Swimming Pools

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Choosing

Choosing a Swimming Pool Professional

Signing the Contract with the Builder

Guide to Swimming Pool Construction

Swimming Pool Site Preparation and Excavation

Swimming Pool on Problem Soils

Swimming Pool Special Soil Conditions

Swimming Pool on Fill and Rock

How a Contractor Build a Swimming Pool

Swimming Pool Finishes and Trims

Swimming Pool Accessories

Building Your Swimming Pool

Having a swimming pool built on your property is a major undertaking. By taking the time now to make very deliberate, tough decisions, you can, in the end, avoid delays, disappointment, and even financial loss.

You need to decide just how much you can afford to spend, to select a reputable builder you can work with, and no negotiate a contract that accurately describes what you want to build.

Of the three, choosing a swimming pool builder is the most difficult and the most important. A reputable builder will assure you of a quality swimming pool within your budget limitations. He or she will negotiate a contract with you that adequately describes your future swimming pool and the work to be done. And finally, the pool builder will see that the work is done to your satisfaction.

Your Budget & Your Swimming Pool

Obviously, you'll want a quality swimming pool, one that meets most if not all of your needs, at a price you can afford. Your costs will depend on the area you live in, the time of year, the type of swimming pool, the quality of materials and workmanship, and the competitive market.

The Finished Swimming Pool

The way you arrange to have the swimming pool built will also affect the costs. These are the options: you can let a landscape architect handle the whole project for you, you can contract directly with the builder, or you can do part or all of the work yourself.

A landscape architect not only can provide you with an integrated pool landscape design, but also can handle all the details of having the work done – negotiating contracts for you with the swimming pool builder and any other contractor involved and overseeing their work. Though you'll pay more than if you dealt directly with the pool builder, the landscape architect gives you an original design and protects your interests. (For Thailand, the not having to deal with the builders yourself can be a positive arrangement, and some people even reported that it is more economical).

Another possibility is to use the architect's design and work directly with the pool builder and other contractors yourself. But be prepared to spend considerable time, money and effort on the project.

Custom swimming pool builders often can design not only the swimming pool but also the surrounding landscaping. The builder can then do the entire job, or you can handle the landscaping yourself after the swimming pool is completed. Either way will usually cost less than working with a landscape architect, but the design may lack some of the finer touches and the demand on your time will be greater.

Other swimming pool builders may contract only for a swimming pool selected from their available designs. This approach, at least initially, is the least costly, but you may not be as satisfied with the results. And you'll still be faced with considerable effort and expense of landscaping the swimming pool.

Building your own pool, usually vinyl-lined, from a packaged swimming pool kit is a possibility, particularly if you're competent at do-it-yourself projects and have some willing friends. You'll save money – but be prepared for lot of hard work.

Some builders, if you convince them of your competence, may agree to your doing some of the pool building tasks and reduce the contract price accordingly. But you must be prepared to do the work when required or pay for delays on other parts of the project.

Stretching your money. Sometimes you can save money by contracting for a swimming pool during a bargain season. Just when that is and how much you'll save depend on your location and the local competition.