Congratulations!! You have just arranged for the construction of a new swimming pool. It will be the source of many enjoyable, fun-filled hours of family fun and pleasure.

Constructing such a project in the yard of your personal home can be nerve-racking, and at times, quite inconvenient. There's noise (quite a bit at times!), big construction equipment causing damage to landscaping and access ways, strangers coming and going, and usually a gaping hole in the fence which often removes your sense of privacy.

We understand these problems, and also realize that the "fine print" in most contract forms is difficult to read and often confusing. So we would like to take a few minutes to share some thoughts about the construction process, and to re-emphasize some points for your consideration.

THE JOB IS VERY COMPLEX

Building a swimming pool is one of the most complex construction projects around. In fact, it is so complicated that the State Contractor's License Board sets many qualifications and standards for pool builders, which are unique to this trade, and are not shared by any other contractor.

This is true because building a quality pool involves the use and coordination of so many different trades and crafts, from excavators to electricians to finish plasterers. It is no job for the novice! It takes years of education, training and experience to build a quality swimming pool.

THE UNKNOWNS

Building a swimming pool is a major construction project subject to a variety of unknown conditions. Some of these variables could have an effect on the date of completion of the project, or even on the final price of the project.

Some of the possible variables not known for certain in advance are inclement weather, unexpected soil or sub-surface conditions, schedules of Building Inspectors, and "Acts of God." It is probably easy to understand how such things as rain could affect the progress of building your pool. But what about the final price of the project? Two common conditions encountered locally are rock formations and high water tables.

HARD SOIL OR ROCK

Rock formations almost always require blasting with dynamite, and this service is not included in your contract price. If such a condition should occur, we will work with you to locate workmen who provide this service, and we will help you negotiate a favorable arrangement with them. But even though we work well with these tradesmen, the arrangement for blasting or hard soil conditions will be directly between you and them.

HIGH WATER TABLES

High water tables are not unusual here, and when they are encountered, cause the need for a special pressure relief valve. If high water is present, the pressure from below could literally float the pool. To prevent this, a hydrostatic relief valve is installed. Unfortunately, the need for such a device is not determined until after the hole is dug. So a high water table could cause the final investment in your project to increase a bit.

CONSTRUCTION INCONVENIENCES

During any major construction project, it is to be expected that some inconvenience will be experienced. It is impossible to excavate a pool, dig trenches for plumbing and electrical lines, apply steel, gunite, and plaster, lay concrete decks, walkways, walls, fountains, waterfalls and other ornamental features, without noise, dirt, debris, and the possibility of destruction of some existing landscape or other improvements.

The large equipment required to dig a pool is a common sense example of what we mean. The trucks and tractor, which do the excavating, require a fairly large access path, and some maneuvering room in the back yard. (It's really impressive to notice how little damage is done by these large pieces of equipment. The operators are truly artists!)

Nevertheless, you just can't dig a swimming pool-sized hole without making a mess. We point this out as one example of routine construction procedure. Please realize this, and be prepared to accept them for what they are, a necessary, but temporary inconvenience. Once your pool is filled with water, and you're enjoying its fun and beauty, we know you'll agree that it was all worthwhile.

ACCESS TO THE POOL SITE

As part of the consideration of the contract price, please remember that it is your responsibility to provide adequate access to the construction site, and maneuvering room for the heavy equipment required to do the job. We recognize our responsibilities and will stand behind any damage resulting from our negligence, or that of our sub-contractors. But we cannot be responsible for unavoidable damages resulting from gaining reasonable access to the pool site, or in conducting operations necessary to the construction of your pool.

A few moments spent now in preparation for receiving the construction crews and equipment could help minimize, or even completely avoid, needless damage. Here are a few suggestions to help you get ready.

* Locate and mark all hidden or below/ground systems, such as water and sprinkler lines, electric and gas lines, septic tanks and leach lines, and any other underground installations or obstructions.

* Pick an access route which is spacious enough to allow for equipment the size and weight of the heavy equipment necessary to build your pool.

* Review your yard's landscaping to determine what might be saved, and what, of necessity, must be removed. Remember: You are about to dig a big hole in the middle of your yard. Anything in close proximity is vulnerable.

ACCESS THROUGH A NEIGHBOR'S YARD

Sometimes it is necessary to use part of a neighbor's yard for access. If that is the case, it will be important to have a signed "Access Letter" from them, granting us permission to cross their property.

