So, you’ve decided to get a pool—congratulations! Or, maybe you’re just thinking about getting a pool and are wondering, “What can I expect to see during the excavation process?” as it relates to your Los Angeles, CA home. Well, it’s more than just a lot of digging. It’s a major construction project, and here’s what you need to know about it.
No matter the size, installing a pool is a big ordeal. There’s the main excavation for the pool itself, and there are also trenches to connect the wires and pipes needed to keep your pool at the right temperature. These trenches connect the pool to the pool equipment, and, in turn, connect that equipment to the electrical panel. There will also need to be trenches to connect the pool equipment to the gas meter, and possibly other locations.
In short, what you can expect to see during the excavation process involves putting a big hole and several trenches in the ground (but it is more than just a lot of digging). Often this will result in the entire yard needing to be dug up. If there is landscaping in the yard, you should expect that it will be disturbed in some way, and possibly even replaced if need be to dig trenches to install the underground conduits.
This will, of course, leave you with a massive amount of dirt. It will probably be too much to post on Craigslist or Nextdoor for neighbors to come haul away for their backyard vegetable gardens, so you should be ready with a plan to haul it away and a destination in mind. You can hire a company to take it away, or just get a wheelbarrow and redistribute it yourself. Considering the average pool excavation can generate a load of dirt the size of about four or five garden sheds, it might be more than you can easily hide elsewhere in the yard.
Different types and sizes of pools have different installation needs and timelines. For example, fiberglass pools are the fastest to install, since they come pre-made in one piece. Vinyl inground pools are similar to this. Concrete or gunite pools take longer, and the total install time depends on everything from weather to the details of your project.
Some good questions to ask when calling for a quote include:
Size: What is the size pool you desire? (Approximation of gallons or dimensions is usually fine for an estimate.)
Hot tub options: Will there be a hot tub?
Water features: Will there be fountains or other water features included in the installation?
Maintenance considerations: Will it be covered or open?
If you choose to go with a gunite or concrete pool, you can expect several large trucks in the front yard during the whole process. That means you should expect some damage to the grass where the trucks park and in the areas surrounding the pool. You should also find a large area, perhaps 20 square feet, for the dirt and debris to live during the excavation process.
Avanti Pools, Inc. is here to help complete your swimming pool project—call us today to get started or for more information about what you can expect to see during the pool excavation process in Los Angeles, CA.
Homeowners with a cracked or failing pool often try quick fixes to resolve the problem. One of the more common routes for repairs is simply painting over the cracks. When customers ask us, “Is painting my pool a good idea in Los Angeles, CA?” we always tell them, “No!” This post will cover the reasons you should never paint your pool.
Problems caused by painting
We wouldn’t advise against painting pools for no reason. Here are a few of the issues caused by pool paint:
Ineffective fix: Painting the pool to “fix” cracks or other defects is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg—it’s not very helpful! On top of being an ineffective repair option, painting the pool drives down its overall appearance and makes it look shoddy.
Cloudy water: The paint used to make cosmetic repairs will eventually rub off the walls, especially if you have children playing in the pool and agitating the water. As you can imagine, the excess paint makes the water a nasty, cloudy color that will require additional cleaning to remove.
Clogs: If it’s not removed swiftly, that floating paint could cause clogs in your pool’s filtration system. This is a vicious cycle, as a clogged filter isn’t able to properly clean the water, leading to even dirtier pool water. On top of that, cleaning out a clogged filter isn’t exactly how you’d want to spend your afternoon.
Ruined swimsuits: Swimming in cloudy water for long periods can actually damage your swimwear. You may notice small spots on your bathing suit that won’t come out after a run through the washing machine.
Hire our team to construct your pool!
Avoid the need to ask, “Is painting my pool a good idea in Los Angeles, CA?” by hiring Avanti Pools, Inc. to install your new pool. These are the top reasons to choose us for installation:
Qualified experts: You won’t find a more experienced or capable crew for your pool construction project than our team! Every contractor who works with us is fully certified through the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals to ensure high-quality results. Regardless of the pool’s size or location, you can trust us to execute the job.
