WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN BUYING A POOL IN 2024
Beginning in June 2020, when the reality of being in a Pandemic started to sink in, many people realized that travel and vacation plans wouldn't happen due to the Nationwide COVID lockdowns. Everyone found themselves at home, and suddenly, the swimming pool and hot tub industry began experiencing unprecedented interest and growth. (And we mean suddenly!) Steady growth has continued into 2024, and the good news is that the industry has caught up with most of the demand. The main thing that we continue to see is that the home and outdoor living space remain a top priority, which has caused many people to scratch their heads and wonder, "How long is this going to take? When exactly will I be able to swim?" That has been and continues to be the million-dollar question!
A lot has changed when it comes to buying a pool, but no worries—a lot has also stayed the same. So, if you want a backyard swimming pool in 2024, here is what you can expect.
First, if you're interested in a pool, start now!
Designing and building a new swimming pool is no small project; the process takes time!
We are telling our clients to expect a wait time of three to four months, a significant improvement, and a much more typical timeframe.
Remember, however, that this is the time you will wait AFTER all design decisions have been established and your contract signed. That's not to say it can't happen sooner, but we prefer to under-promise and over-deliver.
That's not to say it can't happen sooner, but we prefer to under-promise and over-deliver.
So, let's get into the pool design/ build process details.
1 / INQUIRIES
As mentioned earlier, interest has increased. From phone calls to emails to contacting us via our website, interest continues, and it takes time to discuss designing and building a pool. (If you haven't read our article "How much does it cost to build a pool?" check it out here.) We have processes to ensure that every inquiry hears back from us. You can expect an acknowledgment of your request within two business days; we diligently answer each request.
Now is an excellent time to cultivate patience; in fact, you will need patience throughout the entire new pool process—deep breath.
2 / THE PERMITTING PROCESS
What used to be a walk-through process resulting in a permit within 1-2 days is now a virtual permitting process. What used to take days is now taking months! That's right,
the permitting process can no longer be measured in days; instead, it is measured in months.
That said, some counties take much longer than others, so depending on where you live, permitting can take up to three months!
3 / SUPPLIES
With the surge in new pool buyers in 2020/2021/2022, inventories were depleted. Thankfully, lead times have finally improved and are all good! In addition, most of the supply chain issues and staffing shortages have been resolved, so
lead times for supplies like fiberglass pool shells and vinyl liners are 6-8 weeks, and pool equipment has also improved to about two weeks; all good news for 2024!
Certain aspects of the process are out of our control; however, there are things that you can do to speed up the process.
1 / Give us your BEST contact information
Although we reach out to people in the order that we receive the request, if we only have an email address, this can slow things down. So, provide your best contact information, preferably a mobile phone number and the address where you'd like to build a pool. Don't worry; we won't spam your phone, sell your number, or keep calling if you're not interested - we don't have time for that!
2 / Have a Digital Copy of Your Plot Plan
As a homeowner, you should have a copy of your plot plan, an architectural drawing showing all the significant features and structures on your property. If you have a paper copy, scan it and create a digital file, preferably a high-resolution PDF. Also, do you have city water, a well, or a septic system? Then, when we contact you and you have the above available, it will speed things up for you!
3 / Financing
Financing is a big one. How are you going to pay for your pool? Financing can take some time to figure out, so it's a good idea to secure your funding or at least know how you will finance your pool ahead of time.
Nothing is worse than getting excited about designing and building a pool only to have your financing fall through. Our pool packages start at $95,000. But last year, 2023, our average pool price was $140,000. So again, check out our article "How Much Does It Cost To Build A Pool?" to familiarize yourself with the costs involved. Also, what are your financing options? Read our article "The Top 5 Ways to Finance Your Swimming Pool".
4 / Make Prompt Decisions
While we reach out to inquiries in the order we have received, the final contract agreement determines your build date. Unfortunately, many believe that because the entire pool process takes a while, they have more time to make decisions. This is not true! We will only order materials or start the permitting process once you have signed the final agreement. So, how fast you make decisions can directly impact how soon you'll be swimming. Additional details can still be added or tweaked, but if the agreement is signed, we can start the permitting process.
Despite the madness we've endured since 2020, many agree that we have reached a "new normal." But one thing is for sure - most of us have a new appreciation for being at home and continue to want to make home a comfortable, peaceful, fun place to be. If you want to add a swimming pool to your backyard, you will appreciate it all the more. Let us know how we can help you on your journey to pool ownership!