How to stay in the loop, ride out the weather and finish with a punch list that actually gets closed
Working with a pool contractor in Tulsa goes smoothest when you agree on one contact, a steady update schedule and payments tied to finished stages. Fiesta Pools and Spas builds most phases with its own crews, and a good job wraps up with a written punch list and a final walkthrough before startup.
The contract’s signed. What happens now?
Signing feels like the finish line. It’s really the start of a stretch where a crew is in your backyard most weekdays, the weather gets a vote and you’ll be asked small questions at odd times. How that stretch feels depends less on the pool type and more on how you and the contractor work together.
Fiesta keeps most of the construction work with its own people and brings in outside help for only a few details. A small cast helps. Even so, a build has a lot of moving parts. The habits on this page apply to any contractor, and they’ll make the weeks between dig day and first swim a lot calmer.
Set up how you’ll talk before the first scoop of dirt
Most frustration on a pool job comes from not knowing what’s going on, not from anything going wrong. Sort out the communication early, ideally at the pre-construction meeting Fiesta holds at your house, where the team covers the permits underway and pencils in a start date.
- One name. Ask who’s running your job and who to call when that person’s out.
- One channel. Text, email or phone, pick the one you’ll actually check and say so.
- A regular check-in. A short weekly update beats ten scattered messages.
- Decision deadlines. Ask which choices are still open, like tile or deck color, and when each one is due.
- Your schedule. Tell them about trips or days the yard isn’t reachable, before they matter.
Keep a simple build log too. A note on your phone works. Jot the date, what the crew did and anything you were told, and snap a few photos after they leave each day. You’ll probably never need it. If you do, a dated photo of the plumbing before it’s buried settles a lot of questions.
What you’ll be asked to check, stage by stage
On a gunite build, Fiesta’s process goes from digging, to steel along with the plumbing and electrical runs, to the finish work and then accessories. Here’s where your attention helps most along the way:
| Stage | What’s happening | Your part |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | The pool shape is marked on the ground | Walk it. Confirm the spot, the steps and the view from the house. |
| Excavation | The hole is dug and dirt is moved | Keep the access path clear and the gate secured after hours. |
| Framing, plumbing and wiring | Steel, pipes and electrical runs go in | Photograph pipe routes and light locations before they’re covered. |
| Finishing | Tile, coping, interior finish and deck | Look at tile and deck samples in daylight before they’re set. |
| Accessories | Equipment, lights and add-ons are hooked up | Confirm everything on the contract is there. |
| Startup | Water goes in and the chemistry gets dialed in | Be home for the walkthrough and ask every question. |
Quicker builds like fiberglass, vinyl or semi-inground move faster and have fewer stages, but the idea’s the same. Look at the work while it’s still easy to change.
How does Oklahoma weather affect a pool build?
Weather is the one partner nobody gets to vet. A week of spring rain turns a fresh excavation into a mud pit, and heavy equipment can’t work on soaked ground without tearing up the yard. A storm can partly refill the hole with water the crew must pump out before getting back to it.
Heat and cold matter too. Concrete and plaster cure best within a comfortable temperature range, so crews watch hard freezes in winter and stretches of extreme heat in summer. High wind can stop crane work on a fiberglass set. None of this is unusual around here. It’s just Oklahoma doing what it does.
Reading a weather delay the right way
A delay isn’t a problem by itself. A delay nobody explains is. When the crew doesn’t show after a storm, ask two things: what’s the next step, and what is it waiting on? A clear answer, like “the dig has to dry out for two days,” tells you the job’s on track. A vague one is worth a follow-up call.
Delays can also stack. If rain pushes one stage, the next crew and the next inspection shift with it. Your contract’s time frames are approximate for exactly this reason. Plan any big backyard event with plenty of cushion, and don’t book the pool party until the water’s in.
When something looks off between updates, handle it the same calm way. Take a photo, write down what you saw and send it to your contact instead of flagging down whoever’s on the excavator. Crews follow the plan they were given, so a change in direction should come through the person running the job. Most concerns turn out to be a step that isn’t finished yet. The few that aren’t are far cheaper to fix that same week than after the deck is poured.
