Hidden costs

When starting every project you should always have a budget in mind. But, more often than not there are hidden costs. You don’t want these costs to sneak up on you or frighten you away from the project. Here are a few pointers for what to look/ask for when beginning a pool project.

You need more concrete

We try to discuss the pool’s patio when first talking to homeowners about their upcoming pool project. Additional patio space, which is often requested after the start of the job, and after orders have been placed, is usually the most expensive option to the pool. Simply put most homeowners do not allow for enough patio at the start of the job. There’s no problem with starting small. People often do this to save money. Sure, you can always add on later, but this requires planning. And, if it’s well planned out as to where and how much of a patio you want before orders are placed, then adding to it later can make it go more smoothly. In the meantime, homeowners can still make use of and enjoy their pool.

Hauling that dirt

When we dig and build for your pool we take out a substantial amount of the earth. People can be surprised as to how much is removed to make that pool hole. We can always spread it across the land, but usually, we need to haul it away. This can be quite expensive and might be a surprise added cost to the budget, so take note and be prepared.

Landscaping

There are so many moving pieces in putting in a swimming pool that it requires a lot of planning and foresight. Large and heavy pieces of equipment will be used, but, with all that equipment at your property the grass, fence, and landscaping can become somewhat of a casualty. The reason? Because they may have to get dug up or moved. Sure, later on after the pool is installed everything can be replaced, re-seeded, or re-planted, but this step also adds to your budget.

If there’s a driveway to the main entry points for getting into the backyard, keep in mind there is a possibility the driveway might also incur some damage during the project especially if the driveway was built too thin. In such cases, damage due to the weight of the equipment is basically inevitable. This is not always the case, but a driveway may get some wear and tear. A driveway inspection should be considered before you begin.

The Electrical

If a pump, generator, light, automatic cover, hot tub and heat pump all need added power then the cost can rise significantly. So, decide ahead of time if you want all of these add-ons so you have a clear understanding of what electrical costs will be.

The Fencing

A majority of all pools require a fence. Sometimes homeowners, especially ones without small children, don’t even think about a fence. We make that a point of discussion up front with the patio, so homeowners can budget for a fence and plan it out as to dimensions, style, and location.

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are important and a lot of people don’t realize they need one. Ask for a price on the wall while you’re budgeting for the rest of the project.

Making a note of all these points could save you a lot of money and frustration. Bring up questions and concerns at the start and you’ll be happier with the outcome.