Thursday Pools Dealer Spotlight Archives

May Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: B&B Pools, Indianapolis

Posted on May 30, 2019March 28, 2024 by krista

Each month, we enjoy learning more about a member of the Thursday Pools fiberglass pool dealer family for our dealer spotlight. This month, we chatted with Bill McGraw, owner/operator of B&B Pools in Indianapolis.

B&B Pools is based on Indy’s south side. They install both fiberglass pools and vinyl liner pools throughout the greater Indianapolis area in Marion County, Hamilton County, Hancock County, Johnson County, Morgan County and Boone County.

Some of the communities in which they’ve built pools include: Indianapolis, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, Carmel, Southport, Homecroft, Beech Grove, Martinsville, Mooresville, New Palestine, Franklin, Brownsburg, Avon and Plainfield.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

Well, we’re a pretty small operation. It’s just me, my son John, and our one other crew member, Quirino. Nobody can pronounce that, so we just call him Memo. The three of us do the pool installation, and we have a team of subs that do the concrete and electrical work.

This is my 40th season in the pool business, but I’ve been out on my own for seven years. My son, John, has been working next to me since he was 15 years old, so that’s 20 years now. I hope he’ll take over the business from me when I’m ready to sit down.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

I’ve always loved working outside. I like to build things. It’s what I do on my days off. I build things around the house. I’m a hands-on kind of guy, and I’m not really a salesman. I just like to do the work.

For me, it’s great to look at what I’ve done over the course of the day and say, “Man, that looks good.” I feel best when everybody’s happy.

What percentage of your business is vinyl vs. fiberglass inground pools?

It’s probably about 50/50. When people choose vinyl liners, I think it’s because they’re after a really big pool. When they choose fiberglass, I think it’s mostly because they like the low pool maintenance and those built-in features, like wide steps and tanning ledges.

Which Thursday Pools fiberglass pool designs and colors are the most popular among your pool buyers in the greater Indianapolis area?

Well, I know everybody says the Aspen. I do too. It’s just a great pool. It checks all the boxes. People love the steps and the tanning ledge. I also sell a lot of the Lil Box LX, for people who have smaller yards. It still has that great tanning ledge and the built-in benches are a big draw.

Several of my customers recently have chosen the Goliath for the swim lane. And last year, I installed the new freeform, Sun Day, which just looked great. In terms of color, it used to be mostly California and Maya, but now they have Graphite, which is a nice dark gray. That’s getting really popular around here.

What are the most popular add-on features in the fiberglass inground pools you’re installing right now?

People really like water features and specialty lighting, like Laminar, that they can control with their phones.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry fiberglass pool designs?

I really think they’re interesting (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). I haven’t installed one yet, but I did have a customer inquire about it.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of the country?

Honestly, I think we’re pretty lucky. Our soil is generally pretty good, and we don’t run into too many access issues like some of the other guys do in different areas. But every job is an adventure. So we just take it as it comes.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you, and what do you include as standard?

Our standard installation would be in the mid-50s. Some of our installs will go into the 60s. We include the pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, an APC automatic pool safety cover and handrails. Unless somebody asks for something else, I use Hayward brand equipment. We also include two lights and two fountains as standard in all our projects. Since I’m a small operation, I can keep my overhead pretty low. So, I can pass that savings onto my customers.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

Most of our buyers are families in their 40s. They’re all different, but they’re all looking for ways to keep the kids home and get them to talk to each other. Grandparents are doing the same thing. Pools are a great way for families to spend some fun time together.

What works for you in terms of marketing?

We don’t advertise at all. We get all our leads through word-of-mouth and our website. Thursday Pools helped me get my website up and running when I first got into the business.

I used to have all kinds of pamphlets and brochures around to give people, but I’ve found that I don’t really need those anymore. Everybody does a lot of research online, and they pretty much know what they want before they even talk to me.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Thursday Pools has been great to me. Like I said, they helped me get my start in the business. And they still help me whenever I need it. They make a great product, and they make my life easier. I like working with the best, and I think Thursday Pools makes the best quality fiberglass pools.

What’s the secret to B&B Pools’ success?

I think people like us because we’re small. We do one pool at a time, and the pool buyers deal directly with me. They like being able to call the owner on his cell anytime if they have a question about their pool. I’m dealing with my customers on a one-on-one basis. There are no project managers.

And I think the secret to success is pretty simple: You just do what you say you’re going to do. Then, your customers are happy, and they’ll tell all their friends about you.

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.

May Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Pool People, Lancaster, Ohio

Posted on May 17, 2019March 28, 2024 by krista

Each month, we enjoy learning more about a member of the Thursday Pools fiberglass pool dealer family for our dealer spotlight. In March, we chatted with Dan Dodds and Jarrod Dodds, the father and son duo who operate The Pool People of Ohio, along with Dan’s brothers, Pat and Jay to hear what they had to say about inground pools in Columbus, Ohio.

Located 30 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio, The Pool People of Ohio serve communities south and east of Columbus, including: Lithopolis, Carroll, Logan, Circleville, Amanda, Baltimore, Pickerington and Canal Winchester.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

My [Dan’s] dad, Thomas Dodds, started this business in 1952. At the time, it was a remodeling and construction business. I joined the business in 1980. Dad and I went to a remodeling show where we ran into some people from Imperial Pools out of New York. They manufacture vinyl pools. It seemed like getting into inground pools in Columbus, Ohio, might be the next logical step for us to expand our business. And, it turned out to be a great decision.

Our business is truly a family affair, with both of my brothers, son Jarrod, and daughter Hannah all involved. Jay, Jarrod, Hannah and I operate the pool business, while Pat runs the home improvement division.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

This business is fun. It’s different every day. For most people, getting a pool is the fulfillment of a lifetime dream. It never gets old to see how excited the kids are about getting their new pool.

Which Thursday Pools fiberglass designs and colors are the most popular among your inground pools in Columbus, Ohio?

Like a lot of other Thursday Pools dealers, our biggest seller is the Aspen, followed closely by the Goliath. I really like the Aspen–they thought of everything with that design. As far as fiberglass pool colors go, for us, it’s mostly California and Maya.

