Having a Pool Installed - Watch This First!

00:00 - Introduction
00:59 - Getting pool installation estimates
02:00 - Pool builder licensing
04:10 - Comparing new pool quotes
05:30 - Vetting pool installation references
07:34 - Communicating with your pool builder
09:00 - New pool installation prices
12:00 - Pool waterfalls
13:37 - Installing a modern and efficient pool
15:50 - Pipe size example of pool inefficiency
17:00 - Maximum water velocity in suction lines
18:00 - Technical process evaluation for new pools
18:55 - Swimming pool filtration equipment
23:55 - Entry level pool equipment
24:39 - Provisions and exclusions
26:39 - Damage provisions in the contract
27:26 - Boulders and treasures
29:00 - Safety provisions and fences
30:00 - Pool installation timeline and delays
31:00 - Good pool builders are busy
34:05 - Contract addendums
36:27 - Pool equipment manufacturer warranty
38:10 - Swimming pool safety
38:45 - Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGBA)
39:15 - Example of common pool entrapment hazard
41:40 - Handover / Pool school realities

#poolinstallation #poolconstruction #poolcontractor #swimmingpoolsteve

[davidnewman]

Having built our concrete pool last summer, I cannot agree more with everything Steve outlines in this video.
We engaged Steve for his pool Construction Consulting service - probably the best and most important service we paid for in this project. Highly recommended!


Steve’s consulting service is so valuable because you are getting objective, unbiased advice - he’s not selling you anything other than information. A contractor is going to advise you to do what’s best for them. Steve advises on what’s best for you, and you can go into a discussion with your contractor armed with some knowledge.
Our pool is awesome, thanks in part to Steve’s help!

[keypoolequipment]

Thank god I have always worked on charge up as I go. It simplifies things. Both the customer and I get a fair deal. We also avoid the comparison drama that tires out the customer and myself. Nothing beats recommendations from happy customers.

[jakearcurioshorts]

Very great info Steve! We are having a concrete pool & spa built everything seems to line up other then needing to ensure return and suction lines are 2 and 3 inch.

[pharpester]

The verbal vs written conversation just saved me and my family thousands on our new home builds. Everything is writing, email. Very good advice.

[MDJSTVFL]

Great video! We are in the process now and this advise is spot on!

[keypoolequipment]

I have seen a lot of Steves Videos and so far have not found one single statement that is incorrect. I highly recommend that if someone is starting in the industry, they need to subscribe to Steve.

[sonjakozman]

This was an incredibly informative discussion about building a pool

[rlwaters]

Good suggestions and it would have helped me. I’m in Idaho and got one quote and went with it. It was ok but stressful and took longer than promised and some things were missed. The pool builder is a general and needs to communicate to trades especially when it’s trades that have no experience with pools. It was a new business so references was harder. There was no communication. Just hoped they showed up. Never knew when they were coming. Have a deadline and penalty if possible. It took May-October and it’s still had some check items that they never came back to fix. Be sure to have a payment plan along they way and hold some out until completion.

[mayorb]

Pre-purchase consultation should be a must. Problem is barely anyone thinks they need it.

For years I've been saying that in too many cases, pools are being sold by people who do not know what they are selling, and being bought by people who do not know what they are buying.
(I had a brief gig selling pools years ago for a national pool builder and was stunned at what I overheard other salespeople telling their prospective customers).

I could go on and on about some pools I've been called out to give a quote on weekly service and didn't even bid on it. A few of them I knew instantly that the pool was built by someone who had never built one before. Went to court as a witness for the plaintiff once.

People need to remember that if they buy a $60K+ car that turns out to be a lemon, they'll take a hit on it, but can resolve that issue later that day. With a pool, a bit harder to trade in.

If you're going to put a pool in, get objective, highly experienced help.

Great videos! (but I do agree with getting some time stamps for the different issues addressed).

[tsundokujim]

Great advice as always, Steve. It does surprise me, however, that pool companies don't do basic GPR (ground penetrating radar) surveys, to identify potential obstructions like boulders, before digging. A simple scan only costs a few hundred bucks. Also, while a 2-3 year wait time may be the hallmark of a good company, prices can change a lot in that time, something I'm sure any well-run company will build into their contracts. So you may discover you can't afford a pool in three years (but are still on the hook to buy it.)

[pharpester]

Do you offer a pdf for perspective home owners to ask builders questions such as the safety requirement, damage, unforeseen things underground, etc?

[pharpester]

Very interesting learning more about pools. Recently got 2 quotes from San Antonio, TX pool companies. Not offered Hayward products.

[pharpester]

One of the companies here in central Texas offered Pool School, which sounds nice, I hope it lives up to the promise

[cf-bloom]

Thank you, this information is priceless, please come to WNY and build my pool! 😂 we're looking into a renovation from 20 thousand vinyl to fiberglass w a smaller pool(footprint). Our search is beyond difficult.😵‍💫

[pharpester]

Questions to ask your pool builder? That might be a good follow up video. Oh the pool company said that we would have to cap off the sprinklers, then we have to hire another person to do this. Also I have heard that capped sprinklers can leak, domino’s want to the run these or remove them.

[rlwaters]

I would ask about wiring too! Low vs high voltage. My pool contractor told me at the time of pool wiring that he did not do conduit to the pool lights and my electrician had to come do it. I was upset and he never had talked to me about that. I got power and gas to the corner and that was my job.

[flowerdragon]

Steve, we watch you all the time. Please, please make Time Codes/Chapters on long videos. Or keep the overhead "tag/topic" plaque for each segments. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[josht]

What be your educated opinion on when replacing an above ground vinyl liner, leaving the flooring (bottom) area in and applying the new liner over the previous vinyl liner floor? Considering there is no surface defects, bumps, foot prints, etc.

[highoctaneadventure]

I stuck with a single speed pump because we don’t run it over night and need the full speed for a solar heating system. Also, there isn’t a 240 volt line available to upgrade to a variable speed pump. Is that still acceptable or would a variable pump still help required?

[chucklakes]

Thanks for the information! I recently started a new Pool company and am focused on servicing pools, but want to eventually start building pools. Where can I get educated? What is your advice? I have a construction crew, electrician, and concrete guy. I just need proper education. Thank you in advance.