Ten Points
To Think About When Having A Swimming Pool Built By A Contractor
Shop like you would buying a car.
· Swimming pools are individual construction projects
and are built by many individual trades and swimming pool contractors with different
standards. All pools are not constructed the same, unlike a car which is mass-produced
in a factory under exact conditions. A
swimming pool much of what you do not see will impact the cost of swimming pool
ownership as most of the work is behind the swimming pool tiles.
Ask questions?
· Do not assume every Swimming Pool builder is going to
give you a tutoring about constructing a swimming pool or is capable of giving
you one. Ask about reinforcement bar, ask about tile thickness, ask about pump room materials and manufacture make and model of pumps and equipment. The more you know and understand about constructing a swimming pool
the better buyer you will be. This helps you and your swimming pool contractor. Do your
homework. Do your research!
Getting swimming pool
quotations.
· This is when someone gets 5-10 estimates for building
a swimming pool in Pattaya and then can't make a decision because they have
become so confused. Do your homework and get 2 or 3 estimates from swimming pool companies. Then make your decision and go with it. Also be aware that most Pool companies in Pattaya do not have staff and will sub-contract to a local Thai team, this is where problems satrt as your contract maybe different to the contract passed on to the sub-contractor.
Ask to meet the
building team before they start work.
· Will the same team be working on your Thailand swimming pool from start to finish? A
simple question but by dealing with the same contractors and site Foreman can
reduce any simple communication problems during pool construction. Most builders in Thailand will sign the contract with you then sub contract the job to someone else.
Shopping based on
price.
· You usually get what you pay for! A famous saying normally used by companies
with large overheads, offices, staff, company cars and holidays. The customer’s swimming pool quotation will
have all of the above costs included in the building your pool.
Contacting your
pool builder.
· Use email to get to know your builder and see how
they respond to you. Is the phone
answered? Are your emails returned promptly? Visit the swimming pool builder at their
office/home or have them come to your villa to provide you with an estimate. A
good contractor may have photos or brochures showing the team at work or previous
swimming pool works.
Not reading contracts.
· Make sure you understand what you are getting into.
Make sure everything is in writing. It is very difficult to change/cancel a contract
with many contractors after the obligatory 3-day rescission period. The
contract is in place to protect you and the swimming pool contractor.
Additional items
to think about.
· Skimmer, infinity edge or overflow pool – location of outside shower
– location of the pump room and storage of pool cleaning and maintenance
products including a secure lock – lighting inside the pool using the correct
voltage or lights around the pool – children’s area – Jacuzzi - swimming pool steps built in or a galvanized metal set - color of your swimming pool grout grey or white. Are they using piling foundations and if so how many and what depth and width plus the type of reinforcement bar being using.
· A few points to consider and talk to your pool
builder about!
Not thinking about
safety issues.
· Swimming pools can be a great place to have fun,
exercise, and just enjoy life. They can also be dangerous. Make sure you have
thought about barriers and fencing or building the pool slightly out of the
ground. More importantly, make sure you protect the people using the pool.
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