Local councils and private certifiers play significant roles in promoting safety around swimming pools. Both of them offer services such as conducting pool inspections and providing compliance certificates to property owners with swimming pool. They are responsible for checking that pools meet all the required security standards.
However, each of them provide a different level of services. In most cases, one may offer more benefits than the other.
In this matter, swimming pool owners must make a good decision in choosing between the local council and the private certifier.
Should You Choose Council or Private Certifiers?
Here are some things to consider in selecting between a council and a private certifier when it comes to pool safety inspection:
Who charges reasonable rates?
The council and certifiers charge different service fees. The council may ask around $150 for the first inspection. If further assessment is needed, an extra service fee (about $100) may be charged to the pool owners.
Moreover, if you want to have a hassle-free transaction, you may go and ask help from a private certifier. You only have to pay a little more to get a better result. Usually, it will cost you a minimum of $300 for an initial inspection. If necessary, another $150 will be requested for the second inspection.
Who offers better service?
The pool owner who chooses council may find a slow response to their services. For instance, inspections conducted by the council may take about 3 to 4 weeks to complete. Furthermore, some councils only provide a written report without pictures to their clients. In this case, owners may not understand the results of the inspection.
On the other hand, most certifiers hold an E1 qualification and builders license. This means that they are well-trained and professionals in the field.
Certifiers also utilise a more enhanced safety report system. It can secure a more detailed written PDF report with pictures to provide for their customers. Thus, it can be very convenient for the pool owners in understanding the result of the inspection.
Some private certifiers can also provide repair services to their clients. Repairs may be made on site within 24 hours or earlier to finish. To avoid inconvenience, they will directly email you the compliance certificate once the pool safety inspection is completed.
Who are recommended by many clients?
Some people choose their local authority to conduct inspections since it is cheaper than a private certifier. It may help people who are on a tight budget. Unluckily, it may take about 1 month to do an inspection and receive reports. This can be a wrong choice for those who wants to get their certificate in a shorter period of time.
On the contrary, accredited certifiers are given more endorsements by many clients when it comes to inspection services. Customers are satisfied with their experience of having a private certifier. Most certifiers received great feedback from people who chose them because the quality of services is maintained at a high level.
Conclusion
From the information mentioned above, it will be a great choice to ask support from a trustworthy certifier. Although a private certifier is a bit more expensive, you get what you pay for. You can absolutely guarantee fast and excellent support that council cannot offer.
To choose a reliable certifier, you’d better make sure that they are E1 accredited by the Building Professionals Board. They must be authorised by the government to conduct inspections and issue compliance certificates to pool owners. A reliable certifier must also be committed in giving exceptional customer service to fulfil your pool safety needs.