4 Main Factors Affecting Pool Construction
Nothing quite screams “fun!” like a swimming pool in your backyard. From family fun days by the pool to the famed pool parties, it can be an area of social gathering that brightens up the atmosphere. It also provides you and your loved ones with regular exercise through swims. It is therefore not difficult to understand why many people desire to build a pool in their yards and take advantage of all it has to offer. What are some of the things to consider before building your pool?
The Suitability of Your Yard
Can your yard hold a swimming pool without any damage? That is the one question you must ask at the very beginning of planning for a pool before anything else. If it’s not possible to host a pool in your yard, then nothing else will happen till you address the issue.
The first step to take is conducting a soil test. Sandy or rocky soil’s hard to utilize for a swimming pool. If the soil test indicates the presence of a high water table in your yard, your costs will substantially increase to resolve the issue.
Construction Expertise
Who will build your swimming pool? Identifying a suitable contractor is an important factor to consider. If there aren’t any experienced ones in your area, it means that you will incur more costs in bringing them to your prospective location, which balloons your projected budget.
Some of the things to look for in evaluating whether a contractor is adequately skilled to construct a pool are:
• Prior swimming pool design experience.
• Referrals from previous clients.
• Positive feedback from vendors the contractor has dealt with in the past. Suppliers have a much better judgment of the contractor’s character and ability if they have worked with him or her in the past.
• Does a potential contractor plan to use his team or sub-contract the job?
• Referrals from at least three builders who have worked with him or her in the past.
Other ways to conduct due diligence include:
• Acquiring proof that they are bonded and have insurance before you sign a contract with them.
• Visit projects they have done to ascertain the quality of work after client use.
• Getting lien waivers for the projects they have carried out.
Construction Costs
Will you be able to afford pool financing for your project? Find out all the cost associated with the project and assess whether you can meet them while still carrying a buffer to account for unexpected eventualities. Consult a verified pool professional to chart out the costs including all regulatory licenses.
Of particular note is the impact a pool will have on your home owner’s insurance. Some insurance providers raise the premium if you install a pool.
Will you be able to afford maintenance costs once the pool is done? Building a pool when you can’t afford to sustain it isn’t prudent. Some of the expenses you will need to consider include:
• The cost of chemicals the pool will require.
• The fee to hire a pool professional to open and close it during each season on top of the cleaning fee.
• The amount of utility expenses attached to operating the pool.
Safety
Safety is undoubtedly the number one consideration for any potential pool owner. The statistics validate this concern:
• Ten people die daily from unintentional drowning.
• Drowning is the fifth leading cause of accidental American deaths.
• Of those who die, two of them are 14 years and above.
Ensure that you include enclosures in your pool design that will reduce any potential hazards. If children are using the pool, you will need to factor in their supervision. Consult a qualified and experienced pool professional for a comprehensive safety assessment of your potential site.
Conclusion
A swimming pool is a utility that provides various means of interaction with others in an informal setting. It also has a direct health benefit and as such, is a desirable feature for many homeowners. There are various aspects to consider before embarking on pool construction.