What are the most popular add-on features in the fiberglass inground pools you’re installing right now?

The Backfill Eliminator® is fantastic, and that’s standard in any of our installations that have a tanning ledge. Many of our pools are salt water systems these days, and I’d say about 40% of our pools include an automatic pool safety cover.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry fiberglass pool designs?

I think they’re cool… kind of like an Aspen with a twist. We’ve had a couple of customers interested in them, but we haven’t sold any yet.

What do you think about the new Thursday Pools’ sunken living room designs?

It’s an interesting idea. I think older folks might like them, who are looking for pools to socialize in. I do think families with younger kids will probably opt for pools with more swim space. We’re curious to see where these go, but I will say, Thursday Pools really comes up with some innovations!

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of the country?

Well, we have pretty good soil here … not much rock like other places have, except when we get a little farther south. Permitting issues aren’t too bad either. So, all in all, I guess we’re pretty lucky.

Most of our installations are done on land with existing homes, and I’m not going to take the job if I’m not sure I can get a fiberglass pool shell in there. I’ve seen it done, but I’m not going to use a crane!

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you, and what do you include as standard?

Our standard installation runs between $50,000-$70,000. That includes the pool installed, with standard equipment–heater, high-efficiency pump and lights. We offer customized deck packages, and everything else is a la carte so people can get exactly what they want.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

Pool buyers come in all shapes and sizes. It’s young families with kids, young married couples who don’t have kids yet, and grandparents who want a fun place for the whole family to be. One thing is for sure … as far as vinyl versus fiberglass goes, more and more people are asking for fiberglass pools every year.

What works for you in terms of marketing?

Our customers sell our pools for us. I don’t even go to a customer’s house until the pool is essentially sold with a deposit often made. Early on, I can see what I need to see about the customer’s property on Google Earth. When you submit an inquiry for a quote on our website, you’ll get a list of names of our previous customers, and we’ll ask you to contact at least five of them to tell you about how much they like their pools. By the time you’re done talking to them, you’re ready to buy your pool from us. Period. Everytime I collect for a job, I say, “You’re on our reference list right? It’s okay for people to call you?” And they say, “Yeah! I want to tell people about my pool. I love it.” When we sell a new pool, I ask them which customer had the biggest impact on your decision to buy? And then I send that person a gift card.

Here’s the thing … communication is key. By the time I’m collecting for a job, I already know these people are happy. Because I’ve been in constant communication with them throughout the process. It heads off any potential problems.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Well, first of all, the quality of their pools … there’s nothing better. And talking to these guys is like talking to your best friend. They’ve grown so much over these last couple of years–just seeing how many more dealers are at the dealer conference every year is crazy. It’s quadrupled from the old days. Their whole team is great to work with. And we’re all about their slide-off delivery. It makes our lives easy, and it protects people’s pool shells.

What’s the secret to The Pool Peoples’ success?

I think our whole philosophy goes back to my dad. He always told me, “You make your reputation every day.” So I keep that in mind in everything we do. We take care of our employees first. Some of these employees have been here longer than Jarrod’s been alive. Our greenest installer has been here six years. We’re a family.

About The Pool People of Ohio

The Pool People of Ohio sells both vinyl and fiberglass inground pools throughout central Ohio. In addition to their pool business, the Dodds family also own Dodds Family Living Center, Inc., which offers building and remodeling services. They offer a full range of pool maintenance chemicals, automatic pool cleaners, spa products and equipment and replacement parts in their store.

March Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Cherry Pools, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Posted on April 24, 2019March 28, 2024 by krista

Each month, we enjoy learning more about a member of the Thursday Pools dealer family for our dealer spotlight. In March, we chatted with Jason Cherry, who owns Cherry Pools in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with his wife Gloria. They exclusively sell Thursday Pools fiberglass pools.

Located southeast of Tulsa, Cherry Pools serves communities within a 60 to 90 mile radius, including: Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Owasso, Pryor, Tahlequah, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Bartlesville, Vinita, Siloam Springs and Fayetteville.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

My wife and I started this business in the summer of 2017 with nothing. We literally walked into our local bank with a hundred dollar bill and said, “We want to start a business.” And we did. I had been in the pool business since 1997, and I just really wanted something of my own. Also, I saw a niche.
As I looked at the other businesses, they were all competing on price. There were a bunch of guys fighting over the bottom 70 percent. I didn’t want to jump into that fray. We decided we would just be the best. The best fiberglass pool shell, the best components, the best systems, and the best installation practices. That’s our niche. We’re not apologetic about the fact that we’re the highest-end fiberglass pool dealer around here.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

When you buy a car and decide you don’t like it a few years down the road, you just trade it in. Pools are different. They’re personal, and they’re permanent. It’s a big decision, and it’s important to folks to make the right choice. It’s a big deal for them. The kids are excited. The parents are excited. It’s really fun to go through the process with them and bring it all to life. We educate them about pool buying and pool ownership. We answer questions they haven’t even thought to ask yet. And when it’s all done, it’s a real sense of accomplishment.

Which Thursday Pools fiberglass pool designs and colors are the most popular among your pool buyers in the Tulsa area?

You know, we sell almost all the designs. I guess our most popular are Lil Bob LX, Wellspring, Sun Day, Aspen, Sea Turtle and Goliath. Thursday Pools pretty much has something for every family. As far as colors go, we typically only use the lightest ones, like Caribbean Sparkle or Sandstone, because they keep the water cooler. It’s hot here!

What are the most popular add-on features in the fiberglass inground pools you’re installing right now?

All our pools have some kind of water feature. Water features keep the water circulating, which increases evaporation and keeps the water cooler. All of our pools are automated. And all of our installations include stamped, colored, sealed concrete, artisan handrails and 30-watt, multi-colored lights. I know in a lot of places, automatic pool safety covers are a big thing, but out here, they hold too much heat in the pool– our biggest challenge is keeping pools cool!

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry fiberglass pool designs?

