Congratulations!
You’ve decided to have a pool built at home. What can we say, getting a pool for your home is certainly a wonderful decision – after all, once your pool is built, you can look forward to many years of enjoyment with your family.
Now, the next thing you need to do is find the best pool company to work within the Newcastle area. But, before that, let’s get you excited and explore the other benefits of having a swimming pool at home.
Benefits of an at-home pool
Having your own pool at home is a great thing for the following reasons:
Get easy access to a low-impact exercise facility
Having your own pool means you can swim at your convenience, any time of the day, and any day of the week. Compared to running, jogging and biking, swimming is a great way to stay fit without overly taxing the body. If you have kids and elderly folks in the family, they can certainly benefit from this form of exercise, too.
Have your own venue for water therapy
If you have bone or muscle conditions which require water or aqua therapy, having your own pool affords you the privacy to have those sessions with a trained healthcare provider.
Improve your cardiovascular health minus the strain
It doesn’t matter how hard or easy you make your swimming sessions, but swimming a few laps can greatly benefit your heart. If you’re not so fond of running or are feeling lazy some days, you can easily swap running for swimming. With the latter, you get a full-body workout without the need to leave your home, and with less physical strain.
Build strength and stamina
If you want to build and tone your muscles as well as your physical stamina, again, you can simply go swimming. There’s really no need to go to the gym to get these benefits. Swimming works both your primary and secondary muscle groups so you get all the physical and health benefits of weightlifting without the need to leave your home, and carry heavyweights.
Relax and relieve stress
Probably one of the biggest benefits of swimming, having a pool at home affords you the luxury de-stressing at the end of a, particularly rough day. All you need to do is to dive in and start swimming. Sometimes, simply allowing yourself to float around is enough to release the stress and tension you may be carrying. So when you leave the pool, you can expect yourself to feel physically rested and mentally refreshed.
Gain free access to year-round fun and recreation
Even as the season starts to turn cold after summer, all you need to do is to get a heat pump installed to extend your pool-going activities well into the cooler months. This can be a difference of six more months of pool enjoyment and fun for you and your family.
Take advantage of other health benefits
Warmth is naturally soothing to the body. So with a heated pool or a spa attached to your pool, you can simply take an hour-long soak and feel the difference. Hot water provides anti-inflammatory benefits and is soothing for the bones and muscles.
Cool off and avoid the heat during summer
Instead of staying inside cooped up all day doing nothing but scrolling through social media or watching streaming reruns, or films you’ve already seen, why not go outside and hop into your pool?
Entertain yourselves and hold pool parties
Bond with your kids and the rest of your family, or invite friends over for the ultimate in fun. Instead of having to rent a place and go out to have pool parties, you can easily set one up at home. It’s safer for the kids, and more convenient for everybody else, too.
We’re sure you can think of other ways in which having a pool can benefit you and your family. The ones listed above are just a few of those advantages. Now, on to more serious business. Let’s talk about getting you the best pool builder so you get the swimming pool you’ve always wanted.
How to pick a builder for your pool project
There are many ways by which you can start your hunt for a competent and reliable pool building company. However, before you can embark on this task in earnest, you have to know exactly what type of pool you want. Why? Because some pool builders specialise in specific types of pools. So, have you got a pool type in mind?
To help you decide, here’s a quick list of some of the different types of pools:
- Above-ground pool
- Architectural pool
- Family or recreational pool
- Infinity edge pool
- Lap pool
- Indoor pool
- Plunge pool
- Natural pool
- Spool pool
- Indoor swimming pool
- Soft wall swimming pool
- Spas
- Jacuzzis
- Hot tubs
- Custom swimming pool
- Olympic-size swimming pool
Once you have decided on the kind of pool you want (it would also be good to discuss this with your family or your partner), you can do a bit of research and come up with a reasonable budget for your pool project.
To make your search a little easier as you go over your pool building prospects, be sure to ask each one about their area of speciality. After all, it is likely that some builders will be better equipped to handle different building projects than others.
Where to source pool companies to choose from
When you’re done selecting what pool type you want, and you already have a set working budget, you can finally start searching for a reputable pool contractor.
