FAQs

1. If I decide to go ahead, when will my pool be installed?

Our installation schedule is usually booked out 2-3 months ahead of the day you decide to get a pool. Once a customer says they want to go ahead, we pencil you into the calendar for the next available week.

This date is not guaranteed – all sorts of things can happen in the time before your pool installation that may affect when we can start, eg. Rain, unexpected issues on current sites, staff illness, machine breakdowns.

2. How long will it take to install my pool?

The installation of the actual pool should only take a week or two, (depending on the weather & the requirements of your site)

If we are doing any extra work eg. Paving, fencing, retaining, this could take another few weeks. The time taken is dependent on product delivery, how much extra work is being done and what type of work it is, also the weather. Depending on the time of year our extras schedule can be much slower than our installation schedule.

3. I have a dog – how will I know when you will be working in the backyard?

Our normal process is to text our customers as soon as we are able each morning/afternoon during their pool installation to let them know if we will be on site that day. Sometimes our plan will change but we do our best to keep you informed. You are always welcome to call Katwin or Jayson if you have any questions.

4. How is my pool certified?

We use a Private Certifier for Complying Development applications (CDC). This cost is a set allowance, included in your quote. If there are special requirements for your site we may have to lodge a Development Application (DA) directly through council.

Examples of reasons you may need a DA are;

• If you want the pool in your front yard
• If we need to put the pool close to the house or boundaries
• If there are special zonings on your property

In the case you require a DA, we will charge you the extra cost of getting the DA, less the set allowance, on your final invoice.

5. What does a “salt water” pool mean?

We have quoted you for a saltwater pool. This means that salt is added to the pool water, not chlorine. We also supply you with a salt water chlorinator. This does produce a very small amount of chlorine, as part of the filtration process.

6. What does “Solar Heating Ready” mean?

We will install all the necessary plumbing around the pool, so that you can add solar heating or a heat pump either at the time of installation, or at a later date.

Heating is not included in the cost of your pool – this is an optional extra, please ask us for a quote.

7. What is the difference between a sand and cartridge filter?

A sand filter requires access to your gully (drain) or an absorption pit, to dispose of the backwash water.

A sand filter is larger than a cartridge filter and will use more water when cleaning the pool.

Sand filters have an easy clean (backwash) system, which simply requires the turning of a lever whereas Cartridge filters have a filter element inside, this needs to be taken out and manually cleaned with a hose periodically, therefore takes a few extra minutes to clean, but will use less water.

Both filters function equally well and there is no cost difference as part of your pool price. Some sites may require the use of a certain filter – we will let you know if this is the case.

8. What is the difference between standard and variable speed pump?

The standard pump is designed to comfortably meet the needs of your pool. It operates at a set rate, for a set period each day. This is included in the cost for your pool.

The Variable Speed Pump upgrade provides greater energy efficiency as the speed that it operates can be varied according to the needs of the pool. This pump is an extra cost.

9. What is the difference between the standard chlorinator and the upgraded Chlorinator with PH sensors?

The standard self-cleaning saltwater chlorinator works for a set time at a set rate each day, it is included in the cost for your pool.

The Viron E-Quilibrium Chlorinator, Chlorine & pH Sensors upgrade, measures the amount of Ph in the pool and turns on the filtration system if/when the pool needs adjusting. When matched with the Variable Speed Pump, it will speed up and slow down the whole filtration system according to the needs of the pool, therefore using the least amount of electricity possible. You will still need to manually add salt etc when required. This chlorinator is an extra cost.

10. What is the Bond beam?

The Bond beam is the 400mm concrete surround, around the edge of the pool. This does not include pavers – unless quoted separately

11. Bond beam Paving

To fulfil the conditions of the pool shell warranty, bond beam pavers must be laid within 2 months of the pool being installed. This is to protect the lip of the pool and stop water wastage.

When we quote the bond beam paving, this means a 400mm row of paving around the pool, laid on the 400mm concrete surround (bond beam) that is part of the pool engineering. In other words, you choose and pay for the paver and we will lay it for you.

We will organise the dimensions with the supplier for you, so all you need to do is phone and pay the invoice.

If you select a 600mm bond beam paver, you will need to notify us so we can adjust your pool quote to include the cost of a wider bond beam.

You will need to select your pavers when returning your contracts to avoid any delays in the process of your pool installation.