Oh, I think they’re fantastic. We’ve had several customers ask about them. We showed it off at the home show and people flipped (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). We haven’t sold one yet, but we might this year. We have a couple of new-build projects that they would work well with.

What do you think about the new Thursday Pools’ sunken living room designs?

They’re great! I’ll definitely sell them. That super high-end kind of pool experience will fit right in with my customers. I think it’s going to be big.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of the country?

Rain, rain, rain. The water table is already really high here, and it just keeps raining. People really have to keep an eye on their water levels in their pools to make sure they’re equalizing their groundwater pressure. But here’s what makes me feel more comfortable about that–the Thursday Pools Fiberglass Pool Anchoring System™. I can sleep at night knowing that the fiberglass pools I install are warrantied against them coming out of the ground. Thursday Pools is the only fiberglass pool company that does that. So, what I can do is sell people a fiberglass pool and all the good stuff that comes along with that, like lower pool maintenance and no liner replacement or replastering. They’ll also get the custom look of gunite, without ever having to worry about the things a customer calling to say their pool popped out of the ground. It just doesn’t happen. I have a zero percent failure rate. That feels really good.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you?

Well, like I said, we don’t offer “good, better, best.” We just offer “best.” So, there may be some fiberglass pool projects around here that are coming in around the $25,000 mark. Our pools are $55,000- $65,000. And when someone says, “Hey. Your quote is $20,000 more than the other guy, I say, “Yep. It had better be! Want me to tell you why?” And they’re usually pretty happy with their price in the end. Because I help them see how much they’re going to save over time with a really good quality fiberglass pool. It’s totally worth the upfront investment.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

It hasn’t really changed. It’s still folks in their 30s, 40s and 50s who have decided they’re staying put. They want to invest in their homes and have a cool place to hang out because they’re in it for the long haul.

What works for you in terms of marketing?

We don’t do a ton of marketing. Gloria does the website, and we work hard to keep that up. We do the home shows. But word of mouth is our best advertising.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Well, I think the fact that I don’t sell anything else kind of says it all. We’re 100 percent committed to Thursday Pools. The fact that they’re ISO 9001 certified means that they have a checks and balances system for maintaining quality that no one else has. I’m having pools shipped from almost 700 miles away. I could save some money on shipping by getting them from somewhere closer. I’m not going to do that. It makes my cost higher, but it’s worth it. I’m putting my name behind these pools, and it’s a small town! The quality is everything to me. Also, when they say Thursday Pools is a family, they’re not just talking … you can’t really even understand how much that means until you experience it.

What’s the secret to Cherry Pools’ success?

We try to think of everything. We do things in our installations that other pool builders don’t, like heating the plumbing pipes and bending them for better water flow. We have a unique combination of equipment, hydraulics and automation that ends up saving our customers thousands of dollars in electricity over the years. Most pool installations have about $1200 worth of equipment in them–ours have almost $12,000. The details matter. We don’t take any shortcuts.

About Cherry Pools

Cherry Pools is a family-owned business. They take pride in installing only Thursday Pools fiberglass pools throughout the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. Jason and Gloria Cherry run the business, along with four full-time, year-round employees (and a little help from their kids, Winter, Bristol and Spencer.)

January Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: W.E.T. Pools and Spas, Effingham, Illinois

Posted on January 25, 2019March 28, 2024 by krista

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 Doug Thoele, owner of W.E.T. Pools and Spas in Effingham, Illinois.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

We were originally in the pressure washer business. I started the company with a couple of partners in 1996. When the economy went south, around 1999, we switched gears. We had named the company Water Equipment Technologies (W.E.T.) so that we could go in more than one direction with the business if we needed to. It seemed at that time like there weren’t too many pool and spa companies around here, so we thought we’d work our way into that market. It turned out pretty well. And now, as far as the ownership goes, it’s just me.

What geographic areas do you serve?

We serve most of southern Illinois, and we’ll go as far as 75-100 miles away. Our primary service areas for fiberglass pool installations are Effingham, Charleston, Marshall, Mattoon, Shelbyville and Vandalia, Illinois.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

I like that it’s seasonal, and I like to work outside. We started out as a service business, and that’s what we still are. I wouldn’t have it any other way. We have great customers and that makes my job really easy.

What Thursday Pools fiberglass pool designs and colors are the most popular among pool buyers in the areas you serve?

Our biggest seller is the Lil Bob. We also sell a lot of Goliaths and Aspens. Automatic pool covers are pretty much standard around here, so we like pools that are auto-cover ready. We work with APC (Automatic Pool Covers), and we like them a lot. Most of our customers have pretty big lots, so they have room for deep and large fiberglass pools. We sell lots of 16 x 40s. California is by far our most popular color.

What are the most popular add-on features in the fiberglass pools that W.E.T. Pools and Spas installs right now?

We do lots of salt systems and lighting packages—also, deck jets, some waterfalls and a fair amount of slides. We don’t do any diving boards.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry designs?

We’ve been watching the new beach entry designs, Grace and Sandal (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). We haven’t had any hits on them yet. I’m curious as to how the automatic pool covers are going to work with them, and I’m looking forward to learning more about them at the Dealer Conference next month.

What particular challenges does W.E.T. Pools and Spas face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Indiana?

We’re pretty fortunate there—no complaints. We don’t have rocky soil, and most of our customers have pretty wide open access. So I guess we’re lucky compared to some.

What’s the cost of an average inground pool installation for you?

Our average inground fiberglass pool installation is around $45,000. That includes excavation, the pool itself, LED lighting, an automatic pool safety cover and the electrical work. We don’t do concrete or landscaping. We do about 18 inground fiberglass pool installations per year and around 25 vinyl liners.

What trends has W.E.T. Pools and Spas seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

I’ve used Thursday Pools’ Backfill Eliminator®. I think it works pretty well. We use the Lucky 7 Skimmer® on every pool we install. It’s saved us a ton of trouble. It makes the skimmers so much easier to install, and they work better too.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

Pool buyers are getting younger, I think. Our typical customers are families where both Mom and Dad work. They’re in the 35 to 45 year-old range. They buy a new house, and then put in a pool.

