While some companies charge for designs and estimates at Desert Tropics we provide these services at no charge. So whenever you are ready to begin talking about your project ideas just contact us and we will schedule an in person visit. 

The time it takes to build your pool depends on a number of factors the most common are; permitting as some cities take longer than others, complexity of features within your design, time of year since rain can delay for days the project due to mud, obstacles encountered above or below the ground during excavation as well as any change orders all can affect the timeline to completion. 

Due to the high demand for pools and the supply shortages for both materials and labor on average a pool build usually takes somewhere between 8 to 14 months from the date of contract excution.

Check with the Registrar of Contractors at http://www.rc.state.az.us/.  This site will also allow you to check any recent complaints. If it is a new pool builder, there may not be ample time in business for complaints to surface so beware of new builders.

Search under the company name, but also under the names of the principals of the company.

If a builder is not licensed, there is no recourse through the state of Arizona.

The best designers and builders will have professional computer generated site drawings. They have also taken a physical measurement of the area where the project is to be constructed. Make sure to never settle for a sketch that does not clearly identify dimensions, orientation and complete details of all the features to be included. 

Well first off the state of Arizona enforces your rights when it comes to fraud but they can only enforce what is written in the contract. Make sure that the proposal the builder/designer provides to you clearly details by line item everything to be included in the project and read it carefully.

If you're asking this question then you either know or have a sense that the  financial stability and the reputation of a company can only be discovered over a long period of time. 

There are a few pool company owners who have closed their previous pool business leaving customers and suppliers high and dry only to open another pool company under a different name. Make sure that you check not only the company name but also the owner or contractors license qualifying party with the Registar of Contractors at hhttp://www.rc.state.az.ue/ and make certain you are not dealing with one of these shady characters.

The more concrete, the more steel and the deeper the excavation all add time and materials to the project. Also all diver pools have a minimum size requirement for saftey reasons which make them typically larger than a play or sports pool. 

The short answer is yes divers are more expensive.

All permits for the construction of the pool and any structures Desert Tropics have sold within the project are our responsibility. All you need to do is sit back and relax. 

The crews generally will work during early daylight hours, but will respect any restrictions requested by you as the homeowner and/or your neighborhood HOA. These restrictions should be disclosed prior to construction in order to make sure the project plan is accurately created. 

Each city's barrier requirements are different and as the home owner it is your responsibility to satisfy these requirements. Please ask your pool designer for the detailed specifics of your jurisdiction.

The pool building payment schedule has been set up and mandated through statutes in the state of Arizona. The payment schedule is in stages and consists of;

• 15% down payment due when the contract has been signed
• 25% is due when the pool has been excavated
• 25% is due when the shotcrete is applied.
• 25% is due when the decking is complete
• 10% due once the pool has passed final inspection and is ready for its interior finish.

As a practice we will not begin the surface finish unless we have recieved the final payment and all change order charges have been brought up to date.

A pool will add value to your home, but the cost you pay does not neccessarily transfer in the sale of your property. Instead there is an added value in the sale of your property since the cost of pools increase each year and summers in the valley are very warm. 

Many Realtors will state that homes with pools will be more prefered than those without.

You should value the cost of adding a pool in the number of years of enjoyment it will bring to your family and not in the increased value the pool might bring when you sell your property.

Many people build screen walls to hide equipment or hide it with landscaping or behind large waterfalls. Pool equipment is strategically placed for functionality, accessibility and aesthetics. The further the distance between the pool and its equipment, the more costly the installation will typically be. A longer distance between the pool and the equipment may also make the equipment a little less efficient.

Running equipment can be noisy even though we use quiet run pumps they still generate a level of noise that can be discomforting to some. We will typically suggest putting the equipment on an outer wall and shielding it with a screen wall to deflect the noise up and away from your home.

Desert Tropics is a custom pool builder. Each and every pool is taylored uniquely for the customer. So, there is no such thing as a "standard" pool design here at Desert Tropics.

However,  many pool companies will offer what they will call a play or sports pool which has the following characteristics.

• 5 feet in depth
• 75-foot perimeter
• 350 square foot surface area
• 300 square feet of acrylic lace decking
• A single pump
• A cartridge or sand filter
• An Intermatic time clock
• A suction cleaner
• A automatic water leveler
• A pool light

Each new pool customer gets an onsite orientation. We will also provide all the equipment manuals for your reference and you can always visit our website where there are links to all the products and thier operating manuals.