HOW TO MAKE WORK ORDER CHANGES

Clients often decide to make some changes in the work they originally requested. If you want to change some part of your work, you should be aware that California Law and local regulations require that all changes be in writing. Please do not make oral requests of us or our sub-contractors that will deviate from the original plans and specifications reflected in the Contract and on the Approved Plan. For your protection and ours, request a signed Addendum Contract for all changes you might desire.

By the way, don't let this important requirement deter you from discussing and making any and all the changes you want. It's your pool in your yard -- the project should turn out the way you want it to! And we realize that some items are very hard to plan in advance; sometimes you just have to see the project unfold to get a clear idea of what you want. That's fine. Just be sure we do it properly -- in a written Addendum. That way we both know what we are doing.

IF YOU'RE HAVING A GAS HEATER INSTALLED...

If you have ordered a natural gas heater, you should call SDG&E promptly and inform them. In many cases they have to come to your home and install a larger capacity meter so your heater can operate properly. (Sorry we can't do this for you -- SDG&E will only speak with the homeowner. You'll need to know how many gas appliances you have, and their sizes as measured in btu consumption.)

A few other points about gas lines and hookups. First, county and local building codes require that gas lines be buried at a certain depth, and that the lines be inspected to be sure that the standard has been met. They are also inspected for continuity and integrity by means of a pressure test. By codes, the trenches cannot be filled, nor can decks, which might cover gas lines, be poured unless and until the lines are inspected and approved. (And no pool contractor can control the schedule of any Building Inspector...)

Also, be aware that the gas lines are not usually hooked up until after the pool is full and has been started up. This makes it impossible to fire up the heater without water flowing through the coils to keep it cool. Again, this can only be done after inspector approval.

Finally, you should arrange to be home when the gas lines are hooked up. To hook into the gas meter, the entire flow of gas through the meter must be shut off for a brief time. This will extinguish all your pilot lights. You need to be home to be sure they are re-lit promptly.

HOOKING UP THE ELECTRICITY

To hook up the power lines for the pool pumps, lights, and other electric devices, the electrician must turn off all power at the panel for safety (wouldn't you do that, too?!?). This may pose some temporary inconvenience while your power is turned off. It won't take long, though.

Sometimes clients come home and discover that power is out in part of their home. Normally, this is a result of a workman flipping breaker switches to protect himself and his co-workers from severe electrical shock. If you run across this problem, please check your breaker panel and be sure that all breakers are in the normal "ON" position.

WHAT ABOUT ALL THOSE PIPES IN THE POOL?

Pool builders often get questions about all those pipes that stick through the wall so far into the pool. Should they be there? When will they be cut off?

The pipes are normal, and they're supposed to be there, and look just like they look. Since it is difficult to know exactly where the finish of the gunite and plaster will be before the work is done, plumbers just let the pipes stick out far beyond the finish edge of the pool. Then the Plaster Crew cuts them off flush with the wall and packs the hole around them when they apply the plaster. That way, everything fits flush with the finished pool wall.

Only one pipe normally isn't cut by the Plasterers: the fresh water fill line. The Start-Up technician will trim that, and naturally, he will inspect the rest of the job too, and take care of other details as necessary.

WHERE'S MY…

AUTOMATIC POOL CLEANER? -- Pool Plasterers and Pool Cleaner manufacturers agree that automatic pool cleaners should not be installed in a newly plastered pool for a period of a few days up to two weeks. The concern is that such devices might scar, gouge, remove, or otherwise damage the soft plaster. So to be safe, we wait a while before installing them. Use this time to vigorously brush the sidewalls, floor, steps and benches to remove "plaster dust" and to help the pool water clear up more quickly.

POOL COVER? -- Pool covers should not be installed on any pool until the water has cleared up, and proper chemical balance has been obtained and stabilized. Your pool cover will arrive and be trimmed to fit within a few weeks after Start-up. This delay is for your protection -- covering a pool improperly can result in some very unpleasant consequences.

A WORD ABOUT GATES

All local jurisdictions have regulations regarding fences and gates surrounding swimming pools. One important point, which will be inspected in the final "Pre-Plaster Inspection", is the self-closing and self-latching feature on walk-through gates. This simply means that gates must close firmly by themselves. Usually a spring will do this job. Many kinds of suitable springs are available at hardware stores. Be sure they are in place before we call for final inspection.