What works for W.E.T. Pools and Spas in terms of marketing?

We don’t do any marketing! We have enough to do! Seriously, it’s hard to find good workers, so we keep our business to what we can handle with the staff we have. If you can find a company that manufactures hard workers, let me know.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Thursday Pools is a top-notch company. They do things right. Their pools are easy to install because their dig specs are just dead-on. When you excavate for one of their pools, you know it’s going to fit. I’ve had other companies where the specs are off, or the pools are lower quality. Thursday Pools makes a really high quality product.

Another great thing is their literature and marketing materials. This has traditionally been “Vinyl Liner Country” around here. It was hard to get customers to understand the benefits of fiberglass pools for a while. Thursday Pools gave us lots of good literature to help us show people the benefits of fiberglass pools over other types of pools.

I also like the fact that I can always talk to them. They always have time. They’re just good people.

What’s the secret to W.E.T. Pool and Spa’s success?

Well, like I said before, we’re in the service business. I don’t like being in the spotlight because it’s not about us. It’s about our customers. We place a high emphasis on education and helping our customers get the most out of their pools. One of the things that’s been really successful for us is our Pool School, which we offer through our retail store every year in April. We offer our customers education on water chemistry and testing and pool maintenance in general and usually have at least 80 people attend.

Other than that, when it comes to installations, we just try not to take risks. It’s important to me that we do things right, the first time.

December Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Raft to Rafters Pool and Spa, Columbus, Indiana

Posted on December 21, 2018March 28, 2024 by krista

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 Matt Miller, owner of Raft to Rafters in Columbus, Indiana.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

Our business goes back a very long way! Here’s the story: In the 1960s, my grandfather, Lorin Johnson, who was a delivery man for Wonder Bread, was trying to convince my grandmother to move from town out into the country. She refused, because the kids loved to swim in the town pool, and they wouldn’t be able to get themselves to the pool if they moved to the country. He made her a deal by saying, “If I build us a house with a pool in the country, will you go?” She said “yes”.

And so my grandfather built the house and set about the task of finding a kit to build a pool. But everyone he talked to would only sell to him if he bought more than one kit. He finally found a place called Imperial Pools in New York state that agreed to sell him a single pool kit, so he bought it and built the pool, and they all moved to the country.

Pretty soon, a neighbor said, “Hey, can you build a pool for me?” So he did. And then another neighbor, and another… you get the picture. Pretty soon, he realized he was meant to be in the pool business. So he walked into work one day and said, “I quit. I’m starting my own business.” He had $50 to his name. But he worked so hard, day and night, and they scrimped for quite a while until he got his business up and running.

After a while, he actually became a distributor for Imperial Pools. He would drive out east every summer and load up a trailer full of pools. He helped set up multiple pool companies around this area.

My path wasn’t quite so direct. I started working in the business when I was 14, but I had my sights set on being a pilot. I went to Purdue, studied aviation and got my pilot’s license. But after 9/11, it was hard for pilots to find work. I had also dreamed of being a police officer, so I went to the police academy. But right about the time I was graduating, my grandfather, who was in failing health, asked me to come and talk to him about taking over the business. I was 25 at the time, and the idea of owning a business was a little overwhelming, but my grandfather believed I could do it, so I agreed to give it a shot. I bought the company in 2012. We now have about 20 full-time employees.

What geographic areas does Raft to Rafters serve?

We serve most of southern Indiana. We install pools and spas throughout Columbus, Greensburg, Shelbyville, Seymour, Madison, Batesville and Connersville. We’ll go as far east as Cincinnati.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

You don’t have to convince people to buy a pool. They already know they want one. I never push. If folks aren’t 100 percent sure, I just say to them, “You know, I’ll be here next year too … there’s no rush.” I really enjoy guiding them to make the best decision for their family.

People know I’m going to give them my best price, so there’s no haggling. Some of these people’s families were customers of my grandfather’s! They know my family, and they trust me.

I also love the way a pool brings families together. When kids are in the pool, they’re not on their phones. They’re not playing video games. It’s so much easier for parents to connect with their kids and relax when they have a pool.

And last, but most importantly, I’m honored to carry on my grandfather’s legacy. I know how hard he worked to build this business.

What fiberglass pool designs and colors are the most popular among pool buyers in the areas Raft to Rafters serves?

Just like all the other dealers, I have to say the Aspen. The tanning ledges are a must-have and the shape gives it so much character. Since 95 percent of our pools are installed with an auto-cover, the fact that it’s auto-cover ready is key. We also sell a fair amount of the Lil Bob LX. We do a lot of rural installations, so our customers have plenty of room, and they want a good sized pool.

What are the most popular add-on features in the fiberglass pools you’re installing right now?

In addition to the automatic pool covers, our most popular features are heaters and colored LED lighting packages. Lots of customers are interested in automation and being able to control their pool’s systems with their iPhones.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry designs?

We’ve had a couple of customers ask about the new beach entry designs, Grace and Sandal (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839) but I haven’t sold any yet. I’m looking forward to learning more about them at the 2019 Dealer Conference.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Indiana?

We’re pretty lucky with soil–just a bit of clay here and there. And as I said, most of our customers have a good amount of acreage, so space isn’t much of a problem either.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for Raft to Rafters?

Our average fiberglass pool installation is around $73,000. That will include excavation, the pool itself, a heater, LED lighting, an automatic pool safety cover and a pretty substantial amount of concrete.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

I’m a HUGE fan of Thursday Pools’ Backfill Eliminator®. I’m not typically an early adopter, but the minute I saw it, I thought, “Man, they’re on to something here. I have to try this.” I jumped right on it. My guys loved it right away. It’s really well built, and it’s a huge money, work and time saver, a God-send.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

I would say our average customer is in their 50s, but I just had a pool buyer who was only 25! A few grandparents too.

What works for Raft to Rafters in terms of marketing?

