Construction Process

The unique requirements of your project can affect the sequence of events in the pool construction. For example, the liner may be installed before or after the decks. The following information details the various stages that may be applicable to your project. - top -

Construction Pre-Site:

The onsite evaluation of your pool project happens at your house when necessary and is when some of the finer details are established. Some examples of the details determined at this time are site access, location of your pool, elevation, grading, material staging and filter pad location. We ask that a decision maker is present at this appointment as many of the above details are permanent. Take time now to consider them during this stage. We also ask that you have a copy of your plot plan (survey) and building permit on hand for this meeting which will be set up as soon as the due diligence steps listed in “Before the Build” are completed and we are ready to begin the construction of your pool.

NOTE: Your deposit draw, as outlined in your Installation Contract, is due at this time.

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Access and Site Preparation:

We will need to gain of fence, that may already be in place. This may be fence that is not owned by you and requires you to gain to begin the build process. Many times a fence, or portion access to your yard this requires us to remove or take down.

NOTE: Removal of a simple separate charge neighborhood drainage route may be applied to reinstall after the access is no longer needed. Approval by neighboring landowner(s), HOA or required if it's not your property.

This may include access through a neighborhood drainage easement or other such route. Repairs to any access beyond smoothing of ruts such as seeding and strawing is not included and may incur additional fees. Trees are often susceptible to damage if they are within close proximity of the access path or construction site. Any trees that you are concerned about should be heavily shielded or transplanted. This should be part of your conversation with the landscape company you selected for your project prior to the beginning of construction. Even if they have been cut down prior to the start of construction, the root ball will still need to be removed and is an additional cost that is often unforeseen.

NOTE: There is potential that we will hit rock during the dig process, which will require a rock hammer to remove it. The cost to remove rock will be discussed at such time if it should occur, and can range from $2000-$4000 per day.

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Addendums:

During the build process you may elect to make certain changes to the design, add features or remove options. Payment for any such changes or services that incur additional fees are due immediately upon presentment of an addendum. This does not affect the draw schedule and usually means the payment for such service or product is made prior to receipt of the services or delivery of product. - top -

Excavation:

his is the most important step. We ask that the decision maker (who is identified at the end of this document and determined by you, the customer) be present at this time so that any missing details may be confirmed and the Elevation Agreement signed. Large equipment will begin the transformation of your back yard. The access path to and from the area around the pool may be left with ruts, rock, and large dirt piles which may remain for the duration of the project. If it is necessary for the excavated material to be hauled off, that service is available for a fee and may take place during or after excavation depending on the needs of your project. - top -

Pool Walls:

Steel Wall Pools will be set with bracing attachments and pouring of the concrete footer. Concrete Wall Pools will be formed by setting forms, reinforcing with rebar and pouring concrete. - top -

Plumbing:

The plumbing for the pool will be run around the exterior of the pool walls, down the plumbing ditch and to the pad location. The filter system and its associated components may be set on the filter pad at this time or installed later in the process. - top -

Backfilling:

Backfilling of the pool may take place soon after the walls are poured or later in the project after electrical. Backfilling is highly weather sensitive and inclement weather can cause significant delays. - top -

Your contract will specify how many loads of gravel are included in your purchase but the slope of your yard may dictate the need for additional loads of gravel. Delivery of additional loads of gravel for backfill can be coordinated by your builder or Project Manager. Payment for additional loads can be made directly to the gravel supplier at the time of coordination, or immediately upon receipt of bill from Patriot Pools.

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Pool Bottom:

The bottom of the pool will be installed after the walls. The bottom will either be mixed on- site or pre-mixed materials. The materials are then hand-troweled in place to create the pool floor. The pool crew will repair any cracks when it is time to install the liner. - top -

Electrical:

The electrical work will take place at various stages throughout your project. Coordination of this will be handled by your Project Manager. Planning ahead for additional electrical needs around your outdoor living area, such as outlets and landscaping lights, can also help prevent delays. The electrical work includes conduit for pool lights, grounding, wiring equipment, permitting and inspections. In some instances, upgrades to the existing electrical service could be required. - top -

Coping:

Coping is the material around the top edge of pool. It will be installed after the backfill if you have chosen a style such as brick, flagstone, wet cast, travertine, etc. Although a short process, this can be a frustrating stage. There may be a lot of loud sawing and dust, typically for 2-3 days. This is a good time to talk with your Project Manager about adding a waterfall, fire pit, fireplace, retaining walls, knee walls, outdoor kitchens, fence columns, or any other masonry features. - top -

Patio/Concrete Decking:

If included with your pool; the pool deck process will consist of forming, pouring/placing and finishing. Your Project Manager will contact you to set up a meeting to discuss the layout and discuss any additional area coverage you might want to purchase, along with scheduling a tentative time window for installation. This can be the most weather-sensitive part of the pool project. A forecast of rain may cause delays, whether it actually rains or not. Concrete tends to be an imperfect product and despite our every effort, often cracks within the first 30 days of construction. Control joints are strategically placed to control this but are not a 100% crack- free guarantee. Because of this we recommend not walking on a concrete deck for one to two days and limiting your pet’s access. A diving board, if installed, must set for three to five days prior to use.

