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SPASAVIC’s 2020 Best Residential Concrete Pool Under $1000 Award Winner ~ Nick Markogiannakis, Nemcon Pools
SPASAVIC’s 2020 Best Residential Concrete Pool Under $100,000 Award Winner Award
Nick Markogiannakis Managing Director NEMCON Pools WINNER - NEMCON Pools
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How did NEMCON Pools begin – where and when?
I’ve been in building and construction for over 25 years. I’ve done a lot of commercial building - supermarkets, shops, retail, houses - I’ve done it all! About 10 years ago I went back to school to do some OHS training and I ended up working for a pool company (that will remain nameless). I stayed there for six months and saw how the customer was definitely not “front of mind”. Wanting to change that, I went out on my own and for the past 8 years, I’ve built my own pools.
It has been great. I just fell into the industry and my business grew and grew by word of mouth only. I do the right thing by people. It’s not complicated, as long as you do the right thing by people, treat them well and don’t rip them off.
Sometimes you have to cop it on the chin and wear a few extra expenses. I didn’t want to be one of those builders that rorted people, because that is exactly what has given the industry a bad name.
There are quite a few people and businesses, unfortunately, who are still following bad practices. We often get called to many jobs to take over and fix up other’s mistakes. But because of this, and our attitude towards our clients, we’ve got a good reputation.
What have you seen change in the pool & spa industry over the years?
The industry has really grown. Like many industries, the internet has made it more accessible for people to investigate. Google is a good tool but also a bad tool if you do the wrong thing by your clients.
If you don’t do the right thing by people, you can get ripped apart on the internet. We’ve seen it in the past. Happily, it seems that the rogues are slowly starting to get pushed out of the industry. Consumers are more savvy now and will be picky.
We go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. We build rapport with them and that builds our reputation. It will take time for the industry to get rid of the rubbish, however it has already started to move in the right direction.
What do you like best about our industry?
Coming from a construction background, where I’ve dealt with every type of person, trade and labourer – comparing it to that, the pool and spa industry is a walk in the park!
I’ve been using the same trades for the past ten years. I trust my guys and their work, they do a great job for me. We’re quite pedantic about how we do things and we make sure the customers’ demands are met.
It has become an industry where we can have that face-to-face contact and change people’s homes for the better. People enjoy watching how we transform their spaces and we can make people happy.
This industry created a different lifestyle for me as well. It’s not the hustle and bustle that I had before. The registration of trades coming in will be great. I can’t wait for it. Bring it on!
What challenges have you faced?
Overall, our margins have dropped as a result of the individuals that are out there that don’t pay. We pay registrations, insurances, Association fees. Everything has gone up and we can’t pass on these increases to customers. We work harder for our money and we make less profit. I’m sure all industries are facing similar challenges at the moment, however we don’t see it as fair to pass it on to our clients.
What’s the hardest thing about running your own small business?
As with most businesses, scaling up to a larger company has been a challenge. We used to be seasonal but now we’re working all year round. We don’t get that Winter break anymore, so it doesn’t allow us much time for holidays. However in the current circumstances, we may be unable to get away for a holiday for a while regardless!
The paperwork has become unbelievable lately – councils, permits, COVID-Safe docs. We go on-site with a folder full of paperwork now. 25 years ago, we’d go onto a commercial site with one bit of paper and a JSA, now we’ve ended up with whole folders for OHS!
What do you consider your best pool build?
We have completed many, including negative edges with and without windows, and wet decks with negative edges, but recently I’ve completed a build in Kew. This pool is wet deck fully tiled with travertine tiles. The contemporary design of the pool enhances the courtyard and combines superbly with modern house design.
Featuring a unique graded beach entry and square set cornered floor, the use of 800 x 400 travertine tile within and around the pool generates a seamless flow into the pool and creates a perfect wet edge.
Travertine tiling in pools is relatively new. This pool stands out the most because it’s different due to using full size house tiles inside the pool.
What is NEMCON Pools’ unique selling point?
We’re personal and we have a very personal touch. We don’t bombard our customers with salespeople. I personally ensure that the client is comfortable and completely in awe of the final product.
What are you doing that is new or innovative in new pool design and building?
We try to design something to suit everyone’s individual needs. We build for them. What the customer wants is what they will get.
People vary in the way they think and what they want. If the customer gives us the design, we’ll build it. Sometimes the process starts from even just a picture or an idea that came to them in a dream. Proudly, we can make it happen.
I always say to my customers – “You’re paying, so whatever you want, we will make it happen. You just need to tell us what you want”.
