Hello Everyone,
If you could make a contribution to our industry that would enhance it, increase professionalism, improve it's image or anything else, what would it be and how should we start the process? Everything starts with an idea and there are many talented people on this forum.
For me, I would like to see the barriers of communication broken down and more sharing of idea's throughout the industry.
Looking forward to some responses...
Kevin...
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There is a saying that " Where there is water there are sharks" they are everywhere not only the tradespeople but the suppliers as well.
Case of interest the company who imports Hydrazzo into New Zealand has been taking the lumps out of the bags and re bagging it and yes selling it..
And when I contacted Hydrazzo in Florida about the Dodgy Dealings in New Zealand I never received a reply so the rot always starts at the top.
Kiwi
Kevin,
First, thank you for suggesting this provocative subject. After reading all the current replies I can't help but feel a sense of inadequacy. As you know I am the current chairman of the board of directors of the national pool association - APSP - The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. Our industry penetration is somewhere between 10 - 15%. We are the standards writing association of the recreational water industry. We promilegate Certificate programs for builders (CBP), service technicians(CSP), and hot tub service technicians (CHTT). We encourage, direct and support licensing in every state. We educate, defend, and promote our industry. So in one way or another the answers to all the replies to your question is join the community and join the association.
We now have a forward looking vision where APSP is the umbrella that will unite all industry groups, segments and associations. We acknowledge our past, both good and bad. Without the past we would not be where we are today. And today it is no longer your grandfathers NSPI or APSP.
Smart Adapters are not only doing business in the new economy since 2007; they are thriving. Smart Adapter are creating their future insead of expecting it to come to them. Here is a short list of initiatives under way today:
1. Young leaders network
2. Unified national standards - APSP - ICC - ISPSC
3. Licensing - state by state
4. Certification of builders, technicians and hot tub techs
5. National industry wide promotion like - "Got Milk", "Where's The Beef", "Go RVing", "Grow Boating"
6. Industry recognition awards for volunteer service, life long achievement, and improvements to the industry
So much more...
The shame is the message is not getting out to the boots on the ground. Those who looked at the APSP before, or left or never looked should look at us now. We are young, focused, united, passionate and intense. We are the right place for all the geniuses who replied to your quesitons to get their suggestions adopted. We can help. YOU JUST HAVE TO JOIN. WE NEED YOUR MEMBERSHIP BECAUSE THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS AND POWER IN UNITY. Contact me sgorlin@gorlinpools.com
www.ultimatepoolguy.com
this is what I would do to improve our industry !!!
let me know what you think ?!?!?!
mike
I would like to contribute to this discussion by suggesting more use of art tile in pool design and rebuilds. I suspect that customers might not even realize that they can bring art into their outdoor living space - such as paintings, photographs, abstract textures, archival maps, you name it. With creative design, this kind of art can be a very complimentary addition to pool and fountain surfaces, hardscape, showers, saunas, outdoor kitchens, etc.
I would love to hear responses and share ideas with any of you.
In three words; wear a uniform! The process of conducting business with a customer begins with thier perseption of you. You have 15 seconds to create the image of you in the customers mind. What you wear, what you look like, is the first impression you will make. What does a serious business person look like? Answer that question not from your point of view, but from the cutomers point of view. What does the customer think a serious, professional person looks like? Honestly answer that question and you will take a big step forward in your business. Our industry seriously suffers from a bad case of fashion disaster!
I agree with what has been written so far, especially with Kevin Brown's comments.
I believe that pool surfaces (that are under water) is a major asethetic appeal to consumers and they want that aspect of their new pool to look good for many years. Our industry's image suffers when it doesn't.
A lot of effort seems to be given to good pool design, engineering, construction, and overall maintenance. Yet, all of that will be forgotten if the final pool finish application is of poor quality and begins to look aged, discolored, or changes color within the first year.
It seems that many industry people think that there is never a variance in the quality of cement/based pool finishes, and is never considered when something goes wrong. Not all material and workmanship mistakes are evident immediately, and it can take some time for poor quality to become visible.
Yes, quartz and pebble type plaster finishes are an improvement, but if you think nothing can go wrong with the quality, workmanship, and the asethetic appearance of those cement/based finishes, then you are wrong. It is happening.
