TAKING THE PLUNGE WITH A POOL

Before you spend all your hard-earned cash on that fantastic new pool, you need to do your homework. Where do you start with that and what do you need to look for? David Jarman, Managing Director of Coolabah Landscaping, Pools and Construction and Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers Board Member has been building pools for 35 years and shares his experience with you.

You’ve taken the plunge (so to speak) and have decided to install a pool in your backyard. But where do you start? The time you take to make sure everything is being done correctly at the start of the process will save you a lot of time and potential heart break at the end. Follow these tips and I’m sure that you will be very happy swimming pool owners come next Summer.

Firstly, you need to consider having your area designed by a landscape designer. A great design is the best money you will spend in this entire process. A designer will position your pool in the correct part of your backyard and the correct distance from any easements or load bearing objects. Your design will then be used for engineering permits and contracts and will also show all requirements for pool safety, such as your barriers. Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers (LVML) are a good place to start in looking for your designer. Look under Find a Professional on their website.

Now that you have your plans, it’s time to start looking for a contractor to build your pool. Make sure your contractor is registered with the Swimming Pool and Spa Association (SPASA) and with LVML if they are also to carry out any landscaping works. Both associations ensure that their members who carry out pool building works are registered with the Victorian Building Authority. Engaging a registered builder means that you will always have back up if something does happen to go wrong with the process. I would recommend looking for a business that will do all aspects of the process for you. One that will design your landscape AND build your pool as this makes everything flow seamlessly. Rather than having one business doing your landscape design and a separate business building your pool and doing your landscaping. This will just make life a lot easier for everyone involved.

When you are at the point of making a final decision, contact SPASA or LVML to discuss your options. Ask the contractor for details of up to five of their last projects. Where possible, contact those clients and ask how they found working with that contractor. And ask if you can inspect their projects for quality and workmanship.

Then it’s time to request quotes. Always ensure you ask about the after service of your pool and if the business will return three months after the project is complete to check everything is operating as it should be. These should be factored into your quotation.

After you have worked through all of this and you have decided upon your pool contractor, make sure the contract you sign is a SPASA contract or if you are signing a contract that includes landscaping works, you should be signing an LVML contract. Make sure that you understand how long the job will take, that you have a copy of the builder’s warranty insurance and that you understand the payment schedule throughout the project. Read your contract from back to front and make sure you have a good understanding of the project ahead. Never make your final payment until you are 100% happy with your new pool. Once construction begins, your next step is to make friends with your contractor. Meet with them daily or weekly. This will only take 10 minutes and will be time well spent. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and always keep an eye on your agreed specifications. It is far better to raise concerns as they happen rather than waiting to the end of the project.

As you can see, the process is a long one. It can take months for you to reach the point where you are ready for excavation to begin. However, that time spent researching a landscape designer and a pool contractor will set you up for a great experience with your build and a wonderful pool and backyard that will make your family happy for many years.

Coolabah Landscaping, Pools and Construction, Brighton Project Photography: Patrick Redmond

Coolabah Landscaping, Pools and Construction, Camberwell Project Photography: Patrick Redmond