When you built a pool how do they take payment ? Did you pay for it all up front, or was it a deposit and then payments towards the process of building a pool ? If we were to get a loan or pay cash, how do most companies take a cut ? At each phase ?
If you know, can you shed some light on this ? thanks.
I believe there was a total of 3 payments. One up front and then the other two as the process moved on and was close to completion.
never pay in full upfront, all companies have their own policy but if this is the company policy, find a new company. you'll go through hell trying to get the money back if they "go out of business" mid project or before they start! had that happen to me with some painters and learned an expensive lesson. a legitimate honest contractor or company will ask for a deposit thart should be no more than 1/4 to 1/3 of the total cost and you should pay in four increments ( deposit, half done, 3/4 done. completed) as the project progresses or the balance at COMPLETION. and don't forget security, door locks, gates with locks,or water disturbance sensors with alarms. i am from florida and drownings happen with small children every year, and with pets who can't fnd their way to the side. teach dogs and children how and where to get out of the pool. :)
ETA: NEVER EVER sign a completion certificate until you are HAPPY with the results. We learned the hard way when we had our windows installed. If there are any deficiencies? NOTE THEM and have them corrected. Do NOT pay the final installment until the items are done right!!
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If a company is reputable, you will pay in installments. If they ask for all the money upfront? I would run!!! and run FAST!!!
This is like building anything else to a home. If you don't have the cash in hand, you can get a home equity line of credit so you can draw against it during the build.
Make sure you have seen their work. Get references. Check any and all businesses out with the Better Business Bureau and Angie's list. If they don't have a good rating? Press on.
Do you have a design in mind? Have they shown you their work and what they can do?
Will they get the permits required? If not - who will?
There should be a contract in place that stipulates the following:
* time frame in which the work will be done - i.e. work will start on July 26th and should be completed on August 16th barring weather issues.
* payment schedule - usually broken down into 1/4 payments
* design of the pool - to include a drawing, electrical, pump, etc. and where it will be located in the yard (keep in mind your yard will be torn up to lay electrical wires for the lights and the pump/filtering system for the pool) and what they will put back - again your yard will be torn up. If the contract doesn't state they will put the grass or concrete back, then you may be left with a mess.
I would hope that you have hired a landscape architect to work with the building company and get all the plans laid out. I would also find out the rules for your area on pool safety. Do you have to have a fence around the pool? I know in our area, you MUST have the pool in an enclosed area (i.e. a fence so that people just can't wander in) and the yard must be fenced as well.
Check with your home owner's insurance to find out how much more this pool is going to cost you in premiums as well.
HAVE FUN!!!!!
As far as I know you go find the pool that you want then buy it. You hire a contractor to come to your home and get the site prepared for the delivery of the pool then a professional person comes in and sets it, hooks it up, and then gets it completely ready for the first dive.
If you go to a local place that sells in ground pools you need to actually ask them what the routine is. They are the professionals and they would most likely have the names of everyone needed to do the work and perhaps would do it all for one money.
I think if they have been in business for years they would be reputable. If not then I would expect them to have gone out of business.
Don't know. We had our contractor (that built our house) handle all that, just like all his other subs.
Depends on the company. But NEVER EVER pay the whole amount until all the work is complete.
And I do mean all.... see if you can set up a 1/3 plan... 1/3 up front, 1/3 at some intermediate point, and the final third after all work is complete and the pool is fully operational with nothing they need to come back and fix, touch up etc. And make sure everything is in writing.
It will give them the operating capital they need and protect you to a certain extent in the event they do not finish the work.
Also check the BBB and get referrals, make sure they are insured, licensed if necessary etc.
Good luck!
I imagine it would depend on who you go though...
Different companies probably have their own policies... I would shop around a bit and ask them. :)
We built a pool in 2010. We did payments, a total of 6 payments over the course of two months. We did about 10% down, then three payments of about 25%, and then two smaller payments at the end. It worked out great. If you are still deciding who to go with please let me recommend Blooming Vista. They are owned by two brothers and they are great to work with. My friend just got her pool done by them about a month ago and she loves it just as we love ours. I did some price checking with four other companies and they came in at the lowest price but we actually got more than what we were asking for. They also put in our gas fireplace and pavers as well as some landscaping. Please give them a try!
