Don’t wait until the spring to order a pool and start the permit process. Here’s why. Part Two!

Posted on January 12, 2012 by mpedito

Step 1

As soon as you begin to think about a swimming pool project try to get your hands on your survey to your property.  Usually you can find this with your mortgage papers if not there check with your TWP they sometimes have a copy on file.  Currently 50 percent of townships require a more detailed survey called a Topographical Survey/ or Grading plan.  These types of surveys give the TWP additional information such as elevations and water run off.  Townships utilize this practice to eliminate builders from building too high and directing the flow of water to adjoining neighbors properties.  These types of surveys if required has to be done by a licensed engineer in the state you reside in.  If a Topo is needed this will cost you on average between 700 and 1200 depending on the engineer and could take approximately 2 weeks or longer to complete. Make sure your builder has all this information prior to a site visit to your home so there will be no surprises once the permit process begins.

Step 2

If you are planning on installing a gas heater on your pool then you would need to get a licensed plumber involved in the project.  Although we are strong supporters of Electric heat pumps we do sell a couple of Gas Heaters a year so this is for you gas heater lovers.  If you know a plumber fine, he or she would need to fill out a plumbing tech form and send that along with a riser diagram and include in your building permit.  Just remember a TWP will not accept an incomplete permit with missing items. Your builders job is to make sure they have everything needed as to not cause any delays in getting approvals and beginning your new fiberglass pool project. Again a huge reason for starting the process in the early winter months.

Step 3

All Townships require that a permanent fence be installed, if one is not currently in place.  If you do have a fence in place you need to make sure it is pool code and has the correct locking mechanism in place.  If you do not have a fence in place we recommend contacting local fence companies to get pricing and define the style fence you are choosing so that this information is included in your building permit.  This information has to be located on the survey. If you can not locate a fence contractor see if your pool contractor has any recommendations.  Some townships require a fence permit to be included in the permit package however some townships allow you to just include the company name of fence contractor, address of Contractor, Phone Number, Price of fence job, Type and Height of fence to be installed and their home improvement contractors License number.  If a fence permit is required you need to have the fence contractor fill out the fence permit form, just one page and either mail it to twp or bring it to the TWP and ask them to include it in your permit application. 

Fence Requirements

Inground swimming pools shall comply with the following with most townships.

1. The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches or 4′ above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool.  Note that some, only a few TWPS require a 5 ft minimum and is very unlikely.

2. There are also different requirement for the many types of fences out there.

Chain Link fences require the small links so they are non climbable.  The mesh can be changed out.

Slatted wood fences need the horizontal rails to be located on the pool side so the fence is non climbable from the neighbors Property.

PVC fencing is fine because generally there are no horizontal members to climb on.

3. The pool has to be completely enclosed with a fence barrier.  It can be either around the pool itself, or it can be around your property extending off the corners of your house.   This method of installation will allow direct access into your swimming pool project so make sure you install door alarms if your children can not swim yet.

4. The gates entering into your pool project  must comply with TWP regulations.  The gate lock mechanism must be a minimum of 54″ high, must open outward away from your pool project, gate must be self closing using a spring latch and gate must be self locking.

So how long does my permit process take in the TWP?

Generally speaking a swimming pool permit normally takes 20 business days or 4 weeks on average.  With that said some Townships take a week or two and some that take over a month. Again start the permit process right away.

What will hold my permit process up?

A variance.  A variance is needed when either you exceeded the Townships allowable impervious ground coverage or if there just isn’t enough room to install the pool of your dreams within the township setbacks.  Say for example you have a 50′ wide backyard and the Twp setbacks are 10′ from the sides and rear.  That means you have 20 ft of setbacks, ten on the left side and ten on the right side.  This means the largest pool you can put in without a variance is a 30′ pool.  You now have to make the choice.  You wanted the 34′ pool but you can only do our 30′ pool.  You can either apply for a variance which will hold the process up approx. 2 months minimum or you can put the 30′ pool in with no problems.  This all depends on how quickly you want the project the get started.

Bulk heads

If you live on the water especially with a bulkhead the general rule of thumb is a setback of 15 ft to waters edge.  We know that some townships require the installation of pilings into the ground to attach to the pool in case of that 100 year flood.  If pilings or footings are required a local engineer would have to provide your pool company with plans in order to proceed with the pool project. Again a reason to get the ball rolling right away.

So how much will my permits cost?

