Pool Builder
Building Pools In The City, With Manhattan Pool Builder – Bob Blanda
If you’re going to build pools in the busiest city on Earth, you need your head on a swivel to say the least. Recently we had a chance to catch up with Manhattan pool builder, Bob Blanda of Mill Bergen Pools. He has been performing pool construction in the Big Apple for over three decades and is one of the premier pool builders in New York City today.
The Journey to Becoming a Manhattan Pool Builder
The journey to becoming a high-end Manhattan builder was a long one and success didn’t happen overnight for Blanda who started off like many doing pool service. He began his first forays into the industry as a teenager in Brooklyn. It was in 1986, after finishing with a bachelor’s degree in business management that Blanda would form his second company Manhattan-based Mill Bergen Pool Center. Today he holds the certifications of Certified Building Professional (CBP), Certified Service Professional (CSP), and Certified Pool Operator (CPO). Blanda also serves as president of the Northeast Spa and Pool Association (NESPA), where he now serves as President and sits on the board of directors for the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.
It’s safe to say that Blanda has made a name for his firm during that time span as a trusted pool construction company of choice in New York City. An industry thought leader and seasoned veteran pool builder, Blanda knows what it takes to execute a pool project where most people in their right mind wouldn’t even attempt to park a car.
A Game of Traffic & Logistics
“Most streets do not allow parking and if they do there is a car in every spot,” said Blanda, “so staging a job probably means sending a truck in with at least one extra person who is going to sit there parked in front of a fire hydrant or be circling until a spot actually opens up.”
It’s a frustrating game of logistics that Blanda says is one of the necessary evils of doing business in Manhattan. “Once in a while, you get lucky. There’s a spot two or three blocks away where you can park the vehicle,” said Blanda, “but then whenever you need to get something, you’re walking back to the truck to bring it to the job site.”
Simply traveling around the city itself can be daunting, as the congestion in Manhattan is ranked #1 for worst traffic in the United States. With drivers experiencing an average of 102 hours delayed each year, Blanda confirmed this adds another dimension of complexity to building pools. “If there’s traffic, you can sit there for an hour and a half waiting just to go around the block,” said Blanda.
“Trying to get cement delivered to the city means you have to get 4-5 parking spots cleared,” he explained, “What we do is wait until they have alternate side parking for the street sweepers and that is the day we’ll schedule cement.”
This cat and mouse game of scheduling cement deliveries around the New York City Sanitation Department is how Blanda is able to ensure that he will have the spots necessary for delivery. “As soon as the street sweeper comes, we shove our trucks right in those spots,” said Blanda, “so we can only have really one day a week where we can pour cement. Otherwise, you go through the whole process of trying to get the street shut down.”
A Set of Unique Challenges Comes With Building Pools in New York City
The challenge of dealing with all this time spent waiting to get to the job site and find parking means an abbreviated amount of time laborers can actually work on pools. “We probably only get six hours out of the day (to work),” explained Blanda, “even though our men left at 6:30 in the morning and leave the job site at 4:30 or 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon. Depending on the type of job it is, a lot of these jobs shut early. “
A new level of complexity Blanda may soon be facing is the recent changes to legislation that allow for a new toll system designed to alleviate traffic and generate revenue for the city. “Now they’re adding congestion pricing,” said Blanda, “I think it’s pretty close to being put through where they charge like $30-$40 dollars per day per vehicle just to get into the city. This, on top of the gas, tolls, and all the other expenses.”
Aside from these new concerns, Blanda says the requirements for building pools in New York City are more stringent and regulated. “All of the rules that go on everywhere else are enhanced in Manhattan. Having your OSHA-30, hard hats, and the proper gear (are required).”
The security around some of these job sites is often higher than typically found in your normal residential pool construction project. “Walking into a job site means having to sign in, having to sit on safety meetings. Some of the jobs are so secure they’re using retina eye scans to get in and out. If it’s a high-end residential project, there is probably a security guard sitting at a desk in the hall of the house,” explained Blanda.
The challenges of building high-end swimming pools in the Big Apple don’t end there. “There is a lot of difficulty working with other trades,” said Blanda, “if you’re working on a job like that it’s often in the middle of the construction of the home or building. You’re contending for use of the elevator, other trades with materials in your way, so it’s not like you’re alone there and given the exclusivity to be the only person working there.”
