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Unique shipping strategies for fibreglass pools

By not using a crane, it was more cost-efficient and avoided any potential damage to the property.
By not using a crane, it was more cost-efficient and avoided any potential damage to the property.

In addition to these features, fibreglass pools can also be installed quickly in any temperature.

“We are able to install fibreglass pools in really cold temperatures, both in the later winter and early fall,” says Hendrick. “And with organization, it is possible to install multiple fibreglass pools in a short period of time—by combining the deliveries and using cranes and barges as we did in this situation.”

Hendrick says this project, which involved the installation of multiple pools, was something he could only do with a fibreglass pool.

“We have been extremely fortunate. In this neighbourhood alone, we have installed 60 to 70 per cent of the pools. Out of the five pools we installed, three of them were 4.8 x 10.5 m (16 x 33 ft), one was 4.2 x 10.6 m (14 x 35 ft), and another was 4.8 x 11 m (16 x 37 ft), which included a 2 x 2 m (9 x 9 ft) fibreglass spa,” says Hendrick. “The manufacturer was great at helping us co-ordinate the deliveries and we organized accordingly, saving time to maximize what smaller crews can accomplish. It makes these jobs highly profitable.”

Many builders find fibreglass pools quicker to install, especially when they have a smaller crew. For most, fibreglass pool projects typically take one to three days, making it easier for crews to stay organized and operate efficiently. As labourers have been scarce over the past few years, it is another reason why installation companies are adding fibreglass pools to their product offerings. Fibreglass pools need fewer people to install, and, unlike other pool types, they do not require skilled labour. For example, a skilled worker is required to form a vermiculate bottom for a vinyl liner pool, and similarly, someone with finishing skills is needed when installing gunite pools.

Since all the houses are located on the reservoir, high-water tables made it necessary to plumb and fill the pools with water to ensure they remain in-place securely.
Since all the houses are located on the reservoir, high-water tables made it necessary to plumb and fill the pools with water to ensure they remain in-place securely.

Offer fibreglass this spring

As builders are busy quoting backyard pool projects and trying to figure out how they can maximize the number of installations they can perform, they should consider offering fibreglass pools to their services and catalogue. By doing so, they can start installing pools sooner, get more pools installed with smaller crews, and with attention to detail and co-ordination, builders might even find themselves using unique delivery methods to get more pools into their customers’ backyards.

Author

Annie Brock has helped independent dealers grow and thrive for more than 25 years. Her pool industry experience includes positions in retail merchandising, design, and executive management. Brock is currently the director of business development for Thursday Pools and helps existing dealers achieve their growth goals, while onboarding new independent dealers. She is most well-known for her competitive spirit, a desire to do whatever it takes to get the job done right with integrity, and for her expertise in fibreglass pool manufacturing.

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