September Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Royal Pools and More, Dyer Indiana
Every month, we chat with Thursday Pools dealers to learn more about their business and what’s trending in their area. This month, we talked to Frank DeBartolo, Jr. of Royal Pools and More in Dyer, Indiana. Tell us a little about yourself and your business. Well, we couldn’t be more of a family affair. My dad, Frank, Sr., started the Royal Pools and More around 2001. Now, we have cousins, uncles, brothers and just about every other relation at some level of the business. And we’ve got 15-20 seasonal employees. What do you love about being in the pool business? I love that we’re in the business of creating fun. I know that sounds corny, but we take a place that’s just basically a patch of grass and we create a space where families will have fun together for many years. That makes me happy. I was in the restaurant business in Chicago for a long time, working in the kitchen. As a chef, you don’t get to see the satisfaction on people’s faces when they’re enjoying what you’ve done. In the pool business, you do. I dig that. What are the most popular features in the fiberglass pools you’re […]
Read MoreHow Do I Start Preparing to Close My Inground Fiberglass Pool?
When temperatures consistently fall below 65 degrees, it’s time to host the final pool parties of the season and start preparing to close your fiberglass pool. Preparing adequately for closing ensures a smooth transition into winter and a more effortless spring opening. To put your best foot forward, observe the following pool maintenance tasks to check off your list before winter. Schedule Your Closing Date Timing is crucial when it comes to pool closing. Contact your pool service company early to schedule a closing date. Taking a proactive approach to saving the date will help ensure you secure a spot before the busy closing season begins. Consider scheduling based on your climate and coordinate the date with other seasonal tasks to maximize efficiency. In colder climates, close the pool consistently before temperatures drop below freezing, typically between late September and mid-October. You may push closing to late October or early November in milder climates. If you live in an area with lots of falling leaves, you might want to close the pool earlier or use a cover to prevent debris buildup. Properly balanced water will reduce the likelihood of algae growth and ensure cleaner water when you reopen the pool […]
Read MoreThe Hidden Costs of Installing an Inground Pool
Inground pool quotes are often not all-inclusive. The estimate a builder provides on day one typically covers the pool structure, the excavation, and the core installation, but may stop there. Permits, fencing, decking, landscaping, and more line items may appear later as hidden costs of installing an inground pool. Why Inground Pool Quotes Can Look Lower Than the Final Total Two buyers with identical pools can receive quotes that differ by $20,000 or more. The gap usually comes down to scope: one quote includes premium decking, fencing, and landscaping, while the other covers only the pool and core installation. The only way to compare quotes accurately is to confirm what each one includes and excludes before you use it to make decisions. A low base quote isn’t a bargain if it leaves out $15,000 in fencing and electrical work you’ll have to pay for anyway. For a full breakdown of inground pool cost by pool type, including fiberglass, vinyl liner, and concrete, see our complete Inground Pool Cost Guide. What Does an Inground Pool Installation Quote Typically Include? Most standard installation packages cover the pool structure (shell, steel framing, or concrete depending on pool type), excavation and backfill, delivery, a […]
Read MoreLarge Fiberglass Pools
Pool owners love fiberglass pools for many reasons. And everyone loves deep and large fiberglass pools. Fiberglass pools are low-maintenance, quick to install and require fewer chemicals. Because fiberglass pools don’t have liners to replace or concrete that will eventually need to be replastered, they have the lowest lifetime cost of ownership over vinyl and gunite pools. They also have a smooth, durable finish that’s totally pet friendly, making them a sure bet for everyone in the family to love. So why would anyone choose anything other than fiberglass? Well, there really aren’t too many reasons! However, for pool buyers looking for large fiberglass pools, the options are somewhat limited. Whereas gunite and vinyl pools are built on-site, fiberglass pools are made in a factory, out of a mold, and then transported in one piece to the home of their lucky new pool owners. There’s a limit to the size of what can be safely loaded, unloaded and transported, and on-site physical barriers like fences and trees also have to be taken into consideration when delivering large fiberglass pools. Alas, there are several large fiberglass pools that allow swimming pool owners the best of both worlds–big and low-maintenance. For your […]
Read MoreWill an Inground Swimming Pool Add to my Home’s Resale Value?
When considering buying a pool, a popular question people ask is, “Does a pool add value to a home?” The short answer is “yes, it can.” However, it’s essential to acknowledge that while some home buyers see a pool as a huge asset, some buyers would never consider purchasing a home with a pool. In this post, we’ll consider some factors that help determine whether a pool (including a fiberglass pool) increases home value. THE POOL TYPE Above-ground pools will likely not increase your home value, so we will only consider inground pools. Remember that not all inground pools are created equal. A durable, shimmering blue fiberglass pool that is maintained and cared for will help resale more than a faded-out vinyl-lined pool with an obvious need for repair. Also, a lower maintenance pool will be more attractive to home buyers. Gunite pool maintenance includes steel brushing the surface every week, acid washing every three to five years, and resurfacing every 10 to 15 years. For vinyl liner pools, you will need to replace the liner every five to nine years. Both gunite and vinyl require more chemicals and maintenance time. With fiberglass pools, there is no need to […]
Read MoreAsk the General- How Much Water Fits in my Inground Fiberglass Pool?
