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6 Best Practices for Your Inground Pool Construction Journey

6 Best Practices for Your Inground Pool Construction Journey

You’ve heard the saying that once you learn how to ride a bike, you never forget. 

Until you learn, however, it takes a few tries, falls, and scraped knees to get the hang of things. In other words, you don’t find your balance until you’ve completely lost it (more than once).

That’s all good and well, but most of us don’t plan significant pool construction projects often, and there’s not as much leeway for losing balance during this learning process. There are too many moving parts, and trying to steer in the right direction is difficult for the untrained eye.

Luckily, we’re here to strap on diamond-encrusted training wheels to keep you from toppling over. At J Designs Pool and Spa, we have spent over 15 years building and renovating many boutique-style pool and spa projects for our clients. Through our wealth of experience, we impart years in the industry to every client we are honored to work with.

After reading this article, you will glean helpful best practices to get you well on your way to navigating the journey of your swimming pool construction project. The road to your awe-inspiring pool may be extended at times, but we’ll excavate the rocks to ensure the course is smooth and satisfying.

1. YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE TURNS INTO A CONSTRUCTION ZONE


Building a pool temporarily turns your unassuming outdoor space into a bustling construction zone. 

While the ends justify the means, the reality is that your outdoor area is constricted for a time. It will not be business as usual since children and pets cannot roam freely.

Planning will make the adjustment more manageable for your household. Make arrangements to keep children and pets out of the swimming pool construction area for their safety and to keep the project unobstructed. 

Your toddler’s handprints are a nostalgic and precious keepsake, just not in wet concrete freshly poured into the pool’s excavation site.

2. HANDS OFF PAPERWORK ON CONSTRUCTION SITES 


Old-fashioned paperwork may seem trivial in our cyber age. Still, they are crucial in protecting some of the many moving parts in construction sites.

All construction-related paperwork has to be kept at your job site. This paperwork includes the posted signs regarding the construction permits and general information.

Communication tends to exist in a silo in a construction zone because many unrelated professionals are simultaneously contributing their respective services. Those professionals, including subcontractors, inspectors, and other tradespeople, will look for this information to help bridge the communication gap on any project. 

Do not remove any of the papers from this location; they are often posted as a cautionary guidepost for the multitude of hands and feet servicing the project.

3. PRE-EXCAVATION: DIG ALERTS AND MARK UTILITY LINES


At excavation, the contractor will try to avoid hitting underground wires, irrigation systems, etc. However, accidents can happen, so an extra precaution is initiated by the local regulating municipality. 

City or county representatives will come out and mark your utility lines when we call for a “Dig Alert.” Your due diligence is also required in this process; be sure to provide access to your property so that these professionals can mark existing services. 

Examples of these marked utilities include:

  • Gas Lines
  • Electric Lines
  • Communication Lines

In contrast, some utility lines may not be marked but are equally as crucial as those with a marking. This scenario is often seen regarding drainage or sewer lines; they don’t qualify for marking and often need to be re-routed or adjustments for the plan to be in order.

Dig alerts break ground and barriers by joining the efforts of the contractor, municipality, and the often unsung hero… you!

4. GAS METER SIZE


Introducing a gas pool heater may require an increase in the size of your gas meter.  If so, your Swimming Pool Contractor will inform you to call your local gas service to make these changes.  This service is usually provided free of charge by your local gas company.

5. FENCE & GATE REQUIREMENTS: A POOL SAFETY BARRIER OF PROTECTION


As per the California Safety Code, the swimming pool buyer is responsible for being present during Fence and Gate Inspection. The purpose of the fence and gate inspection aims to ensure that the swimming pool area is secure and minimizes the risk of accidents, particularly for children.

black iron gate with latch and lock protecting pool perimeter

This inspection contains the following guardrails: 

  • Verify that the pool barrier (fence or wall) is at least 5 feet high, as the Los Angeles Municipal Code requires.

  • Ensuring that the fence or barrier has no gaps, openings, or other features that could allow a child to climb over or squeeze through.

  • Confirming that all gates leading to the pool area are self-closing and self-latching, with latches placed at least 60 inches above the ground to prevent unauthorized access by children.

  • Checking that the gate is designed to open outward, away from the pool area.

  • Assessing any other safety features, such as alarms on doors or windows leading to the pool area, in compliance with local codes.

Compliance with these regulations is essential for the safety and well-being of the pool owner and the surrounding community. Check out the California Residential Code for further information on local pool safety.

6. SIGNING OFF: POOL PROJECT CHANGE ORDERS OR ADDENDUMS


Any reputable pool contractor wants you to be happy with your finished pool. Still, any post-contract changes you make will require you to (again) sign on the dotted line.

According to The Contractors State License Board of California Consumer Guide, any changes made to the swimming pool project in materials, completion date, and equipment (after you’ve signed a contract and even after work has begun) should be made in writing. The “change order” should be clearly worded and signed by both parties, and it then becomes part of the contract.

Your pool contractor will require a signed change order/addendum for any changes you request along the way during construction. Sometimes addendums will modify small things like adding the removal of a small shrub at no cost. In more extensive cases, addendums will make substantial changes, like changing the depth of the pool or “flipping” the overarching layout to meet city code requirements. 

Bear in mind that your original contract will only be made with a signed change order/addendum to verify the agreement between the buyer and the pool builder.

NEXT STEPS FOR SMOOTH SAILING INTO YOUR AQUATIC ESCAPE

After reading this article, you will avoid the murky waters of a pool construction nightmare because you can be well-prepared and set yourself up for success!

Planning and navigating a boutique pool and spa construction project isn’t a routine thing we’re well-versed in. However, even without experience, wisdom can be gleaned from the expert pool and spa professionals.

At J Designs Pool and Spa, our educator mindset guides every client interaction. From the first house call to the exciting unveiling of your dream pool, we advocate for your well-being and peace of mind before, during, and after the pool project.

If you’re ready to dive into a blue lagoon of new beginnings and serene aesthetics, be sure to contact us and schedule a consultation.

Not quite ready to set sail into your glistening waters? No problem; the harbor is a haven for enlightenment and gentle patience! While you adjust your sails, check out these related articles:

5 COMMON MISTAKES FIRST-TIME POOL BUYERS MAKE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)

4 COMMON ISSUES IN CONCRETE POOL CONSTRUCTION

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