Installing a swimming pool is a specialised task requiring skills
and technical expertise in a number of different areas. One way
of guaranteeing that the pool installation company has this expertise,
is to make sure they are a member of The Swimming Pool and Allied
Trades Association (SPATA) before contacting them for a quotation.
SPATA is the trade association for the swimming pool industry in
the UK. Its 250 or so members comprise Pool Builders, Retailers,
Designers, Service Engineers and Trade Suppliers in the UK and overseas.
It covers both domestic and commercial installations.
SPATA approves member companies who specialise in undertaking pool
contracts for commercial use, a list is available from the SPATA
office.
SPATA members combined turnover is in excess of £100m annually and
most of the major companies are members.
SPATA sets down standards governing construction and operation of
pools, spas, saunas and steam rooms which are widely respected and
applied by the trade, as well as architects and builders.
SPATA pool installer members are fully vetted before being admitted
to membership, with checks on their financial record, their experience
in the trade and inspections of their work. They are required to
comply fully with the SPATA construction standards and code of ethics,
and their work is also subject to periodic re-inspections after
joining.
Only SPATA registered pool and spa installers belong to SPATASHIELD,
SPATA's unique Bond and Warranty Scheme offering customers peace
of mind that their installation will be completed fully to SPATA
Standards - come what may!
SPATA operates a disputes resolution procedure to assist with complaints
from members' customers and offers a Stakeholder facility to safeguard
contract money in the event of a dispute.
SPATA supplies an information pack and members lists which give
details of suitably qualified and approved installers in the customer's
area.
The pack includes a Contract Check List which sets out the questions
that the customer should ask a would-be tenderer together with those
that must be asked of the appointed installer before work starts
and prior to releasing the final payment.
An experienced pool designer can often save you money in the long
run by avoiding potential costly problems at the design stage.
SPATA can be contacted for a list of designers.
SPATEX holds an annual trade/public exhibition in Brighton each
February.
This event also features the Industry Gala Dinner and Presentation
of the SPATA Awards for Swimming Pool Design and Construction. www.spatex.co.uk
SPATA also has a technical advice service which is available to
both members and customers.
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