Colored and stained concrete decks are available for an additional cost. It’s important to understand that this process can produce beautiful results, but like any coloring or staining process, results can vary drastically, which may require additional coloring and staining for an additional cost. It’s also important to note that even with brushed or stamped colored concrete a sealer MUST be applied. The cost of this sealer is NOT included in the base cost of the colored/staining fee and can only be calculated once the concrete decking is complete. This process WILL cause the coloring to vary three to four shades. This also does NOT guarantee that you will be completely happy with the end result. NOTE: If you have not purchased concrete decks from Patriot Pools your deck contractor is responsible for the correct placement and installation of all ladders, handrails and other anchors. - top -

Rough Grading:

This is only provided with the purchase of a complete pool including a pool deck and/or fence. This work takes place after the pool decks are completed and the structural forms are removed. A rough grade is performed using a skid steer and bucket back blading the existing dirt. This is NOT a Finished Grade, nor does it include topsoil, seed, straw or other landscaping materials. It is only a preparation for your landscaper. Any remaining disposal can happen at this time for an additional fee by coordinating with your Project Manager. We strongly recommend hiring a landscaper to assist with your final landscaping and finishing work. - top -

Liner Installation:

The installation of the liner may take place before or after the concrete decking, depending on timing and your project requirements. Once the liner is dropped in the pool, we will need a stages. You may be asked to start and stop the filling hose to fill the pool as part ofthe installation process. The pool will be filled in reaches certain levels based on installed this you will hear a vacuum(s) running. This vacuum(s) is from behind the liner as it fills with water source and garden the design of your pool. While your liner is of the pool as water. Although noisy, it is imperative that device(s) runs continuously through the initial stages of filling. A crew member will instruct you to stop filling the pool when the water reaches a certain level and to turn the vacuum(s) off as well. If the vacuum(s) shuts off prematurely for any reason, stop filling the pool immediately and contact your Project Manager. You may also notice the liner coming out of the track during the initial filling of the pool. This is not unusual and is easily remedied once the pool is full. Wrinkles/puckers in the liner during the filling process are also common and, in most cases, are easily removed. However, it is important to note that the liner is not a paint or plaster. Therefore, there are instances when small wrinkles/puckers are part of the finished product and are unavoidable. - top -

Fencing:

If purchased from Patriot Pools, the perimeter fence around the pool will be installed after the rough grade. Please talk to your Project Manager about your fence layout and/or adding additional footage and/or gates. Depending on the type of fence you purchased, the installation process will vary. - top -

Pool Covers:

/p> Every pool DOES NOT come with a winter cover, but you can purchase a tarp style cover for approximately $100 - $300. This style is customer installed and uses water balloons and weights to secure place. This is NOT a Safety Cover. You can add a safety cover to before, during, or at the end of construction. Due to the custom nature of a safety cover, in many instances this will not be manufactured until final measurements can be taken of your project after the orientation. Once your cover arrives, installation will be scheduled at that time. - top -

Detail Items:

TThese items will be addressed at the conclusion of the major construction stages. Our detail crew will install the handrail, ladder, diving board, slide or any other equipment your pool may be equipped with. The pool will also be cleaned of any construction debris that has entered the pool. Depending on the type and amount of construction debris in the pool, cleaning may take several days. At this time we will add the startup chemicals included in your pool purchase, however, we strongly recommend bringing a water sample into the store for a detailed analysis. At this time, you may need to purchase additional chemicals depending on the results. - top -

Inspections:

There are various inspections that take place throughout your project and are based on the specific needs of the project. These sometimes occur without notice or a Patriot representative present. We may ask you to be on the lookout for stickers or other notices provided by inspectors and communicate any updates promptly. - top -

Orientation:

This is the final step of the pool building process! You will be given a one-on-one demonstration of basic operations, maintenance and care of your new pool. You should also make involved with the upkeep of arrangements for anyone who may be the pool to be present during this orientation. Ask any questions you may have about the pool and plan to take notes at this time as you will be the lead operator of the pool moving forward. We will always be here for support, but nothing can take the place of a hands-on lesson to answer your questions. - top -

On behalf of everyone at Patriot Pools, we would like to take a moment to thank you for choosing us to be your swimming pool contractor, building the highest quality swimming pool in your backyard. The building of an inground swimming pool can be a stressful and time consuming process. We are going to destroy your yard in order to produce a beautiful end project. We want to assure you that we are here to help you in any way throughout this process as a partner in your project. Please feel free to contact us at any point before, during or after.sample into the store for a detailed analysis. At this time, you may need to purchase additional chemicals depending on the results. - top -