Adapting to the Pandemic & a Covid-19 World
New York City was one of the hardest-hit major metropolitan areas impacted by Covid-19. Blanda, like many throughout the pool industry, was relieved not to be under mandatory quarantine during the initial outset of the pandemic.
“Covid created a lot of difficulties, we were fortunate that the association worked very hard to get the swimming pool business to become essential,” said Blanda, who explained that distancing workers in trucks, and assigning more vehicles to job sites became necessary along with instituting face masks and other safety protocols.
Blanda had no qualms about telling us how scary those first initial months of the pandemic were. Still, and quite admirably, Mill Bergen Pools has managed to prevail through the pandemic and is busier than ever. “As we say in the pool business, you have to be a Marine and overcome and adapt. We made it work and now everyone is vaccinated.”
Building Pools For The 1% of Manhattan
In planning high-end projects for the 1% clientele in Manhattan that are building inground swimming pools, Blanda said that quite frequently it’s the architects themselves who are his clients. “They would call us up and ask about an inground pool and I would go out there to find that quite often I’m not going to the customer, I’m going to an architectural office.”
One interesting story he shared with us about building luxury pools in Manhattan involved a smaller pool project in a Brownstone that had been years in the making. It was a simple pool project in terms of size and shape, Blanda explained the initial challenge that came with coming up with a pool concept that would go in the basement of the building.
“This is a house that is adjoining another home that has a shared foundation between the two. (The general contractor) had to get permission to excavate in the basement. Even though we were only excavating six feet, they had to underpin the entire foundation to bring it down at least a couple of feet lower than our pool so that there is no movement or undermining of the foundation.”
A Case Study on Your Average New York City Pool Build
The structural engineering involved made it an interesting case study of just how difficult any city project can become. Simply coming to an agreement with the neighbor would involve multiple parties. “In order to do that, there were negotiations between the general contractor, a lawyer, and the neighbor,” said Blanda, “the neighbor ended up extracting a sizeable 5 digit amount from them to give them permission to build a pool in the house next door. On top of that, they had to install a special instrument to measure movement to ensure there was no movement in the foundation during the construction.”
Coming up with a design that would please the client didn’t come without its own challenges said Blanda, “The pool started out being above the ground, it was going to be a 5×6 plunge pool with a 5×8 spa next to it. However, there were going to be four steps. In a basement with a ten-foot ceiling that was not ideal. After some back and forth we determined that this was not the epitome of what they would like. Through some diligence on the general contractors’ part, he was able to convince the neighbor to allow them to dig. They did all this underpinning and built a concrete vault for us and we ended up building them a 12×20 so the client got a decent-sized pool.”
The project does have all the modern creature comforts that classify it as a custom luxury inground pool. Some of the amenities include an all-glass tile interior, an in-floor cleaning system, and a SwimStream so that the client can swim against the current to exercise. The project includes LED lighting, a motorized cover, and ozone UV pool sanitizing equipment.
Blanda, who has had a long career consulting with architectural firms on inground swimming pool projects explained that quite frequently he’s not dealing with the end-user, and he’s not selling the customer. In fact, it is the architectural firm that is planning the design space who is making the determination of which firm to hire. Blanda’s seniority and expertise in the pool industry ensure that Mill Bergen Pools receives the lion’s share of referrals for high-end work in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
When acting as a consultant Blanda will often manage the general planning and assist an architectural firm in quarterbacking the pool phase of a project. In other instances, his construction firm Mill Bergen is actively engaged in building the pool as well as the surrounding pool area. His work in both capacities has helped grow the pool service side of his business which is conveniently located a short drive away from Manhattan. “We’re 15 minutes away from the city, so we can get a service truck in. Most people if they have to travel 2 hours it’s not really desirable, so there aren’t so many companies that want to come into the city,” said Blanda.
Listen to the Interview
Our one-on-one discussion with Bob Blanda covered many different topics, listen to our entire interview on the Pool Magazine podcast.
Today’s consumers expect automation to make their lives easier – from adjusting their home thermostat to closing their garage door and cleaning with robotic vacuum cleaners, home automation devices are now the norm.
