What Matters Most? Dealer or Manufacturer In Purchasing A Pool?
Posted by Kent Carpenter on Tue, Jan 03, 2012 @ 07:31 PM
With having 30 years as a dealer and distributor in the fiberglass pool business I have witnessed many improvements in the overall quality of fiberglass swimming pools. Most all current day fiberglass swimming pool manufacturers do an adequate job of producing fiberglass swimming pools at relatively high production levels while maintaining relatively good quality. The technology used in the production off fiberglass resins and gel coats has advanced greatly providing the end user with an end product that promises lengthly service with little to no maintenance. Fiberglass is used in the manufacture of the Chevrolet Corvette, Hatteras Yachts, even Disney theme parks use fiberglass characters and seats on many of their rides even the Magic Castle Fiberglass is an extremely tough and durable product that provides excellent resistance to water exposure.
Fiberglass pool manufacturers seldom use exactly the same manufacturing process however to survive in today's marketplace they must produce a reasonably good and functional pool that will last decades if properly installed and failing that will quickly determine their future.
What about today's builer-installer? Have they kept pace with the quality of today's fiberglass swimming pool? Some have, some not so much. Who installs your swimming pool is critical to the long term success of the pool installation project as well as your enjoyment of the swimming pool. I would much prefer to purchase a fiberglass swimming pool of lesser quality yet have it installed by a seasoned knowledgeable builder than to purchase the highest quality fiberglass pool and have it installed by an inexperienced "jack of all trades" type. The quality of the installation process and the materials used by your installer are crucial to the success of any swimming pool project, your sanity and your family's happiness! The backfill material choice, elevation, grade and drainage, location, plumbing materials, pressure testing and many more details are far more important factors than the exact resin or color of your pool believe me.
Look for builder-dealers that are licensed general contractors, members of the better business bureau, the chamber of commerce, trade organizations and are active in the community. They care about the work that they put their name on and they care about you as well (you won't find them ducking you in the local mall, they are not built that way) They will gladly tell you about their worst problem installation and how they resolved it just as quickly as they will tell you and show you some of their best. Are they perfect? of course not but they will always be aiming towards that goal.
Most people install one swimming pool in their lifetime why not do it right?