When selecting a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA you are basically giving someone permission to dig a big hole in your yard, disrupt your routines and somehow create a beautiful swimming pool at the end of the process. This demands trust, and finding the right builder for the job is no small task. It can also be intimidating. If you are looking to remodel or build a pool, here are five tips for finding a good contractor:
Ask around: If a friend or neighbor recently built a pool, ask them who they hired and what they think about them. You may get a glowing recommendation, or at least know who to avoid. Check online reviews on Angie’s List and Yelp. There will always be those reviewers who are never happy about anything, but you want to see what the majority of comments have to say about customer service, timely construction and staying on budget. This will give you a few to evaluate.
Check licensure and reputation: Reviews and recommendations may not tell the whole story. Ask for references, and be wary of any contractor who claims they do not have any or refuse to give them. Verify insurance and registration so you are covered if anything goes horribly wrong. Check the Better Business Bureau database for any unresolved complaints or a long history of inflated prices and inattentive service. It is also reasonable to inquire about financial stability—you do not want the company going bankrupt and leaving nothing in your yard but a big hole in the ground.
Secure written estimates: Never rely solely on a verbal estimate. Any estimate you secure from a contractor should be detailed, with reasonable timelines on construction. If you have a budget, the contractor should be able to offer options close to that budget, rather than try to upsell you on features beyond what you can afford. Estimates should also include details pertaining to material and labor costs. Finally, discuss any common circumstances that may affect price or timelines and how the contractor manages them.
See good communication: Contractors should clearly communicate regarding the quality of their work and how they face challenges. While it is impossible to build a pool without disturbing landscaping, ask about how they manage it—especially if you have an area in your yard that you wish to preserve. Also, ask about how they handle delays or problems—how will they contact you, and how will it be resolved? You want a contractor who informs you before material or labor costs increase or construction takes longer than expected.
Inquire about safety: During pool construction, there will be a big hole in your yard and equipment staying there overnight. Ask about safety precautions and how your property is kept clean throughout the process. You want a company that pays attention to these details and hauls away debris when the project is done. Confirm their post-construction processes and how they will help you restore your yard to normal.
Avanti Pools, Inc. is a trusted pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA. We offer pool construction services and can add features to your pool, including sanitation systems, self-cleaning technology and automatic pool covers. Contact us today to start designing your dream pool!
Many people avoid building a new pool or remodeling a current one because they are concerned about schedule and budget. It is true that every pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA is busy right now, but that does not mean that your project has to completely disrupt your budget or plans. You only need to know what to expect and plan along with it. Here are five tips for pool installation that proceeds on time and on budget:
Start with a good contractor: Pools are complex, and even an above-ground pool should be installed by a professional. That means finding the best pool contractor for your project. Check references, both those given by the contractor and those presented online, and confirm bond, registration and insurance status. If a contractor has several reviews mentioning that they finished construction late, failed to communicate or added unexpected fees, be wary—you could become their next victim.
Comply with local regulations: Excavating for a pool is extensive work, and it can become disruptive to utility lines and fencing. You also need to be sure that your pool does not require additional permits and complies with safety standards. Regulatory violations can delay construction and result in fines. Neither development is good for on-time, on-budget construction, so clarify with your contractor whether they navigate the permit process or if you need to finish that work on your own.
Communicate with your contractor: If you have landscaping you want left as undisturbed as possible or there are access issues with your yard, discuss that with the contractor when you call to schedule an estimate. Challenging issues can affect your estimate, so it is best to bring them to the forefront early. Otherwise, you may face bad surprises in the form of slower construction, increased costs and the destruction of the beloved landscape you wanted to preserve.
Design carefully: Even if you have a grand vision, your pool contractor and designer may see things differently. There is a chance that your plan for a pool and your yard, local regulations and lot boundaries are not compatible. If this is the case, follow the advice of your designer to get as close to your desires as possible. Delayed construction often results if plans are not possible or become more expensive than expected. Choosing a design that works for your ideas and your yard is an excellent way to stay within budget and finish on time.
