Q. What are the differences between a Gunite and a Vinyl Liner Pool?

A. The Gunite Pool (a concrete shell with a plaster finish) and Vinyl Liner Pool (a steel frame with a vinyl liner as the vessel) are both excellent pool types and Oasis Pools & Spas builds both equally well.  Please ask your sales representative the differences because there are a few. Gunite pools will always cost more than a vinyl liner pool due to the labor and material cost.  You can get more pool for less money when you purchase vinyl instead of gunite.

Q.

What are the pros and cons of a salt water pool?

A common misconception is that a salt water pool is a chlorine free pool. This is not the case. A salt water pool is simply a pool that utilizes a chlorine generator to produce chlorine for your swimming pool.  It works through a process called electrolysis. This is where the water that passes over the chlorine generator cells and converts salt (sodium chloride) into chlorine (Hypochlorous Acid). Hypochlorous acid is what all chlorine, from liquid chlorine to chlorine tabs, creates, and this acid is what ensures that your swimming water is clean and sanitary.

Pros:

The immediate advantage to this is that you do not have to go to your outdoor supply retailer and buy chlorine, nor do you have to store or even handle the chlorine.  Properly functioning chlorine generators will produce chlorine constantly so long as the generator itself is running.  This keeps the levels of chlorine in your pool water at a constant level, which prevents algae from growing in your pool.

Cons:

Chlorine is a very caustic, corrosive chemical. It is effective because it attacks anything organic.   Unfortunately, it also attacks the skin, hair, and eyes of the humans swimming in it and is toxic and hazardous to handle, ingest or breathe.

Chloramines, a by-product of chlorine and organic waste, are known carcinogens. Unfortunately there is no practical way of preventing chloramines from forming in chlorinated swimming pools.

Maintaining chlorine levels, at minimal acceptable levels, can be difficult to do at times. Residual chlorine is highly affected by the water temperature, rain, pH, and number of swimmers.

Alternatives:

Please call us to discuss our chlorine free pool sanitizing system. 

Q.

Gunite vs Vinyl Liner, what items of upkeep may I expect?

A. A gunite pool may have to be acid washed periodically and possibly resurfaced every 10-15 years.  In regards to the vinyl liner pools, the consumer will have to replace the liner approximately every 7-10 years.

Q.

How much does adding a pool increase the value of a home?

A. You can see, depending on the pool and amenities, a return of about 50%-60% on the initial cost of the pool, spa, etc.

Q.

Is a pool difficult to maintain?

A. No, pool sanitized with a salt water system or chlorine free is very easy to maintain.  With the addition of a quality robotic cleaner you will spend less than 30 minutes per week maintaining a typical residential pool.

Q.

How puch does a pool cost?

A. This is an excellent question. Pools range from $20,000.00 on up to almost any amount you want to spend.  We build equally well, Gunite and Vinyl Liner Pools and as stated previously, vinyl liner pools are generally less expensive. We have built numerous, beautiful pools that range from simple to the most sophisticated in design and we can fit a variety of budgets and lifestyles. Ultimately the guiding factors that determine a pool's cost are: type (vinyl or gunite), size, features, terrain of your lot, equipment, and deck.  An accurate estimate, can be provided, when one of our design professionals consults with you.

Q.

How do I begin the process?

A. When you make the initial call to our office we will ask a few questions about the type of pool you are thinking about. What features you are looking for in a pool and how you think you will use it. Then we set up an appointment with you to look at your site, on this first visit we will be taking measurements, checking utilities, looking at the grade and taking photographs of your yard.  It is always best if all parties wanting input on the overall design be present at this first meeting - this way we don't come back with something one or the other does not like.  At the end of this first meeting we will set a time for our second meeting to show you our design, and then we will go back to our office and design a plan that will incorporate those features you desire.

Q.

How do we pay for the pool?

A. We invoice you as work progresses and are paid by a draw schedule that is agreeable to both parties. Our payments vary depending on the size of the project it may be as few as 4 payments or as many as 8 payments. Our final payment is always paid at completion.

Q.

Some of the pool builders we have talked to said they will match their competitor’s price, does Oasis Pools & Spas do this?

A. We have seen this time and again and it is impossible to do. Most of the pool companies that try this eventually file for Bankruptcy and go out of business. You do not want them going out of business during construction of your pool. Pool Builders who do this often do not know what their actual costs are, let alone what ours are. We have a better process to price our pools, and by going over it with our customers; they can see exactly where their money is going. We also build our pools to a higher standard, when you contract with Oasis Pools & Spas you are getting the best of everything from construction materials to equipment to warranties. We can't build all the pools in Kansas City and some of the people that do buy pools from our competitors believe "a pool is a pool." We can assure you that they are wrong, that just isn't the case. Construction costs vary greatly and if the price looks too good to be true it probably is. So as you can see it is impossible to match pricing.

Q.

When will my pool be completed?

A. Depending on weather conditions, a standard pool make take as little as 30 days to build; an elaborate pool can take longer. Many of the delays in construction can be related to rain in the spring and summer and freezing temperatures in the fall and winter.