Things You Should Know Before Installing an In-ground Pool

An in-ground pool can be a gorgeous addition to any home: after all, who doesn’t love the convenience of being able to take a dip at any hour of the day without having to deal with cumbersome restrictions placed by public pools? Or having private pool parties for friends and family without having to share the space with others? Additionally, having your own in-ground pool is nothing short of a blessing and a necessity in places with particularly tropical climates, where cooling down every day is essential to not melting underneath harsh conditions. However, while an in-ground pool offers a plethora of benefits, it is important to do your research prior to investing in one.

Discover the essential considerations before installing an in-ground pool, from choosing the right type to understanding maintenance needs. This guide covers the advantages of fiberglass pools for low maintenance, greener options, and easy installation. It also dives into pool design, equipment, and the legalities of pool installation, ensuring you’re well-prepared. A must-read for future pool owners, especially those looking into pool cleaning service in Ormond Beach, FL, to maintain their new oasis.

Fiberglass Pools

One of the first aspects to consider when buying an in-ground pool is what type of pool you want. There are three popular types: fiberglass, concrete, and vinyl liner. While all of these options undoubtedly have their benefits, fiberglass wins out over the alternatives for several reasons:

• Low Maintenance: Fortunately, fiberglass pools are low maintenance. While liners and concretes are susceptible to algae and staining, this is not the case for fiberglass. Matter of fact, unlike its counterparts, fiberglass is an amazing insulator and the structure never needs liner replacements or resurfacing.
• Little to no lifetime cost: Most of the time, the shell to a fiberglass pool requires no upkeep.

• Greener choice: The emitted ions during construction are usually well-maintained, doing very little, if any, damage to the environment. Further, the consistent replacement of vinyl liners in vinyl pools creates substantial waste.
• Easy Installation: For vinyl liners, the outside temperature has to be a certain temperature in order to prevent wrinkling when installed. With concrete, rain or hot weather can cause some damage. However, fiberglass, it’s rarely affected by uncontrollable environmental conditions.

These are only a few of the benefits, however, there are many more.

Pool Design

The fun part! The wonderful thing about pools is that they are not constricted to the standard rectangular shape (although we’re not harping on those who enjoy the traditional aesthetic). There are a plethora of different designs, all of which depend on your particular stylistic preference.

Sand Utopia

A lover of the ocean and the smell of sea salt in the morning? While you can’t necessarily mimic scents exclusive to stretching out on a picturesque shoreline, you can replicate the entrance to a tropical paradise…all in your backyard. Instead of steps, use light-colored stones (the ‘sand’, in this case) to create a slope that descends into the water.

Holy Hot Tub!

By adding a hot tub to your pool, you can create a space that is usable even in the middle of winter. Hot tubs are a fabulous multipurpose addition to any in-ground pool, giving your guests the option to loosen up their muscles in bubbling, heated water. It can even be used as a form of relaxation after a long, hard day at work!  

Say goodbye to the poolside! Say hello to pool-center seating.

Who said you had to be like everyone else and have your seating arrangements around the pool? Why not in it? Be an innovator and have your pool wrap around the seating area with steps leading to it. Crack out some drinks, gather some good company, and relax underneath the shade before diving back in again.  (Tip: Water-resistant couches are the best option for this!)

Water Sports

Provide your guests with a fun pool-based activity to partake in while the food is cooking on the barbecue without falling back on Marco Polo (though a legendary sport in its own right). Turning your pool into a basketball court can be as simple as adding basketball hoops at opposite ends of the pool.

Pool Equipment

You have the pool, you have it decorated, but what about maintenance? This is a critical step to keeping your in-ground pool as beautiful as the day you finished having it installed.

Cartridge Pool Filters

PROS:

• Larger filtration area. This allows the water to pass through the filter much easier and remove dirt particles as small as 10-15 microns.

• Low maintenance. There is no need for backwashing, giving you a break from having to remove water and pool chemicals.
• Energy-efficient. Cuts energy costs by utilizing low pump pressure, and low pressure can prolong the life of your pool pump.

CONS:

• Short lifespan. Cartridge pool filters have to be replaced every few years.
• Maintenance costs. While actual maintenance is fairly easy, the cost can be higher than other types of filters.

