Conference 7.286::home_work

            <<< JOET::DUA1:[000000.NOTES$LIBRARY]HOME_WORK.NOTE;1 >>>
                         -< Better living through DIY >-
================================================================================
Note 1205.2            Installing an inground Gunite Pool                 2 of 9
AKOV01::BRAGDON                                       7 lines  18-JUN-1987 07:15
                        -< Pool contractor reference. >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If you are still talking with pool contractors...
    
    You might want to get an estimate from Jim Ivas, at
    Fiber Pools of New England, 471-0091.  His work is
    of high quality, but his prices are low.
    
    - Dave

    
    
    		Spa King in Auburn Ma gets my vote for a class act.
    I have been dealing with a number of dealers/contractors over the
    past few months and none of them compare to  Ross or Ralph the owners
    of Spa King. They only sell you what you want/need. When they make
    a commitment they stand behind it or they will compinsate you in
    some way. Their prices are very competative. My recommendation is
    shop around before and learn what you want and the prices you will
    have to pay. Bring that to them and they will beat it. It has been
    a pleasure dealing with them. Their phone number is 1-800-662-SPAS.
    If you need more specifics please write me or call 291-7069. I have
    no financial interest in their business. I only want to pass along
    a recommendation for dealer that is honorable.
    
    Chuck

    Can anyone recommend someone who installs above ground pools at a
    reasonable cost?  I'mq goint to be purchasing an above ground pool
    within the week and am trying to see if anyone out there installs them.
    
    thanks....

Attached are 2 documents which we used in choosing a pool company
to install our inground pool.   

The first is a lengthy list of options and questions about the pool 
contractor, subcontractors, prices, and the materials used in the pool.  
We used this form as a guide when interviewing each of the pool companies.
Later we used the detail from this form to assemble a matrix and 
compare prices.  We found many differences from one pool company to 
the next.  

We then took the top 3 pool companies, and contacted their references.
The second document is a questionairre that I put together to mail out
to references for each of the 3 pool companies we had narrowed
our selection to.  We chose to contact 12 references from each of the 3
pool companies.  With each questionairre, we included a self addressed,
stamped, business size envelope, to make it as easy as possible for the
references to get back to us.  Approximately 80% of the people did reply.
Some preferred to contact us by phone.

Once we received a reply from a reference, we made a point to send them
a postcard to thank them.  (You can purchase stamped postcards at the
post office for 19 cents each).  The information we received from the
references was a great help in making our decision.

Feel free to use these forms in your search for a pool contractor.

Michalene Kosinski

Form for interviewing pool contractors:


Size and shape of pool

brand of pool

Cost for deck installation - names of masons to contact

Cost for fence installation - names of fence companies to contact

Concrete Base size

Vermiculite thickness

maintenance/vaccuum equipment
	leaf vaccuum
	poles 
	brushes
	nets

workmanship guarantee - how many years?

who is the excavation contractor?

proof of insurance of all contractors/subcontractors?

Contractor's standing with better business bureau?

Does the contractor use wall foam?	

Custom fit liner or parachute liner?

what type of walls & how are they supported/connected?
	steel
	concrete
	gunite
	plastic

type of coping?

automatic chlorinator?

how long does the installation take?

how long has the contractor been in business?

how long have the contractors employees been installing pools?

how long has the contractor been installing this particular brand of pool?

what is covered under warrantees, and are they transferable?  number of years?
What are the limitations on the warantees?

	liner
	heater
	stairs
	plumbing
	pump
	filter
	auto chlorinator
	automatic timer
	
stairs - what are they made of?
	How are they supported?
	Do they have jets in the stairs?

heater type/size/cost?

plumbing type - flexible or PVC - is it encased in cement?

Does it have a center drain?

does it have an over flow grate?		

diving board type?	

rope and floats - are they included in price 	

test kit - is it included	
		
number of skimmers	

pump size/cost

optional extra stair rail cost

are stair rails and ladders mounted in cement?

stump removal cost - if you have trees in the area the pool will be located

cost for extra fill if needed

what type of walkway will there be once pool is installed?

pool permit - who obtains and cost - some towns do one permit for all

gas line permit	if using a gas heater - who obtains and cost

electrical permit - names of electricians - costs for electrical for
the pool and from the house or garage to the pool area.

temporary fence	- how long can you use it and cost

deck supports if you put a patio on the first year they are needed - cost

gas/oil/propane/solar heater price

heater installation/plumbing

names of plumbers to do gas piping if using a gas heater 

light with color kit - cost	

light installation - cost and name of electrician

solar cover cost

winter cover cost

extra ladder cost

pool opening cost

pool closing cost

automatic pump timer cost

sales tax

Reference list

total cost

deposit and terms for payment

We are having the excavator dig a trench from our house to the pool area.
We are having the gas for the heater, and electrical service run through 
this trench to the pool area.  We are debating running water in a hose,
which is inside of a pipe, in this trench as well.  If you run gas in the
trench, we are told it must be at least 18" deep, for water it must be
about 4 feet deep to prevent freezing.



