Securing pool permits is a less glamorous but necessary part of building your dream pool. And if you aren’t smart about your approach, your dream scenario can turn into a waking nightmare. Delays, confusion, and a shrinking budget can all follow a few honest mistakes. But the good news is that even though making mistakes when applying for permits is common, it’s also avoidable.
What are the Most Common Application Mistakes When Building a Pool?
To that end, here are some of the most common mistakes people can make during their pool permit process, along with advice so you can avoid joining them:
Missing or Incomplete Paperwork When Filling Out Permit Applications
You’re excited to get to the good stuff, digging a hole in your backyard and gutting the surrounding area to make way for a new deck. But in the midst of that excitement, you rush through your permit application process, forgetting signatures and missing key forms along the way. That, or maybe you submit inaccurate documentation information that leaves out the technical stuff, like your pool’s intended size or materials, which the city explicitly requires you to include when filing for pool construction permits.
Either situation is guaranteed to make most pool permit applications dead on arrival. The city needs specifics, or it simply won’t approve anything that comes its way. If you’re lucky, it’ll send your rejected applications back to you in a few days and give you another shot. But if you’re not, it’ll sit in a queue for weeks, with you slowly finding out that you have to file all over again.
You can avoid that outcome by gathering and organizing everything you need before filling out your application. You should also consult your pool builders before sending it out to see if they can fill in any gaps or point out errors in your paperwork. You will want to include the design of the pool, materials, check and laws or make sure you are up to code in your specific county. Doing things right the first time will allow the rest of your build to proceed without delays.
Non-Compliance With Building Codes and Zoning Laws
Your dream pool still has to be within the reasonable limitations set by local laws. Assuming elements like safety features aren’t that big of a deal is a recipe for your application to come right back to you.
Of course, you aren’t going to purposely push for a non-compliant pool plan. There are many things to consider, and they can be hard to remember because they just don’t seem overtly important to a pool. Drainage and water management codes are vital, for instance, but if you’ve never built a pool before, these can be parts you earnestly gloss over. And when City Hall discovers non-compliance or a lack of information surrounding compliance, it’ll make you resubmit.
Most swimming pool building contractors will have your back here; they understand these codes like the back of their hand, so they’ll likely bring potentially questionable plans to a grinding halt before you are submitting incomplete documentation that can lead to a rejection. Listen to them and take things seriously so you don’t cause delays to your build by assuming you can build things solely on your terms.
Working With Unqualified or Inexperienced Contractors
The first two mistakes mention that a means of avoiding them is by letting the pool company assist you with the application process. But if you’re working with contractors who aren’t as familiar with local regulations, or who just don’t have much experience with custom projects like yours, that’s a different story.
Altogether, it’s a disadvantage that will have a ripple effect on your entire project, including the permit acquisition process. If you hire contractors who don’t understand local building and zoning laws, they won’t be able to ensure your project plans are compliant.
Fortunately, the solution here is one of the simplest: Hire a reputable, qualified contractor. They should have excellent communication skills and be able to list off their qualifications. You can even ask them about securing pool permits during your initial consultation and see what they say. Pay attention to how knowledgeable they are about your specific city; they should be confident and offer to help walk you through the process.
Partnering with respectable contractors is one of the best ways to simplify the permitting process. But more than that, it helps ensure that the right company is working on one of the largest projects you’ll ever have on your property.
Lack of Communication (From All Parties) During the Permit Process
Consider the following scenario: You get a confusing email from your permitting office. Your contractor is CC’d on it, so you assume that they’ll take care of things and go about your day. But then your contractor reaches out to you a few days later, asking if you followed up with the office. You say you didn’t because you thought they would, and now everyone’s confused, thanks to poor communication across the board.
Communication errors can also look like submitting your pool permit application and never following up with the permitting office. That’s an essential step to prevent your application from being lost under a mountain of paperwork, especially if you live in a large city that sees tons of new applicants daily.
Thankfully, both of these are easily fixable. Don’t ignore strange or confusing requests. It’s always best to call and ask your contractor or the approval office instead of guessing. Even if your contractor says they’ll take care of securing your pool permits, it’s good to be an active participant when something doesn’t make sense.
And if it’s been a while and you haven’t heard anything, reach out. Remember to be kind, though, even if things are moving slowly. You’d be surprised by how much further you’ll get with a positive attitude when dealing with government officials.
Avoid These Common Mistakes by Partnering with A Pool Builder Who Has Decades of Experience
You can avoid mistakes like these by teaming up with Blue Haven Pools on the Gulf to build your new pool. Our contractors have years of experience dealing with permitting and local building codes, so you won’t have to worry about losing precious time and money to mistakes like these. Contact us today to learn more about our building process and schedule an appointment for a consultation!