Finally, be frank with the home builder about the feasibility of his or her ideas. Even if they supply you with a near-complete design, you need to step in and explain when something won’t work hydraulically, structurally, or otherwise.
Stay out of each other’s way For home builders: While you’re responsible for the property, your pool professional has specialized knowledge and experience to carry his part through. Listen to his input and let him do his job on the site.
For pool builders: The custom home builder is juggling several different balls, only one of which is your contribution. So the mission is simple: Be where you’re supposed to be, when you’re supposed to be there. You don’t want to step on others’ toes. Pinnacle Pools’ Hobson makes it his goal to move as quickly as possible through shotcrete. Then he gets his crews off the site until the home builder calls to say it’s time to come back and finish.
Honor each other’s schedule and budget For home builders: The pool company has to make a profit and maintain a schedule. While you need and deserve a generous amount of their time, try to stay efficient. If possible, honor the detailed design and construction schedule and minimize last-minute alterations. Expect change orders for any on-site additions.
For pool builders: After quality, timing is the most important part of your relationship. Custom home builders cite missed deadlines as the single biggest problem they experience with the pool and spa industry. “At the end of the day, if you’re done with the house, but not done with the pool, that’s stressful for a homeowner,” Trask says.
Then there’s the issue of budget. Even if you work directly with the end user, custom home builders want to know that you’ll stay within certain parameters. Make sure you agree on what the homeowner needs and don’t try to upsell additional features without the home builder’s knowledge. “It does happen where the homeowner probably didn’t want something, they end up spending this extra dollar and then it makes us look like we’ve turned them over to this shark that kind of took advantage,” Trask says.
Check in often For home builders: Let your pool partner know about changes that will affect their work. Meet regularly to assess what’s been done and what should be tackled next. On especially complex jobs, some like to have formal meetings every week or so. Others just rely on superintendents from both companies to update each other.
Once the pool is finished, do a final walk-through together before going over your punch list with the homeowner.
For pool builders: Even if you’re in charge of the design, keep the custom home builder in the loop. He or she knows best what will or won’t work for the overall site. If the end user asks you to make a change, discuss it with your partner.
Share credit where it’s due For home and pool builders: After a job has been successfully completed, you no doubt want to maintain the good relationship you have. Few things can ruin it faster than when one party tries to take complete credit for the project. If the job is up for a design award or publication in a magazine, always acknowledge the other’s contribution.