Most townships charge on a per 1000 basis however we have seen a lot of Twps not follow the general rule.  I would say the average building permit costs around 350.  I have seen the occasional 200 permit and some up in the range of 800.  Keep in mind if the TWP required a Topo/grading plan or a piling engineer if you live on the water this will increase your total costs of permits above the normal permit fees.

We hope this information will help you understand the permit process a little better. So now that you are well educated on what to expect throughout the permit process go out there and find your Leisure Fiberglass Pools representative and get the ball rolling now! We hope to see you swimming in quality and Style in the very near future.

Mark Pedito

Posted in Winter Building | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Don’t wait until the spring to order a pool and start the permit process. Here’s why. Part One!

Posted on January 10, 2012 by mpedito

Now that the Christmas holidays have passed, many home owners now start to think about those spring projects that they would like to purchase. The biggest problem we have come across over the years is those who simply wait until April to finally pull the trigger on that new pool project that they have always dreamed about. I will point out the advantages of buying early and give you the pool buyer some brief permitting info that will help educate you throughout the building permit process. So why is January and February the best time to purchase a new Leisure Fiberglass Pool?

1. Usually builders have the best deals throughout the winter months. This is because builders become very busy in the spring and summer months and prices tend to reflect their current cash flow situations. Buy early Save big!

2. Buying during the Winter months allows your pool builder significant time to get your pool manufactured and shipped to one of our many distribution centers across the united states. Remember we do not ship one pool at a time out of our manufacturing facility. We usually wait until we have a full load of 10 pools or more before we schedule delivery.

3. If you wait until the spring chances are you will have to wait a minimum of 4 weeks to get the pool to a distribution location.

4. If you wait until April chances are the builder of your choice will have a back log of pools to install which will put you well past most consumer’s target date of Memorial day weekend. (This is the biggest swim day of the year so start early)

5. Waiting until the spring to pull the building permits is a huge mistake because townships become the busiest this time of the year. In the winter a permit can be turned around in a week or two. If you wait until April or May the permit process could take well over a month and sometimes longer considering you do not encounter any issues along the way.

So what things should you expect during the permit process? Make sure to check out our next installment of this blog for some helpful information to help your permit process move along smoothly.

Mark Pedito

Posted in Before You Buy, Winter Building | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dealer Spotlight: Pools Now

Posted on January 5, 2012 by rgreene

From start up to design winners…. The team at Pools Now have shown that their dedication to customers is far above and beyond expectations at every turn. Leisure Pools is proud to call Pools Now a preferred partner for the Del Rio Texas area!

We wanted to take a moment to highlight an extraordinary builder and show off a little of their work! More importantly we wanted you to know more about them and their relationship with Leisure Pools.

The team at Pools Now joined the Leisure family in March of 2010. They actually come from outside the fiberglass industry and often say that they didn’t realize quite “what they were getting themselves into”!

When entering the marketplace, research was done on as many manufacturer’s as possible. They researched others as you would…. making a personal purchase for your own home.

Without including any names, the experience had results of no contact, poor education opportunities, lack of product quality and terrible installation experiences.

Unfortunately this is something that we hear way too often!!

When they finally made their match with Leisure Pools, they said that the quality of product, support, extensive training, etc. was everything that they had been looking for!

During their first year in business, they experienced the same learning curves as many but with fervor to attack in a way we had never before seen. They reviewed their first year and put forth an effort to increase all items of quality and education in the years to come.

What were some of the items that Leisure offered and Pools Now decided to take advantage of?

· Sales training courses

· Installation workshops

· Internet and website development

· Networking and learning from others

The team at Pools Now has always been dedicated to offering the highest quality product and services that are available. It is not hard to see why their business and reputations are exceeding their original opportunities! We are proud to have Pools Now as a member of the team and would invite you to learn more about them. Please visit them at www.poolsnow.net.

To the team at Pools Now…. We thank you for your business

and look forward to growing with you now and into the future!

Robyn Greene

Posted in Leisure Pools Dealers, Why Leisure Pools | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Financing…. Getting started

Posted on January 3, 2012 by bforsyth

Financing…. Sometimes it can be such a four letter word. We receive so many calls and for a lot of people it can be such a confusing topic. Believe me…. Secured, unsecured, lines of credit, home loans…. They can all make your head swim!!! (No pun intended)

Most of the calls that we receive are one simple question…. How can I know if I qualify? How much can I get? I want my fiberglass swimming pool now!

There are so many contributing factors that sometimes we all just want someone to break it down into some easy steps. Now first and foremost, I will tell you that I am by no means a financing expert, nor do I play one on TV…. I am just someone that receives a lot of these calls and has these questions as well.