Most of our business is referrals. Like I said, we know these families, and they know us. If they decide they want a pool, they’re going to call us, and if their friends want a pool, they’re going to give their friends our number!

We’ve also recently thought about adding high-end basketball goals and playsets to our line-up of products. It’s just one more thing that might draw a family in.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

First of all, the fact that they have the ISO 9001 quality certification is awesome! They mentioned it so casually once in a meeting and I was like, “That is huge! You need to be shouting that from the rooftops!” A lot of my customers work for Cummins and Toyota, so that really means something to them.

I deal a lot with Ed and Pilar, and they are just wonderful people. Everyone there is. Thursday Pools puts relationships ahead of business. They will always do the right thing. If I needed them to jump in their truck and come here to help me, I know they would. They’re so smart, but so humble at the same time. I have 100 percent faith in them. How could you not continue to do business with a company like that?

What’s the secret to Raft to Rafters’ success?

Honestly, I strive to run my company the same way Thursday Pools does! I try to do the right thing for the right reason every time and develop relationships. I always try to help my customers see the big picture and look ahead to what they might want down the road. For example, if they don’t want a fire pit or a water feature now but think they might in a year or two, I can run the gas line or piping before we pour the concrete and save them thousands of dollars down the line. People appreciate that.

And also my people here. Everyone I know is talking about how they can’t find qualified workers. I’m blessed with an amazing staff and incredibly low turnover. One lady who works here used to work for my grandfather! She’s in her 80s! I can sell pools all day long, but without my employees, I have nothing.

About Raft to Rafters Pool and Spa

Raft to Rafters Pool and Spa sells and services inground and above-ground vinyl liner pools, inground fiberglass pools, spas, outdoor furniture and grills. They offer weekly maintenance, pool inspections, pool renovations and pool opening and closing service. They offer service throughout Bartholomew County and Jackson County, Indiana

November Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Easy Living Pools, Plain City, Ohio

Posted on November 28, 2018March 28, 2024 by riley

Each month, we enjoy learning more about a member of the Thursday Pools dealer family for our dealer spotlight. In November, we chatted with Chris Matthews, president of Easy Living Pools, which sells and installs both vinyl liner pools and inground fiberglass pools in Plain City, Ohio.

Easy Living Pools is located in Union County, Ohio and serves the central Ohio region, including the areas in and around: Columbus, Bellefontaine, Springfield, Marysville, Delaware, Granville and Marion, Ohio.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

Our company, Builderscape was founded by my father Ron Matthews in 2003. We built our business on design/build commercial construction. I joined the company full-time when I graduated from college. My dad dabbled in the pool business on and off over the years but was frustrated by the unreliability of suppliers. But the pool business has changed a lot over the last 20 to 30 years. We dipped our toes in the water again about ten years ago. We were selling just a couple of pools per year. Pretty soon, we realized we needed to have the word “pools” in our name if we wanted to really penetrate the market. So we created a division of our company called Easy Living Pools. We started out selling vinyl liner pools, but around 2014, a guy named Gene Foster with Thursday Pools knocked on our door and told us we needed to sell Thursday Pools fiberglass pools. He was right. We did.

At this point, pools make up about 40 percent of Builderscape’s overall business. We do up to 50 pools in a year in our current market. Our pool business nearly tripled from 2017 to this year, and 2019 is going to be a record year. Another 40 percent of our business is commercial general contracting, with landscaping and snow removal comprising the rest.

My dad is in the process of phasing out his role so that he can retire. In fact, he just moved his desk out! He’s not here on a daily basis anymore, so my role is changing.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

Pools are a place where families can be together for so many years, generation after generation. When we sell a pool, we’re selling memories. Not many other products can do that.

What fiberglass pool designs and colors are the most popular among pool buyers in the central Indiana area?

Like many other Thursday Pools dealers, our two biggest sellers are the Aspen and Lil Bob designs. We’re buying Lil Bobs by the truckload. Around here at least, the homes are getting bigger, but the lots are getting smaller and easements are plentiful, so it’s good to have a range of sizes available. Maya is our biggest seller in terms of color, followed closely by California.

What are the most popular add-on features in the fiberglass pools you’re installing right now?

This is definitely auto-cover country. Personally, I wouldn’t have a pool without one. So almost all the pools we sell are auto-cover ready. People will stretch their budgets to get one. Our customers also really like water features, like deck jets.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry fiberglass pool designs?

They’re interesting, for sure. They require a lot more space than a standard entry pool, so folks with smaller lots won’t be able to have them, but people with larger lots might try one.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Ohio?

We’ve got good dirt here with a few areas that require rock excavation. Tight access on smaller lots is our biggest challenge. Also, we’re heavy on permits and inspections here, within the city limits at least. You have to be a licensed general contractor to pull permits. Some want gas and electrical calculations, so we typically handle all of that for our inground pool customers.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you?

An average installation for us is about $75,000. We do almost everything in-house, including fencing. The only thing we subcontract is the concrete.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

People want ideas. They want a full-scale outdoor living environments–an entertainment space. So we’re installing pavilions, some outdoor kitchens and even putting greens with synthetic turf to round out the area surrounding the inground fiberglass pools we build.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

Our buyers continue to get younger. Our demographic is between 30 and 45 years old. They’re not afraid to finance, so we’ve teamed up with lenders to make it easier for them. In their minds, it’s just like having a car payment.

What works for you in terms of marketing?

We don’t even have a sign on our building. We work through word of mouth referrals.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Thursday Pools’ marketing is top notch. Their brochures are beautiful, and their website is fantastic. They’re setting the bar, and other pool companies are working to catch up. I also like the fact that Bill and Ed don’t hide behind their customer service staff. If you need them, they’re there.

What else would you like to see from Thursday Pools in terms of dealer support?

Although Thursday Pools has some of the fastest turnaround times in the fiberglass pool industry, we’re in the Amazon Prime era. So I’d like to see a way to have pools ready to order. People don’t want to wait for their pools.

What’s the secret to Easy Living Pool’s success?

