Summer is in full swing across Australia, and it brings heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures with it. The heat brings daydreams of a cool spot for you to relax and enjoy the scorching days. And nothing is better than beating the heat in your own swimming pool.
It’s time to bring this dream to life with a reputable pool builder. But how do you find the best one? After all, a well-done pool means lots of water games, opportunities to stay cool with family and friends and a place for the kids to play. If the company misses the mark, you could end up disappointed.
Picking out local pool builders can be one of the most complicated parts of getting your dream pool, but we’re going to make it easy. We’ll highlight important factors to consider when you compare pool companies. We’ll also give you the tools you need to make an informed decision to match the pool builder to your wants and needs. Let’s dive in!
Does the Pool Company Offer the Type of Pool You Want?
First things first – what type of pool do you want? Not all pools are created equal, and you want yours to match your intended usage and needs. Maybe you want to stay fit and have a place to exercise. If so, a lap pool is an excellent choice that won’t take up a lot of room. Or, maybe you’ve always wanted a pool, but your yard isn’t big enough to support a full-sized setup. If so, you could enlist pool builders to design and put a perfect plunge pool into your yard.
If you have a family and you all want to play in the water at the same time, your swimming pool builder will have to be able to create a larger family-style pool. It could have a graduated bottom so the little ones can safely play in the shallows while the bigger kids splash around in the deeper end. Whatever you want, take a good look at your pool builder’s website to see examples of the pools they specialise in. In Australia and especially around Nowra, this typically means fibreglass pools.
Fibreglass pools are strong and sturdy. They can be easier to clean and maintain than other types of pools. Additionally, they can be above or below-ground and on uneven or even slopes. Whatever you want, your pool builders South Coast should be able to deliver.
What Is the Company’s Reputation Like?
For companies in and around Nowra and throughout Australia, reputation is everything. So, before you hire a pool builder, do a little research into their background. Any company you pick should have a website, landline telephone number and a physical business address. If the business doesn’t offer at least a physical address and a landline phone, there is a good chance you could have problems contacting them should they vanish in the middle of your build.
When you talk to the different pool builders, ask about their registration, licence and whether or not they have the appropriate insurance. You can go on their website and see photographic proof of past projects. This will give you a good idea on the scope of work they can take on. They should also be members of the Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Australia (SPASA). This organisation demonstrates that the swimming pool builder has a warranty to cover their work and is committed to higher standards.
The more experienced your pool company is, the more projects they’ll have under their belt. This bodes well for you since it shows their dedication to turning out high-quality pools. You can also get a good feel for their standards.
How Well Do the Pool Company Employees Communicate?
You want your pool builder to bring your vision to life, and the pool has to fit your property. This means that communication is key from the first point of contact until they finish the build. You’ll have an in-depth consultation with them to start. This will ensure that the company can fulfil your vision and create a pool that matches your lifestyle needs and your wants. The company should also work to keep you well-informed during every step of the installation process. This allows you to stay on the same page until they hand the new pool over.
Take note of any interactions you have with the local pool builders in Nowra and see how they act. Are they polite and friendly? Do they intend to clean up at the end of the project, or will they leave that for you? Your pool company employees could spend a decent amount of time on your property. So you should trust them and be comfortable with the knowledge that they won’t provide a huge disruption to your daily life.
Are the Pool Builders Legally Knowledgeable?
Did you know that a huge majority of pools need a permit before you can start the build? If you choose a quality pool company in Nowra with a good reputation, the company will secure this permit on your behalf. They’ll also have loads of experience dealing with your local council. They won’t be able to break ground or work on your pool project at all until they obtain the correct permits.
Additionally, Australia has several safety and health laws surrounding backyard swimming pools, and your pool builders should know them. This includes fencing requirements, and any pool has to comply with Australian Standard 1926. This standard outlines the swimming pool safety barrier requirements that have to be in place around your pool. So, do a little research and check that your pool company will work to keep your pool compliant with local laws, regulations and the newest standards.
Does the Swimming Pool Builder Offer Previous Customer Testimonials?
Ideally, any pool builder you choose will come directly from family or friends’ recommendations. Any word-of-mouth recommendations you can get are very valuable because you can count on these people to be honest about their experience. Chances are, they won’t recommend a company if they weren’t 100% satisfied with the finished product.
It’s also possible to dig into a company’s reputation online. It’s common for former customers to leave reviews or testimonials about their experiences, including those directly featured on the company’s website. Additionally, most customers are comfortable being honest because there is an air on anonymity with review sites. If most of the reviews are positive, this is a good indication of the company’s reputation.
How Does the Pool Builder Respond to Questions?
When talking to pool companies you’ll potentially hire, you’ll want to ask them a host of questions. These questions will give you a good understanding of the company’s experience. You’ll also get to see how the staff responds. Common questions to ask include:
- Can the company accommodate projects of this size?
- How many projects do you oversee at once?
- How long have your subcontractors worked with the company?
- Do you have the proper certifications to build swimming pools?
- Do you have insurance?
- Does the company have liability and workers’ compensation insurance?
- Is there a warranty attached to your work? If so, for how long and what does it cover?
- Will you get the correct permits for the project?
- How long have you been in business?
- Do you have references from previous customers?
- What does a typical pool building project timeline look like?
- Do you include all of the building specs in the contract – including payments?
- How long will the pool project I want take to finish?
Ideally, your pool builder should be able to give you thoughtful but straightforward answers to all of these questions. They should be patient and have a friendly demeanour throughout the questioning process. This should give you a good feel for whether or not the company is a good fit for your project.
Nowra Local Pools & Spas Is Your Reputable Pool Company
At Nowra Local Pool & Spas, we take great pride in building pools to suit our customers’ exact expectations. We have years of experience working with some of the best companies in Australia, and we are an authorised Compass Pools Australia dealer. We bring high-quality fibreglass pools to the South Coast region, and we specialise in small above ground fibreglass plunge pools.
These pools incorporate Maxi Rib technology to make them very sturdy and durable, and the fibreglass design is very low-maintenance and easy to upkeep. We can fit a pool into small, medium or larger yards while adhering to all of the latest safety regulations and rules, including Australian Standard 1926.
If you’d like to know more about how our friendly and knowledgeable local pool builders can turn your dream of a pool into a reality, get in touch! We offer virtual site inspections, and our staff are ready to address any concerns or answer any questions you have surrounding your new pool project.