Recently I spoke to Larry Collins with HFS financial and asked for some simple steps that homeowners (like myself) can use a guideline to get started. The following items are things that are quick and easy to start getting an idea.

First, know your credit scores! All of us have seen the commercials, but you really should have a look at your credit to see what is there. Many times you can receive free copies of these from the agencies or lending institutions. This way you will know whether you fall into the 620+ secured category, the 675+ unsecured category or there are items that need to be addressed before you even apply!

Secondly, do you know your debt to income ratio? This is very simple to discover. Simply write down all of your monthly reoccurring expenses (I.e.

mortgage, car payment, etc.) in one column. Then in the other column take your income after taxes and divide by 12. Divide your monthly income by your monthly expenses. Lenders will want you to be under about 40-45%.

Third, make sure to just know your overall credit history. All lending institutions will look at this as well. For example…. Someone can have a great score but if there was a recent bankruptcy this could effect decision.

Adversely someone could have a lower credit score that could have been the result of medical bills, job loss, etc. and this will be just as influential!

Fourth, know the equity in your home. You know what you owe….. do you know what it is worth? If you are considering this then go ahead and get an appraisal. They are good for five years in most areas, so even if you are considering for future improvements, it is good to know now!

Finally…… Pick up the phone and call! If you are still not sure whether you will qualify or not, there are quite a few where you can prequalify for free. For more information feel free to visit www.hfsfinancial.net or call Larry Collins at 800-254-9560 ext 3. Financing doesn’t need to be followed up with a bar of soap….. it can be simple and easy.

Please note that Leisure Pools is not a financing company. Rates, qualifying standards, loan amounts and ratios can vary per area and institution. We hope that this information is helpful and can offer some insight.

Most importantly we want to hear from you. Are there topics that you want to know more about? We are happy to assist or provide you with anything that we can. Thank you again for your time and interest. We look forward to speaking with you soon!

Posted in Financing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Does a Leisure Fiberglass Pool cost more than a gunite pool? Part 2

Posted on December 29, 2011 by dtownsend

In Part 1 of this article we discussed why a Leisure Fiberglass Pool is more expensive than a gunite pool. In Part 2 we will now discuss why it cost much less to own a Leisure Fiberglass Pool over time.

There are many reasons why a Leisure Fiberglass Pool cost much less overtime than a gunite so we will break them down into sections.

1. Chemical Usage- A Leisure Fiberglass Pools smooth surface does not let algae attach to it like the rough surface of a gunite pool. So in a fiberglass pool you can maintain a lower chlorine residual than a gunite pool. This being the case a gunite pool owner has to run their pump longer, maintain a higher chlorine residual and shock the pool more often to keep algae from growing.

Subsequently the more chlorine you add to your pool the more you affect the PH of the pool. And the more you affect the PH the more chemicals it takes to adjust the PH. The additional chemical cost and time to maintain could add up to as much as $100-$150 per month.

2. If for some reason you did not take care of your pool as you should have and have an algae bloom, with a fiberglass pool is not that big of a deal. Usually one bag of shock and brush the walls and floor and the next day the algae is dead and can be vacuumed out.

If this happens to a gunite pool the results can be drastic. The plaster surface of a gunite pool is porous and rough so algae can get deep into it. Once the algae is imbedded into the plaster it can be extremely hard or impossible to get out. Hopefully several shock treatments and vigorous brushing of the walls will get rid of it. If not the last option is acid washing.

Acid washing a pool is no small task. It requires draining all of the water out of the pool and manually brushing a toxic mixture of muriatic acid and water. Gunite pools usually require an acid washing every two to four years to maintain that new look and remove all of the imbedded algae. Acid washings can cost anywhere from $1,500-$4,000.

3. The gel coat surface on your new Leisure Fiberglass Pool is designed to last many years and never need to be acid washed as does a gunite pool.

The plaster on a gunite pool has to be refinished overtime. Several factors dictate how long a plaster finish will last such as acid washing, water chemistry, etc. Every time you acid wash a gunite pool you etch away some of the plaster to remove the algae and grime. This is basically taking the finish off of the pool. At some point the finish needs to be re plastered. Typically re plastering needs to be done somewhere between 7-10 years. Re plastering a pool is not cheap and can cost anywhere from $3,000-$7,000 dollars.

So using the figures from above let’s take a look at the cost of ownership over a 10 year period between a Leisure Fiberglass Pool and a gunite pool.

