What Is a Swimming Pool Site Evaluation?

When a potential client contacts us about our pool maintenance services, we schedule a site evaluation, sometimes called a "bid". The site evaluation provides the service company with the information needed to agree to a specific scope of work at a given price. While valuable first impressions can be made during a prior phone or Internet contact, a face-to-face meeting during the site evaluation provides both the service company's agent and the prospective customer with the basis for confidence in their future business relationship.

What exactly is the service company's agent looking for? Simply put, the costs and the risks associated with maintaining the pool. Factors of concern can include the following:

• Site access: Costs include the sum of travel time to the site, time to gain access to the property through security checkpoints or gates, and time to walk from where the service vehicle may be parked to where the pool is located. Risks include circumstances that can impair access to the site, such as unrestrained animals, restricted times of access, or obstructions and hazards present on the property.

• Mechanical system: Costs include the sum of estimated time needed to maintain the proper function of skimmers, automated pool cleaners, pumps, filters, and so forth. Risks include complications to performance of maintenance due to improper system engineering, failing plumbing or components, or hazardous operational conditions.

• Landscaping: Costs include an estimation of the average time needed to remove foliage and other debris from the pool in excess of what is handled by the mechanical system. Risks include an estimation of the additional time needed to care for the pool following heavy debris loads from windstorms or significant runoff during rainstorms.

In addition to objectively assessing the above-mentioned costs and risks, it's important for the customer to clearly communicate their intentions for the pool, concerns that they have about their pool system, or perhaps a current or past maintenance service. The most effective site evaluations are like a good job interview: Both the prospective service company and customer should have confidence that each will be a good fit for the other. The questions and answers exchanged go a long way toward establishing the expectations either party should have.

Applause Pool Service provides comprehensive weekly maintenance services for owner-occupied residences with adequately-equipped in-ground plaster or fiberglass swimming pools. To schedule a complimentary site evaluation, please call us at (510) 303-9132. We'll be happy to put our hands together for you!