Choosing the right pool Installer for the job
Choosing the right installer when looking to get a swimming pool put in, to maximise your peace of mind, must be done carefully and meticulously. There are a range of factors that need to be considered.
1. Cost
2. Experience
3. Knowledge of your area
4. Products to be used
5. Timescale
6. Follow on support
7. Warranties
When planning costs and budgets, you must be realistic and understand all the factors involved. Ground conditions, material costs, labour costs and timescales will all have an impact on the final cost for a high-quality installation. To have an industry recognised standard size 10m x 5m pool, you could be looking at costs ranging from £35,000 to over £100,000 depending on the specification you want.
The right pool builder choice should be based on knowledge, record of accomplishment and previous quality of work, rather than price alone. They are often best sourced locally to you as they understand the ground conditions in your area and can plan the material and equipment requirements accordingly. This can often result in a more accurate initial quote and reduces the chance for additional charges being added due to un-foreseen circumstances with ground works.
The product you choose to use for the build of your pool can vary in cost dramatically, choosing correctly is imperative for the ongoing running costs. Chose a non-thermally insulative option and you will forever be heating the ground around the pool and not enjoying a warm water swim. If you want a pool built on a short timescale, choosing something that needs dry weather and extended drying time, may make this difficult. The access to the planned site for installation of the pool can have a bearing on the type of pool you chose, so this must be considered.
Deciding about the best time of year to have a pool installed can have an impact on the cost and lead time. If you want a pool installed in mid-summer when the pool builders are generally at their busiest, you can end up with a higher cost and longer wait than planning an install in the ‘off’ season, when the installers may be more available. If you need to get planning permission for the pool to be installed, getting this in place before engaging an installer will often be beneficial for you.
Knowing what levels of support the pool builder is going to be able to offer you post installation, along with the warranties they provide with the equipment installed, must be a factor for the on-going maintenance of your pool. Sometimes it can be worth paying a bit more to know you get the follow-on support once your pool is installed.
Checking the warranties on the ancillary equipment supplied is necessary. If the equipment purchased is a return to base warranty and is purchased outside the UK, shipping costs for any issues can mount up and lead times dramatically increased on repairs.
To make sure you get the best results and have a pool you can enjoy for years to come, choose the right installer, the right type of build materials and the right equipment first time and look forward to those hours of fun a pool brings.
