What to ask before you build a pool

Southern Nevada’s triple-digit summer season is right around the corner, which means now is the perfect time to take the plunge on an in-ground swimming pool.

“A typical pool installation from excavation to swim is about nine to 11 weeks,” said Mitch Martinez, the general manager for Anthony & Sylvan -- one of Las Vegas’ leading pool builders.

But before you give a contractor the go ahead, there are a few key questions to ask yourself and your builder.

How big of a pool should I build?

The answer to this question largely depends on the size of your backyard and how you and your family intend to use the pool. But you don’t want to go too small – especially if your house isn’t your forever home.

“A typical pool in Las Vegas is 15 feet by 30 feet with a depth of 5 feet,” Martinez said. “You want room for entertainment and play.”

Anthony & Sylvan offers potential customers the opportunity to meet with a pool design consultant free of charge and have him or her create a 3D rendering of what the pool would look like in the customer’s backyard.

It’s a great tool for visualizing pools of different shapes and sizes without lifting a single shovel of dirt.

Is it worth trying to save money with a fiberglass pool?

Fiberglass pools are a cost-effective option in many parts of the country, but Las Vegas isn’t one of those places.

“It’s a good option for some people outside of our region,” Martinez said. “It is just not a good choice for our climate and water conditions.”
 


What about pool safety?

This is where hiring a licensed company with decades of experience like Anthony & Sylvan makes a difference. A reputable contractor should confidently explain any local ordinances and be able to walk customers through the pros and cons of new technologies on the market.

For example, pools in Las Vegas must have a fence around them that’s at least 5 feet tall and closes with a self-latching or self-closing gate.

Martinez also recommends adding an alarm to any door or window that leads out to the pool. They’re a great tool for making sure kids can’t accidentally access an unsupervised pool.

What if a company offers to save me thousands by paying subcontractors directly?

This is a big red flag, Martinez said.

He recommends avoiding any company that advertises that kind of cost savings. He would also avoid any company that lacks an office or showroom and ones that can’t provide a certificate of insurance for at least $1 million.

“We go even further by requiring all of our partners to carry the highest level of licensing and insurance to cover their work,” Martinez said.

Another red flag is a company that can’t produce a list of 10 customers from the past three months.

Anthony & Sylvan Pools has been in business for 70 years and built more than 370,000 pools nationwide. Homeowners should look to work with a company that’s likely to be around in a year or 10 years – especially if the pool comes with a warranty like the limited lifetime warranty Anthony & Sylvan offers.

What should I expect after the pool is finished?

Anthony & Sylvan sends each of their customers to “pool school” at the end of the project to learn how to care for their new swimming pool, Martinez said.

The builder and his or her team also check in after 15 days and 30 days to make sure their customers are happy.

What about referrals?

Martinez said references can be the best way to find a reputable contractor no matter what you’re looking to build or renovate. He recommends trying to get three or four references from people you trust.

And there’s a good chance you’ll hear the name Anthony & Sylvan Pools from family, friends and coworkers. About 50 percent of their business comes from referrals.
 


This article was presented and sponsored by Anthony & Sylvan Pools. For more information, go to anthonysylvan.com.

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