Dear General- Our pool is fairly new. One of our neighbors recently asked me how much water fits in my inground fiberglass pool and my answer was, “Um… a lot.” I realize that’s probably not the level of detail I should know about my own pool. But math is really not my strong suit. Can you help? Signed- Wondering about Water in Wabash Dear Wondering- Most of us don’t spend a ton of time doing math to calculate the water volume in our pools. (It’s hard to work a calculator under water.) The easy answer is that your pool installer most likely gave you this information when installing the pool. However, you might have lost that information in your excitement to start swimming. So let’s wade into this water question… Why Do You Need to Know Your Pool’s Water Volume? Other than satisfying your neighbor’s curiosity, why would you need to know how much water your pool holds? Well, there are a couple of good reasons. Determining chemical usage. I know you don’t love math, but you certainly can’t begin to calculate how much volume of any chemical you need to bring your water into balance if you don’t […]
Read MoreAugust Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Hendrick Pool and Lawn Service, McCordsville, Indiana
Every month, we chat with Thursday Pools dealers to learn more about their business and what’s trending in their area. This month, we talked to Jonathan Hendrick, one of the owner/operators of Hendrick Pool and Lawn Service. They specialize in full-service fiberglass and vinyl pool installations, including landscaping and hardscaping, as well as pool and lawn service and maintenance in and around Hamilton County, Indiana, including the communities of Fishers, Geist, Carmel, Noblesville and Westfield along with communities as far south as Bloomington and Nashville, Indiana. Tell us a little about yourself and your business. Well, we’re definitely family owned! My dad, Gary Hendrick, started the business in 1987. My brother, Justin, and I have been working in the business since we were in high school.  In 2009, we added the landscaping and lawn services, and now, Justin runs that end while Dad and I focus on pools. We have about 40 employees–three full-time office people, plus pool installation, pool service, landscaping, hardscaping and mowing crews. We also have a couple of full-time drivers and one guy that does all of our landscape lighting. And now, my fiancĂ©e Amber runs the office, so the family business just keeps growing. What […]
Read MoreTurn Your Pool Financing Dream Into a Reality
Have you been looking out your window wishing there was a brand new fiberglass pool out there? Have you (or your kids) been dreaming about a pool for years, but you think you can’t afford it? If your answer to these questions is perpetually, “Yes. Maybe next year,” it’s time to change your mindset. Financing your new inground fiberglass pool project is easier than you might think. There are several financing options available that can get you started finding a great pool builder near you and choosing the pool of your dreams so you can tell the kids, “Yeah! This is the year we do it!” POOL FINANCING TIPS TO FAST TRACK YOUR POOL PURCHASE Think positively. When you make something a priority, you can make it happen. Most of us won’t be in a place to simply write a check, but if you really want a pool, and you’re willing to make a few sacrifices in other places, you can probably achieve your goal of saving up at least enough for a nice chunk of a down payment. Charge ahead. The high interest rates of credit cards might make it prohibitive to put your entire pool purchase on a single […]
Read MoreHow Do I Find a Great Pool Builder Near Me?
How Do I Find a Great Pool Builder Near Me? After hours of perusing website after website to get ideas and find the exact pool design and color you want, you just need to figure out exactly how to get it! You need a professional, experienced pool builder near you to turn your dream into reality. So you might be asking, “How do I find a great pool builder near me?” Some pool-building companies are quite large–they do tons of marketing and have a team of installers juggling multiple projects at once. Other pool builders are one-person operations, and you’ll typically have the owner and a couple of helpers working on your pool project. One is not necessarily better than the other– it comes down to who you want to work with and whether you’re happy with the price they give you. You’ll definitely want to get more than one estimate, and when you’re comparing those estimates, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Go through the estimates carefully and consider whether they include the same options. Additionally, compare all their credentials and applicable consumer reviews so you can be sure you’re making the best choice. As you’re starting your […]
Read MoreAsk the General; What Can I Expect with New Pool Costs and Accessories?
Dear General: You can’t possibly imagine how badly my family wants a pool. But we don’t know where to start. What can I expect with new pool costs and accessories?  How can I get us from the dreaming stage to the swimming stage? Signed; Pool-less in Plainfield Dear Pool-less; Don’t despair. You have to start somewhere. As is the case with any big project, you have to break it down. While I can’t tell you exactly what your new pool will cost and what you might need in addition to the pool, I can give you some advice to help you get started. You’ll need to get in-home estimates from your local pool professionals and decide how you’d like to finance your pool. So let’s break down how you can get a little closer to that “swimming stage.” Pool Cost On average here in the Midwest, a basic inground fiberglass pool or inground vinyl liner pool installed with a pump, filter, chlorinator with a simple concrete deck surround (and don’t forget, water) will typically fall somewhere between $25,000 and $65,000 without the optional accessories we’ll discuss later in the post. That said, there are many factors that will affect […]
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