Yikes, Time Flys & The Season Hasn't Really Started

I apologize to all my readers, I was recently overwhelmed by the response to my booth at the Home Show in Sacramento.

I ran across a local website the other day EnergySavingPools.com. It seems, this company is targeting a niche that nobody is talking about. Pool equipment pad retrofits. Most of us in the industry have heard the buzz about variable speed pumps. The utility companies are paying homeowners anywhere from $100 to $200 to replace their single speed filtration pump. What really amazes me, the companies that don't have the technology are literally dancing around the subject. I personally know of at least a couple of designers that have lost business because they couldn't offer the pumps. ***Anybody know a good Jandy builder ;) ***

I personally, am a BIG fan of the IntelliFlo pumps. Hayward, Jandy and Waterways have literally no available option.

Why are these pumps so great? And, why should anyone be paying close attention?

1. Quiet Operation - Standard single speed pumps operate around 70 decibels. A human whisper is about 20 decibels. The IntelliFlo and the IntelliFlo 4x160 operate between 7 and 10 decibels. Heck, that's half a whisper!
2. Dramatic Energy Savings - The pumps operate at 30 to 90 percent less energy than traditional single speed pumps.
3. Longer Service Life - Because these pumps operate at slower speeds, there is less heat buildup in the motor and wear and tear on the moving parts.
4. Slower Water = Cleaner water, because the filters increase efficiency when the flow rate is slowed. The filters are able to strip more particulate from the pool water.
5. Optimized Water Features - Both of these pumps allow the homeowner to add or decrease water flow in waterfalls and adjust heights of water columns in fountain heads and other features. This allow for varying levels of sight and sound in the poolscape.

Probably the most exciting opportunity we have as an industry is the ability to make right for all the CHEAP SINGLE PUMP pool spa combos sold in the past.

You guys know who you are!

Single pump pool/spas are an abomination of pool hydraulics and energy efficiency. Why? To fully enjoy the therapeutic value of having a spa, a builder would need to operate the spa with a minimum of 1-1/2 hp pump. Well that's fine if you were using your spa all the time. Truth of the matter, once the honeymoon is over after the project is complete and the spa is up and running, most homeowners are lucky to enjoy their spa once a week. It's far more common that most homeowners will use their spa twice a month.

Frankly, I don't know of many homeowners that have single pump spas, that if given the chance would have opted for the more costly, yet, luxurious spa with a separate booster pump and computer controls.

Getting back on track...Having a single pump pool/spa operating with a minimum of 1-1/2 hp pump is penalizing the customer for the rest of the time the pump is operating on filtration mode.

Now for the good news! With the introduction of the variable speed pump, we can now filter the water more efficiently and at a reduced energy cost, while still being able to operate the spa at a second speed for what little time we spend in our spas.

Walla - I hope this little rant has inspired some of you. There can never be enough good competition. What I worry about the most are the "price whores" who would sell their mother's shirt for a contract. I believe it was Dick Dal Pino who said "Cheap is never good, and good is never cheap!" Now there's a builder who I respect.

Further discussion of Pebble surfaces

I recently answered a question regarding Pebbletec comparing the advantages and disadvantages based on real world builder's costs. You can read more about this here.

What is Pebbletec coating for swimming pools?

Pebbletec is considered by some to be the ultimate answer to all pool surface concerns. Pebbletec is synonymous for Exposed Aggregate pool plaster and Pebble pool surfaces.

Pebble surfaces consist of small, smooth river pebbles embedded in plaster and exposed through acid washing of the pool surface prior to filling the pool with water.

Pebble pool surfaces were born in the 1960's in Australia by pool plaster companies. Initially, these surfaces were used on beach entries. (Pebble surfaces unlike standard plaster surfaces can be used in dry conditions, with proper installation. Standard plaster surfaces must remain submerged, otherwise, they will crack and fail!) Today, these surfaces have become one of the most requested upgrades in pool construction.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of pebble surfaces?

Advantages:

• Long life: On average pebble surfaces last upwards of 20 to 25 years. Standard plaster has a service life of 8 to 15 years.
• Extremely natural and beautiful in appearance.
• Various sizes of pebbles are offered for both look & feel. (How does a pebble pool feel? It has a texture similar to that of an orange peel, bumpy and undulating. With the use of polished river pebbles there are no sharp edges.
• Broad range of colors, from the tans of a sandy beach to the black, blue and gray blends. For a brief explanation on pebble colors and appearances you can visit one of my posts on The Garden Web.
  

