic architects, usually operating under a contract for the completion of a construction package, rather than a site plan. The difference? A site plan shows the location of the property's boundaries, its structures and the proposed pool andequipment pad. It is accompanied by a listing of the plumbing sizes, pump horsepower(s), filter type and size and standard engineeringspecifications.In contrast, a construction package is significantly more robust and routinely includes a soil report, a site map, topographical maps for sloping properties, a scaled drawing of the pool and/or spa with cross sectional drawings, plumbing and electrical schematics, a scaleddrawing of the equipment pad, equipment specifications, hydraulic calculations (which determine pipe, filter and pump sizes) andconstruction specifications and guidelines outlining how each step, process or operation will occur. The pool designer forwards the abovedocuments to a structural engineer to review and to determine the structure's skeletal design and strength.In short, every base is covered, and nothing is left to chance. Is this typical? Hardly, since only a small percentage of pool builders havecustomers who want to reach for the stars. Remember,
you get what you pay for
.Equipment SelectionIn most situations without the benefit of a high-end custom pool builder the majority of equipment is selected for you without anyexplanation. To keep costs down, it is common to have one large pump with enough horsepower to power spa jets, water features, and, if needed, the pool cleaner as well. While this is likely to save you money in extra pumps and plumbing initially, the efficiency of each systemmay be drastically reduced, increasing annual operating costs for electricity.The more a top-notch builder is involved, the greater the likelihood that he or she will select a dedicated pump for each major requirement.For example, the pool cleaner will utilize a booster pump and any substantial water features will have their own pumps and filters. Sincereserve horsepower is not required to operate these features, a smaller filter pump (which runs more frequently) will be utilized, resulting insignificant savings in energy over the life of the pool. Smaller pumps devoted to specific tasks also keep noise to a minimum.
Leave a Comment