Category: Fiberglass Pools

A lot of people are now looking for ways to enhance their homes and turn their backyards into a place where they can take a staycation. Many are considering a new inground pool and probably searched the internet for “fiberglass pool dealers near me” or simply, “pool dealers near me.” Perhaps that’s how you landed here today. Regardless of how you found us, we’re glad you are here. Before you get in touch with a dealer, you’ll want to know the answers to these top ten questions:

 

Question 1: Which type of pool is the best for me?

Fiberglass Pools vs. Gunite vs. Vinyl Liner

An inground pool is a big investment. You’ll want to make sure you’re thinking hard about what you’ll get from your investment. There are three different types of inground pools, including fiberglass, gunite (concrete), and vinyl liner. Each has different strengths and weaknesses, depending on your priorities. 

If a low, upfront investment is your most important criteria, a vinyl liner pool is probably your best bet. If you’re looking for a completely custom, one-of-a-kind pool—and cost is no object—gunite may be the pool type for you. If you’re looking for a durable, low-maintenance pool with built-in features that’s easy on the eyes, feet, and budget, there’s a fiberglass pool in your future. 

See what Thursday Pools’ Annie Brock has to say about choosing the type of pool that is best for you. 

 

 

Question 2: How much is it going to cost to have my pool installed?

How much your inground pool will cost can depend on various factors – what type of pool you’re looking to get, what add-ons or features you’re interested in, where you live, etc. For example, if you live in a sunbelt state like California, Florida, or Texas, certain inground pool types may be more affordable than if you live in the Midwest. However, keep in mind that the total costs for your pool project depend on a number of other factors.

When you’re working with your pool dealer, you should avoid hidden costs by insisting on a written proposal with all costs calculated, including taxes and extras. A professional dealer will provide a detailed inventory of products, services, and construction prices, and, as long as there are no changes to the scope of the project (such as unexpected problems or changes you request after the project is started), your proposal should be fairly accurate.

However, there are times when no one can anticipate situational costs. I once had a job that was a little difficult to navigate. Unbeknownst to the homeowner or me, we found that the subdivision developer had buried all the tree stumps that were originally cleared from the subdivision into the homeowner’s backyard. To haul away all the stumps, refill, and compact the area, a signed change order would have needed to be agreed upon before any changes were completed. Fortunately, we were able to move the location of the pool. We didn’t need to ask for additional money, and we would never do any work requiring additional money without prior approval from the homeowner. Make sure your builder uses change orders, so you’ll be aware if costs increase as the project progresses.

If you want to learn more about inground pool costs, check out this blog post.

Watch Annie Brock’s answer to “How much is my pool installation really going to be?”

 

Another question we often get asked related to the cost of installation is what the installation process is like and how long it takes. Annie answers this question in the video below.

Question 3: How do I compare builders?

Research online to find a company with whom you want to work. One of the best ways to check out a dealer’s reputation is by Googling their business and reading the reviews on their Google business listing. You may see a few bad reviews, but that’s not necessarily a reason to avoid the company. What you want to look for is a decent number of reviews and a rating between 4.0 and 4.8. These ratings will give you an indication of whether the company is reliable and good to work with.

Once you narrow down the list to your best few candidates of “fiberglass pool dealers near me,” dig a little deeper. Find out:

• If they are well-organized. Give them a call and ask them to explain their process. It does not take long to figure out if a company is unorganized or is not a seasoned professional.
• Their installation time table. If they are asking for a down payment now, but can’t get started for a few months, they may have cash flow problems.
• More about their reputation. After checking out Google reviews, check their Better Business Bureau profile. If there are any complaints, did they address and correct them?
• If they are good at what they do. They should have multiple examples of their work to show off their design capabilities. Ask them for references from other happy pool owners who they have served.
• Which pool manufacturers they represent. Once you know where they get their pools, you can look at the manufacturer websites and compare them.

To further narrow down your selection, choose your top three builders, and evaluate them against each other. While your first instinct might be to go for the lowest price (and working to your budget is important), remember that you may genuinely get what you pay for. Your pool manufacturer will likely help you find independent builders in your area, but here are a few criteria to help you evaluate and select a pool builder. 