Three-year warranty: We’re so confident that you’ll love your pool that we offer a three-year warranty for everything from the masonry and tile to the plumbing and electrical components. You won’t find a deal like that anywhere else in the area.
Full-service company: There’s no need to hire multiple crews when you call our team—we handle everything from the initial design all the way through construction. We work closely with each of our customers to ensure they’re getting the pool of their dreams at an affordable price.
The answer to the question, “Is painting my pool a good idea in Los Angeles, CA?” is “no.” The answer to the question, “Who should install my new pool?” is Avanti Pools, Inc. Give us a call today to get a consultation for your new pool or to learn more about our services!
We get customers all the time who ask us, “How easy is it to install a saltwater system in Los Angeles, CA?” They want to make the switch from a chlorine pool to a saltwater pool—and they’d like to do it themselves. The good news is that making the transition only takes a few hours and some basic knowledge of plumbing and electrical systems.
After adding the correct amount of pool salt to your pool, mount the chlorinator controller near your pool equipment pad and wire the controller for power. Next, install the chlorinator cell into the pool plumbing after the filter. Finally, connect the chlorinator cell to the controller, and voila—you’re all set!
The advantages of a saltwater system
Saltwater pools are becoming increasingly popular across the globe, and for good reason. Here are the benefits of installing a saltwater system over the traditional chlorine pool:
Cleanliness and safety: Traditional swimming pools are full of tons of different chemicals that can have adverse health effects, especially if there’s an imbalance of the chemicals in the pool. You won’t get that with a saltwater pool, as it’s just salt keeping the water nice and clean.
Easier maintenance: A saltwater pool isn’t maintenance free. However, it typically doesn’t necessitate as much upkeep as a traditional swimming pool. Additionally, figuring out how much pool salt you need is a whole lot easier than balancing the chemicals needed for a chlorine pool.
Cost-effective option: Buying pool-grade salt from the hardware store is a whole lot less expensive than picking up all of the different chemicals needed for a traditional pool. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars throughout the year after making the initial investment for your new system.
Reasons to hire a professional
The answer to the question, “How easy is it to install a saltwater system in Los Angeles, CA?” is “fairly simple.” That said, we typically advise against DIY installation unless the homeowner is an electrician or a plumber. Here are the reasons hiring a professional is often a better choice than going it alone:
Guaranteed results: Installing a saltwater system by yourself has some inherent risks, like causing leaks or burning up the electrical components of your pool. That won’t be a problem if you hire a professional to do it for you! You’ll get a perfectly-working saltwater pool in a matter of hours.
Worry-free installation: If you’re not entirely confident in your electrical or plumbing skills, installing a saltwater system can be a bit nerve-racking. After all, one slip-up could result in a costly repair bill. Avoid any unnecessary worry by calling a professional to set up your saltwater system today.
Instead of focusing on “How easy is it to install a saltwater system in Los Angeles, CA?” just pick up the phone and give the experts at Avanti Pools, Inc. a call. Whether you’re looking to install a new pool or convert your chlorine pool to a saltwater one, we’re the team for the job!
When you’re looking for a pool contractor, there are a lot of factors you’ll want to consider. Price, budget, experience and reliability are all important to look for, as are valid contractor’s licenses and proof of insurance. Plus, you’ll need to research multiple contractors and compare bids. On top of all of that, you have to watch out for frontloading, which is an illegal practice in Los Angeles, CA.
What is frontloading?
Frontloading is the practice of taking either very large down payments or requiring payments for work that hasn’t been completed yet. While you should expect to make payments up front and as labor continues, paying for the work before it’s done could leave you in the lurch if your contractor abandons the project partway through construction.
You can spot frontloading easily when you interview multiple contractors and receive different bids. This should give you a baseline to compare what you might be charged and when—so if a contractor gives you a bid with an oddly large down payment or will require you to pay before the work is finished, you can decline the bid.
