Poolman

As the first week of March passes by it looks to be a good start of the season. The first few seasonal maintenance agreements have returned this week, folks are calling regarding renovation info, and we been quoted some new pools and have some lined up from the winter to start when the weather breaks. On the help side of things...I have a couple of returning vac guys that will be attending the APSP Tech I week long class coming up this week. One guy I kept on fulltime all winter and the other is returning.

Other than the weather and fuel cost(and the cost of everything associated with fuel) going up....I can't complain much.

How was everyone elses winter? How's your spring looking?

Scott

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Scott

Is this going to be expensive?
It's all relative.

GunitePoolGuy

Good to hear Poolman. This spring is actually the best start we've had in a couple years. Also trying to do more maintenance this year.

Poolman

GPG,

Do you do a lot of above ground work?

I was looking at your website. You install gunite and abovegrounds? In NW CT there are very few aboveground installers.

Generally the markets for gunite and AG are 180 degrees apart.

Your a third gen. company, are you the third gen?

Is the market your in a bedroom community for Chicago?(High End)

Good to have another builder here.

We build, have a retail store, and perform service. Mostly second home owners who reside in NYC during the week.

Scott

__________________
Scott

Is this going to be expensive?
It's all relative.

GunitePoolGuy

Poolman,

No above grounds, all gunite.

Above grounds around here are usally DIY or the company where the owner bought the above ground installs them (usually a big "backyard" store).

Yes, I am the third generation.

Our market is in the suburbs of Chicago. Kinda like yours. Well off business people that work in the city and move to the suburbs to get away from the hussle/bussle/cramed lifesyle of a major city. Bigger houses, bigger yards etc.

Nice to meet you, maybe we can collaborate on some marketing/advertising/building ideas. What kind of pools do you build?

Poolman

GPG,

We build gunite pools. I have constructed both wet and dry shotcrete/gunite pools. Currently I build with the dry method. We also install inground vinyl lined pools. There is a demand in our area. We have been changing liners and modifying the structures since going into business, but last year we took the plunge...intstalled from scratch.

But with the economy the way it is...last year our service division was neck and neck with construction as far as gross $ coming in the door.
Normally construction $ would be double or triple service $.

Scott

__________________
Scott

Is this going to be expensive?
It's all relative.

GunitePoolGuy

Hey Scott,

We do all wet gunite. Never did the dry shotcrete. Matter of fact, I dont think theres a contractor up here that does dry shoot. Do you prefer the dry over the wet? Are there any advantages to the dry over the wet?

Im actually looking into getting into the vinyl liner business. We have been slow the past few years and we need to diversify. More maintenance too. What vinyl package pool do you use?

Ryan