ORANGEVALE, CA – Century Pools, a family-owned pool construction company serving California homeowners since 1964, is clarifying its stance on a critical issue affecting residential pool projects: the costly consequences of prioritizing low bids over proven expertise. With 60 years of multigenerational experience, the company reports that homeowners who select contractors based primarily on price frequently face structural failures, extensive repairs, and expenses that far exceed initial savings.
“The first red flag we usually see is structural—or plumbing and electrical issues that were overlooked,” explains Patrick O’Neal, CEO of Century Pools and son of founder Brian O’Neal. “Often the rebar wasn’t properly tied, the gunite wasn’t cured correctly, or plumbing lines are poorly supported. At first, the pool might look fine, but these hidden problems almost always lead to cracks, leaks, or equipment failures down the road.”
The warning comes as California homeowners increasingly encounter pool contractors offering bids 20 to 30 percent below industry standards. According to industry research, hiring inexperienced or unqualified pool builders can result in poor workmanship, significant delays, and legal issues, with one false step costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars in fees or repairs. In one documented case, a couple lost over $30,000 to individuals posing as legitimate pool contractors.
The Hidden Cost of Improperly Tied Rebar
One of the most critical—and invisible—mistakes in pool construction involves rebar installation. When rebar isn’t properly tied, steel bars are loosely placed or spaced inconsistently, creating weak points in the pool’s structural foundation. “Bars can shift during the gunite application, leaving gaps or areas without proper reinforcement,” O’Neal notes. “To the untrained eye, the pool might look fine—there’s water in it, the surface seems smooth—but over time, those weak spots are where cracks and structural problems appear.”
The problem is that once concrete is applied during pool construction, the reinforcement steel becomes permanently hidden. Any errors or omissions in the rebar framework have consequences that won’t be visible until problems emerge. Industry experts confirm that rebar errors often result in pool shell cracks, water leaks, and costly structural repairs that can be significantly more expensive than getting the job done right initially.
Concrete swimming pools are structures that require structural engineering by code, with exact rebar specifications designed by a structural engineer for each project. The structural engineering defines the placement of the reinforcing steel within the wall, the spacing of the bars, the diameter of the bars, and their schedule. “By tying every bar correctly, we make sure the steel and gunite work together to handle California’s shifting soils and last for decades,” O’Neal emphasizes.
California Soil Conditions Demand Expert Site Evaluation
California’s unique soil conditions present challenges that inexperienced contractors frequently overlook during initial site evaluations. “When a builder doesn’t account for California’s shifting soils, the pool essentially sits on unstable ground,” O’Neal explains. “Over time, that can cause hairline cracks, structural stress, tile separation, or plumbing failures.”
Soil conditions are one of the least conspicuous but most important design considerations for pool structures. Installation of pools in expansive clay soil, which is prone to absorbing water and swelling, is like “building on top of a sponge.” Expansive clay soils can shrink and expand substantially depending on how much moisture is introduced, and even if the pool contractor accounts for this issue, adjacent concrete work or hardscape installation can still trigger significant problems.
Century Pools pays particular attention to how water drains across properties during site evaluations. “A newer contractor might walk right past subtle slopes or pooling areas, but even slight drainage issues can create long-term pressure on the pool shell or lead to soil shifting underneath,” O’Neal says. “Catching that early lets us plan proper grading, drainage, and rebar placement to prevent cracks and structural stress.”
The damage from improper site evaluation usually isn’t obvious at first, but five or ten years down the line, repairs can be extensive—resurfacing the shell, fixing structural issues, and addressing plumbing problems. Homeowners often end up spending tens of thousands of dollars to correct issues that proper site evaluation and engineering could have prevented from the start.
The Critical Importance of Proper Gunite Curing
Gunite curing represents another area where inexperienced contractors frequently cut corners. Quality pool builders keep a timeframe of 7 to 28 days in mind before applying any masonry to the gunite shell. However, pool builders who promise pool completion in two to three weeks are often trying to make a quick profit and will likely not be available when homeowners call them for structural cracks and warranty issues.
These contractors are often called “pick-up pool builders” with no brick and mortar building keeping them in one location. Cutting corners during the gunite curing process can lead to cracks, leaks, and costly repairs later on.
“One lesson my father drilled into us is that every inch of a pool matters—from the rebar framework to the final finish,” O’Neal reflects. “He taught us to never take shortcuts, to always account for soil conditions, curing, and proper plumbing placement. Those are details that newer contractors often overlook because they haven’t spent decades learning how every decision affects the pool’s longevity.”
Brian O’Neal founded Century Pools with a work ethic that became legendary in the industry. Often found with a shovel in hand, he supported his family members and built a company on principles of meticulous craftsmanship. Today, his three sons—Patrick, Michael, and Casey—continue his legacy with the help of second-generation family members, maintaining the same standards that have defined the company for six decades.
