Are you thinking about building a new pool in your backyard, or resurfacing the one you already have? Deciding on a surface material is an important part of your pool construction. Whether you pick plaster or Pebble Tec in Los Angeles, CA, knowing what each material has to offer is key. Your choice will affect durability, cost and maintenance. Read on to learn more about plaster and Pebble Tec so you can make an informed decision.
Plaster
Plaster has been the most common type of pool interior since the 1960s. As long as you keep it properly maintained, it’s durable, long lasting and attractive. Plaster can be standard white, which gives your pool an attractive aqua color, or you can choose colored plaster for a custom look. Plaster interiors last about 10 years when well maintained, and it’s a much more economical choice for most families.
However, plaster has some drawbacks, too. It requires more maintenance than Pebble Tec, and is particularly susceptible to stains or discoloration. Plaster can harbor bacteria if it’s not properly cared for, and you may notice cracks and crumbling. You’ll need to use more chemicals with a plaster surface than you might with a Pebble Tec surface.
Ultimately, if you don’t mind a little extra maintenance and chemicals, plaster is a solid choice that should provide you with years of enjoyment before it needs to be resurfaced.
Pebble Tec
Pebble Tec interiors are an upgrade from plaster. Small pebbles are aggregated with cement to form a beautiful, durable surface that looks like the bottom of a riverbed. It comes in different styles and colors, ranging from tan to blue-green, so you can get a custom finish for your pool.
Pebble Tec is much longer lasting than plaster, when well maintained. Since the surface is slightly uneven, the pebbles hide chemical residue and discoloration much better than plaster can. This surfacing material has been gaining popularity over the last 20 years for that very reason.
There are a few drawbacks, however. Pebble Tec is more expensive than plaster, so if you’re simply looking for a cosmetic upgrade, you might want to opt for custom plaster. Furthermore, since it’s made with pebbles, it’s rougher on your feet than traditional plaster. However, there are some finishes that use smaller pebbles, which provide a smoother surface.
If you want to cut down on your maintenance and pool chemicals for a more attractive, long lasting and durable pool interior, Pebble Tec is the way to go. While it costs more, you’ll save time on maintenance and money on pool chemicals.
Not sure which finish is right for your backyard pool? Talk to the experts at Avanti Pools, Inc. about your choices. We can help you compare costs, maintenance and longevity so you can make an informed decision. Avanti Pools, Inc. has been creating, resurfacing and helping maintain and redesign pools since 1999. Give us a call today to learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of choosing plaster vs. Pebble Tec in Los Angeles, CA.
If you’ve started to look into adding a pool to your property, then you’ve likely been in touch with several contractors searching out estimates for the cost of installation. You’ve given them all the same general idea of what you’re looking for, but all of them come back with wildly different numbers. How does this happen, and why?
Pool construction cost estimates vary so much in Los Angeles, CA for several different reasons, and it’s important to understand them before choosing a contractor. Going into any process like this with a thorough understanding of where the numbers come from will always help you make a better decision.
Lower isn’t always better
When you’re looking at contractors, the temptation can be to jump on the lowest bid. After all, since you gave them all the same job requirements, they’ll all approach them the same way, right?
Unfortunately, this is not how construction works. Firms use different estimating methods, different qualities of materials and different types of labor. All of these can greatly impact an estimated cost. Plus, if you get a bid that’s significantly lower than all the others, that could indicate you’re working with a firm that comes in artificially low but then has “cost overruns” over the course of the project that cause the price tag to balloon.
Differences in quality matter
As mentioned above, different contractors use different types of materials, which helps explain why pool construction cost estimates vary so much in Los Angeles, CA. The concrete that’s poured, for example, can differ greatly in quality, setting time and durability. Different companies might also use different brands for the lights under the water, which can come with drastically different price tags attached. It’s best to ask your contractor as many questions as you can during the estimating phase to be sure you understand where their numbers are coming from.
How you can verify costs
To make sure you’re receiving fair prices on pool quotes, it can be a good idea to ask the different contractors for references. Any contractor that hesitates or refuses to do this is probably one that you can easily cross off of your list. Additionally, speaking to references can give you a much better idea of the quality and durability of their workmanship. If a more expensive bid produced exemplary work that former clients are thrilled with, then it could still make an awful lot of sense to go with a firm whose work you know will please you.
Pool construction costs vary so much in Los Angeles, CA because pool contractors and their quality of work vary just as greatly. Building a new pool is a sizable endeavor, so you’ll be well-served by doing it right the first time. Take the time to speak with all of the different contractors and make sure you get a better idea of their process and their past work. The team at Avanti Pools, Inc. would be happy to discuss all of this info with you—give us a call today!