To get started, you can find potential pool builders using the following sources:
- Recommendations or referrals from family and friends, or your professional network
- Going online and searching for reliable and professional pool builders in your area (in this case, it’s Newcastle); be sure to check customer reviews and participate in the comment section if anything relevant to your project has been raised previously
- Visiting pool company websites to check for client testimonials and their project gallery
Time for a little screening
After you’re done shortlisting your prospective pool building partners, you need to be armed with the right questions to ask. Once you have narrowed down your search for pool builders, start screening them the way you would a job applicant. Give them a call or send an email inquiry, and ensure you include the following questions:
Have you handled pool projects of this scale?
Some pool builders take on only large projects, while others prefer small to mid-sized ones. Others consider each project based on the budget range. Again, don’t forget to mention what type of pool you want so that those who don’t build the kind you want can tell you straightway they don’t take on such projects. However, they just might refer you to a company that could.
Do you tend to oversee several projects at the same time?
Knowing this will help you probe further if they’ve ever had any problems falling behind schedule by taking on more than they can handle.
How long have you been in business?
Having a clear idea of their track record, length and range of experience in pool building can help reassure you that your project will proceed seamlessly.
Do you have the required licence and certification to build swimming pools?
You don’t want a run-of-the-mill pool builder handling a project you are substantially invested in, so do ask for documentation or proof of expertise.
How long have you been working with the subcontractors you’re using?
Another important factor for your peace of mind is knowing the subcontracted team who’ll be working on your project is reliable and competent.
Do you provide insurance?
You don’t want to be vulnerable should accidents happen onsite, so be sure to clear this matter from the outset. This also includes workers’ compensation and liability insurance.
Will you take care of getting the necessary permits?
Your pool building partner should know if any specific building codes and regulations apply to your project and area. Find out early on if they will take care of securing the permits needed so you don’t have to worry about getting penalised down the line.
Do you provide warranties on your work?
Good pool builders will provide workmanship warranties, so make sure that this is a dealbreaker for you. If your prospective pool contractor is an honest businessperson, they shouldn’t hesitate to give you this warranty, preferably one that exceeds one year.
There are other important questions to ask your prospective pool builder, so don’t forget to cover the following as well. This way, you don’t need to keep calling and go back and forth as you try to make a decision.
- What’s the possible timeline for pool this project?
- How detailed will the contract be?
- Will you give me a dedicated contact person for when I have questions or suggestions?
- Have you ever gotten over budget with a project? Why?
- Can you provide references with permission?
- Can you give me your best quote for the type of pool I want?
- Why should I choose you over the other pool builders?
Make sure you spend time talking to references. If you can’t visit them personally, a phone call should suffice.
Ask about their experience with the contractor; if they hit any snags during the course of the project; if the budget was met, or if they had to spend extra; if the materials used were of good quality and per the agreement; if the person in charge was available and proactive; if they are happy with the results, and if they would recommend the company to handle your pool project.
When it comes to soliciting pool bids, ask the shortlisted companies to give you their best accurate, detailed quote for the project.
Choose the best pool builder
When you have identified the best pool contractor for your project, ensure everything is covered. Be clear and direct, and agree to keep communication lines open. Make certain to go over the fine print. Talk about all parts of the contract, and guarantee that you are both in agreement before concluding the subtleties and consenting to the arrangement.
Likewise, take this opportunity to set a sensible instalment plan plainly expressing what deliverables go with each aspect of the payment schedule. Clearly communicate that you won’t make the last instalment until the project is finished. A seasoned pool contractor would know this is customary so there shouldn’t be any problems.
Get your project done by the best pool builder
Achieving what you envision for the pool you have always wanted unquestionably will take work, time, and money. Nonetheless, by considering the advice shared here on the best way to pick a pool builder, soon, you’ll be spending a lot of happy pool time in the company of your family.
If you’re planning on getting your pool built in Newcastle or the Hunter region, Compass Pools Newcastle can certainly help. You can benefit from our expertise and years of experience backed by the recommendations of our loyal client base.
