LAYOUT

We will telephone you for a date and time to chalk out (layout) your pool. It has been our custom to do this two days prior to excavation or a mutually agreed upon time. This should allow you full opportunity to examine the positioning of the pool in the yard and sufficient time to realign the pool should you desire to do so. It is not necessary that you are present for the initial layout but it is advisable that you are on the site at the final layout, should it be needed.

We request that the layout be approved by having you sign a copy of the site plan. This can be done following final layout or just before excavation.

EXCAVATION

It is preferable that you be on the job site during excavation - if at all possible.

If you must leave, please provide us with a means of communication with you should questions arise.

It is requested that you turn off any automatic sprinklers that surround the pool site. If you wish to save sprinkler heads, etc., they should be removed prior to the day of excavation. If the site becomes muddy, work will necessarily cease until such time as the ground can dry sufficiently and be worked on safely.

Normal excavation should be completed within one working day (8 to 10 hours typical). If abnormal subsurface conditions exist and extra excavation is required, we will advise you of the additional cost per hour and request that you sign a change order authorizing the extra work (please reference Paragraph 10 of the contract). In the event you are unavailable to authorize the additional work, we may be required to pull off of the job until the proper approvals have been given. A pull off and return charge may be required should this occur. At completion of this phase we will advise you of the extra excavation costs, if applicable.

We are always very fair and only acknowledge a labor, material or machine overrun in extreme cases. The overrun cost will be due and payable as a change order along with your third contract payment.

At the end of each workday, any openings in your fence will be screened to keep the work area secure. Please help us keep our temporary fencing material in place. This is for everyone's safety. We cannot accept responsibility for animals that are left in the work area. It is suggested that alternative arrangements be made during the construction of your pool. (ie. fencing off a portion of the yard).

Our subcontractors work on more than one pool per day and may not arrive until noon. Other times they may be as early as 6:00 A.M. It is almost impossible that we are able to apprise you of an exact time. Also any sickness or mechanical failure on their part may alter the timetable without our advanced knowledge. Weather also plays and integral part in the scheduling. We will do our very best to notify you of a projected phase-date.

STRUCTURAL STEEL PLACEMENT

This phase of construction does not require your presence. Our steel crews do prefer to get an early start. You may expect them as early as 6:00 A.M. It is important to insure that issues such as unlocking gates and restriction of animals have been addressed prior to their arrival. We will advise you as to what day to expect them. Please keep everyone, especially small children, away from the edge of the excavation, as it is often unstable and very unsafe as the steel is very sharp.

ROUGH PLUMBING

Once again this phase does not require your presence, with the exception relating to access or restriction of animals in the yard. When the plumbing crew has finished, they will place all lines under water pressure. It is imperative that no one tampers with the valves. If the pressure should drop on the gauge,PLEASE CALL US IMMEDIATELY. Do not be alarmed by pipes that are protruding into the pool and decks, as they will be removed at the equipment installation. The height of the plumbing at the equipment is for pressure testing and will be lowered when the equipment is installed. A jurisdictional building inspection will be ordered following steel and rough plumbing.

GUNITE

The Gunite phase will occur following the inspector's approval. Gunite is a material mix of 4 1/2 parts sand to 1 part cement and is applied pneumatically under 90 pounds of pressure. Excessive sand moisture may delay the process. If the sand has a greater than 6% moisture factor, the material cannot be blown through the hose in the correct proportion. Two to three hours following the application, begin to wet the Gunite shell. You may ask the Gunite foreman for a more precise time. It is imperative that you keep the Gunite damp for a minimum of five (5) days. Sprinkle at least 3 times per day (4 to 5 times is optimal). The shell cannot be too wet.

NOTE: The next phase is for tile. Should the tile crew arrive during your sprinkling, stop until tile has set for one day. Then continue until you have completed the five-day sprinkle.

NOTE: The previous 3 stages of construction are considered to be VERY DANGEROUS for children and animals. Please keep everyone out of the construction area.

ANIMALS: Following the sprinkle, the pool may accumulate 18 to 24 inches of water at the bottom. If an animal is allowed to descend the steps and have a drink, then leave the way it came, he or she may not forget where the steps are and chances of drowning will be minimized when the pool is full.

TILE

Your tile selection should be made as soon as possible after the contract has been signed. The reasoning for this is that your choice may not always be in stock thus necessitating a special order and shipment, resulting in a minimum of one-week delay.

Our schedule calls for us to deliver the tile approximately 4 days following the Gunite process. The tile mason will be scheduled and should arrive within 2 to 3 days following the tile delivery, weather dependent.

Once the tile has been set, PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THE POOL EDGE. A stray foot can dislodge a tile.

DECKING

Prior to your deck installation, a representative from our decking crew will call to set a consultation appointment.

