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Replies

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  Eric Watters March 18, 2009 at 6:41am

  Brandon,
  Out of all the replies to you a few hit whate the are neccesities.
  Learn hydraulics, most builders have educated themselves about this. But you would be suprised as to how many dont understand this topic and oversize pumps with plumbing that can only handle a certain flow rate.
  Classes, as many as you can get into. You should know as much or more than your subcontractors.
  Get certified, in Florida there are several licenses that limit you to your scope of work,for instance a CPC (certified pool contractor) can build anything anywhere commercial or residential.
  As luke stated Genesis3 is a great group to learn design from.
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  Jimbo Brown Indigo Pool and Spa February 24, 2009 at 5:40pm

  Join APSP.ORG and buy the builders manual.
  
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  cindy mills February 23, 2009 at 3:57pm

  I would attend a pool show Orlando, vegas or Atlanda and take as many class as you can and also get your CPO Maybe be do a liitle service work .It's great that you have so many leads. you may want to keep your building busines open because I'am pretty sure your area is also seasonal.I opened a retail store w/service and maintance this year. Winters can be hard.If you start with in ground vinyl or fiberglass you don,t have to put out so much on equitment and labor.. They have classes for measuring and installing vinyl.Check your area to see what kind of walls are they using.Some have a more profit then othes.I went back to read others comments and I would really say that scott Heusser has some truthfull advice.The biggest buidler in my state has the wrost rep.
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  Justin Gregoli February 21, 2009 at 8:14am

  Brandon and Ryan,
  I am encouraged that both are looking to take the "plunge". I wish you both nothing but the best and hope you take the time to truly decide what services you are going to provide and to what level. I believe you are on the right track for success, there are plenty of people here that would be more than happy to help with any experience we can offer to aid you both.
  Justin
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  Jesse February 20, 2009 at 5:41pm

  Not to discourage you but this is not an industry that one simply jumps into. I have only been around for 8 or so years and I can name dozens of pool companies (installers, and service) come and go and leave nothing but a bad taste in some peoples mouth while muddying the waters for other companies. That's not to say pool work has to be a complicated business but jumping in without a good direction especially in this economy is a very risky proposition. Another big factor is the passage of the new VGB laws which most of us here can tell you we don't even have a full handle on. I'm from the other side of the state (St. Louis) and I'll tell you we see a decent mix of all three pool types all in the wide varity of quality as well. I would agree that vinyl liner pools at least dominate my companies work (we are service only) but there are plenty of gunite and fiberglass out there. If you would like to talk more indepth you can message me otherwise I'll probably ramble on for a while.
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  Ameer Abbas February 18, 2009 at 1:34am

  Dear Mr.Brandon,
  
  I am an Indian swimming pool Engineer,now working in Dubai--I have morethan 3 years exp. in Kuwait also.Nice to hear that u r starting a new company---If u have any vacancies,just inform me---I have good exp. in Projects as well as maintenance--
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  Ryan Lester February 5, 2009 at 9:41am

  Justin,
  
  Thanks for the helpful advice! I also have a very good mentor that I have been working with in the Kansas City area which has really seemed to help get all of the legalities out of the way. As for pool routing, the Kansas City area is very spread out and it has been somewhat of a challenge thinking about where I will service. At this point, I'm going to take whatever customers I can get. :-)
  
  Thanks again,
  Ryan Lester
  Justin Gregoli said:

  Scott and John make very good points.
  Brandon,
  You definitely want to determine why the other dealership is having problems. John's point about product support is a very important one, if you are to start building pools are you going to send your clients to the other dealer that is upsetting everyone or are you going to open some sort of retail operation? Are there any other retail stores around you? If so, can you make an arrangement with a good retailer that you will recommend them if they will recommend you?
  
  Ryan,
  I used to own a service company in Long Island, New York back in the mid 90's and we did very well, however the one thing I learned is you can not be everything to everyone. After driving from the west end of the Island to the east end to solve a problem in the same working day in the peak of the summer (look at a map and you will understand) you realize the downfall of pleasing everyone without concern to your business. Obviously we are all for customer satisfaction but we need to stay profitable AND satisfy the customer, this is, as I learned, a very delicate balancing act. I would recommend that you draw a geographical map of the area you wish to service and from there you can design your business. This is a pretty simple point but if you spend some time in front of a map you will see how the best routes should be laid out and limits to serviceability of any given area.
  I would be happy to help you with this endeavor in a more detailed way, just ask.
  Justin
• 

  Justin Gregoli January 31, 2009 at 8:09am

  Scott and John make very good points.
  Brandon,
  You definitely want to determine why the other dealership is having problems. John's point about product support is a very important one, if you are to start building pools are you going to send your clients to the other dealer that is upsetting everyone or are you going to open some sort of retail operation? Are there any other retail stores around you? If so, can you make an arrangement with a good retailer that you will recommend them if they will recommend you?
  
  Ryan,
  I used to own a service company in Long Island, New York back in the mid 90's and we did very well, however the one thing I learned is you can not be everything to everyone. After driving from the west end of the Island to the east end to solve a problem in the same working day in the peak of the summer (look at a map and you will understand) you realize the downfall of pleasing everyone without concern to your business. Obviously we are all for customer satisfaction but we need to stay profitable AND satisfy the customer, this is, as I learned, a very delicate balancing act. I would recommend that you draw a geographical map of the area you wish to service and from there you can design your business. This is a pretty simple point but if you spend some time in front of a map you will see how the best routes should be laid out and limits to serviceability of any given area.
  I would be happy to help you with this endeavor in a more detailed way, just ask.
  Justin
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  John Warner January 30, 2009 at 12:02pm

  All great advice. I want to add that you have to include how you plan to support the pools you build after they are built. You just might find that is where the other builder is failing. Your potential customers will need product and service.
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  Scott Heusser January 30, 2009 at 8:50am

  You know how to make a small fortune in the pool industry? Start with a large fortune.
  
  All kidding aside, as with any other business venture have a complete business plan. Then research codes and standards and laws in the jurisdiction you'll be working in. Finally find an experienced job super to run jobs for you. Pool construction has a new set of issues you are probably not used to seeing in home building.
  
  Most importantly I'd look to why the other company seems to have such a negative reputation. Is this caused by lack of material availability? Lack of skilled subcontractors? Lack of subcontractors period? Etc. I find it interesting that if there was such an overwhelming negative experience with the other company, why hasn't someone opened a pool construction firm soonr?
  
  There's my 5 cents. Good luck.