We are a full-service design/build firm, from concept to 3D design to completion. We have a landscape architect on staff. We have a design center, and our customers come to us first, just like they would if they were building a home or buying a car. Our team is top notch, and we’ve built a reputation over the years. All of these things set us apart from our competition.

Also, we’re continually reinvesting in our business. We bought a semi so we could control the timing of our pool deliveries. We have 15 acres of storage so we can keep an inventory of 30 to 40 pools on hand. People like to sit in a pool shell to get a feel for how big it is. We’ll continue to grow to the demand. We’re not afraid to grow.

About Easy Living Pools

Easy Living Pools is a division of Builderscape, Inc. in Plain City, Ohio. Located in Plain City, Ohio, Easy Living Pools sells and installs vinyl liner and inground fiberglass pools throughout Union County and central Ohio. They specialize in full-service inground swimming pool installations, including fencing and landscaping.

October Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Akins Excavating; Middlebury, Indiana

Posted on October 31, 2018March 28, 2024 by riley

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 Tabby Bratt, co-owner of Akins Excavating in Middlebury, Indiana.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

We’re family owned. We started out solely as an excavating business in 1998. My parents owned it first, and my husband, Justin, and I took it over in 2006. We started doing pools about ten years ago, and it’s now about one-third of our business.

What geographic areas do you serve?

We serve most of northern Indiana and parts of southern Michigan, so our customers are based in and around Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend, Wawasee, Warsaw, Laporte and Syracuse, Indiana as well as Three Rivers and Niles, Michigan.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

Since we also do excavating, the pool end of our business is the fun side! While excavating is something people need, pools are something our customers really want! Plus, it’s nice to get to see the finished project. We know how much fun people will have in their pools with their families. Since family is so important to us, that means a lot.

What fiberglass pool designs and colors are the most popular among pool buyers in the central Indiana area?

Our top seller is the Aspen. Our customers love it for the shape, the fact that it’s auto-cover ready and the built-in tanning ledges. I think families love it because the kids can play on the shallow tanning ledge while the adults swim and visit. There’s a spot for everybody.

As far pool colors go, Maya and California are for sure our most popular. I’d say 80% of the pools we sell are Aspens in the Maya finish.

What are the most popular add-on features in the fiberglass pools you’re installing right now?

We sell lots of slides and games, like basketball goals. Almost all of our customers choose an automatic pool safety cover. And people really like salt water systems–I’d say about 90 percent of our customers are choosing salt water systems.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry designs?

We’ve had several customers ask about the new beach entry designs, Grace and Sandal (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). Personally, I would like it! I’m interested to learn more about how they work with automatic pools covers, but I think they’re going to be very cool.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Indiana?

Well, we have a lot of sandy soil here–not a lot of clay or bedrock–so that makes things easier. Probably our biggest challenge is the fact that we serve some fairly rural and heavily wooded areas, especially as we get into Michigan. So we sometimes face a challenge of getting into sites, past trees, or getting our backfill materials in.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you?

Our average fiberglass pool installation is around $60,000. That will include excavation, 4 feet of concrete, plumbing, wiring, pump, heater, lights, typically a salt system and an automatic pool safety cover.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

Some of the best trends in the fiberglass pool industry have come from Thursday Pools! Their Backfill Eliminator® is amazing. We use it on every pool with a tanning ledge that we install. It’s a major time saver (and a major back saver!) The tanning ledges themselves are huge. I don’t see those going away anytime soon.

I also feel like the structural integrity of fiberglass pools has improved over the years. And for sure, Thursday Pools’ fiberglass pools are about the strongest we’ve seen.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

Our pool buyers are all over the place in terms of demographics. Most of our customers are in their 40s, with kids in middle school, who are investing in their homes and creating something for their families that will last a lifetime. But we also see grandparents adding pools to their homes, even if they’ve downsized, to give the grandkids something fun to do when they visit.

What works for Akins Excavating in terms of marketing?

We just basically don’t market. We’re currently booked through 2019. We used to do the home shows, but we don’t even do that anymore. Our business comes from word-of-mouth. And through the excavation end of our business, we work with a lot of home builders who refer people to us.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Thursday Pools is a great company that makes a great product. They’re business savvy, and they’re great communicators. They deliver every time. They do what they say they’re going to do. I just think they’re the best we’ve worked with.

What else would you like to see from Thursday Pools in terms of dealer support?

Honestly, I can’t think of anything. Anytime we need them, they’re there. I would say just keep doing what they’re doing.

What’s the secret to the success of Akins Excavating?

Our world revolves around our family, our church and our community. We have two kids, and we want to teach them about hard work and caring for others. So, we just try to lead by example and do the right thing for our customers.

About Akins Excavating

Akins Excavating has served northern Indiana and southern Michigan for over 30 years. They offer excavation services for residential and commercial customers as well as septic system hook-ups and full-service fiberglass pool installation. They serve much of Elkhart County, Kosciusko County and Saint Joseph County in Indiana as well as Berrien and Cass Counties in Michigan.

September Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Royal Pools and More, Dyer Indiana

Posted on September 26, 2018March 28, 2024 by riley

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 installing right now?

A lot of pool builders will tell you the same thing– built-in tanning ledges for sure. I can’t stress enough how much people love tanning ledges. Thursday Pools really hit the nail on the head when they started adding them to several of their designs.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

Fiberglass pool owners are going for automation, for sure. We’re installing bubblers, laminars, deck jets, waterfalls, and even waterfalls with fire in them. Customers love that they can turn these things on and off from their phones, and they are loving the resort look and feel of these kinds of add-ons. We’re putting this kind of stuff into about 80 percent of the pools we sell.

What fiberglass pool colors are the most popular among pool buyers in and around northeastern Indiana and the southern suburbs of Chicago?

Maya and California for sure. There are a few customers out there who are starting to be interested in the grays, but most folks just want their pools to be blue. For me personally, I miss white, but I don’t think that’s coming back any time in the near future!

What fiberglass pool designs are the most popular among pool buyers in the central Indiana area?