Wow that is almost $22,000 difference in just the first 10 years alone. So you have to ask yourself, can I afford the cost of a New Leisure Pool or is the question how can I not afford a New Leisure Pool.

Posted in Gunite Pools, Why Leisure Pools | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Does a Leisure Fiberglass Pool cost more than a gunite pool?

Posted on December 27, 2011 by dtownsend

Part 1

The answer is yes and no. The yes part is if you only look at the initial cost of a pool. The nopart is if you look at the cost of owning a pool for a period of time.

In Part 1 we will discuss the yes, why a fiberglass pool is more expensive than a gunite pool.

To understand the cost difference between a fiberglass pool and a gunite pool we have to know how & where each pool is made.

Leisure Fiberglass Pools are manufactured in a controlled environment. Any quality product that is manufactured is done so in a controlled environment. Having to start and/or stop a manufacturing process due to elements, rain, wind, etc. ultimately determines the quality of the finished product.

All gunite pools are constructed in the back yard, in the elements. The construction timeline for a gunite pool is anywhere from 6-12 weeks possibly longer depending upon the builder. During this lengthy amount of time a number of different weather elements are likely to be encountered.

The average pool cost as much as a luxury vehicle. Can you imagine if a luxury vehicle was manufactured outside?

The Structure of a Leisure Fiberglass Pool.

The structural layer of a Leisure Pool is made up of two parts. The first is the vinyl ester resin which is a chemical resistant resin. The next layer is an isophthalic polyester resin. These resins are used to produce high quality parts for things like commercial aircraft (Boeing Airbus) high end car parts, etc. Both of these resins produce amazing strength, up to 21,000 psi versus concrete usually 3,000 to 5,000 psi.

The manufacturing process of the fiberglass pool is always performed in a controlled environment. Temperature and humidity levels are monitored and maintained to ensure consistent quality each and every time. Special high tech spray guns are used to deliver consistent material measuring down to the millimeter.

The Structure of a Gunite Pool.

The structure of a gunite pool is made of either shot-crete or gunite. Both are basically concrete at about 4,000 psi (A Leisure Pool up to 21,000 psi). The only advantage of using concrete would be that you could make any shape you wanted to. The disadvantages are numerous. The biggest disadvantage is anytime you see concrete (Sidewalks, roads, etc.) it does not take long to find a crack in it. Concrete cracks all the time no matter how thick and/or reinforced.

When a concrete pool is “shot” there are several laborers applying the material using their own judgment as to how thick, smooth, etc. it should be. It is also applied in the elements with no control over temperature, humidity or wind which all have extreme control over the outcome of the final product.

The finish of a Leisure Fiberglass Pool.

A new Leisure Pool is manufactured with Aquaguard© gel coat which is the finest in the world. The gel coat is what gives your Leisure Pool its stunning color and satin smooth finish. The Aquaguard © gel coat is produced in a controlled facility and is applied to the swimming pool mold by highly trained technicians using high tech spray guns. The outcome is consistent each & every time.

Posted in Gunite Pools, What Makes Leisure Pools Different, Why Leisure Pools | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

From our family to yours…..

Posted on December 22, 2011 by bforsyth

We wanted to wish you the very best this holiday season.

We thank you for taking the time to inquire about our company and products this year. Leisure Pools prides itself on not only offering the best quality and service available but also the dedication to always improve! To do this, we need to hear from you!

The following is a link to an on line survey….. http://www.leisurepoolsusa.com/Survey-Leisure-Pools.htm

We would consider it a great holiday treat if you would take a moment and complete. This way we can not only learn more about your experience with Leisure, the dealer in your area, but also learn how we can improve for our current and future customers.

We thank you again for your time and interest in Leisure Pools may your holiday be full of family and cheer. We hope that one day a Leisure Pool would be the best present under the tree!

Posted in Why Leisure Pools | Tagged | Leave a comment

Diving Boards and Expiration Dates

Posted on December 20, 2011 by bforsyth

I know…. You are thinking…. Diving boards have expiration dates? How could that be? Well, it has more to do with decisions you make not only for today but also the changes in your family and use for the future!

Most of our initial calls from homeowners are for the largest unit that will fit in the yard and the deepest available. Why? Because the kids will want to dive! Now, for those that have their heart set on this……please know that we would never talk you out of it or not want you to have what you desire. But there may be a few things to consider…. Food for thought!

I would tell you that with kids and a pool, even if they are divers there is normally a lot more cannon balls, retrieving from the bottom and games that are played rather than simple diving. Talk to friends and neighbors…. Observe others at play and I bet you will see the same trend!

