Why is one pool quote so much cheaper than the other? Fast answer, you get what you pay for.
A pool quote is a good indicator of what a pool company is all about. With so many pool builders around it’s hard to tell who is looking out for your best interests, but the numbers don’t lie. What is behind that number? What is too high, or better yet, too low?
One common misconception that people have is that since the demand in the pool market is lower, so must the pool prices be. Reality is that pool building is not a market-driven business. Pool prices were not inflated by 50 percent, like homes in the housing market were. Prices are based on the cost of concrete, steel, pipe and labor.
It is also worth noting that many pool companies have sprung up within the past few, and very recent, years. This fact allows for a very competitive market but when comparing apples to apples, many may fall short. You must look at the fine print.
Some factors that contribute to a lower priced pool quote are done at the inconvenience of the customer. Rebecca Robledo, from Pool and Spa News the November 2009 Issue, mentions that “builders who have been able to review competitor’s bids say their lowest-priced counterparts either list inferior equipment or downgraded practices, or simply fail to specify those things at all.” She also points out the following:
- Downscaling the size of the PVC pipe
- Moving the equipment closer to the pool in an unsightly place
- Changing steel schedule, using a thinner size
- Throwing a thinner concrete shell
- Standard, cheap-looking tile
Nobody likes to overpay, and many times the smartest thing to do is to ask for a discount. But you need to make sure that you are not getting undercut. When a pool price is cut by more than 20 percent from other reputable builders, that doesn’t leave the bidder much room for error. When we become so fixated on price that we are willing to take the lowest bid in a heartbeat, we need to make sure that we understand the risks involved.