This is the questionairre that we sent to the various references for each
of the top three pool companies we selected.  Be sure to include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope with each one you send out.

						<Date>
						<Return Address>
						<Your phone number>
To:  <Pool Reference Name and address>




Subject:  <Pool Company Name>

We are considering having a pool installed at our home and 
received your name as a reference from <Pool Company Name>. 

Since an inground pool represents a substantial investment, we are 
comparing the products and prices from different Pool companies, and 
checking references for each.  

We really appreciate your taking a few minutes to tell us how you feel
about your pool, and about your dealings with <Pool Company Name>.
Your comments will be kept strictly confidential.

We've included a series of questions and a self-addressed, stamped
envelope for you.  We've never had an inground pool before,
so any information you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
<Your Names>


Could you tell us how you feel about:

1.  <Pool Company Name>'s workmanship



 

2.  The quality of the pool itself





3.  Did <Pool Company Name> start the installation on time?




4.  How long did it take them to complete the work?


5.  When did <Pool Company Name> install your pool?




6.  If you've had problems since your pool was installed, did 
    <Pool Company Name> respond to your call(s) in a reasonable 
    amount of time?
    

    And did they fix the problem(s) to your satisfaction?



7.  Do you have them maintain the pool for you?






8.  Did you run into any problems in doing business with <Pool Company 
    Name>?





9.  Were there any extra charges?  If so, were you informed of them
    them in advance, and were they discussed ahead of time?




10. If you were to install another pool, are there features that 
    you would not get again, or options that you would definately
    require in your next pool?






11. If you were to install a pool again, would you hire <Pool Company Name>
    to do the work?




Thanks again for any information you can provide.
<Your name>



    Hi,
    I am in the process of having an in-ground pool installed at my house
    in Sterling Ma. (Central Ma. area) It is going to be a 20x40, with a 
    liner. Currently I am considering using one of the two following 
    companies do the installation:
    
    Surfside Pools (in West Boylston Ma.)
    Snyder Pools   (in Westminster Ma.)
    
    I am looking at making a decision on a pool company with-in the next
    week or so. Does anyone out there have any experience, pro or con on
    either one of these two companies? Is there any other companies that
    you have had great experience with over the last year or so that you
    would recommend from the central Ma. area.
    
    Please feel free to send me mail off line at BUSY::LENT, if you choose
    rather than comment here in the notes file. Either way I would really
    appreciate your feedback.
    
    Thank you in advance for your help.
    
    Bob
    
                             

   >Surfside Pools (in West Boylston Ma.)
    i'd stay away from... not impressed with them at all.
    example.
    i had them show up two years in a row to blow out my lines for winter.
    they show up with a large compresser on the rear of the truck, but they
    have to use a garden hose to get it to my pipes, and THEN have to
    bend the hose to stop the flow of air between pluging the line with
    a plug, and going to the next. you should have seen the dirt fly when
    he let go of the hose by mistake...

    i said, ok, cant happen two years in a row. yep, sure did, same
    clowns doing the job too. i also gave them a call when i was
    interested in some concrete work. un-impressed with their
    sales person skills,,, in his fancy catty...

    >Snyder Pools   (in Westminster Ma.)
    dont know about them..

    I personally like the people of R & R pool in acton. very professional,
    nice and pleasant to work with. i dont know if they do liner type pools
    or not. i think maybe just gunite... give them a call tho...

    good luck,

    jim

    >Snyder Pools   (in Westminster Ma.)
    
    We bought a replacement liner for our in-ground pool (in Sterling also)
    from them last year.  Except for the price, which they didn't have much
    control over since they're made by a company in New Hampshire, it was a
    good experience.  Mr. Snyder even stopped by to help when I had some
    trouble installing it even though I wasn't paying them to install it. 
    They've been in business for many years and have a good reputation. 
    
    They're not that hard to install yourself -- all you need are friends,
    pizza, beer, and a couple of Shop-Vacs.
    
    Jamie

    We bought an inground pool from Surfside in Oct 94.  We've been very 
    happy with them.  The pool has been great, and they've been quick to
    respond to service calls.  I agree with .-2 about the sales person
    skills - not the best, and their concrete guy was the worst (we had
    someone else do the pool deck).  But the pool itself has been great
    so far.
    
    We looked into Snyder too, but IMO he is overpriced.  Also, friends
    had a 20x40 liner installed by Snyder last fall.  Over the winter it
    fell in the pool, and is a mess, and Snyder is NOT standing behind
    their work.  FWIW.
    
    -Lynne
    

    this is the closest i could find -  at this time I CANNOT recommend
    either Bruce Piermarini or Teradex co. for their concrete pool deck
    work. you can contact me off-line if you're looking for details..../k

	Anyone willing to share any recent estimates for inground pool
installations? My very limited understanding is that several "types" are
available, gunite, concrete, liner, one-piece plastic/fiberglas? Any pros/
cons to these different types?

thanks,

Rick