Pebble Finish Application Requires Precision and Patience
The pebble finish, which coats the gunite shell to create the pool’s interior surface, demands careful application that many inexperienced contractors rush through. “A common mistake inexperienced contractors make with a pebble finish is applying it too quickly or inconsistently, without properly troweling or bonding it to the gunite shell,” O’Neal explains. “At first, the pool might look fine, but over time, you’ll start to see chipping, scaling, or uneven wear.”
Homeowners usually don’t notice the problem until years later, when repairs are costly. Incorrect spacing or overlap in rebar rods, or inadequate overlapping, can weaken the pool’s structure leading to cracks or instability. If the rebar grid is not tied securely, it may shift during concrete application, compromising the pool’s integrity and affecting how the pebble finish bonds to the shell.
“At Century Pools, we take the time to apply the pebble finish carefully, ensure it cures properly, and monitor every detail—so it not only looks beautiful but holds up for decades,” O’Neal states. This meticulous approach reflects the company’s understanding that backyard pools are more than a luxury—they are treasured meeting places where memories are made, family events are held, and new beginnings are celebrated.
The Question Every Homeowner Should Ask
When homeowners compare bids from different contractors, Century Pools recommends asking one specific question that reveals whether a contractor is cutting corners: “Can you walk me through your rebar placement, curing process, and how you’re handling plumbing and electrical installation?”
“Those are the areas where shortcuts are most common,” O’Neal emphasizes. “A cheaper contractor might gloss over the details or say it’s ‘standard,’ but that’s exactly where problems show up years later—cracks, leaks, or equipment failures. Asking that question forces them to reveal whether they’re cutting corners or truly building a pool to last.”
Price comparison is important when deciding which swimming pool contractor to choose, but it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. The work contractors provide is complicated and time-consuming, and their level of professionalism may warrant a higher price. Sacrificing quality for a lower price means the contractor may not actively disclose what homeowners might be giving up in exchange.
One of the most common traps homeowners fall into is accepting a bid that looks like a great deal but lacks essential details. If a pool contractor presents an unitemized estimate or refuses to explain costs involved, it’s a clear indication something isn’t right. A professional custom pool builder should be completely transparent about where money is going.
Multigenerational Expertise Makes the Difference
The tendency in pool construction is to lay rebar the way one’s predecessor did it, passing down strategies through generations of pool contractors. However, methods must be updated to accommodate new information while maintaining core principles of quality and precision.
Century Pools represents a unique combination of time-tested wisdom and contemporary innovation. “Being a multigenerational pool contractor isn’t just about longevity; it’s about building lasting relationships based on trust and shared dreams,” O’Neal explains. “Each project is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to excellence and to earning your trust. We’re honored to continue our family legacy by creating spaces that families cherish for generations.”
The quality of the initial installation is one of the biggest determining factors for a pool’s lifespan. A licensed contractor will consider many factors such as proper grading, accurate measurements, and soil compaction before setting anything in stone. These considerations require the kind of experience that only comes from decades of hands-on work and problem-solving.
“That mindset is still the foundation of Century Pools today: meticulous, patient, and focused on building pools that last generations, not just seasons,” O’Neal says. The company’s mission—”Building Your Dreams Since 1964″—reflects this commitment to longevity and quality.
The Long-Term Value of Experienced Craftsmanship
Installing a pool is one of the biggest decisions a homeowner can make, and without the right contractor, homeowners can end up unhappy, out thousands of dollars, or worse. When homeowners call Century Pools after a previous contractor, it’s usually a wake-up call that shortcuts were taken, and correcting them can be costly and time-consuming.
The company emphasizes doing it right from day one—quality upfront prevents problems later. Even if building codes are not enforced in an area, pool contractors will still be responsible if a pool suffers a structural failure. This reality underscores why Century Pools carefully assesses soil, grading, and drainage before pouring a single ounce of gunite.
From celebrity mansions to local neighborhood hangouts, Century Pools has built its reputation on exceptional craftsmanship and personalized service. The company’s vision—”Our custom pools offer a quality and affordable solution to escaping the California heat”—emphasizes that affordability doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or cutting corners.
For California homeowners considering a pool project, Century Pools’ message is clear: the lowest bid rarely represents the best value. The details that matter most—proper rebar tying, adequate curing time, thorough site evaluation, and meticulous finish application—are often invisible to the untrained eye but make all the difference in how a pool holds up over decades.
About Century Pools
Founded in 1964 by Brian O’Neal, Century Pools is a family-owned and operated swimming pool construction company headquartered in Orangevale, California. Specializing in custom gunite swimming pools for residential clients, the company is now led by CEO Patrick O’Neal alongside his brothers Michael and Casey, with second-generation family members joining the team. Century Pools focuses on building client trust, providing exceptional craftsmanship, and creating aquatic retreats that serve as treasured gathering places for California families. For more information about Century Pools and their approach to quality pool construction, homeowners can learn more about the company’s 60-year commitment to meticulous construction and lasting relationships.