OPEN TRENCHES

A necessary part of installing a pool is the placement of underground lines that carry electricity or gas. These lines are rigorously inspected several times by local Building Inspectors. They must be left exposed at all times to allow for the inspections. Please do not attempt to cover the lines or fill in the trenches -- we will take care of that when they have all been approved for the final time.

Also, please caution children not to play in or near the trenches. We don't want them to get hurt.

WHEN WILL MY POOL BE FINISHED?

A completion date for finishing your pool is never a certainty (although we truly do try to speed it along!). We wish we could tell you exactly, but we can't. There are too many variables.

* Tile and Coping -- Selection of just the "right" tile is important to the finish and long-range appearance of your pool. Since each pool is custom created and unique, it sometimes happens that your tile is not available locally. In such cases, we special-order enough for your project. Frankly, it is impossible to forecast how long it will take to come in. Could be days, could be weeks. We simply can't find out because even the suppliers and manufacturers don't know. For this reason, we usually encourage our clients to make an alternate or 'back-up" selection of tile -- just in case...

We might also experience some delays in the installation of the Tile & Coping. Since Tile is one of the most visible features of your pool, great care and artistic ability go into installing it. This is a stage that just cannot be rushed. We feel that if this takes a little longer to complete, it will be reflected in the finished project. We want you to love your pool for a long time.

* SCHEDULING PLASTER -- Plaster application is the last construction phase before you fill the pool with water. It means your pool is DONE! And before we can even schedule the plaster to be installed, we must pass a "Final Inspection" from the building department, and receive their approval to finish your pool. This can mean delays of unknown length, simply because they can't or won't tell us when they will be able to do their inspection. We do all we can, but we're at their mercy.

As soon as the final approval is given, we will schedule the Plaster. How soon after that the job is actually done depends on the weather and on the time of year. Naturally, when the busy season is upon us, we can all expect longer lead times than in the winter months. Remember that we all want the same thing:

A top-quality pool, which will last for years, completed in a timely and workmanlike manner.

SOME LEGAL ISSUES

California law and the Contractor's State Licensing Board govern the legal aspect of transactions between the client and the pool contractor. Two items are of particular importance to homeowners.

PRELIMINARY NOTICES -- Shortly after your pool construction begins you will probably receive "Preliminary Notices'1 from the contractor, subcontractors, and even material suppliers. DON'T PANIC! This does not mean that a lien has been filed against your property. California Law requires you to be furnished with these notices to alert you that those persons have worked on, or have supplied materials for, your swimming pool, and because of that, they may have lien rights.

California Law provides that anyone who furnishes labor or materials to your home can record a "Claim of Lien", or "Mechanic's Lien" against your home if they are not paid. A Lien Release is a document that waives any future right by that person to enforce a mechanic's lien against your property. As a matter of normal business conduct, SUNDANCER POOLS normally collects then gives to client homeowners, unconditional lien releases from all appropriate tradesmen and suppliers. Save these important records permanently in your Swimming Pool Construction file!

LANDSCAPING AND DRAINAGE

When installing your landscaping, be sure that it all drains away from the pool area. This is an absolute must if you want to avoid problems with your decking in the future. The pool builder is only responsible for drainage to the edge of the pool deck, beyond that is the responsibility of the homeowner. We also suggest that you seriously consider installing roof gutters and downspouts to direct rainwater from the roof to areas away from your pool, deck, and patio.

SET UP A MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

For best results with your pool, set up a routine to ensure proper cleaning and chemical maintenance of your pool. This will provide you with three important results:

* A sanitary, healthful swimming environment.
* Clear, sparkling, pleasant water.
* Help prevent future staining, discoloration or etching of the interior plaster surface.

Proper regular maintenance is an important element in prolonging the life and beauty of your pool. Make it a regular habit.

These thoughts on building a swimming pool are shared with you in the hope that complete information in advance will help make your experience more pleasant and exciting to watch. It is normal to expect some inconvenience and a few problems. We hope to minimize both of those for you. And when it's all done, we re sure you will agree that it has all been worthwhile. Building your own pool is a special event, and we're proud you selected us to be part of it. Thanks, and Best Wishes!

And if all else fails ... Call SUNDANCER POOLS for help and friendly advice.