Quote Originally Posted by Big_D View Post
Jason,
I was also a troublemaker, so much that I and my builder parted ways. In the end I did an owner builder.
Troublemaker here too. I didn't part ways, but both the builder and I wished we did. Learn as much as possible so that you know what you want. I didn't get in-floor cleaners because I could find a builder in this area who understood them. later on I found out my subcontractor had installed serveral in Texas and he would have don't it had he known.

Remember, building a pool is not rocket-science. But it can be built wrong. If I had to do it over again, I would be a builder owner, but I'm not suggesting that you go that direction because it takes a lot of time. However, I would start talking to subcontractors because you can learn a lot about from them. Diggers, truck drivers, plasterers, anyone other than the Pool campany owner. I learned more from one of the truck drivers who hauled off the dirt from our dig than any of our builders.

And, have a drawing made before you start and give a copy to everyone foreman who works on your pool so that everytime you have to talk to someone, you can point to the drawing. Language seems to get in the way everytime something needs to be pointed out.

Beary