8 minute read
Countdown to your dream pool
HOW LONG DOES A NEW POOL PROJECT TAKE?
Building or installing a new swimming pool is a multi-staged undertaking. From the moment you decide to invest in the health and happiness a backyard swimming pool delivers, it helps to understand the various project phases and the time each will take to complete.
Swimming is an undeniable part of the Australian culture, with many of us teaching our kids to swim before they can even talk. We cheer on our Olympic swimming heroes, plan holidays to the world’s best beach spots and fill long summer days with water activities designed purely to beat the heat. Given the chance, most of us relax in, on and around water, so it’s no surprise that owning a backyard pool is part of the great Australian dream for many of us.
Deciding to install or build a pool is a significant undertaking, with lots of variables to consider along the way. Autumn is a great time to kick off a pool building project, ensuring everything is ready for when the warm weather returns. Building or installing a pool isn’t not quite as simple as digging a hole in the backyard and filling it with water, so it’s helpful to understand how long it will take to bring your swimming pool dreams to life before you begin.
First things first — the material construction of your pool will largely determine the entire project timeline. You can expect a concrete swimming pool project to take around four months to complete. Fibreglass pool builds are typically slightly shorter, taking around three months to come to fruition. Prefabricated plunge pools can be installed ready for swimming within days of council approval being provided. Composite or vinyl-lined pools are usually installed in just under three months and above-ground pools will take as little as nine weeks.
STAGE ONE — INITIAL CONSULTATION Once you’ve decided to take the plunge, your first interaction with the pool and spa industry is seeking an initial consultation. This process will probably take a couple of weeks and may involve a pool supplier, builder or contractor, designer, architect and/or engineer. You can expect the following things to take place: 1. An initial visit to your home, at which the contractor or builder will conduct a site inspection and discuss your requirements in detail. 2. Design consultation, which may include engaging an architect, engineer or other design professional. This will depend on the nature of your site including access
considerations or any engineering complexities that will influence the overall design and construction. 3. Provision of a written quotation, along with particulars on contract terms, applicable warranties etc. 4. Contract finalisation and signing. The contract will incorporate the physical design details of your pool: shape, size, water depth, the interior finish, the type of filtration and access. It will also outline the progress payments schedule — you will be expected to pay instalments throughout the construction and installation process. The contract should detail when payments will become due, what those payments specifically cover and what will happen in the event of unforeseen circumstances or delays. It should additionally outline warranty terms on both the pool and associated equipment like filtration systems. 5. The initial consultation period should also include explanation of the types of insurances required including Building Indemnity and/ or Contract Works cover.
STAGE TWO — COUNCIL APPROVALS Approval is usually the lengthiest stage of a pool build or installation, .taking anywhere from just a few weeks right up to eight weeks, depending on the approval process in the state or territory. Things may move a little slower than you would like at this stage, but getting an approval is required to ensure your pool is built to plan. You should check with your local council if you are unsure about whats involved in getting an approval. This is to ensure that your pool meets all of the applicable legal requirements including local structural and safety obligations, along with any state mandated conditions.
© Stock.Adobe.com/au/Andy Dean
You may need to check with your water provider regarding any water restrictions that may be in place before filling your pool. You will also need permission from the local water authority prior to filling your pool or spa with mains water. There are a number of variables depending on your location — especially at times when water restrictions are in place — but the issued permit will clearly outline conditions that must be met in order for you to comply with local requirements.
STAGE THREE — INSTALLATION OR CONSTRUCTION Installation or construction is the largest variable in a new pool project. A prefabricated plunge or above ground pool can take as little as two or three days, but you’ll be looking at close to eight weeks for a concrete construction. Fibreglass and composite/vinyl-lined pools will generally take around three to four weeks to finish.
Processes include: a) excavation and earthworks, b) construction (in the case of concrete or composite/vinyl-lined pools) or shell installation (in the case of fibreglass pools), c) tiling, d) laying the coping, e) safety barrier installation and f) filling the pool and balancing the water. Depending on your location, there may be a requirement for staged inspections by council or a private certifier at certain points in the installation or construction process, so ask your contractor to explain this process in more detail.
STAGE FOUR — HANDOVER Not long now till you can take that first anticipated swim in crystal clear water. Handover should include provision of a checklist and a comprehensive run-down on how to maintain and protect your new investment. Elements of a handover include: • Provision of a Certificate of Completion or similar • Explanation of statutory and manufacturer warranties • Provision of equipment and accessories information, including instruction or operations manuals • Explanation of pool safety instructions • Start-up and running procedure instruction • Maintenance schedule steps and recommendations • Referral to a qualified SPASA Service Technician for ongoing maintenance and advice Once handover is complete, the pool is officially yours and you can start swimming!
It’s important to note that we’ve provided this information as a general guide on average installation and construction time frames. As every pool is different, your unique project may take more or less time. The average times provided do not take into account any extraordinary circumstances or events, like access difficulties or material choices that may delay construction. These times also exclude additional after-the-fact processes like paving or landscaping. Your contractor can provide a more detailed and accurate plan based on your specific circumstances.
Visit the SPASA website (www.spasa.com.au) or phone 1300 021 482 to find a SPASA member near you.
AN INSIDE LOOK AT MAGNAPOOL
When it comes to mineral pool systems there are many to choose from. All made up of different mineral ratios and compositions sourced from a variety of locations across the world. As a pool owner looking to convert, or a future pool owner looking to build, it can be tough to find a point of difference that will help you make your final decision.
MagnaPool uses a unique blend of natural ocean minerals and is the only system that is completely salt-free. The only minerals found in MagnaPool are magnesium and potassium chloride; our patented blend. These work in conjunction with the MagnaPool Hydroxinator to sanitise your pool and keep it exceptionally healthy.
The magnesium in MagnaPool minerals naturally detoxifies and balances your body, helping to relieve anxiety, aches and pains. Plus, as a result of the natural flocculating properties of the minerals, together with glass media, the pool stays crystal clear.
Along with the primary benefit of being sodium free, MagnaPool has the potential to greatly improve bathing comfort for swimmers, both young and old. More than 20% of pool owners in Australia have a family member with a skin or respiratory condition who stand to
Autumn 2020 benefit the most from MagnaPool. Utilising the same minerals found in natural mineral springs, MagnaPool is gentler on the skin, hair and eyes, and can greatly reduce common discomforts experienced by those swimming in chlorine pools with sensitive skin. Discover the MagnaPool difference today at www.magnapool.com.
MAGNA POOL P: 1300 763 021 E: INFO@MAGNALPOOL.COM W: WWW.MAGNAPOOL.COM.AU
SPASA SPOTLIGHT: HORIZON POOLS
Horizon Pools is one of the most recognised and trusted names in the pool building business. With over twenty-five years’ experience and thousands of pools and spa projects completed, Horizon leads the way in pool design, construction and technology. Specialists in both fibreglass and concrete alternatives, Horizon offers incredible choice for you and your family — if you can dream it, we can build it...anything is possible.
This beautiful, contemporary gold awardwinning pool was achieved on a budget and designed to utilise a previously wasted part of the owner’s garden. Located next to an outdoor entertaining area, the functionality and amenity of the pool provides a zoned outdoor entertaining space for this growing family to enjoy for many years to come.
HORIZON POOLS P: 1300 127 665 E: INFO@HORIZONPOOLS.COM.AU W: WWW.HORIZONPOOLS.COM.AU
NATIONAL FIBREGLASS POOL UP TO $60,000
