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Published On: February 25, 2014
By: Donald Moore, West Virginia
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HOW TO CATEGORY
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DO IT YOURSELF WITH INGROUND POOL KITS
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do it yourself with inground pool kits
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There are a lot of ways to reduce the cost of an inground pool, but none has the impact of the most obvious approach – doing it yourself. Most homeowners would never dream of undertaking such a major project, but for those with the experience, confidence, and time, doing some or all of the installation can save thousands of dollars on a swimming pool. And to help you do it yourself, there are companies that offer inground pool kits that contain everything you need to build your pool.
However, contrary to popular opinion, you don’t have to be a DIY god to save money with a pool kit. You can choose to do only the work you’re comfortable with, and subcontract the rest. In fact, you can outsource all the work and potentially still save a lot. That’s because you don’t have to hire a professional pool builder to install an inground swimming pool kit. In most cases, you only need a handyman.
Man reading do-it-yourself bookCan You Do It Yourself?
Many pool professionals will tell you not to attempt a pool installation on your own. I’ll leave it to you to decide whether they’re biased on this, but it is true that a lot can go wrong when attempting to install an inground swimming pool. Inground pool kits give you all the materials you need, but they don’t give you any of the knowledge (well, other than the instructions they provide). Here are some of the basic skills you need:
Plumbing
Electrician skills
Carpentry
The truth is, most people can’t do a pool installation themselves. However, with the help of a subcontractor or two, along a good pool kit, it’s doable. Of course, it also helps to have friends who can pitch in (in exchange for guaranteed pool time once the job is done, of course).In addition, you will need a lot of tools and equipment to do the job, including some heavy and commercial grade equipment. You’ll probably have to rent a backhoe for excavation, and unless you do a lot of construction work, it’s unlikely you have all the other tools you’ll need. You may have to make some runs to the hardware store to pick up things like a sledge hammer or pick ax – though of course, this is a drop in the bucket compared to the money you’re saving by not hiring a pool company.
DIY Inground Pool Kits
Since you’re already saving a bunch of money by circumventing professional installation, it’s generally a good idea to get the best pool kit you can afford. That means finding one with quality materials and all the features you’re looking for. But perhaps just as important, you want one with stellar documentation and customer support.
Ideally, the manufacturer of your pool kit should provide detailed instructions and a video to help guide you and/or subcontractors through the installation. Better yet, they should offer a hotline you can call to advise you should you have any questions. This can be critical, because the warranties on much of your equipment can be voided if it’s not installed properly.
It’s widely accepted that the number one key to satisfaction with any home renovation project is selecting the right contractor. If you’re going to do it yourself with an inground pool kit, the key is selecting the right kit with a company that stands behind it – in other words, a company that provides you with all the support you need to get the job done right. But just as important is for you to know your limitations, and where to get help when you need it.
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