Sand Filters

PROS:

• Cost-effective. This is typically the most compact and affordable filter.

• Low maintenance. Pool filter sand removes the dirt and debris from your pool as it pushes through the filter, clean water flowing back into the pool from the bottom of the net.
• Backwashing is easy. The owner is usually easily able to tell when it’s time to backwash the equipment. As the filter gets older and more packed up with dirt, the pump pressure decreases as a result.

CONS:

• Sand Replacement. Sand has to be replaced every 5-8 years.

• Lowers pool level. Backwashing lowers pool water.
• Lower filtering ability. In comparison to cartridge filters, sand filters have lower filtering capabilities, filtering only 20-40 microns.

Nonetheless, both filters are great depending on what you’re looking for. If your pool is larger with more powerful pool pumps, a sand filter would be great. If your pool pump is over 1.5 HP, a cartridge filter is more favorable.

Legal Stuff

Alright, so the legality. While it may seem easy to believe that, as a property owner, you can take on any construction project you want on your own piece of land, there are certain building codes and permits that must be obtained before thinking to install a pool.

A building permit is required for the installation of an above-ground or in-ground swimming pool, spa, or hot tub that contains water over 24 inches deep.

How do I figure out what permits are needed in my jurisdiction?

Though in the past, people would often look to call their local inspection company, it is no longer necessary with the Internet being such an accessible resource.  Now, you can probably find all the permit information you need through a google search. If you can’t find the information you need online, get in touch with your city government and ask what permits are required to build an in-ground swimming pool.

Where can I find the permit application?

through your town hall or government center. While there, ask for any other information on in-ground pool construction regulations. A few places will have a “pool packet”, with all the information you need as a future pool owner.

Are there any fees for obtaining a permit?

Yes. It varies from state to state. In Florida, it is $225 for an in-ground pool.

Finding a reputable company to do the job

Picking out the right company to give you your dream pool is a nerve-wracking, tedious process. While it may be tempting to choose the first company that pops up on yelp, it is important to try and not cut corners when finding a contractor entrusted with the task of bringing your vision to fruition. All your planning can fall to the wayside if your builder is incompetent, or even worse, unethical. To avoid this, check out some of these tips on how to find the right company for you.

Recommendations

The neighbor down the street has a gorgeous in-ground pool? Go ask him and her who did it! Most people would be more than happy to share with you who did the work on their pool. and might even benefit from referral awards because of it. Additionally, they might give you insight on contractors to avoid as well.

Check referrals

Often, many reputable pool companies do not shy away from providing a list of customers they have done work for in the past. While this is a great show of good faith, some less-than-ethical contractors might put anyone on the list not thinking that a potential customer will actually check. Don’t be that person. Try to contact at least three of the references on the list and ask probing questions to further verify that they are legitimate customers. Here are a few good ones:

When did the contractor perform work for you? If the references are older, this could mean the company is cherry-picking good references in a midst of bad ones.

• What type of pool did you have installed (fiberglass, concrete, and vinyl)?
• Did the contractor complete the task on time? Did he or she ask for payment upfront, half-and-half, or a complete payment at the end?
• Were the builders open to understanding your needs and fulfilling your vision?

Do a Background Check

Don’t shy away from putting on your detective hat and doing some deeper research into the company you’re looking to request services from. The first stop should be the Better Business Bureau to see if the company has any complaints filed against them. Another good step is to look into your state’s regulations on pool construction and check if the contractor has all the proper certifications.

Red Flags

However, at the end of the day, sometimes the best action is to trust your intuition. If any aspect of the company you’re looking at makes you feel suspicious or uncomfortable, reconsider embarking on business with that company. Here are some signs to look out for:

• Offering an estimate far below what the market average would be. Some companies do this because they’re not receiving any business and are desperate. Keep this in mind: for the most part, you get what you pay for.
• Asking for a large amount of money upfront.  Some companies may try to get most, if not all, of the total cost in advance. Run! Good, reputable companies have no fear of not getting paid in the end, as they knew they have exemplary work worth being paid for.
• General lack of professional appearance. They are an extension of their business. If the contractor in consideration presents him or herself poorly, what are the chances that the work they put out will be any different?