QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING
A POOL MANAGEMENT COMPANY

COMPANY BACKGROUND

1) Is the company a full-time, year round pool management company?
2) Has the history of the company been explored:

a) Number of years in business under same name
b) Phone Book Listing
c) Bank Reference
d) Customer References
e) Associates
f ) Better Business Bureau

3) Will the company provide you with at least 10 pool management customers to whom they provide similar services?

CONTRACT

1) Is bathroom cleaning included in the company’s contract price?
2) Is Winter Service included in the company’s contract price?
3) Are supplies and chemicals included in the company’s contract price?

INSURANCE

1) Does the company provide Worker’s Compensation Insurance for its employees?
2) Does the company’s liability insurance assume primary carrier status while the pool is in operation?
3) Is the company’s insurance complete enough that there may be some reductions in the club’s coverage requirements and insurance costs?
4) What are the company’s limits on General Liability Insurance?
5) Will they provide you with certificates of insurance from their carriers?
6) Will the company work with you in finding insurance, if needed?

ACCESSIBILITY

1) Does the company have an office facility? Is it open year-round?
2) Is the office open on weekends during the season?
3) Are the company’s principals, supervisors and service personnel
available 7 days per week, 24 hours per day to respond to problems?

REPAIRS & RENOVATIONS

1) Does the company have quality in-house repair?

a) Qualified Technicians
b) On-call rotation for immediate response
c) Experience with commercial repairs
d) Consulting services for customers exploring repair, renovation or
operational options

PROGRAMMING

1) Can the company provide all of the services required?

a) Availability of a Swim League
b) Swim Team Coaches
c) Diving Coaches
d) Structured Swim Lesson Program
e) Swim Instructors
f) Recreational Programs

SERVICES AND STAFFING

1) Who selects your pool staff? What are their qualifications?
2) What pre-requisites do the pool staff members need?

In-house Training?
Training at pool site?
Lifeguard Training?
CPR?
First Aid?

3) What type of training program is provided for the staff?

Pre-Season?
In-Season?

4) What type of manuals and support materials are provided for staff members?
5) What kinds of records are kept on pool operation?
6) Is pool staff uniformed in a professional manner?
7) What type of staff supervision is provided?
8) What are the qualifications of company Supervisors?
9) If company staff error causes damage to pool or equipment, who absorbs the cost of the repair?
10) Are substitutes and/or replacement staff available immediately?

ALL POOL CONTRACTS ARE NOT THE SAME!

1) Most companies’ contracts are not for a full 12 months - our contract is for the full year.
2) Most companies do not stock the first aid kit – we do stock the first aid kit.
3) Most companies charge extra for algae clean up in the spring – there is no charge from us because we take care of pool all winter.
4) Most companies charge for opening the pool early without lifeguards - we do not charge extra at the beginning of the season.
5) We will replace a guard if are unhappy with within 24 hours - most companies cannot replace a guard within 48 hours.
6) On rain days, we close the pool at 7:00 p.m. – most companies close at 5:00 p.m.
7) Most companies charge for algaecide to treat algae problems in the summer - we do not charge for algaecide, we treat algae all summer long at no additional charge.
8) Most companies charge the customer for lockboxes and chemical drums - we do not charge for those items because they are part of what is included in the contract.
9) Most companies charge 10% of the total cost of the coach to find coaches – we provide this service at no charge.
10) We have $20,000,000 insurance. We provide excellent protection for your club - most companies only have $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 of coverage.
11) Most companies charge for fecal contamination clean-up and chemical treatment - we provide this at no charge because it is part of the contract.
12) For Post Labor Day operation, most companies charge $45 per day, plus 4 hour charge per week for service - we only charge $25 a day.
13) Most companies charge to winterize the bathhouse - we provide this at no charge because it is included in your contract.
14) Most companies do not guarantee winterization - we guarantee our work.
15) Most companies charge to put in chemicals at closing – we provide this at no charge.
16) Most companies require that you request that your ladders and lifeguard chairs are removed – we provide this service automatically.
17) We include winter service in our contract - we are a full year contract – Most companies do not. This could add thousands of dollars to your contract.
18) We clean the bathrooms daily - most companies only supply the bathroom supplies.
19) Most companies charge to add you as an additional insured on their policies, sometimes as much as $200.00 – we provide this service at no charge.