One of the most common problem with most pool builders is that a swimming pool is rarely completed on time. This problem is prevelent no matter what size the town or the size of the pool builder’s company. Ask any pool salesman one of the most common questions from potential customers other than how much does a pool cost and they will say, “How long will it take to build.” Most pool salesmen, builders and pool construction companies know that completion time is just as important as cost in getting a sale. Most people begin to consider a new swimming pool with the first signs of warm weather and want to be able to enjoy their new pool before summer is gone.

Most pool builders will not put in writing the completion date because they know that it is tough to meet. Considering that most pool builders subcontract out the swimming pool construction and depending on where you live, your town may be lacking in the amount of conpetent subcontractors to perform the work. For those that are competent and in demand, there will usually be a waiting list. Pool salesmen and pool builders will surely tell you that your pool can be built in six weeks or forty-five working days or you may even here the famous thirty days to build, but they will not put in writing.

What is really irritating is that a pool builder will make verbal promises on the completion date but will not put it in writing. There are usually so some many clauses in the contract that will increase construction time for just about anything. Read the fine print of any swimming pool building contract and will find, “shall not be responsible for delay or failure to preform work when such delay or failure is due to; Acts of God, inclement weather, war, riot, or other civil disturbance, labor disputes, government prohibition, nonissuance of all required permits effecting the swimming pool and adjacent areas, failure of Buyer to preform any obligations to be performed by him hereunder, or other reasons beyond your pool builders control”. The date of completion shall be extended a reasonable time for delay caused by any or all of the events referred to. Also, another clause is that all payments received later than three days from the time it is due, they can extend the completion date hereunder an additional 3 days for each late day. Honestly this does seem fair to delay construction because of events out of their control, but having the date extended a reasonable amount of time is unreasonable. Your pool builder is considered a professional therefore should be able to overcome such events and specify the amount of time after events the construction will commence.

Another funny fact in most swimming pool contracts is that after a 90 or 120 days of contract signing had past, depending on the pool builder contracts, if excavation has not started for reasons beyond their control they may cancel the contract upon notice to buyer. Once again a written date to protect the pool builder and not you. Now how are they going to complete your pool in 30 days if they have so much time before they have to begin. The way I understand it is that legally they can wait according to the contract but I am not a lawyer. I understand that there can be delays but waiting that long is ridiculous. If they can not start in a couple of weeks after the contract is signed, then why are they making these promises and requireing a downpayment to start.

So What Can You Do

Considering that most pool are not finished on time, one must make a few revisions to most pool contracts. First when a pool saleman quotes a completion date ask him to put in writing. Also when discussing completion times, consider if they are being realistic before agreeing to the completion date. What is considered “working days”, because some subcontractors will work on Saturdays to appear to stay on schedule. An example would be, if it rains then there should be a three day delay of construction of pool. Make sure that it only rains at your location and not your pool builders location. Also, after three days of straight inclement weather then the construction will resume 3 days after the last day of inclement weather, not three days for every day of bad weather. That is a fair compromise for both parties and is not unreasonable. To help keep your pool builder motivated on completeing your swimming pool on schedule, you may consider a financial penalty for everyday it takes after the competion date. Fifty dollars a day seems to be a reasonable price to pay since time is money. Make sure to document everyday of construction in a pool construction diary to make sure that delay are reported properly to be fair for both parties. Be carefull because most builders consider the pool completed when it has been plastered and any work after that will be considered warranty work. This is a whole different subject that will be discussed next.