This sounds like a hybrid of an owner pool build. My problem with this arrangement (we looked into it here in San Diego since my quotes were otherwise >$100,000) is that when something goes wrong, you have no one to point fingers at. The guy will act like a General Contractor but with no real "company" behind him. He subs out a bunch of work and then the subs perform under par, you are responsible for trying to get them to do the right thing, not a larger company that can have pull with the subs.

We decided it was too risky for our own taste to do this. The savings (about $10,000) made us wonder if it would be worth the headache should some disaster strike. Given the economy, the disasters are not too far away from these little guys and who knows when they will go under, leaving you out to dry.

I am sure others will give you a different perspective, but since DH and I are not too technically savvy, we felt more comfortable paying a bit more and going with a larger company with lots of references, a great BBB rating and a feeling of more stability....

Katherine

red flags to me on some of the things you mentioned. Know that I am very much a skeptic and cynic by nature, but why is this guy going out of his way to do you this favor of saving you money on the equipment?

As far as the power line OVER the pool - even if legal which I highly doubt, that would not be something I want. You could call the local inspector and say "I have a power lne running right above where I'd like to put a pool - is that a problem". I can't imagine he won't tell you it isnt. If that's the case, that would be enough for me to walk away right there.

the response time on email wouldnt be a big deal to me as he's probably out alot, but the slow call back time and the fact he doesnt answer his phone would be a problem.

Ask for references from pools that are in process now and talk to those folks.

You might try this. Draw out your yard with all measurements for setbacks and pool size, include the electric line. Take it to your building services office and ask for their advice. I would go to planning (pool) and zoning (setbacks). They wont come to you without permits, but you should certainly be able to go to them. They can pull up an aerial view of your lot to reference. I pull permits in 4 different jurisdictions and see homeowners asking questions all the time.

On final payment, I would hold it until the pool is filled and functioning, We never get final payment until all permits are passed and the job is complete.

You also may be interested in searching this forum for the gal who had to reroute her electric line, I think she may have been in Cali. Sorry I don't remember her name, seems it was in the last year this happened. Hope this helps Barb

mrfs,
This is definitely a red flag moment.
In CA, if you pull the permit yourself, as an OB, the liability of design and construction falls on YOU! For the life of the pool. Have the PB do this!
It makes no sense to have a customer pay for the equipment purchase unless the PB is having problems paying a vendor.
Will you have to call individual vendors to provide warranty?
If Bill Smith has a contractors license and he's trying to save you money then he should be hired as a project manager and paid accordingly.
He seems to be putting a lot on you!
Good luck

Thanks all!

Already great advices and concerns.

Now my biggest concern, is does liability really fall on the one who pulled permits? If that's the case, that's pretty huge, they are taking no responsibility for the build? That is something that wasn't mentioned, and that I will have no part of. Thank you very much for that info! Do you have any links that explains that, so that I could print it and show to the PB if needed?

Equipement purchase: He told me he's done that a few times already to save the owner a few $. I was actually the one who asked him if I can buy the equipement directly, and he said "sure, let me put you in touch with my suppliers see what they can do". His suppliers are a well know reputable business, so not worried about them.
Yes, if something stops working, I assume I'd have to call the manufacturer directly, instead of calling the builder and have them call.

Power Line over pool: He did give me the official document from the DWP that states you can have a line over water if above 12ft. Mine is 12ft on the dot on one corner. Just seems too close so I want to double check, I might want to move it but need to know what's involved.

Final Payment: So I can change the contract to have it include last payment is at swimtime?

I just don't know what to think anymore.. Again, I did have a pretty good feeling about the PB in general, and the company is not a fly-by-night ( http://www.designerpools.net ) although I believe the original Bill Smith sold the franchise to a few builders a few years ago.

He is going the extra mile to try to make it happen, pricewise, maybe he's just really trying to help me deal with this situation. He knows we're building the pool for my 3 year old son with a muscular disease, I just thought he was trying to help us.
But now with this new permits/liability info, I wonder..

I'll try to make some calls to the city to see if I can get the liability info in writing.

Thanks for all the info, keep them coming.

Also, another question.
If I do decide to go with another PB, would it be unreasonable to:

a) Ask for the same type of deal, where I purchase the equipment myself and just use them to install/build around it?

b) Use the connections the first PB gave me? (ie: for the cover, he just put me in touch with the cover company, and the parts from his supplier)

I would feel bad using his connections, but on the other hand they are public businesses that serve my area, so I potentially could have found them myself.
I'm also not sure that I'll find a PB willing to start a job where they get cut from the profit of the equipment.

Thanks.

You can always ask........ we don't build pools so I cant comment on the equipment. Personally we rarely do jobs where the homeowner has product because
1. it can be defective/seconds/reconditioned garbage
2. we get better prices on products/ can get much better quality than a homeowner in most instances

We generally will not come down in price, but I will throw in a few extras as I probably have items in the warehouse that I don't need. Doesn't cost to ask. Hope this helps , Barb

The same liability is true here as far as building a house goes. The one who pulss the permits, is the one who is liable.
I would do as other poster says and get references that are building NOW, and just completed. Also, ask him for all of his subs names, and call them to see if they are getting paid. I do not think I would go with a PB unless they allowed me to do this. Mine did.
Good luck.

I wouldnt pull the permits under your name. You can pay for them but make sure they are under his name and contractors license. As far as supplying your own equipment, it sounds like a good deal. Have him specify in the contract exactly what models of each equipment to purchase so you dont have a finger pointing fight should something not work. I would also make sure he will install and support the equipment until the pool is running. The draw schedule with final payment before completion isnt out of the ordinary, mine was final at plaster. I also didnt like the idea but as long as you feel you can trust him and his references and contractor license complaints come back to your satisfaction you should be ok. I would think the reasoning behind final before completion is so that there money is tied over illegit nitpicky items or with customers that try to get a discount at the end because something isnt exactly the way they thought it would be.

Just talked to my PB, voicing my concerns over the name on the permits. He said they permits were going to be under his name from the start, but he just has me pay for them directly. Something about not having to pay his company for advertising fees if it's not in the contract or something, not sure I understand the reasoning, but the permits will be under the designer pools company name, and apparently it's saving me a few bucks.
I feel a bit better, thanks for letting me know to check for that!

I would not want a power line 12' over the pool. In addition to it being unsightly and a potential hazard, it'll be a great spot for birds and squirrels to hang out and poop right into your pool!

I'd also be concerned about those unresolved BBB complaints. We checked out our PB who has been around since the 70's, they had 3 BBB complaints and all had been resolved. At least in that case you know that they take care of their problems. While this PB may have 99 happy customers for every 1 unhappy customer, that's a risk I wouldn't want to take (I'd be the 1% for sure with my luck!) If you decide to proceed with them ask them to explain the unresolved complaints.

We went with a well-know reputable pool contractor in our area (TX) for a turn-key job for pool and spa. Looks very pretty, however, spa has leaks and spa surface has defective black spots that we have been told will only get worse. We can't get service from the contractor so be sure you have some guarantee after the sell that problems will be taken care of if any arise.