OK, it's been about 3 months since my initail post on my pool. Basically, my wife and I bought the vacant(house demoed due to Katrina) property next door to us and the inground pool had been filled in years ago. I rented an excavator and dug it out. The pool is 22 feet by 12 feet, and is 6 feet deep at the deepest point, about 10,000 gallons according to the pool volume calculator. There are about 4 holes drilled through to prevent it from popping out, and of course the drain the the deep end is busted out as well. I managed to locate the plumbing, the line for the 2 returns and the line for the drain in the deep end are 1 1/2 inch copper, and the line for the skimmer is 1 1/2 inch PVC. The returns and skimmer line are clear(can push water through with a hose), but the deep end drain is not(probably packed with mud/debris from being filled in)The pool is in need of replastering(probably why the previous owners filled it in). Otherwise the flagstone decking is in great shape, and other than one hairline crack(about 4 feet long), the pool appears to be structurally sound. I poured the pad for the pump and filter, and I ran the electric as well(I'm an electrician/Electronic tech by trade), so this is done. I intend to do the plumbing as well if it's too much to pay a company to do this. So I called out 3 different guys and got 3 different opinions and 3 different prices, so I wanted to post the results here and see what you guys(and gals) think:
Estimate #1 - Wants $2200 to replaster the pool and bust out and replace the drain in the deep end.
Estimate #2 - Wants $4000 to replaster the pool and the tile ring. Had references and pictures of the work his company has done. He said that because the pool is small that he would recommend saving the money and plastering over the drain in the deep end as he felt the pool would receive adequate circulation, and also said that since we have 2 pine trees near the pool that we would want 100% suction at the skimmer. He said that he could replace the drain and tie in the plumbing and replace the pool light, but those would have to be subcontracted out. He said that I could do it myself and save a lot. Basically cut the copper returns as close to the pool as possible and union to PVC, and run those to the pump/filter.
Estimate #3 - Hasn't given us a quote yet but talking to him it would be a lot. He mentioned $2500 just to replace the tile ring. He said that we should not plaster over the drain, that we definitely need it. He can replace the drain. He also wants to do the plumbing. Said something about if the pool leaks we could blame him, this way he feels that his butt is covered if it does leak. I can understand this.
So what do you think. What price would be fair for this work in your best opinion?? Do we NEED the drain in the deep end, as the skimmer is in the middle, and the returns are on either side of the skimmer, about 4-5 feet away. Thanks in advance, and I'll try to get some pictures up shortly!!!
Estimate #1 - Wants $2200 to replaster the pool and bust out and replace the drain in the deep end.
Estimate #2 - Wants $4000 to replaster the pool and the tile ring. Had references and pictures of the work his company has done. He said that because the pool is small that he would recommend saving the money and plastering over the drain in the deep end as he felt the pool would receive adequate circulation, and also said that since we have 2 pine trees near the pool that we would want 100% suction at the skimmer. He said that he could replace the drain and tie in the plumbing and replace the pool light, but those would have to be subcontracted out. He said that I could do it myself and save a lot. Basically cut the copper returns as close to the pool as possible and union to PVC, and run those to the pump/filter.
Estimate #3 - Hasn't given us a quote yet but talking to him it would be a lot. He mentioned $2500 just to replace the tile ring. He said that we should not plaster over the drain, that we definitely need it. He can replace the drain. He also wants to do the plumbing. Said something about if the pool leaks we could blame him, this way he feels that his butt is covered if it does leak. I can understand this.
So what do you think. What price would be fair for this work in your best opinion?? Do we NEED the drain in the deep end, as the skimmer is in the middle, and the returns are on either side of the skimmer, about 4-5 feet away. Thanks in advance, and I'll try to get some pictures up shortly!!!
I am not an expert however If this was my pool I would change all plumbing to 2 inch PVC, add the drain, possibly a double drain, and have room on the equipment pad for future extra things like a heat pump and solar. Please continue to post pics of your progress 