If you just spent more time at home this summer than you originally expected, we can’t blame you for starting to explore the possibility of installing a pool. Having a pool in the backyard can really make summer afternoons and evenings a joy with the entire family, but a lot of people aren’t sure where to start. There are so many options out there, including entirely custom construction—how can you begin to choose?
Fortunately, a custom pool in Los Angeles, CA doesn’t have to cost as much as you might imagine. We have a variety of options for customers at all different price points, so read on for how we determine the cost of a custom job.
Average costs by materials
As a rough rule of thumb, you can estimate that a custom in-ground pool is going to cost you around $50 per square foot—this is operating on the assumption that you’re using materials like concrete or gunite. These pools can be made in any style, size or shape that you like, but they can get pricy with the more bells and whistles you add.
However, prices can quickly drop even further if you start exploring different construction materials. If you opt for a more conventionally-shaped pool in a material like fiberglass, you could be looking at more like $15,000 to $25,000. If you choose to go with a vinyl-lined option, it might cost as little as $1,500 to $5,000.
Layout changes
Working to plan a custom pool means making a number of choices about what it will look like. You have complete control over variables like its depth, its lighting, its coping (the concrete around the edges) and of course its size. In many cases, you can pick some upgrades that will fit what you’re looking for in a pool.
For example, we can upgrade the traditional incandescent lights to versatile and eco-friendly LED ones. All of these factors can change how much a custom pool costs in Los Angeles, CA, and our team can explain to you exactly how they can fit into your budget.
Add-on options
Another factor that changes how much a custom pool costs in Los Angeles, CA is the myriad of options you can add to the pool and its surroundings. Adding something splashy like a water feature can really make your pool a conversation piece, but you should be prepared to pay a bit more for it. We also frequently install spas for our clients to complement their pools, and realistic rocks installed around the sides of the pool can give it a naturalistic look that many people find very appealing. If you have children, you might also want to consider adding a larger diving board or a water slide—these will ensure hours of family summer fun.
Installing a custom pool doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition. Our team at Avanti Pools, Inc. can craft a plan that will fit any family’s vision and budget, and we’ve found that customers can traditionally afford more options than they might have expected. Don’t hesitate—give us a call today, and let’s get started on turning your backyard into a swimming and splashing paradise!
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.
So, you’re finally ready for that pool you have always wanted. You’ve chosen a prime spot and looked at your design options, and now all you need to do is hire a builder to complete your dream pool project. Right?
Not quite. It’s important to note that knowing you want to install a swimming pool in your backyard is just one step of the whole process. In addition to this, and creating a budget, you also need to pick a construction start date. Considering your schedule is one thing, but there are some uncontrollable conditions that can get in the way of your pool being built within your desired timeframe—namely, the weather and pool contractors’ busy schedules during the most popular months.
Before deciding to move forward with in-ground pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, you should know the pros and cons associated with installation during each season. Read on to find out what time of year is likely to be best for you.
Winter
Installing a swimming pool during the winter months may yield discounts and good deals not usually offered during other times of the year. This is great for homeowners on a budget, or for anyone who wants to save a chunk of change on pool installation services. On the downside, wintertime around the new year is when pool manufacturers tend to increase their prices. Contact a pool builder before January to take advantage of sale prices and avoid delays caused by winter storms.
Spring
Of all the seasons, spring is the most popular time of the year to build an in-ground swimming pool. Many homeowners see spring as the ideal time since hot summer days are only weeks away. By the same token, the popularity of residential springtime pool installations keeps pool builders’ service calendars packed. Another downside of springtime pool construction is April showers softening the soil and flooding the ground. This can result in installation delays and having to wait longer to enjoy your pool.
Summer
Summer is the busiest season for swimming pool designers and installers. If you are absolutely sure that summer is when you want to build your pool, then schedule the job early for a midsummer completion date, or later in the summer when builders’ schedules begin opening up. Keep in mind that because building a pool takes time, a late summertime pool project means you will probably have to wait until the next year before you get to enjoy it.
Fall
A majority of the country encounters stable weather and drier conditions during the fall months, and these the ideal conditions for pool building. Drier ground allows for a faster, easier installation process. However, unless the weather is projected to turn, there’s no real rush to install your new pool, because you won’t get the chance to enjoy it until warmer weather arrives.
Within certain parameters, swimming pools can be installed during any season. For more information about custom in-ground pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, look no further than Avanti Pools, Inc. Call us today with questions or to schedule installation!
(818) 501-3759