Consider This Before Selecting a Pool Installation Company

The decision to invest in a new swimming pool is an important one, and may even be one of the largest investments you make to improve your home. While you may have easily decided that you would be interested in adding a pool to your backyard, chances are that consequential factors may start to make you a bit nervous. For starters, can you afford everything you have in mind? Will you be able to take care of the pool? And is it safe to have a pool in your backyard?

At Signature Pools of Texas, which offers custom swimming pools in Houston, the expert staff understands the combination of nerves and excitement that homeowners feel prior to making such big decisions. Therefore, whenever new clients seem a bit overwhelmed by the process of purchasing a pool, the owners of Signature Pools of Texas offer this advice:

Do Some Research

To ease into the process of selecting your new pool and to avoid feeling too overwhelmed when you first meet with your designer or installer, do a bit of research on your own. Try perusing the Internet to find styles that pique your interest and make a wish list of what you’d like included in your ideal swimming pool, be it a deep end, water features, a slide, and certain types of stones. It may also be helpful to rank your ideal characteristics in order of importance, since, depending on your budget, you may not be able to afford every last detail.

Get Referrals

In addition to researching the look of your new pool, it is also important to make sure that you are working with the right installation company. When interviewing possible companies, ask for the contact information of past clients or call friends who have used them in the past. Some of the most important questions to ask are:

• How long did the total project take from start to completion, and was it a reasonable amount of time?
• Was the contractor able to educate you on the construction process?
• Were there any unforeseen or unexpected costs that you weren’t warned about up front?
• Did the builder keep you informed as the job moved ahead?
• Were all of your concerns properly ad­dressed?
• Would you recom­mend this builder?

Know What to Expect

One of the best ways to safeguard yourself against unexpected costs or being given the run-around from your builder is to know what to expect before the job begins and gathering the information you need to create realistic expectations. In the pool installation and remodeling industry, there are a number of factors that a contractor should address with you, regardless of where you live and who you are contacting:

• The builder should consult with you to determine how you plan to use the pool and understand your prefer­ences in design and budget. He should also take the time to inform you of the options that are available. Having properly gathered this information, combined with the specific information about the available backyard space, a design and cost estimate should be completed for you.
• The builder must accurately measure your yard. This calculation should take into consideration any existing obstacles, such as existing landscaping, fencing, and HVAC units. From these measurements, a determination should be made as to the size of the excavation equip­ment that can be used.
• You should be provided with a scale drawing of the pool and backyard. This process is not complete until you are 100% satisfied with the plan, so don’t be hesitant to speak up about changes you would like to see made. Experienced builders know to expect this.
• The final proposal you are presented with should include the measurements of your pool, the materials that will be used, utility hook-ups, the equipment to be installed, the cleaning system and water sanitation details, the responsibilities of the pool owner, and the builder’s contact information.

Even when you work with an experienced and reliable company like Signature Pools of Texas, it’s still important to do your own legwork. It is nice to know, however, that even if you are not as prepared as you thought you were, the experts at Signature Pools of Texas will be more than willing to walk you through the process and present you with ideas and recommendations for transforming your backyard.