When we bought our above ground pool this past summer, I had no idea where to start or how to proceed.
I thought I would write this to help any one that was or is in the same predicament that I was in. I have also included the worksheet I used to keep all the information in one place so that I could refer to it when needed. Since I'm not a professional installer this is only what I learned.
Here are the basics of our family pool; 18 foot round, 54 inch high wall, 8 inch top resin ledge, bottom ledge is all resin so it is corrosion proof, resin uprights, epoxy coated walls, with a 30 year warranty. This was the new model for the company to manufacture this year (2007).
Pools come in both round and oval shapes, along with different diameters. If you have an old garden hose available, take it into your yard and put it into a large circle or oval shape, measure across it to see if you have one of the different diameters, such as 12 or 18 feet across. If you do, step back, and take a good look at where this form is sitting in your yard versus how much yard you have left over. You will have a good visual on diameter and where you would like to place a pool. Adjustments can be made, to go closer or further from the side or middle. In our area we had to be at least 5 feet off of any property line.
If you can leave the hose on the ground for the day, do that, so you can see at various times during your day how much sun falls within the shape. You don't want the pool sitting in shade all day otherwise it will never warm the water up.
I would suggest going to your local city or township construction office and asking about permits for a pool. They will advise you on what you need and what they look for. Ours gave us a written booklet that outlined everything from the electrician to the type of acceptable pool ladder and fencing. I won't get into details in this area since each area has different rules and regulations. Personally, I would never have a pool installed without permits, that way should anything happen you have covered yourself in the fact that you did it all legal and legit with your city or township.
Next, I would suggest calling your homeowners insurance company and asking if they need anything prior to install and what it would be. You can also ask any questions that you might have regarding policies for your own safety and well being.
Now, comes the fun!! First you can look through the vast internet at all the different pools that are out there and their cost. Remember that the prices you are looking at more than likely are not for installation, which is separate. Write down specifics of what you like and what you do not like, wall height, upright material, liner thickness. Also, write down any questions you might have so that when you go pool shopping at stores you can take them with you and get them answered. We purchased a pool that has resin uprights, resin top rail, with resin bottom rail which the pool sidewalls slip in to. This is a brand new pool that was just manufactured.
When you think you have decided what type of pool you are looking for get out the yellow pages and look up pools. Write down the different pool companies in your area and go visit them. When you have found the pool you want you will know the one. Generally speaking, pool retailers do not install pools (at least not in our area) but will give you a list of installers that are willing to come to your area and do the job and what they charge. They usually have a list of electricians as well. Once you have decided what kind of pool you would like; now you need to decide who will install that pool. I took the list provided by the pool company and called each one, and asked what there charges were and when they could install the pool. I wrote the information down on my worksheet and went on to the next one. Then I called each one back after hours and left a message that I had a question and could they get back to me at their earliest convenience and waited to see who would call back the fastest. This gave me an idea of who checked their messages or services in case I have a problem with the pool when they are closed. I'm not saying the company I went with was the fastest to get back to me, nor was it the cheapest, but it was the only one that gave me a warranty on their workmanship in installation!
