Browse Forums Pools & Spas 1 Jan 22, 2023 9:02 pm Hi all, After receiving a number of unreasonable quotes to build a pretty stock 7x3m concrete pool, I was wondering whether anyone has tried to walk the path of project managing / co-ordinating the build yourself. It's nowhere near as complex as building a house, so won't be as time consuming (in my humber opinion). My only question, is the pool building (contractor) world setup in a way that allows you to sub-contract designer/architect, draftsman, engineers, excavators, concreter's, electricians and plumbers? I would assume that most pool companies work this way then add a nice chunky premium on top. My goal - cut out the chunky premium. It gives you the bonus to spend those savings on nice upgrades and more premium finishes. Re: Building a pool (bypassing pool company) 2Jan 25, 2023 12:05 pm depends on your skills and experience, you might be left to do parts yourself. Plumbers don’t normally do pool plumbing, concretors don’t normally do pools. Concrete block may be your best option unless you can find a good shotcrete contractor. https://www.adbrimasonry.com.au/wp-cont ... ay2020.pdf Re: Building a pool (bypassing pool company) 3Jan 31, 2023 4:55 pm Building a pool by yourself. It will be a difficult task. How do you plan on managing everything? Re: Building a pool (bypassing pool company) 4Jan 31, 2023 6:04 pm krismartin Building a pool by yourself. It will be a difficult task. How do you plan on managing everything? I think you misunderstand. I will not be doing the actual work - the point is to coordinate all the sub contractors - it’s not as complex as building a house. Surely you can save 30-40% of margin that the pool companies take. It’s a concrete hole with some minor plumbing and electricity. Re: Building a pool (bypassing pool company) 5Feb 11, 2023 12:22 pm CYB krismartin Building a pool by yourself. It will be a difficult task. How do you plan on managing everything? I think you misunderstand. I will not be doing the actual work - the point is to coordinate all the sub contractors - it’s not as complex as building a house. Surely you can save 30-40% of margin that the pool companies take. It’s a concrete hole with some minor plumbing and electricity. Are you going to purchase owner builders contract works insurance as the new principal contractor of the job? Who is responsible if things go pear shaped? Everyone you engage will deny liability and you as the principal contractor will be left to deal with issues yourself. Wouldn't it be smarter to use a professional pool company that has the correct expertise and relevant insurance in place? Re: Building a pool (bypassing pool company) 7Feb 11, 2023 8:22 pm I think the concern is the responsibility you take. The builder does earn their money. Supervising, coordinating and doing the hundred small things the subbies don’t or can’t do takes a lot of time. It is often underestimated how much time it takes. If you have the time and skills and are prepared to take the blame for any problems then it certainly is possible. Re: Building a pool (bypassing pool company) 8Feb 11, 2023 8:25 pm Pulse I think the concern is the responsibility you take. The builder does earn their money. Supervising, coordinating and doing the hundred small things the subbies don’t or can’t do takes a lot of time. It is often underestimated how much time it takes. If you have the time and skills and are prepared to take the blame for any problems then it certainly is possible. Yeah maybe they do. But the reality is they are probably supervising a dozen builds and get to your site 1-2 hours per week. Whereas I may not be as experienced but I’ll be basically be forever present and ensure everything is done to the best level possible. Re: Building a pool (bypassing pool company) 9Feb 12, 2023 10:03 am Consider the potential impacts if something does go wrong and you have to claim on your Home & Contents Insurance. Pool company build - Insurance company goes after them You build - Insurance company washes its hands of you Re: Building a pool (bypassing pool company) 10Feb 12, 2023 10:53 am Althom Consider the potential impacts if something does go wrong and you have to claim on your Home & Contents Insurance. Pool company build - Insurance company goes after them You build - Insurance company washes its hands of you Have you ever claimed against a builder? Not a very smooth process I can assure you. That’s if they haven’t claimed insolvency. I get the risks everyone has pointed out and am thankful for everyone pointing them out. The OP was to hear if anyone has been successful in coordinating a pool build and whether they can share the experience / process. Re: Building a pool (bypassing pool company) 11Feb 12, 2023 11:51 am CYB krismartin Building a pool by yourself. It will be a difficult task. How do you plan on managing everything? I think you misunderstand. I will not be doing the actual work - the point is to coordinate all the sub contractors - it’s not as complex as building a house. Surely you can save 30-40% of margin that the pool companies take. It’s a concrete hole with some minor plumbing and electricity. Easy enough to do, Builders get onsite trades while working on your build to put pool slabs and brick walls in during house builds. Tho, I've never seen one pass the saving on. If I ever put another pool in my next build I wont be paying $70K. A couple of our trades have DIY their own for less than 20K ... The Pool Liner is the killer at $7K approx Goodluck Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs faultless is hard to find, talk to your builder because it has real potential to hold up the schedule so needs to someone they work well with. I agree it is frustrating to… 1 2864 Hi Everyone, I applied for company contractor license 2 wks ago, and have been told that the process is taking averaging 11 wks. The nominated supervisor has already got… 0 1968 Thanks KnockItDown. I think I’ll focus on the house first, then talk about the pool. Therefore, no fiberglass pool for me and I’ll have to go with concrete, which will… 9 2393 |