Swimming pool construction
What should you know about during the swimming pool construction process?
First of all, the contract for your swimming pool construction should call for the work to be performed in accordance with all applicable building codes. As a general rule, a building permit is required whenever structural work is involved or when the basic living area of a home will be changed. Swimming pool construction falls into these categories. The contractor should obtain the necessary building permits, and this arrangement should be spelled out in your contract. Otherwise, you may be held legally responsible for failure to obtain the required permits.
After you've signed a contract, and even after work has already begun, your contractor may offer suggestions that will change your original ideas for the work. If you have discussed added work, substitutions of materials or equipment, or changes in the completion date, make sure that clearly worded and signed "change orders" reflect this.
In most cases, you will be living in your home and using your yard while work is ongoing. Be aware of the many inconveniences that may occur. To gain access to your yard for construction of a pool, the contractor may have to remove or damage some existing landscaping or fencing. Before work begins, ask your contractor what inconveniences will occur, then plan for them.
During the construction process, keep a job file of all documents related to your project, including the contract and any change orders, plans and specifications, bills and invoices, cancelled checks, lien releases, notes and correspondence, and photos of the job in progress.
It is also a good idea to keep a record of sub-contractors, the dates they were on the job and the work they performed, and to document material deliveries.
The swimming pool construction information above was edited by Chris Whitten based on excerpts from the brochure Before You Dive Into Swimming Pool Construction from California's Contractors State License Board.