It’s only natural that this trend is taking hold in the pool industry, with pool owners looking for ways to make it easier and more efficient to maintain their pools and spas. But as a pool professional, have you considered how automation can make your job easier and help you grow your business?
Here are three tips for using automation to help take your pool business to the next level and provide your customers with outstanding service.
- Work smarter with advanced pool automation technology.
It’s called the “brain of the pool” for a reason. With an advanced pool automation system like the IntelliCenter® Pool Control System, connecting pool equipment like colored lights, water features, and more to the automation system is easy with features like a setup wizard with step-by-step instructions and autodetect technology. Pool automation allows you to effortlessly set automation schedules, monitor pool and spa status, and check water chemistry.
Whether tackling regular maintenance or something more complex, you can quickly troubleshoot problems, resolve issues, and get out of the backyard faster using an intuitive touch screen. The IntelliCenterPool Control System is the most versatile Pentair automation system, delivering the latest technology to pool servicers, builders, and homeowners.
“When the IntelliCenter System came out, it was much more user-friendly than the EasyTouch® System we used,” said Alex Karol of Lehigh Valley Aqua Pools in Northampton, Pennsylvania. “It was like going from a flip phone to a smartphone with a touchscreen and having everything at your fingertips.”
Customers with older automation systems who need an upgrade without replacing their whole system can use the IntelliCenter Upgrade Kit for IntelliTouch® and EasyTouch® Pool Control Systems to easily upgrade their older pool automation systems to the latest technology. With an Upgrade Kit, you get all the benefits of the latest system, including an intuitive touchscreen display that effectively shows functions in both day and nighttime modes.
Building on the product’s existing capabilities to bring these systems up to date allows professionals and pool owners to experience all the latest features of Pentair automation. Installation is easy: it installs on the current wiring and housing. Just change the bezel, board, and transformer.
With an Upgrade Kit, it’s easy to give your customers what they want and give yourself some new business as you continue adding upgrades to their pool equipment pads.
- Save time in the backyard while offering an effortless pool experience.
The days of staying after hours at your customers’ homes for impromptu fixes to the pool equipment pad are nearly over. Using Remote Monitoring, accessed through their Pentair Pro account, pool professionals can remotely monitor a customer’s pool and connect to equipment via the IntelliCenter Pool Control System.
“It gives us the opportunity to log in to the client’s pool to see if there are any error messages,” said Craig Horning of Infinity Pools & Spas in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “If we see something that might be malfunctioning, we can address it early before it becomes a very large investment for the customer.”
Monitoring and controlling your customers’ systems remotely will potentially prevent extra service trips to customers’ backyards, and the benefits don’t end there. While you’re boosting your business by offering remote monitoring and white glove service to pool owners for an additional fee, they’ll enjoy an effortless and stressless pool experience. Because the system interfaces with mobile devices, it also offers pool owners convenient remote control from anywhere with the Pentair Home app.
- Ultimate peace of mind for your customers to enjoy water.
Pentair’s solutions offer a virtually hands-off, connected automation experience for consumers with pools of nearly any shape or size. And with the IntelliCenter system, pool owners can now control water features, monitor water chemistry, spot-clean their spa, and more – all from the comfort of their home using the Pentair Home app.
Homeowners currently using the IntelliCenter2 app are being migrated to the Pentair Home app in early 2024 for an improved and expanded app experience.
In the Pentair Home app, pool owners can access an easy-to-use dashboard on their smart device and receive alerts sent directly to their phones for peace of mind anytime, anywhere, so they can get back to enjoying their pool. The IntelliCenter Pool Control System is designed to easily accommodate new equipment add-ons as your customers’ backyard oasis grows.
Give your customers the technology they expect with the Pentair IntelliCenter® Pool Control System. Learn more about how IntelliCenter makes pool automation easier at pentair.com/intellicenterhub.
By: Rama Budampati, General Manager of Pool Automation and Sanitizers, Pentair
The pool industry has thousands of builders but at the same time, it’s still a relatively small industry where one’s reputation may proceed them. JC Escudero stands out in this regard for his transparency and honesty in explaining the dark side of the pool industry to his customers. The founder of J Designs Pool & Spa, a boutique pool construction firm in Los Angeles, Escudero has taken a unique approach to his craft. Unafraid to delve into the nuances of the pool construction process, he has become a vocal advocate for educating consumers about the dos and don’ts of building a pool.