Disadvantages:

• Cost
  

Just How Much Does A Pool Cost

Some companies will go to any lengths to get in front of a potential customer! For example, this weekend in the Sacramento Bee, Aqua Pools and Spas ran an ad "Pools Starting at $23,900." showing 5 different pools and NONE of the swimming pools shown could be sold for the advertised price!

This is a great example of the Used Car salesman approach. Why? In order to advertise a pool at $23,900 the very first thing you would not include is concrete decking. 2) you limit the total amount of plumbing and electrical. 3) you use equipment of the Good quality not Better or Best. 4) you limit the size of the pool to 300 to 400 square foot size and limit perimeter to less than 80 feet. and lastly, 5) you offer the customer a choice of 4 different waterline tiles.

Why not go ahead and buy a Dough Boy! All these guys are trying to do is UPSELL, UPSELL, AND UPSELL.

The truth of the matter is pools start in the low to mid 30's. The number does include concrete decking and in most backyards 400 square feet of concrete does not include a patio. Another way of budgeting for a pool is: Most people will spend on average, 10-25% TVH(Total Value of Home) on a completed backyard(includes pool, decking & landscaping). The extreme variation is partially due to geographic location, for example - you would not be advised to spend 25% in a "starter home" neighborhood and you certainly wouldn't spend 10% in an upscale, gated community.

For reference, check out the following links to a couple of pool companies that talk about the pricing:

• Dalpino Pools - Newcastle, CA
  
• Envision Pools - Lincoln, CA
  
• and one more Cookie Cutter Pools
  

An Industry Nightmare!

I'm sure all of you are aware of the bankruptcy of Aquarius Pools. But, do you know the steps leading to the companies closure?

Aquarius Pools, opened it's doors in 1972. The company was founded by Eugene "Gene" Wells, a well respected builder and innovator in the market. Gene built many award winning pools.

Winner of Over 90 National and International Awards for Excellence in Design and Construction, Aquarius continues to be Sacramento's choice for quality craftmanship and lasting beauty. Aquarius Pools website

Gene, sold the company in 2000. Now here's where the story becomes interesting! (In all future posts, lessons to be learned or items of particular interest will be highlighted.)

Gene originally sold the company to Steve Hage in 2000. Steve went on to sell his interest to the partnership of Rich Carnation & Kevin Towle. No problems yet! Clue: Multiple changes in ownership in a short period of time. As a consumer you should make sure you ALWAYS CHECK WITH THE CALIFORNIA CONTRACTORS LICENSE BOARD before signing any contract!

Rich & Kevin, not wanting to run the company full-time hired Greg Wolfe to be the sales manager. Greg has been in the pool industry for many years, and has worked for several companies. Nice enough guy. But...Greg had a reputation of being a "cookie cutter" pool salesman. That in it's self is not the problem. The problem started with the "Pools starting from ..." ads in the Saturday Sacramento Bee! Companies that solicit business with promises of low starting prices, typically target the "cookie cutter" type customer where price is number one. The benefit for the advertiser is a large number of "leads". Companies looking for a large number of leads are typically volume based and not quality based!

Greg then purchased the company in 2004, while still owing both Kevin & Rich a large sum of money. Hmmm, I remember loosing numerous sales to Aquarius Pools, because they were priced the lowest. I always recommend, get a minimum of three bids unless the company is a strong referral (still use caution), and with the same wish list, there should be no more than a one to two thousand dollar difference. If the difference is more, WATCH OUT. The sales person either missed something in their pricing (ie., the cost of the spa) or the company is abusing their margins.

Skipping to the end of the story:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A swimming pool construction company that shut down has left dozens of Sacramento-area homeowners with partially completed backyard pools. KCRA3 - August 23, 2006



Lessons to be learned:

1. Check out the contractor's license with the Contractor's Board!
2. Multiple changes in ownership over a short period of time could indicate problems. Ask the company for an explanation.
3. Get a minimum of three bids.
4. If the price is too low, you're rolling the dice!

For more information:
Before You Dive Into Swimming Pool Construction - CSLB

Welcome to thePoolGuy

I've created this blog to inform and educate the consumer about the swimming pool industry in Northern California. Having spent the past 15 years in the swimming pool industry, I will share my knowledge and experience. Feel free to comment about any of the articles I post. Hopefully, in time, this blog will become a valuable source of information for those of you interested in either building your own pool or working with a contractor.