Understanding Your Estimate
When an estimate is prepared for your swimming pool and/or your outdoor living space remodel, we will use one of two forms. Our typed Proposal and Contract form will typically list the services necessary for completing the work you have indicated that you desire to be performed. These basic contract line items will be subtotaled for you. In addition, if during the estimating process our trained and experienced sales associates have identified additional work that they feel you should consider having performed, or if you have requested special pricing for specific options, they will be listed after the subtotal.
Our more traditional form is also entitled Proposal and Contract but is a preprinted multipart form with spaces designated four sales associates to enter the dollar amount of particular products or services required for your pool remodel project. This form is typically only used for estimating a swimming pool and spa remodel, and any estimates pertaining to other remodeling products or services for your backyard and outdoor living space would be presented on the other form described above in the first paragraph.
It is with the second form, the preprinted form, that we will sometimes receive questions from customers trying to fully understand their options. This is primarily due to the many options our sales associates attempt to provide to you. When utilizing this preprinted form, the left side of your Proposal and Contract form is focused on the costs of the new pool surface material finish options and the costs of any tile work that may be required.
If you have requested an estimate for white plaster, you will notice that the box to the left of the White Plaster line has been checked and an amount entered in the space provided. You will also notice that an additional amount has been entered for the Plaster Matrix line directly below which is for a cement strengthener. Both of these amounts should be combined to determine the total cost of the Plaster surface material. In the area designated as “100% Quartz Finish”, there is space on the form for three separate estimate amounts; one for white quartz, one for colored quartz, and one for colored quartz and colored cement. The reason for the differing amounts is due to the additional costs of the colored aggregate and the quality colored pigments used for the cement. Each of these amounts should be considered separate, and not be combined. In a similar manner, if you have requested an estimate for Pebble, you will find the box to the left of the a line checked and an amount entered in the space next to the line for the separate options of Regular Pebble (larger aggregate) and Sandstone Pebble (smaller aggregate). You will also potentially find an additional amount entered next to “Add Designer Colored Rock”. This is an additional cost to the Regular or Sandstone Pebble to add additional colored aggregate rock for a more designer look to the pool finish. Both of the amounts entered for the Regular and Sandstone Pebble are meant to stand alone. If the you desire additional colored aggregate to be added for the designer look, you will need to add this amount to either the cost of the Regular or the Sandstone Pebble.
You may also find additional estimates for your pool finish written on the open lines to the right of the form below the section entitled “Initial Water Treatment”. These estimates will be labeled as either Hydrazzo, Hydrazzo Classico, or Beadcrete; and these amounts are to be considered as a separate option for your pool finish material.
In addition to the cost of your pool surface finish material, when you are remodeling your swimming pool, there are costs for tile replacements and repair, costs for coping (either new or to reset) and mastic, and costs for additional requirements such as main drain covers, eye ball fittings, new lights and stain inhibitor. All of these costs are necessary and in addition to the pool surface finish material option you select. In the section designated as “Other” which details out main drain covers and eye ball fittings, you will find an amount entered next to the word “each”. That amount will need to be multiplied by the actual number of those items on your swimming pool. The reason that sometimes you may not find a quantity designated for one of those items in this section is that our sales associates are unable to determine the exact number of them on your swimming pool when it is full of water. In these situations, the exact quantity of these items will be determined during the “Prep” step (see the website section entitled “The Process” for more information). Our sales associates will always attempt to identify the correct number, but if no quantity exists on a particular line, and you are unsure, please call our office and one of our staff will be happy to try to help you determine the actual amount.
The two final areas where estimate amounts might exist is in the section entitled “Initial Water Treatment” and the blank lines directly below this section which are available to list any other options being considered. The Initial Water Treatment is a critical step that is necessary to ensure the proper cure and long life of your new pool finish. Please see the additional sections on this website entitled “The Process” and “Initial Water Treatment” for more information on this important process. While this step is technically optional, we believe strongly that if not performed it will negatively impact the overall look and life of your new pool finish. So whether you have a professional from Alan Smith perform this function, or your existing Service Company professional, it is an important step to complete.
In conclusion, to determine the total cost of your estimate you should add the following items:
Selected Pool Material Finish (Quartz, Pebble, etc.) ________________
Add: Tile Costs........................................................ ________________
Add: Coping Costs.................................................. ________________
Add: Initial Water Treatment.................................. ________________
Add: Options............................................................________________
Total Cost of Remodel..............................................________________
If you will follow the above formula you will be able to accurately understand the total cost of your swimming pool remodel. If you have any questions do not hesitate to give us a call at (714) 628-9494, and one of our trained staff will be happy to help you better understand your options and their related costs.