Adding a Pool Takes Planning, Patience by Angie Hicks on Creators.com

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Adding a Pool Takes Planning, Patience

Having his own private swimming pool was a longtime dream of Mike Stafford. The Sugar Land, Texas, resident finally realized it last year when he hired a pool contractor to install his concrete, rectangle pool with an infinity-edge Jacuzzi.

"A pool, to me, adds an element of beauty to your backyard; not to mention the value it can add to your house," Stafford said. "It's a big social outlet for me. You can share really good times with friends around the pool."

The most important part of the process, Stafford said, was finding a reputable contractor who could show examples of other pools the company designed and whom Stafford could trust.

"You hear stories about (how) it starts out really well, but in the middle stage, people have all sorts of problems and contractors start running away from the job," Stafford said. "So I think it's incumbent on the homeowner to really do their homework and make sure who they're choosing has a good track record and will be able to deliver what they set out to do."

Reed Hartzog, owner of Reed's Pool Service & Design Inc., built Stafford's pool and recommends visiting a company's website, looking at examples of pools they've built in their area and reading online reviews from that company's customers.

"I think a customer educating themselves on a pool, whether it's from different contractors or from the Internet, is really important so they can get a really good idea of what they want in a pool before they ever talk to a contractor," Hartzog said. "If you go to a contractor and say you don't know anything, the contractor might steer you to something you might not want."

A key component early in the process is to get the necessary approval for installing a pool, which can range from dealing with a homeowner's association to local building permit officials. It's also important for those who plan to finance a pool that the loan is approved before starting the process. Of course, before beginning this process, it's also critical to consider the return on your investment.

Adding a pool to a home in a neighborhood with many pools will generate a greater return than putting a pool in a neighborhood where no one else has one.

Once you begin working with a pool contractor, have a contract signed by both parties that breaks down what will be done throughout the various stages of construction and when, along with how, payment will be handled. I recommend including a termination clause, so in the event things aren't progressing as they are detailed in the contract, you can end the relationship without the concern of a financial penalty.

Be wary of any pool contractor who asks for a big down payment upfront. Hartzog said his standard down payment is 10 percent, with progress payments made throughout as he completes different phases of the job. Holding the final 10 percent of payment until the project is completed is a good way to ensure the job is done to your satisfaction. Bring up concerns or problems as you see them, instead of waiting until the end.

A mistake homeowners often make, Hartzog said, is not comparing the materials each company uses. Because pools are such a significant long-term investment — often starting at $25,000 — it's important to compare apples to apples on materials when getting a bid.

"It's hard for people to do, but it's the most important part," Hartzog said. "People assume one pool is the same as the next."

Pool construction can take several months and be an invasive process, so it's important to prepare for that. It's also essential to talk to your contractor about important safety aspects, like installing a fence that adheres to national and local industry code, or putting in a safety motion sensor.

Once the pool is built, maintaining it is key to its longevity. Many companies offer pool maintenance plans that can range from about $75 to $200 a month. Stafford said getting on a maintenance program was worth it to him.

"I'm not comfortable doing it," he said. "I'm afraid I'd screw up the water chemistry. To me, it's money well spent. It's one less headache and one less thing I have to manage."

Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie's List, the nation's most trusted resource for local consumer reviews on everything from home repair to health care. To find out more about Angie Hicks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.