Plan ahead: When possible, start inquiring with pool builders in early spring. Once summer starts, we become busy very quickly. If you are looking at a summer project, do not plan a large outdoor party two weeks after you book your consultation. Construction will take much more time than that, and you do not want to cancel a party and disappoint guests. Expect the best, but be realistic.
Avanti Pools, Inc. is your trusted pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA. We are here for you, from the design to the final phases of construction. If you seek to build or remodel a pool, contact us today to schedule an estimate.
Are you in the market for a new pool? Maybe you’re getting tired of your traditional chlorine pool, and you’re considering switching things up. Either way, it could be time to explore the benefits of a salt water pool. This increasingly popular alternative to traditional chlorine has a huge number of benefits. Salt water is gentler on your skin and eyes. A salt water pool costs less to maintain over the course of its life. Many homeowners also find saltwater more refreshing to take a dip in and more appealing to the eye.
The function of your salt water pool begins and ends with the salt chlorine generator. For those who might be wondering what a salt chlorine generator in Los Angeles, CA is, we’ve got your answer.
What does a salt chlorine generator do?
You may have heard the term “electrolysis” before as it relates to a stay at a day spa. The term refers to more than just skincare and hair removal, however. Electrolysis is the process by which an electric current passes through a specific substance and causes a chemical change.
In the case of your salt water pool, the salt chlorine generator uses electrolysis to transform dissolved salt into two cleaning agents: gentle hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite. Unlike traditional chlorine pools, your salt chlorine generator releases these sanitizing components on an as-needed basis.
Not to be confused with a salt water filter
What is a salt chlorine generator in Los Angeles, CA? It isn’t a filter. Nevertheless, a salt chlorine generator is confused with the salt water filter. However, that is a separate component altogether. The salt chlorine generator is responsible for making sure there is an appropriate level of salt content in your pool’s water.
What type of salt will my pool use?
Depending on the kind of salt chlorine generator you choose, you could be using one of three types of salt:
The purest form of salt is mined directly from the ground.
Solar salt is made from evaporated seawater; the inherent impurities often cause a salt chlorine generator to work harder than usual.
Mechanically-evaporated salt is made from saltwater heated in a machine (as opposed to dissolved by the sunlight). It is also considered slightly harmful for your salt chlorine generator.
Though that may sound cut and dry, the type of salt you use will depend on the size of your pool and the recommendation made by your contractor.
Get the best in Los Angeles
What is a salt chlorine generator in Los Angeles, CA? You don’t have to know when you enlist the help of the team at Avanti Pools, Inc. We have more than 60 years of combined experience helping clients throughout the Los Angeles area get the most from their summertime fun. Whether you want a salt water pool or you’re interested in a traditional chlorine pool, our talented team can help you make the right choice for your property and your budget.
Installing and maintaining a pool or spa doesn’t get much easier than it does when you’re working alongside Avanti Pools, Inc. Give us a call or visit us online today. We can’t wait to hear from you.
Now that the summer has arrived in earnest, Los Angelenos throughout the area are finally free to sink into their private swimming pools and soak up the California sun. Where a lot of homeowners opt for traditional chlorinated pools, however, more and more people are leaning toward salt water pools. Before you get your pool ready for the season or have a new pool installed, take a moment to consider the pros and cons of salt water pools in Los Angeles, CA.
Upkeep
Any pool owner can tell you that making sure your pool is in top shape requires work. You have to check chemicals and skim debris from the water. At least, that’s the case for chlorine pools. While there is undoubtedly a little maintenance involved in having a salt water pool, it is substantially less than owning a traditional chlorinated pool.
Safety
It’s worth noting that thousands of Americans own pools without harming themselves every year. However, some experts suggest that handling the toxic chemicals associated with a chlorinated pool could put pool owners at risk. Since there are no chemicals related to the maintenance of a salt water pool, the risk is much lower.