Also, be sure to know where you and others will spend the most time in the pool….. That’s right, the shallow end! I don’t know about you, but treading water for hours is not my idea of a good time. If I want to socialize by the side or simply relax, it is always in shallow water. If floating is your preference, then the depth doesn’t matter!

Finally, remember that those divers grow up! Even if they dive like crazy now….. Eventually they will want to lounge or socialize with the rest of us. And what do we do when they are gone? We receive more and more calls from those that “purchased for the family” that now may not want such a large body of have to take care of!

The backyard enjoyment that you get with a swimming pool is comparable to none. We want to make sure that this happens not only now but well into the future! Make sure to check back with us for more “food for thought” discussions about purchasing decisions. More importantly, we want to hear from you! If there is something you would like to see or know, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

Bonnie Forsyth

Posted in Pool Accessories, Pool Warranties | Tagged , | Leave a comment

ICC – What is it and why should I care?

Posted on December 15, 2011 by bforsyth

Part Two : What Does It Mean To Me?

One of the biggest concerns for the life of your pool is of course what you are going to stare at every day…. The interior! One of the big alternative tests Leisure Pools had to pass was the exposure to ultra UV done via a Carbon Arc test. Basically, pool samples are exposed to welding rods in a chamber for 1500 hours continuously (62 days). When completed the surface must not show any UV effects. It equates to around 30 years UV exposure and the fact that our pools passed speaks volumes about the quality and integrity of Leisure Pools.

More importantly, did you know that this “standard of construction” is not required across the country? Did you know that the ICC approval is always subject to inspection and renewal? You have to build the best and then you have to keep it that way. Leisure is proud to say that we build in one facility and to a certain level of quality. With that in mind, every pool is built the same way to ensure that we are always meeting the guidelines expected by us.

Those manufacturer’s with multiple facilities (and some with ICC approval on the West Coast where required) may not follow this same rule of thumb. If it not being built somewhere where this is mandatory, how do you know that it is being built the same way?

**PS….. There are no vinyl builders or gunite builders that can pass this test!**

We all want to know that we are making the best investment in the best product that will serve our families interests for the long haul. This is why we would certainly recommend you research, ask questions and most importantly…… See if the manufacturer you are looking at purchasing has been willing to let an independent third party rate and approve their product. If not, then there may be “different proof in the pudding down the road”…. And that is not always a good thing.

Most importantly, we want to hear from you! We are always here to discuss what you see and what you would like to know more about. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Bonnie Forsyth

Posted in Swimming Pool Standards, What Makes Leisure Pools Different | Tagged , | Leave a comment

ICC – What is it and why should I care?

Posted on December 13, 2011 by bforsyth

Part One : What is it?

As a homeowner, you are always given the new “hot term” or “marketing pitch” of why something is better. We understand that everyone can have a claim to fame and frankly it can be overwhelming sometimes to sort the fact from the fiction.

This is why we wanted to talk about a subject that truly puts the “proof in the pudding”. This is something that you can refer to, is not exclusive to us and more importantly is something that you should ask for! What is this, you may ask???? It is your manufacturer’s ICC approval certificate!

But what in the world is ICC and why is it important? ICC is the International Code Council. For those that would like the definition straight from ICC Evaluation Services, Inc….

“The main purpose of ICC-ES evaluation reports is to assist those enforcing model codes to determine whether a given subject complies with those codes. An evaluation report is not to be construed as representing a judgment about aesthetics or any other attributes not specifically addressed in the report, nor as an endorsement or recommendation for use of the subject of the report. Approval for use of the subject of the report is the prerogative and responsibility of the Code Official; ICC-ES does not intend to assume, nor can ICC-ES assume, that prerogative and responsibility.”

For those of us that would like it in layman’s terms…..

We have put our product to the highest possible endurance tests and passed!

Passing some of the toughest tests in the marketplace and they have met all of the standards without being “grandfathered” in as some of our other competitors were in the past. In 2007, after three and a half years in the application process, Leisure Pools was granted International Code Council (ICC) approval. “This is a major milestone for our company” says CEO Ashley Gill. Leisure Pools was the first company to pass the ICC’s new acceptance criteria AC274 and comply with the entire alternative testing requirements for new entrants. “We were told that it would be extremely difficult to pass but persistence has paid off” says Gill.

Bonnie Forsyth

Posted in Swimming Pool Standards, What Makes Leisure Pools Different | Tagged , , | Leave a comment