You will be responsible to seal the pavers once the paving is finished.

We do not usually put any silicone at the front of the pool between the pool shell and the pavers – there is no need for it and it goes mouldy and looks terrible. The continuous silicone bead is set further back under the pavers.

Payment is due when the work is completed – it is not included in the scheduled pool payments.

12. Body Paving

Body paving is any other paving, other than the 1st row of pavers around the pool. This includes the extra concrete and the laying of the pavers.

All other details are as per “11. Bond beam paving.”

You will be responsible to seal the pavers once the paving is finished.

Payment is due when the work is completed – it is not included in the scheduled pool payments.

You will need to select your pavers when returning your contracts to avoid any delays in the process of your pool installation.

WE WILL CHARGE YOU FOR THE FINAL DIMENSIONS LAID – IF THESE HAVE CHANGED AT ALL FROM OUR FINAL QUOTE, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO COMMUNICATE THE EXTRA COSTS TO YOU PRIOR TO LAYING THE PAVERS, ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCE.

13. Coloured Concrete

If you are having coloured concrete, you need to be aware that;

1. The colour for your concrete will need to be selected no later than 2 weeks before your installation is due to begin.
2. The colours represented in the brochure we supplied you are not going to translate exactly to the colour of concrete we pour around your pool. There is a clear explanation of this in the brochure.
3. Colour concrete around a pool needs to be sealed. This is our customers’ responsibility as we do not seal pavers or concrete. https://www.duluxavista.com.au/product-selector/

14. What do the allowances for Excavation, Dust and Crane mean, will I be charged extra?

All our pool pricing includes set allowances for the prime costs of Excavation, Dust and Crane.

These allowances are adequate for a standard pool installation, however there are circumstances when we will need to charge extra, for example;

Excavation –

• In the case of rock excavation requiring a larger machine with a hammer and more time.
• We can’t predict where the nearest dump site to your property will be when we quote your job. As dump sites become less available and further away from the main urban areas, the cost of disposing the excavation waste will get higher. Our contract allowance for excavation is based on a maximum of one & a half days for excavation with a dump site within an approx. 5km radius. If on the day of excavation, the only available dump sites are further away then we may have the charge you extra over the allowance for either;

1. Running extra trucks or
2. Extra excavation time

We understand you do not want any unexpected costs & to keep any extra charges to an absolute minimum.

We urge you to find a dump site near your property & let us know about it.

Dust –

• Rock excavation requires a larger hole, therefore more backfill is required.
• Remote installations may mean extra cartage costs for the backfill material
• Remote installations may mean the closest quarry charges a higher rate than usual for the product.

Crane – usually we will have identified any need for a non-standard crane at the time of your site inspection and will send you a quote for the extra cost involved.

If the charges for your prime costs go over the allowance, we will only charge the extra amount over the allowance on your final invoice. We will provide you with copies of the invoices from the contractors, so that you can see the cost of the item, minus the allowance is equal to the amount we have charged you.

WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING IN THE GROUND. IF WE ACCIDENTALLY HIT ANY PIPES OR CABLES WHILE EXCAVATING, WE WILL CHARGE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS OR REQUIRE THAT YOU WILL HAVE REPAIRS DONE.

15. Will someone show me how to use my pool equipment?

Once your pool is completed, the equipment is installed and it has been cleaned, we will pass your details onto a local pool service company. They will try to contact you and will leave a message if nobody answers. Please ensure that you return any calls or messages left by them to organise a pool orientation.

They are very busy and need plenty of notice, especially if you are only available on certain days – they cannot complete same day services.

If you would prefer to make your own booking you are welcome to contact them yourself.

If there is no local service provider, we will do this ourselves.

Payment of your final invoice is not dependant on a pool orientation being completed.

16. I am doing my own fencing – what do I need to know?

1. We provide temporary pool fencing the for the duration of the pool installation
2. Your pool must have permanent pool fencing which complies with council regulations, these are available on your council website. You will need to meet the requirements in order to receive the final certificate for your pool.
3. Your permanent pool fencing should be completed as soon as possible. We are happy to provide temporary pool fencing to you for 14 days after the pool installation has been completed, free of charge, after which time we will charge you a rate of $100.00 per week until the temporary fencing is ready to be collected.