A Departure From The Norm
Escudero’s journey into the pool construction business began with a revelation during his tenure at a large builder. He shares, “I used to work for a pretty large builder, and when we decided to open our own company, I knew exactly what I didn’t want to do. I didn’t want to do that type of volume. With that brings a lot of issues because you don’t have the time to really cater to that many clients and have the same attention to detail.”
His vision was clear – to be a boutique builder, focusing on craftsmanship, larger projects, and fostering better relationships with clients. The inception of J Designs marked a departure from the norm, a conscious effort to create a more personalized and quality-driven approach to pool construction.
As Escudero reflects on the genesis of his company, he recalls, “We knew we had a big market at the turn of the 2008 mortgage crisis, and we used to work more in the Riverside area.” However, economic downturns prompted a strategic shift. “People were not buying pools at that time. The economy was upside down,” he notes. Escudero decided to move to Los Angeles, specifically the San Fernando Valley, tapping into a lucrative market despite the challenging economic conditions of ’08.
Educating The Client
Escudero was eager to set himself apart with his commitment to openness and transparency with customers. Many pool builders shy away from discussing the potential pitfalls of the construction process, fearing it may deter potential clients. However, Escudero believes in addressing the elephant in the room. “I’ve always been a very straightforward person. I open my mouth. Sometimes I get in trouble by doing so, but at the same time, I like to tell people the way things are,” he explains.
Escudero emphasizes the importance of informing clients about the intricacies of pool construction. “There are key components that every pool needs and explain what those are. I tell my customers about the roadblocks that exist in pool construction and what they absolutely need to know,” he says. By laying out the challenges and limitations, Escudero ensures that clients are well-informed and their expectations are met without any misconceptions.
Developing a Library of Content To Educate Customers
To extend this philosophy beyond one-on-one interactions, Escudero and his team have created an educational system. Through blogs, articles, and videos on their website, they provide valuable insights into the pool-building process. “I decided with my wife Liliana to put it together in the form of an educational system for our clients so they can easily, by themselves at their leisure, watch videos or read blogs and articles to impart them with that knowledge,” he shares.
This dedication to education is rooted in Escudero’s desire to establish a bond with clients before even meeting them. “When I get to their house, they already know me. There’s already a bond without even meeting them,” he states. By fostering this connection, Escudero ensures that clients are comfortable and well-informed, setting the stage for a successful collaboration.
One of Escudero’s videos called “The Dark Side of the Pool Industry” discusses issues that can come up with hiring unlicensed contractors, dealing with permitting hurdles, and how misinformation can lead to confusion and dissatisfaction.
Addressing the Elephant in The Room, Unlicensed Builders
One of the critical issues Escudero addresses is the prevalence of unlicensed builders in the pool industry. In one of his videos, he unveils a startling fact – the swimming pool industry boasts the highest number of complaints to the California State License Board (CSLB). He attributes this to the influx of unlicensed individuals posing as contractors, taking advantage of unsuspecting clients.
Escudero’s concerns go beyond merely acknowledging the problem; he actively seeks solutions. “The industry has been taken by a lot of scammers that don’t have a license that claim to be contractors. That happens everywhere, not only in California,” he points out. His website serves as a platform to guide consumers on what to look for in a contractor, stressing the importance of licenses, insurance, and adherence to the law.
Escudero’s commitment to transparency extends to the financial aspects of pool construction, particularly the often-misunderstood issue of payment schedules. He addresses this concern with a straightforward perspective, stating, “I get a lot of the times clients asking about payments, and I tell them payments are supposed to be by law, not 30% upfront like they charge in some markets. Who in the right mind is going to give you $40,000 upfront?”
A License May Not Be Enough
“Just having a license is not enough,” Escudero asserts. He acknowledges the shortcomings in the current licensing system, where individuals can obtain licenses with minimal knowledge of the trade. This, he believes, contributes to the industry’s negative reputation, leading to client dissatisfaction and distrust.
In his pursuit of improving the industry as a whole, Escudero doesn’t shy away from sharing the less glamorous aspects of the trade. He urges consumers to be vigilant, emphasizing the need for proper payment schedules, a clear understanding of construction processes, and awareness of potential red flags.
