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!
A pool party is the perfect solution when you’re in the mood for some outdoor entertaining. The kids can splash around in the pool, while adults unwind with an icy drink on the deck. Best of all, everyone’s out of the house, which means very little pre-party cleaning! Just fire up the grill and throw on some music for a memorable celebration. The key to throwing a great pool party is having the right pool features. Elements like a swim-up bar and LED lights can help create an unforgettable event. Here are some more suggestions from a custom pool builder in Los Angeles, CA:
Abundant seating: A great party pool will have more than enough space both in and out of the pool for everyone to have a seat and enjoy a drink or chow down on some burgers fresh off the grill. Consider a large shelf step or wraparound seating in the water. Don’t forget to include ample deck space for chairs and tables outside of the pool!
Swim-up bar: Nothing says “pool party” like a swim-up bar. This addition will make your backyard seem like it is fit for a resort. Plus, a swim-up bar will save room for circulation and seating by linking the cook center to the pool. Everything is conveniently stored on the dry side of the bar.
Tanning ledge: The tanning ledge shelf is one of the trendiest pool features, and for good reason. This resort-inspired addition allows guests to enjoy the water without getting their hair wet. Place an umbrella or a few lounge chairs on the ledge so guests can relax in the water and soak up the sun.
Grotto: These elaborate water features add a more natural feel to the pool that will leave swimmers feeling like they are on an island. Grottos can be constructed out of natural or manmade materials to achieve the desired look. Your custom pool builder in Los Angeles, CA can help you identify the best design for your pool.
LED lights: Keep the party going after dark with LED pool lights! LED lights are placed in the wall of the pool to provide ample illumination once the sun goes down. They also add an impactful design element. Consider color-changing lights to set the vibe of your outdoor getaway.
Solar heating: The parties can go on all year long with the addition of solar heating. This upgrade harnesses California’s year-round sun to heat the pool to a comfortable temperature during the months when the water would usually be too cool to swim.
Hot tub: The hot tub is another favorite that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Your guests will love to relax and unwind in the heat and soothing bubbles, regardless of whether it’s June or December.
Create the perfect pool with the help of a custom pool builder in Los Angeles, CA. Avanti Pools, Inc. has been creating premier custom designed pools and spas for more than two decades. Our team will help you achieve the pool of your dreams, from the design stage all the way through construction. Call us today to learn more!
Pools are all about the sunshine. Think about the hours spent tanning on a lounge chair next to the pool or splashing around in the warm water. Pools are a hallmark of the sunny summer months. But too much sun can be a bad thing. Prolonged exposure can leave the water feeling more like a Jacuzzi than a pool, and the harsh rays of the sun could cause a sunburn, which increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Because of this, many pool owners are working with custom pool builders in Los Angeles, CA to identify shade solutions for both in and around the water.
Luckily, today’s shade structures can provide some much-needed relief without sacrificing the ambience and style of the pool. Some permanent structures can even help increase your property value. Consider these six shade options:
Smart placement: Strategically placing the pool in the shade is both smart and cost efficient. Pay attention to where the sun lands throughout the day in the planned pool spot. This will help you determine which areas get the most sun and the spots that might get too much shade. Remember that the angle of the sun will change throughout the year.
Umbrella: There’s a reason the classic umbrella has been a poolside staple for decades. Umbrellas are a great option for those who want an easily movable and flexible solution, as they can be moved throughout the day as needed. Unfortunately, many people shy away from this classic as they tend to be unattractive when closed.
Shade trees: Trees can add shade, privacy and ambience to a backyard pool. The only downside is that it can take years for a shade tree to grow to full size, and it will likely drop leaves into the pool. Consult your custom pool builder in Los Angeles, CA and a landscaping expert to make sure the roots will not spread and threaten the structural integrity of the pool.
Pergolas: Create shade and ambience with a pergola. The structure controls the amount of light over the part of the pool it covers. Adding a pergola can also enhance the overall appearance of a backyard, and may even boost your property value.
Shade sails: Shade sails have surged in popularity recently due to their modern appearance and effectiveness. The shades cane be placed in a variety of different angles to create a unique upscale aesthetic reminiscent of a swanky resort pool. Use one or two shades to cover a small area, or opt for several shades over the entire length of the pool.
Retractable canopies: A retractable canopy is the most effective and comprehensive shade option available. The canopy runs across the pool along beams placed between a series of supports. The canopy can retract or expand with the simple press of a button. This option can be a bit pricy, but it will have a high return when it’s time to sell the home.
A custom pool builder in Los Angeles, CA can help determine the best shade option when creating your new pool. Call Avanti Pools, Inc. today to learn more!