The price point
The most common question people ask themselves when considering the pros and cons of salt water pools in Los Angeles, CA concerns how much a salt water pool costs. When it comes to installation, a chlorinated pool is substantially cheaper than a salt water pool. That said, the average annual maintenance costs on a salt water pool are lower than those of a chlorine pool. In other words, while you might end up paying more initially for a salt water pool, you might end up saving money in the long run.
The DIY aspect
On a long enough timeline, a lot of homeowners become skilled at doing a significant portion of the required chlorine pool maintenance on their own. That’s not really possible with a salt water pool. These delicate bodies of water require professional attention whenever problems crop up. That may not be a big deal if you were planning on hiring a pool maintenance service regardless of your choice between chlorine and salt water.
Swimming in comfort
When you jump into a chlorine pool with a chemical imbalance, the water can be harsh on the skin, it can burn the eyes and generally make your soak in the pool unpleasant. That doesn’t happen in a salt water pool—the water is generally considered easier on the skin than the alternative.
Let Avanti Pools, Inc. help!
Still undecided? Let Avanti Pools, Inc. educate you regarding the pros and cons of salt water pools in Los Angeles, CA. We have more than two decades of experience helping our valued customers enjoy their own little backyard oases. Our talented team of experts can guide you through the entire process of installing your own pool or private spa.
Our professional pool builders have more than 60 years of combined experience that we can’t wait to put to work for you. Visit us online or give us a call today.
Even private pools suffer contamination. The only way to prevent it is to clean regularly, as scooping debris and filtering the water is often not enough to keep out harmful bacteria. Failure to do so results in Los Angeles, CA swimmers developing gastrointestinal symptoms, skin, ear and eye infections, diarrhea and even respiratory disease and neurological failure. Many ask, “How often should I clean my pool?” and the answer is generally once a week. But there are specific cleaning tasks that should be performed on a schedule. Here are five of them:
Spot cleaning: Do this as you see the need, which may be every day or once a week. If trees drop leaves in your pool or you see big balls of dog hair, scoop them up with a net before they enter your filtration system. Algae causes structural damage and slips and falls, so dig it up as you see. These tasks only take a minute when completed on a regular basis, and they will make pool maintenance much easier.
Shock treatments: Pool use and frequency determine the need for shock treatments. If pets use your pool often or you have large parties every weekend, add an extra shock treatment. This will turn your pool into a sanitary oasis rather than a disease vector.
Cleaning skimmer basket: Think of skimmers like you do your cat’s litter box—the longer you wait to clean it, the nastier it becomes. Your skimmer basket is the same way. You can likely skip a day if you do not have a lot of vegetation in your yard, but you still get the best results by cleaning it every day. Letting it sit too long results in a breakdown and an unsafe pool.
Vacuuming: Pool vacuums are one of the best items in your maintenance repertoire. If you cannot reach debris to hand skim it or dirt drifts to the bottom, the vacuum makes it easy to clean it out. Consider vacuuming at least once a week, or more often if your pool needs it. You will remove the dirt but also bring the water back to a good pH balance.
Cleaning pumps: You should clean pumps twice a season and after heavy use, add backwashing to that routine, too. Check pump specifications to be sure you do it correctly. Generally, if pressure rises into the 40s, it is time to backwash. This is often an involved job, and you must set aside time to open up the pumps and check pipes and clean out debris.
If this sounds overwhelming, you have another option: self-cleaning equipment. You can install a self-cleaning pool or contact a pool construction company about adding self-cleaning features. Another option is to reduce your cleaning demands by installing an automatic cover so you can cover the pool when it is not being used. This helps keep it clean and maintains your pool’s chemical balance better.
The answer to “How often should I clean my pool?” could be “Almost never!” if you hire Avanti Pools, Inc. in Los Angeles, CA. We are pool contractors who specialize in self-cleaning pools, but we also install automatic covers and sanitation systems for existing pools. Contact us today to learn more.
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