Once you’ve made the decision that you’re going to build a pool on your property, how do you choose which contractor you’ll work with? Here are a few tips to help you make the decision about hiring a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA with confidence and get one step closer to being a new pool owner:
- Ask for referrals: If you have friends or family who have had pools installed at their homes, ask who they went with. The people you know will never want to mislead you as you search for a contractor, so their referral will mean a lot in helping you choose which pool contractor you’ll hire.
- Browse online reviews: If you don’t have anyone who can directly refer you to some contractors, you should do a quick search online and see what comes up for pool contractors in your area. Review their websites and try to find pictures of their work to check and see if they build designs that appeal to you. In addition, you should look for reviews on sites like Google, Angie’s List and Yelp to make sure customers have been satisfied with the work they’ve had done.
- Look for certifications: Any contractor you work with should have a certified pool builder on staff. This is a designation that can only be awarded to individuals, not companies, but having these people on staff shows the company cares about hiring workers who have gone through extensive training and testing for pool building. The builder should also be covered with liability and worker’s comp insurance and have a state contractor’s license.
- Get quotes and promises in writing: Chances are you’re going to talk to quite a few salespeople while searching for your ideal contractor, so you should make sure to get any quotes, promises or claims that would affect the purchase, building or warranty of that pool in writing. Any reasonable builder should be more than okay with backing up the claims they make.
- Don’t rush: While you might want to get your pool installed as soon as possible to start enjoying it, this isn’t a process you should rush into. Take your time comparing contractors to make sure you’re getting the best company for the job.
- Pay attention to personality: Some elements of your decision will have to be based on your gut feeling. Does your builder give you good or bad vibes? Do they treat you fairly? Do they listen to your concerns and ideas, and understand the dream you have for your pool and property? Pay attention to the kind of feeling you get in speaking to the contractor. If you don’t think you’ll have a good relationship, it might not be worth forcing it.
- Price: Finally, any contractor you hire should be able to get the job done within your price range, or very close to it. You shouldn’t have to completely blow up your budget—if a contractor is going to cost you far too much money, there will be other choices.
For more tips about hiring a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA, contact Avanti Pools, Inc. today.
As you begin planning out the installation of a pool at your home, you need to spend some time thinking about exactly where on your property it will sit, and how you want to have it laid out. Depending on the size and shape of your property, this may or may not be a relatively easy task.
So as you start to plan out your pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, consider these factors to help you pick the best location:
- Plumbing: You need to be able to plumb your pool relatively easily. This means that, depending on what pieces of plumbing infrastructure you already have in place, some locations might be more convenient than others, and some might be altogether impossible.
- Septic tanks: The backyard is the most common area for people to place their pools, but it’s also a common location for septic tanks if you are not on a municipal grid. Keep in mind that you cannot place your pool within a certain distance of septic tanks, so you should know exactly where your septic tank is located and where the flow-off area is. This will prevent you from damaging your septic system and also keep you from regularly contaminating your pool water.
- Space: Do you really have space to put a pool in your desired area? Will it require you to come up with some creative layouts? Make sure you have the room in a specific area on your property to actually install the pool properly.
- Views: You should consider both the view from your home and the view from your pool. Your pool can make a nice addition to the landscaping, so if you’re looking to improve the view from inside your home you should make sure your pool is visible from it. In addition, the view from your pool itself can make using the pool more relaxing, luxurious and enjoyable. All pools benefit, for example, when exposed to as much sunlight as possible. And if there’s a particularly beautiful area on your property, you can spend more time there by placing a pool in that spot.
- Trees: The presence of trees will also play a role in where you place your pool, as you should generally try to keep your pool away from trees. The biggest reason for this, beyond wanting to maximize your exposure to sunlight, is that trees can shed leaves, branches and other debris that will pollute your pool and potentially clog up your pool lines.
- Permanence: Your pool location is going to be permanent, which means you need to be pleased with where it’s located. You won’t be able to move the pool without having to redo the entire costly, inconvenient installation and construction process. Therefore, do not rush through this decision making process. Spend some time carefully considering your property and where the best places to put a pool are before making your final decision.
For more information about choosing a spot for pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, contact Avanti Pools, Inc. today.
