Preparing for your pool project

We want you to enjoy your pool for years to come.  In order to do that, we need your help to prepare for the project.  We’ll walk through the steps over the phone with you – this is a summary of everything we’re going to discuss:

Preparing for your pool installation

Shop around for pools, and decide what you want in your backyard.  Before you purchase it, though, there are three steps you should take:

1. Get a zoning permit.  There are certain HOAs, cities and counties that have strict guidelines for above-ground pools.  You can usually go online to get a list of these guidelines (example: how many feet from the edge of your property can the pool be located?  Will you need a fence around the yard?).
2. Call before you dig.  Let’s make sure there are no underground cables, wires or pipes.  If the excavator would detach any of them, you would be responsible for repairing it before your project can continue.
3. Site survey.  Our excavator can be contracted to perform a site survey to determine where your pool should be located.  He can also quote the cost of the excavation, and advise you on where to have sand delivered, if the gate opening into the yard is wide enough, and he’ll make sure there are no overhead cables or wires.

Purchase pool.  Now that you have a better idea of what size pool your yard can handle, purchase your pool and filter system.  There are several local pool companies that sell very good above-ground pools; there are also several online pool distributors.  Whichever route you take, please be sure to purchase liner coping.  It automatically comes with overlap liners; we use it on unibead (j-hook) liners, as well.  At this stage, we will need to know the name of the pool and the filter style in order to firm up our quote. Purchase stones for filter pad.  We will bring the blocks that the pool sits on to keep it level.  We recommend that you purchase four 12”x12”x1” square stepping stones so that we can create a strong, level filter pad. Order sand.  We will advise you on the amount of fine mason sand we’ll need to place under the pool.  We can also share some local suppliers’ names and numbers. Order water.  For pools that are 24’ round and smaller, you can use your garden hose for the entire fill.  For larger pools, we need a load of water from a water hauler to seat the liner properly.  A load of water is between 1,500 and 2,000 gallons; prices vary according to the distance from a fill station.  We can share some names and numbers with you. We do not haul away empty boxes or trash.  Boxes will be stacked in an area you designate. It’s best to have a new water hose, and it must extend to halfway across the pool site – it will be in the pool for many hours, and you don’t want it to fall out.   We will need to supplement a load of water with water from your garden hose.  We will also want to water test your filter system – we’ll bring an extension cord to plug into any available receptacle.  DO NOT HAVE ELECTRIC RUN FOR YOUR POOL UNTIL AFTER THE POOL IS INSTALLED!!  This is very important!  Where you want the filter to go may be in the worst place.  The filter goes on the side where the least amount of digging took place, preferably downwind, so that the wind blows the water towards the filter.  Also, wires and conduit cannot run under the pool.

Preparing for your pool liner installation

When you call us for a quote, we will either request pictures of the pool site or a site survey to determine project needs and pricing.  Although we try to quote via pictures, in some cases, we need eyes on the site for an accurate quote. Purchase liner, coping, skimmer and return.  We request coping on overlap and unibead (j-hook) liners.  We also request that you replace your skimmer and return. Purchase 50 lb. bags play sand.  If we quote this project by viewing pictures, we will request ten 50-lb. bags of play sand to supplement the sand under the pool.  If we perform a site survey, we can be more specific about the amount we may need. Order water.  If the pool is 24’ round or smaller, you can fill the pool with your garden hose.  With a 27’ or larger pool, we need a load of water from a water hauler to seat the liner properly.  A load of water is between 1,500 and 2,000 gallons; prices vary according to the distance from a fill station.  We can share some names and numbers with you. Drain pool – bone dry.  Do not drain the pool by poking holes in the liner!  We need the sand underneath the pool to be dry.  If it’s wet, we cannot rake it smooth.  It will be lumpy and difficult to vacuum.  There will be a fee if the installer needs to finish the draining of the pool. Water hose hooked up to outdoor faucet; electric at filter turned on.  We need to get water into the pool as soon as possible to seat the liner.  We will also need the electric for your filter system turned on, so that we can run our shop vac.  If you requested a quote for us to do any work to your filter, we will also water test the filter. We do not haul away empty boxes or trash.  We will stack them in an area you designate.

Preparing for your replacement pool installation

Site Survey.  No matter what size pool you’re replacing, we will want to conduct a site survey to determine labor.  There will be digging around the pool, and you may need to modify your existing deck.  These determinations are made at the site survey.  The site survey is done after the old pool is removed.  We can quote the take-down of the pool, as well. Drain pool – bone dry.  Do not drain the pool by poking holes in the liner!  We need the sand underneath the pool to be dry.  If it’s wet, we cannot rake it smooth.  It will be lumpy and difficult to vacuum.  There will be a fee if the installer needs to finish draining your pool. Purchase sand.  We will always request additional sand for the floor of the pool.  We may also request topsoil to backfill around the outside of the pool.  This will also be determined at the site survey. Order water.  If the pool is 24’ round or smaller, you can fill the pool with your garden hose.  With a 27’ or larger pool, we need a load of water from a water hauler to seat the liner properly.  A load of water is between 1,500 and 2,000 gallons; prices vary according to the distance from a fill station.  We can share some names and numbers with you. Water hose hooked up to outdoor faucet; electric at filter turned on.  We need to get water into the pool as soon as possible to seat the liner.  We will also need the electric for your filter system turned on, so that we can run our shop vac.  If you requested a quote for us to do any work to your filter, we will also water test the filter. We do not haul away empty boxes or trash.  We will stack them in an area you designate.