It is not rocket science to understand the cause and effect of improper material and workmanship issues. Yet it seems that it is easier to just assume and blame improper water chemistry.
My suggestion to improve this industry is for builders/designers to be more open to new information and other possibilities, to question the old way of thinking, to challenge simple answers that point the finger at water chemisry and away from workmanship issues. There is also a better water chemistry start-up procedure that helps produce a more durable and more color consistent pool finish, even on dark colored plaster.
There are specific pool plastering standards and construction practices that could be adopted and demanded by builders and designers that would end most discoloration issues. Then when and if staining occurs in time, it would be a "no-brainer" to first look at improper chemical additions (or source water) and pool maintenance as the likely cause.
I suppose that if nothing changes, other alternative non-cement/based pool finishes may increase in popularity.
My Idea:
The pool industry could "pool" some money (through APSP, or other organizations) to fund a NATIONWIDE series of glossy prime time television commecials touting the all the benefits and enjoyment of pool ownership such as: vacation cost savings, family time, exercise, etc.
Everyone would benefit.
I often look outside of the pool spa industry for inspiration, thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for improving my repair business. I seek out business seminars, read Electrical Contractor, follow the Mechanical HVAC industry, the National Home Builders Association, Landscape Industry publications for ways to improve on all parts of my business. I come to the conclusion that the way to make our industry better is to become aware of whats going on around the pool. We should all be exposed to a variety of facets of the industry. Code, Safety, Design, Finance, Technical, Sales, End User and the list goes on and its similar for any of the other trades. Its not just putting a hole in the ground.
-Jeremy
Florida Leisure Pool & Spa
www.FloridaPoolSpa.com
Kevin you hit one of my passions for this industry... QUALITY CONSTRUCTION! As a subcontractor in this industry I work for many pool contractors, some great, some good and some....... I find it really hard to bite my tongue when I see shortcuts, or many times just lack of knowledge in a given area. Like David said, installing a 2hp pump with 1.5" plumbing, WOW!! I've seen just about every mistake or intentional shortcut possible on a pool and they get away with it! Even with the strict codes most municipalities have here!
ETHICS, STANDARDS AND EDUCATION. These need to be the foundation of this industry. Of the 70 plus pool contractors I have worked for over the past 30+ years I can count on one hand those that stand firm in their ethical treatment of both the end user (customer) and subcontractors; maintaining high standards of quality construction; and acquire continued education which relates back to the other two. I can't speak for other parts of the country but I can speak for Arizona... the pool industry is a mirror image of a used car lot. Sad to say, and I think Kevin, you would agree with me on this. We really need change! I realize the first and, in my opinion, most important; ETHICS is something someone either has or doesn't have and no one can control that! The other two should be mandatory.
We have to raise the bar, not just one notch, but to the top!
Great comment, Monique! The sad part is that in most cases this is one of the largest purchases (besides their home) most homeowners will make, and they really do expect everyone to be on the same footing. However, oftentimes the guy with a slick portfolio or smooth talk will slip in and sell the H/O a bill of goods, which impacts all of us. If allowed to continue, we all then get lumped in the same pile as just another unscrupulous contractor that is out to take the customers money and provide an inferior product.
Not everyone is willing to pay for quality, but everyone wants and expects it. When someone falls for the "it's too good to be true" company, they do have to take some responsibility themselves. However, I say shame on the salesperson/company who knows exactly what they are promising and has no intention of providing it.
I build very few pools anymore. The ones that I do build are to friends only, and they get all of the receipts for everything, which they pay directly to the tradespeople/suppliers. My job is to make sure that each aspect is properly done and that it is the best it can be. I do not allow the customer to pick equipment, and they do not need to be involved with the dig, steel, or shotcrete. They obviously need to choose their tile and coping, but those items become aesthetic only, so no big deal. By building in this way (which obviously doesn't work for everyone, but for friends it does!), there is no incentive for me or anyone else to cut corners. The plumber knows not to show up with any flex pipe on the truck, the guniters know that I will watch the shoot and not allow any rebound in the pool, etc.
It is real easy to walk away from a job built this way, and no one has to feel bad, especially the homeowner, who only got and paid for the best that could be had. I love my job!
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