Lil Bob and Aspen. Again, people love the built-in ledges. Also, people want pools that are auto-cover ready. Because we cross state and city lines, some of our installs require fences and some don’t, if the customer has an automatic pool cover. Whether it saves them from having to get a fence or not, people love automatic pool covers for the enhanced safety and convenience.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry designs?

We’ve started to have some people interested in the new beach entry designs, Grace and Sandal (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). They appeal to a very high-end clientele. No other fiberglass pool manufacturer can touch this trend. It gives us something to sell that no one else has.

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Indiana?

For us, it’s groundwater. So that’s why I believe Thursday’s fiberglass pools are the best bet. Thursday Pools are the only fiberglass pool shells we sell. The shells are strong. Fiberglass pools are a way better choice than vinyl liner pools around here.

What works for you in terms of marketing?

I’m a big believer in video, particularly blogging and educational videos. I think that if you help people understand your product, they’ll choose you when they’re ready to buy because you’re their expert. Video has really helped us get more visitors to our website.

What have you noticed changing in pool buyers’ demographics over the years?

Buyers, in general, are getting younger. Couples in their late 30s and early 40s are buying pools. Also, the home building business is booming here. This area used to be nothing but cornfields 20 years ago. Now we’re doing tons of new build installs. I’d say that new builds were about 40 percent of our business last year.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you?

Our average fiberglass pool installation is between $65,000 and $70,000. That’s going to include excavation, 4 feet of concrete, colored lights, heater and a standard winter cover. Almost all of our customers are going to add an automatic pool cover onto that.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Thursday Pools has personality, heart and soul. They started around the same time we did. And they’re growing so fast, but you can still get a hold of Ed or Bill whenever you need them. If they make a mistake, they go above and beyond to make it right. I’ve tried every brand of fiberglass pools out there, and nothing compares to Thursday Pools.

The other thing about Thursday Pools is their innovation. I show their designs to customers and they’re like, “Wow. These are so cool.” The designs are exactly what they want. The people at Thursday Pools listen. Then they design. They set the bar. They are literally making the rules in the fiberglass pool business.”

What else would you like to see from Thursday Pools in terms of dealer support?

Their support is fantastic. The website is great. I love their dealer portal–I use it all the time. I also like the videos. They’re so helpful to show customers. The only thing I could use from them is more literature! I sell so many of their pools that I always run out of brochures.

What’s the secret to Royal Pools and More’s success?

There are lots of pool businesses in northwest Indiana and the southern Chicago suburbs that are bigger than we are. But we’ve got family values and we’ve got personality and heart. We like to put fun facts about us on our website so that people will know us before we get to their houses. We have fun and we put a personal touch on everything we do. People like that.

About Royal Pools and More

In addition to building pools, Royal Pools and More offers a retail store and weekly pool maintenance. They serve northwest Indiana as well as the southern Chicago suburbs. Some of the communities in which they offer pool building services include: Frankfort and Tinley Park, Orland Park and Mokena, Illinois as well as Dyer, St. John, Schererville, Valparaiso and Crown Point, Indiana.

August Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Hendrick Pool and Lawn Service, McCordsville, Indiana

Posted on August 31, 2018March 28, 2024 by Karen

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 fiancée Amber runs the office, so the family business just keeps growing.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

I love working outside. I couldn’t possibly imagine sitting behind a desk all day. I oversee all the installations myself. And, because we do a lot of ongoing weekly maintenance and have a lot of repeat customers, we get to go back and see families enjoying their pools. That’s really cool.

What are the most popular features in the fiberglass pools you’re installing right now?

Built-in tanning ledges for sure. Tanning ledges are one of the best things to come along in fiberglass pools. It’s hard to imagine why anyone wouldn’t want one.

We’re also big on auto-covers around here. Indiana law requires that you have either an auto-cover or a fence, but not both. Most people opt for the auto-cover because it also helps keep their pools clean. We work with Automatic Pool Covers.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

The big variety of shapes, colors and sizes is what strikes me. It seems like there’s not even such as thing as a white pool anymore. Also, installation has gotten a lot easier over the years. I attribute that to innovations, like Thursday Pools’ Backfill Eliminator®.

The Backfill Eliminator solves a different problem for me. We used to spend hours trying to backfill tanning ledges, and as far as I’m concerned, time is money. Plus, sometimes we couldn’t even get the backfill material into the area where it was needed. The Backfill Eliminator speeds up our installs and gives our customers a better result with their tanning ledges in the long run.

What fiberglass pool colors are the most popular among pool buyers in and around Hamilton County?

Maya is our top seller. Folks like that deep blue. But the grays are starting to become more popular too. It’s really up to the customer’s preference and what matches with the rest of the design.

What fiberglass pool designs are the most popular among pool buyers in the central Indiana area?

We sell a ton of Lil Bobs and Aspens. Everyone likes the Aspen because it has some of the curving features of a freeform, but it’s auto-cover ready. It’s a really unique design. And Lil Bobs are popular because a lot of our customers have smaller spaces, or portions of their yards that aren’t usable due to easements.

What do you think about Thursday Pools’ new beach entry designs?

I’m excited about the new beach entry designs, Grace and Sandal (Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). I can’t wait to see how they turn out. I think we’re going to be installing the first one!

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in your part of Indiana?

We’re blessed with good soil here, so we’re thankful for that. Weather is always a big challenge for us. But, where there’s a will, there’s a way! We just keep at it.

What works for you in terms of marketing?

Well, 90% of our business is referrals and word of mouth. So we don’t do a ton of marketing. We did do some vehicle wraps, and we updated our website. Social media is great for generating awareness about pools in general. It makes people want one.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you?

Our average fiberglass pool installation is between $40,000 and $50,000. That wouldn’t include landscaping, but does include concrete. We include 4’ of concrete in all our installations. One thing that swings pretty widely is the cost of permitting. In some of the smaller towns around McCordsville and our area, the cost is lower, but in Carmel, for example, permits can add up to as much as $2000.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

Well, Thursday Pools just does things right. Like us, they’ve gotten to be a pretty big company, but they’re still family owned. I really like that I can just pick up the phone and get Bill or Ed. They’re never too busy to talk to me. And, they just keep finding ways to make my job easier! Obviously, I like that a lot too.