“Telling the story that way helps me and helps set my company apart automatically from the bad name or the hush-hush underground things that are going on,” explained Escudero. Through his unwavering commitment to education and transparency, JC Escudero is not just building pools; he’s constructing a foundation of trust in an industry that at times can be clouded with uncertainty.
Listen to our entire conversation about The Dark Side of the Pool Industry with JC Escudero on the Pool Magazine podcast.
Riverbend Sandler Pools (“Riverbend”), the leading residential pool construction, service, and maintenance provider in the Dallas – Ft. Worth metroplex, and a portfolio company of Concentric Equity Partners (“CEP”), announced the acquisition of Hauk Custom Pools, (“Hauk” or the “Company”), a Celina, TX-based provider of pool construction, remodeling, and repair services. Riverbend will be acquiring Hauk from Owner, and long-term pool industry veteran Robby Hauk, who will remain with the Company in his current leadership role for the long-term future and retain a substantial individual ownership stake.
Hauk Custom Pools is a leading residential pool construction brand in the Northern DFW market and has been a PSN Top 50 Builder for many years. Hauk was founded by Robby in 2001 after he spent several years working as a design consultant with Riverbend Sandler Pools. It’s great to see how the relationship has come in full circle and the Riverbend Group was able to partner with Robby after all these years. Hauk is a true leader in the Northern DFW area and has built over 4,000 pools. The Hauk brand and its employees will continue the pursuit of outstanding quality and service.
“While looking for the right partner to help me grow the business and add additional services, it was important to find someone that had the same values as Hauk pools”, said Robby Hauk. “Knowing the history of Riverbend and what they have accomplished with other acquisitions, led me to get comfortable with those discussions”.
“Robby and the Hauk team have continued to build a strong presence in the Northern DFW market, an area we have been wanting to build out at Riverbend” said Riverbend Sandler CEO Bruce Mungiguerra. “We’re excited to continue building on the Hauk name and adding additional services such as service repair and weekly pool maintenance to the brand”.
Adam Lucas, Principal at CEP, adds: “We have tremendous respect for what Robby has built over many years and the success he has achieved with Hauk”. “We’re honored he chose us to partner with the Hauk platform going forward and excited to partner with his leadership team”.
More News About Riverbend Sandler Pools:
- Riverbend Sandler Pools Announces Acquisition Of Pulliam Pools
- Claffey Pools Acquired by Riverbend Sandler Pools
- Riverbend Sandler Announces Acquisition of Crystal Clear Custom Pools
- Riverbend Sandler Announces Acquisition of Pool Steward
About Hauk Custom Pools:
Headquartered in Celina, TX, and serving the Northern area of the DFW Metroplex, Hauk is a premier provider of residential pool construction and renovation, services. Founded in 2001, Hauk has been a leader in custom pool design and installation of some of the most impressive pools built in the metroplex. While Hauk has been in business for over 20 years, the business is stronger than ever and growing annually. For more information on Hauk, visit www.haukcustompools.com
About Riverbend Sandler Pools:
Headquartered in Plano, TX, Riverbend Sandler Pools is the leading residential pool construction, service, and maintenance provider in Dallas Fort Worth. The Company differentiates through its specialized and high-touch design process, commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer service, and established track record of success. The Company was founded by Charles Barnes in 1981 and grown over a successful period of more than four decades to become one of the largest pool builders in the Southwest U.S. Riverbend Sandler’s guiding philosophy has always been: “Don’t cut corners, take a little more time to build it right and never compromise quality craftsmanship.” For more information on Riverbend Sandler, visit www.riverbendsandler.com.
About Concentric Equity Partners:
Concentric Equity Partners is a private investment firm that partners with leading middle market companies by providing capital and strategic advisory to accelerate long term value creation. Concentrics approach is simple: support entrepreneurs and operators by providing the resources required to achieve extraordinary results. The firm’s investment team is made up of individuals with distinguished track records as operators and professional investors across a variety of growth oriented middle market companies. Concentric Equity Partners is the direct investing arm of Financial Investments Corporation, a private asset management firm and family office with over $2 billion in investment commitments under management. Financial Investments Corporation was founded in 1994 by father and daughter Harrison and Jennifer Steans and has been partnering with private companies for more than 25 years. For more information on Concentric, visit www.ficcep.com
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