• Set an in-person or video-conference with your builder. Expect to be asked about the ideas you have for your backyard and the budget range you’re looking to stay within. If you’re married, experienced pool builders will most likely ask to meet with you and your spouse together. 
• Ask for referrals, follow up on them, and watch out for gimmicks. In my experience, as a builder, we were frequently asked for referrals, but the prospective customer didn’t follow up before hiring us. Giving other customers a call is a great way to understand what it’s going to be like to work with your prospective builder. You’ll also want to watch out for gimmicks like giving away “free water,” as most builders already include it in the quote. 

Look for builders who guide and educate you through the process. At some point, the builder is going to need to meet at your home, and most good ones will ask for an appointment at your house. Some even require that you visit their design center or store before sending out a representative. You’re looking for a builder that can demonstrate their experience through other projects and by answering your questions. The best builders will ask you how you plan to evaluate builders and guide you through that process. They work hard to help you make the right decision for your family, and that usually results in them having a great reputation in the community. 

Question 4: If I choose a fiberglass pool, what do I look for to determine the quality? 

Okay, let’s be transparent here. I’m a writer for Thursday Pools. I also agreed to write for them because I believe they are one of, if not the highest quality fiberglass pool manufacturer in the market today. Not only should you do your homework by starting your search looking for a “pool dealer near me,” but you should also search “fiberglass pool manufacturers.” Here are what I consider to be a few key aspects of a high-quality fiberglass pool:

• Unique craftsmanship.  It takes master craftsmen who have a lot of experience in the fiberglass composite industry to create elegant and functional designs. Thursday Pools has 35+ years of experience in manufacturing fiberglass and composites.
• A proven process. Thursday Pools has a process that takes their innovations from start to finish, ensuring quality is maintained. All Thursday Pools fiberglass pools are built to meet strict ISO 9001 standards for quality of construction materials as well as ISO 140001 standards for environmental stewardship. 
• Fiberglass pool strength. The durability of the fiberglass pool is tantamount. Thursday Pools is one of the only manufacturers I know that adds vertical and horizontal supports throughout the pool by using a tubular construction method and a honeycomb core. This construction technique is applied to all horizontal surfaces such as steps, benches, and tanning ledges, and vertically along the pool wall. They finish their pools by adding 360 degrees of strength around the pool coping, which provides additional rigidity and strength to the pool.
• Texture and surface finish.  Every step into your pool should be safe. Ask about the texture of the pool and how the manufacturer is ensuring a non-slip surface while ensuring it isn’t rough. The surface should look stunning while not snagging your swimsuit or being harsh on your feet.

 

 

 

Question 5: How much should I expect to pay in annual pool maintenance?

This is a question some pool buyers really don’t consider before they buy. For example, some inground pool types have an attractively low upfront cost but will end up costing more in repairs and maintenance over the lifetime of the pool. As you conduct your research, make sure to ask the pool builders about estimated maintenance costs, as they will vary based on your geographic location. Make sure they include maintenance costs for the following:

• Balancing your pool water chemistry 
• Pool filtration system 
• Pool skimmers and returns

Here’s another video from Annie about how much you should expect to pay in annual pool maintenance.

You also might be interested to hear that fiberglass pools are easier to maintain than other inground pool types.

 

Question 6: How long should I wait to swim after shocking the pool? 

There are many variables on this subject, including: 

• how much water is in the pool, 
• the chemicals that you use, 
• how much chemical you have put in the pool,
• and the amount of sunlight.

Thursday Pools recommends that when it comes to water chemistry, you seek advice from your local pool maintenance professional. If your pool was manufactured by Thursday Pools, you should refer to our Owner’s Manual for our recommended water chemistry levels.

I have heard those that say two to five hours, or shock late and let it sit overnight, or wait for the pump to run at least 8 hours. I think the absolute best way to be safe is to test the water, checking for 5ppm of chlorine, or wait 24 hours with the water circulating. 