These days, you have a seemingly endless supply of options when it comes to building pools and spas. You can make custom choices about the construction of your pool, down to the very last detail. This gives you a lot of latitude to select options that meet your specific preferences and needs. Many people are choosing to forgo the old-fashioned incandescent flood lamp lighting in favor of modern LED lighting. LED lights offer superior lighting and are far more efficient than traditional pool lighting. You can enjoy several great benefits when you make the switch from traditional pool lighting to LED lights with help from a pool builder in Los Angeles, CA:
Savings: Everyone likes saving money, and switching to LED lighting allows you to do just that. It costs about a dollar a day to run traditional incandescent pool bulbs, compared with just about 10 cents a day to run an LED bulb. Over the course of a year, switching to LED lights may save you hundreds of dollars. Although it’s true that LED lights are more expensive up front than incandescent bulbs, the average pool owner makes up the difference in energy savings in just a year and a half.
Energy efficiency: Because LED bulbs operate with a significantly lower wattage than incandescent bulbs, they use less energy. If you are making a conscious effort to curb your energy consumption in the interest of eco-friendliness, making the switch to LED lighting is a no-brainer. Another benefit of increasing the energy efficiency of your pool is that it may be more appealing to potential buyers, should you choose to sell your home. Many homebuyers look for green features and appliances when they consider purchasing a given home.
Appearance: LED lights give pool owners the opportunity to completely change the appearance of their pool with the touch of a button. You can purchase LED lights that rotate through a rainbow of colors or select one color at a time depending on the mood you want to convey. LEDs also have less glare than incandescent lights, which produces much softer and more consistent lighting.
Longevity: When compared with traditional incandescent bulbs, LEDs have exceptional longevity. LED bulbs can last upwards of 30,000 hours, while incandescent bulbs only last about 5,000 hours. This means that you won’t have to replace LED lights as frequently, which saves you lots of money on bulb replacement over time.
At Avanti Pools, Inc., we understand how important it is to utilize new technology that offers superior function, efficiency and aesthetics, and we love helping our customers realize all of the benefits of LED lighting. We have nearly two decades of experience as a pool builder in Los Angeles, CA, and we are equipped to handle even the most challenging projects. Whether you want to have a brand-new pool built for your home or you want to make improvements to your existing pool, we would be happy to help. Give us a call to schedule a consultation.
Renewable energy is something that’s becoming easier and easier for homeowners to integrate into their daily lives. Whether it’s using a solar charger for their smartphone or driving an electric vehicle, the technology powering consumer renewable energy products is only getting better.
If you’re a pool owner or are speaking with a pool builder in Los Angeles, CA about installing a pool on your property, there’s yet another renewable energy opportunity you can take advantage of: solar heating for pools. With the power of the sun and some new-age technology, you can heat your pool without skyrocketing your energy bills. But that’s not the only reason to choose solar heating for your pool—take a look at five great advantages you’ll discover once you hop on the solar energy bandwagon:
Lower cost: Instead of using electrical energy to heat your pool, you’ll be relying on the warming power of the sun—which can actually provide the same level of heat at a fraction of the cost! In many systems, the only cost you’ll pay is for the initial setup of the equipment; energy generation is generally close to free.
Better investment: Alongside cost, it’s also important to think about lifetime value. Properly maintained, a pool will last you close to a lifetime with resurfacing and treatment. Think about all of the energy consumed over time to heat your pool and the cost that might come with it at the hand of an electric heater. Solar allows you to satisfy your demand for heat, without drawing out all of the cost, making it a better long-term investment for your pool and your pocketbook.
Heat on demand: Modern solar technology is great because it can bank energy. This means you can heat your pool on a cloudy day, even if there’s not a great amount of sunshine. UV rays are also present on a cloudy day! And, if your system banks energy, even when UV light is mitigated, it’ll be able to draw from its stored supply of energy without incurring huge costs.
Environmentally friendly: If you’re interested in green energy, there’s a good chance it’s because you care about the environment. For environmental friendliness, there’s nothing better than solar power! Because you’re not using energy from the grid, you’ll be directly responsible for lower energy demand, which means doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint.
Quiet operation: Electric pool heaters can be loud! Imagine trying to lounge in your pool while there’s a steady hum or buzz of an electric heater in the background. It can be enough to ruin the mood. Solar panel heaters are the opposite—they’re silent! It may be a simple benefit to choosing green energy, but it’s one you’re sure to appreciate in the long run.
Talk to your pool builder in Los Angeles, CA about installing a solar heater and start reaping the advantages listed above. You’ll get the heated pool you demand, along with better cost effectiveness, quiet operation and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re making an environmentally-friendly choice.