17. Who does the final inspection of my pool?

Once your pool is completed we will send you a checklist for the final inspection of your pool. When everything is ready and you have made your final payment, we will pass your details on to the certifier (or the council if they have done the approval for your pool) and they will organise a final inspection for you.

Payment of any outstanding invoice is not dependant on final certification being completed.

You will also need to register your pool with your local Council.

18. Filter Cover – REQUIRED BY LAW.

Your filtration equipment will need to have an enclosed cover on it, or be placed in an existing shed. Covers are available from hardware stores, such as Bunnings.

19. What happens if my final inspection fails?

If your inspection has failed due to something we have installed, then we will fix the problem as soon as we can, and request another inspection for you.

If your inspection fails due to you not having completed items on the checklist which you have done yourself, or items not completed correctly, you will need to rectify them and then let us know and we will contact the certifier.

20. BASIX Certificate.

A BASIX certificate is required for the approval and installation of pools with a capacity over 40 000 Litres or for contracts over the value of $50,000.

If your pool is over 40000L, you are required to install a pool blanket on your pool and have a water tank or tank tap within 10 metres of your pool.

We organise the BASIX certificate as part of your pool application, if it is required.

21. Electrician – THIS IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR CONTRACT.

Your filtration equipment will require connection to a power point which will need to be installed by a qualified electrician if it is not already in place.

We can refer you to an electrician if you are not able to organise one.

We suggest your get a quote from your electrician. It is not necessary for the electrician to be booked to install the switch at the same time as the pool is installed, but you can let them know when the pool shell goes in if they need us to dig trenches.

22. Water – THIS IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR CONTRACT

The water used to fill your pool is not part of the cost of your contract. The pool can be filled from

• Your tap – connected to mains water, it will be charged to your water rates.
• From your tanks
• Delivered by a water carter – we will charge you for this at the end of the job and provide a copy of the invoice from the water carter.

We start filling the pool at the same time we start backfilling the pool shell.

In the case that you have slow running mains water or tank water, we may need to use a water carter anyway.

If you are a rural property and using bore water, you will need to have the water tested, prior to the installation to check it isn’t going to damage your pool shell or pool equipment, eg. High calcium levels.

23. Warranties and manuals

Warranties and manuals for the pool equipment are published online.

Astral equipment – go to www.astralpool.com.au and click on product information.

Sunlover equipment – go to www.sunloverheating.com.au and click on warranties.

Theralux equipment – go to www.theralux.com.au and click on maintenance.

Pool shell – part of the pool shell warranty requires you to correctly maintain the water balance of your pool. Please see enclosed info sheets

The warranty for your Barrier Reef Pools shell will be posted to you by us when water goes in the shell, together with a pool manual.

24. IF YOU CHANGE ANY PAVING, FENCING OR EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE NOTIFY OUR OFFICE STAFF.

Feel welcome to talk through any changes or options with our installing crew, but please let our office staff know of any changes or new requirements to prevent any miscommunication or details being lost.

25. Maintaining your pool

Please be aware of your responsibility to maintain your pool, filtration equipment and water levels correctly. It is important to use the guidelines in the manual sent to you with your shell warranty, to keep records of your pool maintenance & seek the advice of a professional pool maintenance company. We are pool builders & as such know a bit about maintaining pools, but it is not our area of expertise.

TO AVOID ANY DAMAGE OR DISCOLOURATION TO YOUR POOL SHELL, YOUR WATER BALANCE MUST BE MAINTAINED WITHIN THE WARRANTY GUIDELINES

26. If your pool is heated and you are using a pool blanket –

Please pay special attention to the instructions in your manual regarding maintaining correct water temperature levels. If your pool temperature exceeds the recommended levels, it may damage the pools gel coat.

27. Can my dog swim in the pool?

We recommend you do not let your dog swim in the pool because of the oils in their coat and skin, they seriously affect the water levels and therefore the function of your filtration equipment. Dogs can accelerate the chlorination of a pool by 3 times.

28. The retaining is built – when will someone be back?

Retaining walls need to cure and settle before we can continue work in the area, so there will be a delay in finishing the retaining and resuming work on site.

WE WILL CHARGE YOU FOR THE FINAL DIMENSIONS OF RETAINING BUILT – IF THESE HAVE CHANGED AT ALL FROM OUR FINAL QUOTE, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO COMMUNICATE THE EXTRA COSTS TO YOU PRIOR TO BUILDING, ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCE.