The “Order of Operations” when purchasing an Above Ground Pool, ensures that you understand the requirements of your yard and your town, secure your permit, purchase an above ground pool that works for you, along with an equipment package that you understand.
Step 1: Are You Purchasing a Pool?
It’s important to understand sizes, shapes, materials used to construct the pool, and any other questions you may have.
If you have made the commitment to purchase an Above Ground Pool then the next consideration is making sure you have a yard that can accommodate a pool as well as then choosing the right size pool.
Someone comes into the store and says “My neighbor has a 24 round above ground pool and I would like one too” and our response is “Can you fit it or any above ground pool in your yard?” and the customer says “What do you mean can it fit? We have plenty of room”
Step 2: Can We Have a Pool?
This may, however, not be true. It is very important to get an understanding of your yard as far as any property setbacks may go as well as: well lines, septic tanks, leach fields, road setbacks or easements. These types of things can be the reason behind why your neighbor can have a 24 Round and you may only be able to have something smaller. How do we determine all of this? You go to your town to obtain a plot plan and learn about setbacks, easements, and any other pertinent information that may or may not apply to your property. If you live in a development that is governed by a home association, you will also want to check in with them to make sure you can have a pool and if there are any requirements for them as well. Another thing to consider is fencing. Any fencing requirements are usually also determined by the town and should be considered in your overall plan.
If you are comfortable with all of the info obtained and your pool looks like it will fit, the next thing would be to apply for the permit from the town. Going through this process ensures that your pool will fit in your yard, with the town agreeing by the issuing of a permit or, if there are any issues, you may have to address or readjust size before purchasing.
To be clear and to reiterate: Step 1 is “I Want a Pool” Step 2 is “Can I have a Pool”. Step 1 is determined by you and Step 2 is determined by the town. All towns are different and there are no standard requirements. What is true in one town or even one section of a town may be completely different from the next exit on the highway or even around the corner for that matter. Some towns you can draw the pool in yourself on your plot plan and other towns require you to hire an engineer and address things such as stormwater management.
Step 3: Purchase Your Pool!
Congratulations, your pool permit is secure! Step 3 is to go back to the store and make the pool purchase! It’s important to choose the pool that fits in your backyard based on your approved permit as well as any accessories that are acceptable as well. Yes, some towns have certain requirements on things such as filter media, or pumps. It is important to understand both your pool and your pool package. Basically, what you are purchasing: How thick your liner is, whether you are getting sand or D.E. filter, are you getting a robotic cleaner with it and much more. All of these things can add or subtract from the package. Where we are located in southern NH and the North Shore of MA, D.E. works the best as a filter media because of the well water that is typically used containing a lot of metals and you may have to pay a bit more.
Once we know that you can get the pool, you let the dealer know, you pay in full, you order the pool, and get it scheduled for delivery. A date for the installation to start is also booked and this payment is usually paid half when the project commences and the other half at the end of the install.
What are possible extra charges? The next step covers this.
Step 4: Understanding and Outlining the Installation Project
The first item on this list is backyard access. Can we get into your backyard or side yard with the proper equipment: (Bobcat/Excavator)? We typically need a minimum of 6 feet, 6 inches. We like to lay out a tracked path that our machinery will follow to minimize impact to your property. Are there obstacles to avoid in getting to the location such as septic tanks or buried utilities?
The digging of an above ground pool doesn’t involve much backfilling but you still need to scalp the loom off. When we go to do this, there can be more loom than we thought. How are we managing this fill? Where is it going? Is it staying in your yard or being hauled away to a dump site? If hauled away, this would be an extra charge as well as possibly paying for dumping as well. We could run into a ledge just under the loom that wasn’t known about. What are we doing to address this if it happens? A couple things to consider with this: If your neighbors have pools then you may want to ask them how digging went as well as the presence of any ledge. You could also go out with a shovel and do a couple test holes to try and see for yourself when you hit the substrate.
What is the grade of the pool as well as the finished height of the pool? Are you building a deck around the pool?
After we scalp the loom off, we like to bring in stone dust while others use vermiculite. If for some reason we don’t have good access to your yard then we would have to wheelbarrow and shovel it which would affect the overall cost.
Equipment location is also a key point to discuss and decide upon. Where will the equipment pad be that the filter and pump sit on. Typically, this is a location fairly close to the pool and off to the side so it’s not in the way. The location of this pad may also affect the overall price depending on if it’s a long run to the pool or not.
Water to fill the pool is another aspect of the project and an additional cost. Access for the water truck as well as a clear plan as to who we’re using and who is paying for it.
In summary, your yard is going to become a construction site. You are going to have tracks in the lawn, equipment present, possibly piles of stone or stone dust and if you are building a deck or any other aspects of outdoor living, then there may be even more materials present. Keep in mind the saying “You Have to Destroy to Create and Before Something Beautiful Comes Chaos” You have to go backwards to go forwards when it comes to your yard.
Step 5: Running the Equipment and Managing Your Pool
It is good to know before choosing your pool, your dealer, and going forth with the install, where the knowledge of becoming a pool owner will come from. Is the pool dealer going to have a representative come back when everything is up and running and teach you about the different aspects and how to run it or do they just leave you to learn everything yourself or through trial and error?
Step 6: What Are My Costs to Consider?
Many Above Ground dealers offer financing on the purchase of pools. We offer 18 months 0% interest.
Another cost to keep in mind is the electrician. They typically come in after the installation. Sometimes customers will use one electrician if they are doing a full backyard hardscape while others may just go with one that is familiar with pools and will just handle these aspects. It definitely depends. Who coordinates this? We have found that after many years of doing this, our electricians that we work closely with, are the ones who tend to be the most responsive and have the most knowledge to get the job done because they’ve done pools before.
Our team is happy to answer any questions on the above ground pool purchasing process. Contact us today to get the conversation started.
