The Aquatic Perspective

Ep. 30
Commercial pool construction estimating involves plenty of unknowns, especially when a project won't begin for another 18 months or two years. Phil and Robert discuss why even a well-prepared estimate cannot predict every cost, delay, or change that happens during construction.
In this episode of The Aquatic Perspective, Phil explains the difference between being an estimator and what he jokingly calls an "exactimator," someone who could somehow predict every detail of a project before it happens.
They discuss how Sunbelt Pools approaches construction budgets, using historical project costs, realistic contingencies, and a clear scope of work to develop pricing that both the contractor and owner can live with.

Ep. 29
Commercial pool design and construction work better when designers and contractors start talking before the project goes out to bid.
Phil Collins and Robert Morgan welcome Justin Caron of Aquatic Design Group to discuss what experienced contractors can bring to the design process and why building the same pool in different parts of the country isn't always straightforward.
Justin explains how Aquatic Design Group has expanded beyond California and why construction methods that work well in one market may create problems somewhere else. Local contractor experience, available equipment, service support, and even seasonal weather conditions can influence how a facility should be built.

Ep. 28
Some of the hardest lessons in commercial pool construction come from projects that go wrong despite the team's best efforts. Phil Collins and Robert Morgan revisit 10 difficult experiences involving construction deadlines, unexpected site conditions, equipment failures, manufacturer support, and complicated project decisions. Their stories show how those experiences have influenced the work Sunbelt accepts, the products it recommends, and the expectations it establishes before construction begins.

Ep. 27
Highly customized residential water parks can quickly outgrow the plans, contracts, payment structures, and operating expectations established at the start of the project. Building an ambitious private aquatic facility requires more than the budget to construct it; scope, responsibilities, payment terms, code considerations, and long-term maintenance all need to be addressed early.

Ep. 26
An existing pool does not always have to be torn out to become a new facility. Phil, Robert, and the Myrtha Pools team discuss how modular construction can adapt to renovations, temporary venues, and high-level competition facilities.
The conversation starts with Myrtha’s approach to working with contractors and designers, then moves into its “pool within a pool” renovation system, which can use an existing concrete shell rather than replacing the entire structure.
The group also explains how Myrtha Pools have been used temporarily for major swimming events and later installed permanently in other facilities. That flexibility allows the same basic system to serve renovations, community pools, training facilities, and major competition venues.

Ep. 25
A Myrtha pool changes more than the material used to build the pool. It changes how owners, designers, contractors, and manufacturers have to think about the project from design through long-term operation.
Phil Collins and Robert Morgan sit down with three members of the Myrtha Pools team to discuss modular pool construction, how the system has grown in North America, and what owners should consider beyond the initial construction cost.
The conversation covers Myrtha’s stainless-steel pool structure, applications ranging from competition facilities to elevated and recreational pools, and why understanding long-term value matters when selecting a system.
The group also discusses how Myrtha has adapted its approach in the United States, including local project management, design support, and its Myrtha Legacy team for existing facilities.
This conversation is ultimately about more than one type of pool. It is about understanding what you are buying, who will install it, and who will still be there when the facility needs support years later.

Ep. 24
No one sees every side of a commercial aquatic facility.
Phil Collins and Robert Morgan have decades of experience in commercial pool construction, but they are the first to admit there are parts of the industry they have never worked in firsthand. Operators, aquatic designers, engineers, manufacturers, and facility teams all see problems from a different angle.
That is why The Aquatic Perspective is expanding the conversation.
In this episode, the hosts discuss why bringing more industry voices onto the podcast matters, what can be learned from other people’s mistakes and experience, and their plans to record conversations with industry professionals at WWA.
They also explain why the goal is not polished success stories. It is useful conversations about what happens in commercial aquatics and what others can learn from it.

Ep. 23
Most people hear “pool company” and picture someone building backyard pools.
Commercial pools are a different business.
In this episode, Phil Collins and Robert Morgan talk through what a commercial pool contractor actually does, from estimating and construction to the equipment and systems that keep a facility running.

A commercial pool bid is more than the number at the bottom. Phil Collins and Robert Morgan explain what estimators should look for before awarding the work.
The difference often hides in everyday items such as excavation, backfill, void forms, deck mastic, and plumbing connections. One contractor may leave the work out. Another may include something already covered by a different trade. Either way, the owner could end up paying twice or dealing with unassigned work during construction.
Some scopes also make more sense with contractors already on-site. If an earthwork crew is already mobilized, having that crew excavate the pool may avoid bringing in more equipment and adding another markup.
The important part is deciding who owns each piece of the work before the project is awarded.

“By others” can expose costly scope gaps in a commercial pool bid. Phil Collins and Robert Morgan explain what the term means and why the lowest number does not always provide the best value.
What you will learn:
How exclusions help identify missing scope
Why electrical work is typically handled by others
When fencing, signage, landscaping, and startup service are included
A clear exclusion list is not a warning sign. It is a practical tool for confirming who owns each part of the project before construction begins.