The weather is warming up, and that means swimming pool season is nearly here! To be ready for the first hot day, plan on prepping your pool early to ensure the water is safe and clean, your pool equipment is working correctly and the area surrounding your pool is safe.
Here are five tips from expert pool contractors in Los Angeles, CA for getting your swimming pool ready to use this summer:
- Leave the pool cover on: Basic swimming pool maintenance should be done early in the season, but leave the cover on while you’re doing it. This is especially important when trees and hedges nearby or hanging over the pool need trimming—the cover will keep cut plant debris from falling in the water. Also, remember to hose off all debris and pump away any water from the surface of the cover before removing it. Sweep away dry debris and clean the cover before putting it into storage for the summer.
- Don’t drain the pool: Draining your pool is more likely to cause problems than solve them. The liner in a vinyl-lined pool can dry out and shrink, resulting in the need for a new liner. Fiberglass pools may pop right out of the ground without water to weigh them down, and gunite pools might crack when all the water is drained out.
- Clear water still needs testing: While your pool water may look clear, that doesn’t automatically mean it’s clean or safe to swim in. Before you dive in for the first time this summer, make sure you test the water to be sure the pool chemicals are in balance—and salt water systems need the salt cell checked for cleanliness. Do it yourself or hire a professional to come check the pool’s pH, mineral content, alkalinity and chlorine level for proper balance. Correct any imbalance as soon as possible.
- Perform a complete pool water check: It’s easy enough for homeowners to test their own pool water, but you can also hire a swimming pool maintenance professional if you want to. Simply collect a water sample and take it to a local pool store, provided they have a water testing system. This test can tell you exactly how much of what chemicals you need to add to your pool water.
- Check all pool equipment: Finally, you need to make sure that all your essential pool equipment is working properly. Remove any plugs, and check the pump and filter for damage, like a pump leak. Repair damaged pumps sooner rather than later to keep the problem from spreading and avoid high replacement costs. Other things to check on your pool are the returns, ladders, skimmers, siding and concrete or other surfaces around the pool.
No matter what your pool tests reveal, always shock it at the start of a new season to get rid of algae and bacteria. Call Avanti Pools, Inc. today to speak with one of our professional pool contractors in Los Angeles, CA!
The preparation phase is the most important part of building a swimming pool, which includes working together with a pool designer, builder and contractor to help you decide on the overall look of your pool. But while you’ll have a swimming pool builder by your side to walk you through the design process, it’s can be very helpful to have a general idea of what you want going into the project.
The following are four good questions to ask yourself before diving feet-first into plans for new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA.
Why do you want a swimming pool?
One backyard swimming pool design may work for one person but not another. For instance, a swimming pool designed for exercising will look very different from a pool meant primarily for backyard entertainment. Or, if your goal is to have a pool to float around in to relax while enjoying your beautiful garden, you will want a personalized design. Looking for a design to accommodate water therapy? Consider a combination swimming pool and spa!
Who will be using the pool?
Here’s the thing—a pool designed to provide a romantic time for a couple is going to look quite different from a pool designed for a family with children. Homeowners who entertain guests often, but also want a pool that caters to them on all other days, should consider a pool design that is able to accommodate swimmers of all ages. For example, there may be a shallow area for small children, railings for the physically challenged, underwater speakers for general entertainment, underwater lights for night swimmers and a pool deck big enough for folks who want to lay out and tan.
Can your backyard accommodate a pool?
One of the first things you should do before drawing out a pool design or putting down a down payment on pool construction services is perform a soil test. This tells you if the area is suitable and safe for pool construction. Factors like sandy, rocky or expansive soil will stand out to pool builders, as these present serious building concerns, and a high water table can greatly increase construction costs. Additionally, your proposed site may be inaccessible to the heavy machinery needed to dig the hole for the pool.
Where do you want to install the pool?
First and foremost, contact your county or city and ask about pool building ordinances in your area—they can tell you all you need to know about the zoning and building laws that apply to your property. Out of concern for water runoff, there could be restrictions on how much of your yard can be covered in a material like decking and pools, as well as the direction it slopes. Local underground gas, electric, cable, sewer, telephone and water lines could also influence your pool’s location. You might also be required to install a fence around your pool.
Contact the team at Avanti Pools, Inc. for more information about new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, or to schedule a consultation.
(818) 501-3759