What’s the secret to Hendrick Pool and Lawn’s success?

Our business has grown a lot. In an average year, we’ll do about 60 installations, and we service about 100 pools a week. We’re in this business for the long run. We don’t just install and move on. We create customers for life. We get to know our customers. We have good response times. We just keep trying to do it right, every day.

About Hendrick Pool and Lawn Service

Hendrick Pool and Lawn Service is located in McCordsville, Indiana, which is about 20 miles northeast of Indianapolis. They specialize in full-service installations and service of fiberglass and vinyl liner pools, as well as landscaping and a wide range of lawncare services.

Dealer Spotlight: WetScapes Fiberglass Pool Builder in Southern Indiana

Posted on July 27, 2018March 28, 2024 by Karen

Every month, we chat with a Thursday Pools dealer to learn more about their business and what’s trending in their area. This month, we talked to Jamie Sherrard, owner/operator of WetScapes, Inc about Wetscapes fiberglass pools. WetScapes specializes in high-end fiberglass pool installations in and around Scottsburg, Indiana, which sits about midway between Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Bloomington and Louisville.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

I’ve been in the pool business since I left the Marine Corps in 2005. When I left the service, I assumed I’d be a jet mechanic, like I was in the Corps. But my brother Rob was installing pools for a living so that’s what I did too. Apparently, that’s what I was meant to do because I’ve been doing it ever since! I started my own business, WetScapes, in 2013. Rob runs a concrete business, so we work pretty well together. We have seven employees between us.

What do you love about being in the pool business?

I love the feeling of taking a blank space and turning it into something cool that a family will love. There’s absolutely nothing better than finishing a WetScapes fiberglass pool and seeing kids enjoying it for the first time. Pools really bring families together.

What are the most popular features in the fiberglass pools you’re installing right now?

Tanning ledges, without a doubt. Built-in tanning ledges are one of the hottest things in the fiberglass pool industry these days and are in high demand for WetScapes fiberglass pools. Everybody wants them.

Also auto-covers. I think that’s why the rectangular-shaped pools are so popular … because they’re auto-cover-ready. Of the 30 or so installations we do every year, I’d say 25-28 of them have an auto-cover. The only exception to this would be pool installations in Louisville because the city of Louisville requires a fence whether you have an auto-cover or not, so some folks just do the fence.

What trends have you seen emerge lately in the inground fiberglass pool industry?

Lots of folks are doing salt water pools instead of chlorine alone. That’s what I have in my WetScapes fiberglass pool, and I really like it. We feel like it doesn’t dry your skin the way chemicals sometimes do.

The other big trend everyone is talking about is the new beach entry designs, (Grace and Sandal Patent US 10,358,837 and 10,472,839). I’m really excited about them, and my customers are going nuts when they see them in their WetScapes fiberglass pool. They’re calling me with all kinds of questions, and they’ve clearly done their research. They want them. I know I’ll be installing some next year.

And lastly, I would say that we’ve come a long way in terms of fiberglass pool installation. For example, we used to leave the fiberglass edge exposed. Now, we use coping all around. And we used to use sand for backfill, but now we use crushed stone along with other cool Thursday Pools’ improvements.

What fiberglass pool colors are the most popular among pool buyers in the southern Indiana area?

When I first started out, every pool was white. Now, as far as fiberglass pool colors go, blues like Maya and California have been top sellers. But I think the dark gray, Graphite, is really going to be the next trend. That’s what I wanted for my own pool and Bill and Ed mixed it up for me and tweaked it until it was just right.

What fiberglass pool designs are the most popular among pool buyers in the southern Indiana area?

It’s Aspen hands-down for me, for a couple of reasons:

One, I helped the guys at Thursday Pools design it. I had a lot of customers who wanted the curved appeal of a freeform like the Sun Day, but they wanted a rectangle so they could have an auto-cover. So I suggested adding the curved ledge to give it that decorative freeform style.

And two, because I helped design it, it’s named after my daughter!

What particular challenges do you face with fiberglass pool installations in the southern Indiana area?

Rocks, rocks and more rocks. That’s just part of life here in southern Indiana. The other day we had to dig through four feet of solid limestone when installing a WetScapes fiberglass pool. We literally cross our fingers every time we start to dig.

What’s the cost of an average pool installation for you?

Our average fiberglass pool installation is $50,000. That includes concrete, but not landscaping or hardscape add-ons like travertine decks. We definitely serve a higher-end market.

One of the things that sets up apart is the quality of our installations and the extras that we do. We include stone coping in all of our installations and we specialize in glass tiling. We add it in to most of our pools. Glass tile adds that extra “wow” factor to the overall look of the pool.

What are your thoughts on Thursday Pools?

There are a lot of cool things about Thursday Pools. First of all, the innovation. These guys never stop. They’re always trying to come up with new ideas–problem solving and improving. If there’s ever an issue with a pool, I can call one of the owners, Bill or Ed, on their cell phones. They’ll not only answer me right away, but they’ll get on the phone to other dealers and ask, “Have you ever experienced this?” They won’t rest until they figure it out.

When I first started my business, I flew around the country looking at fiberglass pool manufacturers. Once I visited Thursday Pools, I knew I would work with them. From day one, they bowled me over with their quality, passion and attention to detail. And now, even though they’ve grown so much, they’re still just two great guys who love to make pools.

What’s the secret to WetScapes success?

We’ve got a great crew. We all love to work outside, and we’re like a family. We have the same goals, and we really have a good time at work. In our off time, they all come to pool parties at my house.

Swimming pools are really all about family. They help us keep engaged with our kids and make the kids want to stay at home and have their friends over. I love that. So, I think we’re doing all of this for the right reason, and I think that ultimately contributes to our success. Plus, we’re pretty good at it.

About WetScapes

WetScapes is a family-owned fiberglass pool builder that serves the Louisville and southern Indiana areas. They specialize in upscale, fiberglass pool installations with beautiful, custom glass tile work.