FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions We know you don’t buy a pool every day, and that can make the process a bit overwhelming for some. We want you to have all the information you need to feel at ease. team about any questions you might have. And because we get asked questions all the time, we’ve provided answers to some of the most common questions are listed below. Questions About Getting a New Pool
Questions About Pool Construction
FAQs About Getting a New Pool scroll down to the question to read directly about that topic. How are pools priced? Pool pricing is typically based on a price for a standard sized pool. Pricing can also be affected by the many different design features, materials and equipment installed. Each job site also provides possible variables that can affect the pricing. Let our experienced project managers work with you and help customize the best project for your needs. After each in-home estimate our customers receive a detailed price proposal and plan specific to their project. What is the best way to begin planning for a pool? Our design staff can meet with you at no cost. If you live in the home where the pool will be built, we will measure the yard, consider how construction equipment can enter the yard, discuss potential equipment location in relation to existing utilities and the pool, and begin to discuss your desires. This allows us to create a project matches your lifestyle needs, desired look and budget. If you are building a new home, the pool can be designed from plot plans and a site inspection. Through early planning, you can often save money and achieve a more integrated final product. How do I decide what shape and features I would like? Our design staff will have hundreds of pictures, DVDs, CDs and color plans of many of our past projects for your review. We feel that one of the reasons we have so many designs is our ability to listen and hone in on the plan and features that will best serve the client. In addition, we can develop a color rendering of the pool you and our designer will create. This drawing will include a bird's-eye-view perspective drawing of what the pool will look like from your patio. What pumps, filters, cleaners, water features, automatic systems, deck products, interior surfaces, masonry effects and lighting are best? We feel that our job is to thoroughly explain all the pool features that may interest you. This explanation will include the positive and the negative traits of each product, including costs, how it works and a recommendation depending upon the needs and desires you have expressed. We feel that our clients make really great decisions for themselves when complete information is provided. How do I pick a pool builder? Isn't every pool the same in its basic construction? Specialized Pool Services enjoys a solid reputation for our unique construction practices and providing cutting-edge technology and constant customer communication. We believe in building the “best value” into every project. After our project manager completes the design of your custom backyard living area with you, the plan is prepared for construction. The CAD construction plans are created and any special engineering is generated. Our processing department, construction team and project manager review these plans together and then apply for permitting. The project is then painted on the ground followed by a site visit from your construction superintendent. This is his first of many quality control inspections. The next phase of the process begins with the excavation of the pool, spa and any sunken bar areas. We construct our pools with vertically excavated walls, create slight radius at the transition to the floor and flat floors. This type of construction requires more steel and concrete but our customers find a larger, more usable pool. This method of building also allows us to provide the best in the pool industry. At Specialized Pool Services we provide the state of the art technology that helps reduce the cost of running, maintaining and using your pool. We can offer control systems, multiple speed pumps and sanitation systems that can benefit you for many years to come. We are also continually searching for ways to reduce the carbon footprint of our product. LED pool and spa lights are now available and offer lower wattage than standard pool lights typically used in the industry. You will get many more hours of usage before the light bulbs need to be changed. The additional benefit to LED lights is that the customer has the ability to change the color of the pool water at night. The LED lights come with four colors and can be upgraded to run by remote. FAQs About Pool Construction are listed below, scroll down to read directly about that topic. How long will my pool take to build? What should I know about pool layout? I've heard there is a lot of dust, noise and destruction at dig. Is this true? What is a rock (hard) dig, and how are the extra costs involved handled? How do I know that my plumbing is done correctly and will not leak? When is my equipment plumbed in place? What does the steel reinforcing do for my pool? What protects my pool from electrical problems? When does the city inspect my pool? When will my pool start looking like a pool? What has to happen before my deck is installed? What are my responsibilities concerning the deck? How do I make my pool safe and ready to pass final inspection? When do I get rid of this construction mess? How do I get the go ahead to finish the pool? How do you get the plaster or Pebble surface or other specialty surface into my pool? When do I learn how to use the pool? When can I swim? Length of Construction How long will my pool take to build? averages just under six to eight weeks of actual construction time for every pool we build, WEATHER PERMITTING OF COURSE! This is a point of pride for us, particularly when you consider the complexity of many of our pools. Specialized products and/or material availability could possibly increase construction time. Many factors combine to affect construction time. We find that comprehensive pool planning and design can reduce changes and unexpected delays. Layout What should I know about pool layout? The pool layout is the painted shape and position of the pool that we paint on your ground prior to any work being done. It is used as a guide for excavators when they dig your pool. We ask that you approve the location and shape of the pool prior to scheduling the dig. Because it’s a flat representation of your pool, the layout will appear much smaller than the finished pool. We lay out the pool 6” larger in every direction. In other words, a pool that will finish 30' long must be laid out and dug 31'. This allows for 6" thick concrete on the pool walls
Excavation I've heard there is a lot of dust, noise and destruction at dig. There is no gentle way to remove 15 to 30 dump truck loads of dirt out of a backyard. This will be one of the noisiest and is certainly the dustiest stage of construction. It is also one of the most exciting. We routinely see kids of all ages with their noses pressed against the window as the pool begins to take shape. Protecting plants and existing landscape is a must because anything between the street and the pool that is not cared for will be ground into the soil by this heavy machinery. Fences need to be removed, dogs put up, and the right machinery must meet the conditions in your particular yard. Your pool designer will discuss the options and pricing with you when you design your pool. A rock excavation is encountered when the machinery that’s has been planned for your yard cannot dig the pool without using special techniques and equipment due to the soil conditions. If the crew finds that their machinery is incapable of the dig, the excavators will expose the soil condition by digging a hole and leaving it open. Typically, we will secure three bids and get your approval on the extra costs prior to proceeding. If you suspect you are in a rocky area, we can secure a bid and make it part of the original agreement. This can save time and allow for the extra costs to be financed. Many times excavators can dig a rock pool in about the same time as a pool in softer soil. To accomplish this task, we contract with highly skilled machine operators. These workers are more experienced and skilled than typical laborers, providing peace of mind that the job will be done right. Plumbing and Equipment How do I know that my plumbing is done correctly and will not leak? In addition to using Schedule 40 PVC (very thick pipe), we keep all plumbing under pressure throughout the construction process. We routinely check these pressure readings to ensure that the plumbing is secure. Our plumbers follow a detailed plan for the location of every feature, pool return and drain. You will notice that pipes are protruding out from the pool dig. These will be cut off near the end of construction and will finish flush to the final pool wall. If you live in the house where we are building the pool, we will install the equipment the day we plumb the pool. If your home is not occupied or is under construction, we will delay the equipment set until you are in the house. This is necessary because unfortunately there are people out there who will walk off with your pool equipment if it is easily accessible. If you own the home and the equipment is stolen, your insurance will cover the loss and will pay the replacement cost. From a technical standpoint, once the equipment is attached and installed, you own it.