Payments tied to finished stages
Most pool contracts split the price into several payments rather than one lump sum. A common pattern is a deposit at signing, then payments as major stages wrap up. Your contract spells out the exact schedule, so read that section twice.
- Pay against work that’s done, not work that’s promised. If a payment is due at a stage, look at that stage first.
- Pay by check or card so there’s a record, and keep every receipt and invoice in one folder.
- Ask how suppliers and any outside trades get paid. In many states, an unpaid supplier can file a lien on the property, so it’s a fair question for any contractor.
- Hold questions, not payments. If something looks wrong, raise it right away instead of sitting on a check.
- Keep the final payment tied to completion, after the punch list and the walkthrough.
If you’re financing the project, ask your lender how and when it releases funds. Fiesta offers pool financing, and lining up the loan’s schedule with the contract’s payment stages avoids an awkward gap mid-build.
What goes on a punch list?
A punch list is the written list of small items left to fix or finish before a job is called done. It’s normal. Even a well-built pool usually has a few. What matters is that every item is written down, agreed on and checked off.
- Tile or coping that’s chipped, uneven or missing grout
- Deck cracks, stains, rough edges or spots where water puddles
- Lights that don’t work or don’t cycle through colors
- Equipment that isn’t labeled, or a pump schedule nobody set
- Gate latches and any safety cover anchors
- Leftover debris, ruts in the lawn and rough grading near the deck
Walk the pool in daylight and again after dark with the lights on. Write each item down, take a photo, and send the list to your contact in one message so nothing gets lost. Then agree on a date for the fixes.
The final walkthrough and startup
The walkthrough is your class on the equipment. Before the crew leaves, you should know how to turn the pump on and off, set its schedule, clean the filter, run the lights and keep the sanitizer working. Ask them to show you, then do it yourself while they watch. Collect every manual and warranty document and put them in that same folder.
After startup, the store is your next stop. Fiesta offers free water analysis, an annual Pool School and a once-a-week maintenance agreement for owners who’d rather skip the chores. If anything acts up later, you can request pool service online or call the 93rd and Sheridan store. If you haven’t broken ground yet, the guide to timing your pool installation in Tulsa around the seasons is the better place to start.
Want the full picture of pool types first? Fiesta’s swimming pools page lists them all with posted prices.
Questions about working with your contractor
How often should a pool contractor update me?
A pool contractor should update you at least once a week during the build, plus any time the schedule changes. Agree on that rhythm and the channel at the start. A short weekly note on what got done and what’s next keeps you from chasing answers.
Can I visit the pool site during construction?
You can visit the pool site during construction, since it’s your yard, but stay clear of active equipment and open excavation. The best time to look is after the crew leaves for the day. Take photos, write down questions and send them to your contact together.
Should I pay a pool contractor in full upfront?
You shouldn’t pay a pool contractor in full upfront. Most pool contracts use a deposit and then payments tied to finished stages, with the last payment after the punch list is complete. Follow the schedule in your contract and keep a record of every payment.
Who do I call if something’s wrong after the pool is finished?
If something’s wrong after the pool is finished, call the company that built it first. At Fiesta, you can submit a pool service request online or call the store directly. Have your build folder handy, with the equipment manuals, warranty papers and photos, so the team can help faster.
Talk to the team at 93rd and Sheridan
Check the current hours for the 93rd and Sheridan store, then stop in with your questions from anywhere in south Tulsa, Jenks, Bixby or Glenpool.
Fiesta Pools and Spas, 93rd and Sheridan
9241 S Sheridan Rd, Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 494-0133
Pool contractor and more at 93rd and Sheridan
- Swimming pool construction in south Tulsa
- Custom pools at 93rd and Sheridan
- Inground pools at our South Sheridan location
Hours, directions and phone for this location are on the Fiesta’s 93rd and Sheridan store, 9241 S. Sheridan Rd. page.