Many contractors will provide financing options. This not only helps assure you that illegal frontloading isn’t occurring, but the fact that they have relationships with banks is also a sign of a good reputation and longevity.
Other ways to ensure your pool contractor is reputable
When you interview contractors and receive bids, you’ll ask a lot of questions—and they should include asking about licenses, insurance and past work. Make sure that your contractor has a C-53 swimming pool construction license from the California State License Board, or is working with a reputable subcontractor who holds the license. In fact, if they’re working with subcontractors, you should research them as if they were the general contractor for your pool building project. They should have both liability and worker’s compensation insurance, which will protect them as well as you from liability should injury occur.
Checking a business’s reviews with the Better Business Bureau and other consumer review websites can be enlightening as well. If anyone has made complaints, you’ll be able to see if there’s a pattern or if it’s a one-time occurrence.
Finally, ask your pool contractor to put you in touch with former or current clients. Hearing about their experiences will give you a better idea of what to expect, and if their experience is one you’d like to repeat.
Avoid frontloading with a reputable pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA
Avanti Pools, Inc. is dedicated to designing and building stunning, luxurious pools and spas for our clients. Since 1999, we’ve been licensed by the California State License Board as certified pool contractors, and can tackle virtually any job or design idea you have in mind. When you’re ready to install your own backyard oasis, work with the contractors who can get it done right. Please reach out to us today to get started. We look forward to working with you soon!
Choosing the right Los Angeles contractor for your pool and spa construction requires more than just Googling “pool contractor” and picking the first one in your area. In fact, for maximum protection, as well as guaranteeing a certain level of skill, you’ll want to pick a fully licensed and insured contractor.
Who is licensed to build pools and spas in Los Angeles, CA?
If your pool or spa job will cost more than $500 (which is the majority of swimming-related construction projects), then your contractor needs to hold a license from the California State License Board. Specifically, they need a C-53 swimming pool contractor’s license. General building (“B”) and C-27 landscape contractors can also help build pools, if they hold a specialty pool license or work with a C-53 swimming pool subcontractor.
To earn this license, a contractor has to have four years of journeyman-level experience in the field, pass a written exam, post a license bond, pass a background check and provide proof of worker’s compensation insurance when applicable.
How to pick the right swimming pool contractor
Finding a swimming pool contractor doesn’t have to be a huge hassle, but it’s also important not to rush through the process. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Compare bids from multiple contractors: As we mentioned earlier, never go with the first contractor you find. You should research and compare bids from at least three different companies. This will allow you to find the best price—even if it’s not the lowest You may like one contractor’s work more than others, or prefer the payment plan or timeline of another.
Ask for proof of license and insurance: Your contractor should be able to provide their contractor’s license (with valid photo identification) as well as proof of worker’s compensation and liability insurance policies. This is important in order to not only rest assured that you’re dealing with a legitimate, professional company, but also to protect yourself if someone is injured on your property.
Get word of mouth testimonials: Asking your family and friends whom they’ve worked with for their pool, and what that experience was like, is generally a reliable source of information. You can also research reviews on sites like Google and Yelp to get a better idea of how other customers have liked their experience with the contractor.
Ask for a written proposal: Finally, make sure you get your bid and proposal in writing. While it’s not legally binding until the contract is signed, it’s important to be able to refer back to promises and guarantees they made when you’re reviewing the contract.
Picking the right pool contractor can be something of a research process, but you’ll be glad you took the time.
Ready to work with contractors who can build pools and spas in Los Angeles, CA? Avanti Pools, Inc. has been providing Los Angeles-area clients with the swimming pools and spas of their dreams since 1999. We are licensed by the California State License Board as well as the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. Our team can help you design and build pools and spas and provide accessories like automatic pool and spa covers, solar and more. Call us today to get started building the pool you’ve always wanted.
(818) 501-3759