Most importantly, all professional testing pool stores are well versed in what they recommend you add and know the amount of time you should stay out of the pool. As I mentioned above, always consult a professional before managing the water chemistry in your pool.

 

Question 7: Can a pool be built at any time during the year?

Well, it depends based on where you live. There are year-round builders located in warm, dry climates. Those of us in the northern states are restricted by winter weather where freezing temperatures, snow, and ice are normal. Most of the country has a March through November construction season. Not to say that there are not some fiberglass pool builders near you that are likely giving it a go all year.

As a former pool builder myself, I found it very difficult to try to fight winter. Most builders will agree with that reasoning. Winter is not the best time to install a pool in the Midwest, but with the fluctuations in the weather, it’s getting done more than it was in the past. A fiberglass pool and a vinyl pool are installed very quickly in proper weather conditions, so wait for the right conditions.

Learn more about the best time to buy a pool by watching a short message from my colleague, Annie Brock, at Thursday Pools.

 

My advice is to plan in the fall for a spring installation. Check with your local builder for the best time and deals they may offer. Ready to connect with an independent fiberglass pool dealer near you? Simply click the button below, and we’ll get you in touch with someone from your area.

 

 

Question 8: What kind of built-in features come with inground pools?

More and more pools are becoming a place to socialize with friends and entertain. They create an iconic experience in the privacy of your backyard. When you’re on Google typing in “dealers near me,” one thing you might want to consider before contacting a dealer is the built-in features you’d like to have in your new fiberglass pool. 

One of the most common trends in built-in features for fiberglass pools are tanning ledges.  A tanning ledge is a shallow area in the pool that will allow you to place some additional furniture in the pool. It offers a nice place to sit and cool off when you’re not ready to go for a swim or play in the water. 

Models like our popular Aspen, pictured to the right, offer a great opportunity to place a couple of ledge loungers in the pool area. Look at that wide-open ledge in the image. It’s perfect for two loungers.  

You’ll also see a couple of other great built-in features in the same picture, a bench for lounging or sunbathing in the pool, a courtesy ledge that provides a resting area for swimmers, and two sun shelves located at the deep end of the pool. 

When you check out our pool designs, you’ll see many other features, including the beach entry fiberglass pool (Patent US 10,472,839).

Here’s another great video from Annie about built-in features.

 

Questions 9 & 10: What types of pools are best for dogs and kids? 

Seriously, there are certain types of pools that are better for dogs and kids. Wouldn’t it be nice if our dogs could speak for themselves? I’m not sure I’d always want to hear what they have to say, which is why you have to watch this video and see what a couple of dogs had to say about their owner’s antics in the pool.

Okay, I hope you at least got a good laugh from watching that video, but it didn’t really answer the question. So, here’s Annie to give you some advice on the best pools for dogs and kids.

 

A big thanks to Annie Brock from Thursday Pools for helping me answer your questions. 

Now, only one question remains … Are you still searching for “a pool dealer near me?” 

If you are, then simply click the button below, and we’ll get you in touch with one of our independent Thursday Pools dealers.

 

 

Until next time, 

The General 

 

Who is The General? 

The man, the myth, the legend….we just call him The General. His organized, systematic approach to pool installations over the years had his crew members calling him “The General,” and it stuck. The General has over 30 years’ experience in the pool and spa industry, working for one of Pool and Spa News, “Top 50 Pool Builders.” 

Through that time, he designed, sold, project-managed, and installed over a thousand inground swimming pools. As a pool owner himself, he’s the perfect authority to give you the inside scoop, with amazing tips and tricks to make pool ownership a breeze! 

 

 

 

 

 

You are by this NOTICE advised that pools manufactured by Thursday Pools are sold by independent dealers and dealerships. Each dealer is an independent business entity, that is completely separate from the manufacturer, Thursday Pools. Each dealer is an independent contractor, and no dealer is an owner, agent (in fact or law), or employee of Thursday Pools, the manufacturer. Thursday Pools, the manufacturer, hereby disclaims any liability for an intentional or negligent act by any dealer, dealership, or installer, or any damage to any Thursday Pools pool caused by an act of any dealer, dealership, or installer.