Decking is a two-stage operation. The first stage will be the forming and grading, followed closely by the pouring of concrete. The decking will be placed around the pool in a configuration that resembles the site plan drawing. The drawing may not always be proportionate to the amount indicated on the bid sheet. It is only a proposed design and subject to the owner's change, which is the case in the majority of our pool installations. Changes (alterations) may affect the number of square feet of concrete originally agreed upon, thus the total dollar amount. If changes are requested, a change order must be signed.

A pre-decking inspection may be needed, depending on your jurisdiction.

EQUIPMENT DELIVERY, INSTALLATION & ELECTRICAL

After the decking is in place, the pool equipment will be delivered and installed. Please do not allow any valves or controls to be touched.

Following the equipment installation, our electrician will begin the wiring and bonding process. Access into the house may be necessary for this process. If this is the case, the electrician will call you to make the necessary arrangements. Upon the completion of the electrical hook-up all power to the equipment must remain off. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE POWER BE TURNED ON TO ANY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. Doing so will create damage to the pump(s) and light(s) and all warranties will be voided.

PRE-PLASTER CLEANUP

During this phase, the pool will be scraped, broomed, washed down and pumped out. Interior pool fittings will be delivered and remaining debris will be removed. Please do not allow any foreign material to be placed in the pool following the cleaning. A pre-plaster inspection may be needed depending on jurisdictional codes. Prior to plastering ALL FENCES, BARRIERS AND/OR ALARMS MUST BE IN PLACE AND OPERATIONAL. Gates must be outwardly self-closing and latching. Unless otherwise agreed upon it will be the owner's responsibility to re-install the fence. THE POOL MAY NOT BE PLASTERED UNTIL ALL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ARE MET, INSPECTED, AND APPROVED.

If at this time there are any areas of concern about the work that has or has not been performed, it is imperative that they be discussed and resolved prior to scheduling the plaster.

PLASTER

In hot weather, we ask that you water heavily three times for two days prior to the plastering. This will help re-hydrate the Gunite shell and aid in plastering.

If you have chosen a colored plaster, you may wish to be present when the first batch of plaster is being mixed, in order to confirm the color. "Tahoe Blue" is either a light or dark charcoal mix. Black is not an option unless signed off by the owner. As you have been advised, colored plaster does show more mottling than white. Water hoses are to be supplied by the owner and should be long enough to reach from the spigot to the deepest part of the pool. Once the water has been started, DO NOT STOP until it has reached the center of the tile. If the water has been stopped prior to this, there will be a combination cure and dirt line discoloration (similar to a bathtub ring) that will remain permanently.

PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW PUMP, LIGHT OR ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES TO BE TURNED ON EXCEPT BY OUR START-UP TECHNICIAN.

STARTUP

We attempt to minimize mottling through the proper balancing of water during the startup period. Proper chemical balance is essential to a healthy plaster for the lifetime of the pool. This must continue after our initial startup - either by yourself or a certified pool technician. Our startup includes the establishing of water hardiness, alkalinity, pH and the addition of conditioner. The pool sweep will be installed on a subsequent visit -approximately 7 to 10 days.

On the day of plastering and for the next 12 days, there should be NO LANDSCAPING OR OTHER ON-SITE WORK that may raise dirt and dust. This can permanently stain the plaster. You may use the pool three days after filling. Be most careful not to track dirt into and onto the pool steps. NO ABRASIVE, RUSTFUL, OR SHARP ITEMS ARE EVER TO BE PLACED INTO YOUR POOL.

OWNER'S DUTIES

In order to receive many years of enjoyment from your pool, it is important that close attention be given to the brushing and chemical balance. THIS IS A MOST DIFFICULT AND CRUCIAL PERIOD IN THE CARE OF YOUR POOL.

The purpose for brushing is to keep any dirt, plaster dust or other materials in suspension until the pool filter can collect it.

THE POOL MUST BE BRUSHED NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES PER DAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PLASTER/FILL PROCESS. DO NOT PUT OFF BRUSHING THE POOL INTERIOR. AFTER APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS, THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO REMOVE THE PLASTER DUST WILL CLOSE. IF THIS DUST IS ALLOWED TO SIT UNDISTURBED ON THE PLASTER ITSELF, IT WILL ANNEAL PERMANENTLY AND BECOME LIKE SANDPAPER.

Your hard work during this process will be greatly rewarded with a great looking, smooth plaster job.

The startup technician will show you how to brush the pool and will instruct you in any additional areas necessary to ensure the best possible finished product. Remember it is your responsibility to maintain the pool's chemical balance. You may hire us for regular service or seek another independent company. Should questions arise do not hesitate to call us.

This brief explanation covers only the major details of construction in order to assist you in understanding the process. We sincerely hope that your pool/spa installation is everything that you anticipated.