I posted another thread a few weeks ago, but wanted to start from scratch from the very start of the process now that I've done some research and collected info.
Anyway, I live in Southern California in a City called Menifee in Riverside County.
Our dream is to turn this:
Into this:
With a few alterations including lots of deck space and water feature/ fire pit in front.
It's 3 different elevations, the pool is actually 2' higher than the patio, and then the rear of the pool will be an additional 2' raised. It's the best way I've come up with to take advantage of my nemesis. . .the slope. I've hated that slope since we moved in, it just collects weeds, so I figure, the kids get a pool, the wife gets lots of entertaining space, tons of deck space, and me. . .I get a bigger backyard and less slope maintenance.
So thanks to some research and a few great people on this forum, I've decided that our pool build is going to be an owner/build. I have moderate construction background, was a plumber when I was younger, I understand the basics, but was still a little nervous about doing it because you get brainwashed into thinking that you need a builder because such a large investment must be overseen by a pro right? Maybe that is true, but I'm a gambler and since I'm self employed and work at home, I can oversee this project.
I'd like to extend my gratitude to bulldogz400 for a lot of great advice and spillmar who just messaged me and I'm getting ready to email you.
OK, so up to this point I've spent the last 4 weeks researching the design we want and designed the plot plan myself. When I decided that I would end up doing it myself, I located pooleng in Anaheim and sent them the drawings of what I wanted. They're a super easy group to work with, even though I did have a bit of a hiccup, which isn't too serious.
Since a few of you inspired me to do this myself, I'm going to keep a journal of the build, and maybe I'll encourage someone else, or teach a valuable lesson not to do it yourself. We shall see.
AUGUST 21 2014
Today I received the plans from pooleng. Everything great, 2 copies, a stamped copy. . . and a photocopy. I get all my stuff together to drive on down to apply for my permit to build, when I get halted in my tracks. Riverside County needs 3 stamped copies! Whoa. . .I get pooleng on the phone and they made a mistake. They thought my house was in LA County for some reason (some secretary probably misfiled it). They tell me they're going to overnight it to me free of charge, so I should be doing that part tomorrow.
Through a few people I got the name of a pool plumber not too far from me. I called him up and he came by, seemed like a real nice guy, but didn't offer a price. He gave me some references for excavator and a steel guy and told me that he's going to get a price for me by the time I'm ready, and to contact him after I get closer. That seemed fine with me.
I called the ref's. The excavator guy will be coming out tomorrow to give me a bid. Hoping that Spillmar can give me a lead on some other subs, but regardless I'll be contacting at least 2 more for competing bids, and also need to take some time to research who I'm considering.
So far so good.
Anyway, I live in Southern California in a City called Menifee in Riverside County.
Our dream is to turn this:
Into this:
With a few alterations including lots of deck space and water feature/ fire pit in front.
It's 3 different elevations, the pool is actually 2' higher than the patio, and then the rear of the pool will be an additional 2' raised. It's the best way I've come up with to take advantage of my nemesis. . .the slope. I've hated that slope since we moved in, it just collects weeds, so I figure, the kids get a pool, the wife gets lots of entertaining space, tons of deck space, and me. . .I get a bigger backyard and less slope maintenance.
So thanks to some research and a few great people on this forum, I've decided that our pool build is going to be an owner/build. I have moderate construction background, was a plumber when I was younger, I understand the basics, but was still a little nervous about doing it because you get brainwashed into thinking that you need a builder because such a large investment must be overseen by a pro right? Maybe that is true, but I'm a gambler and since I'm self employed and work at home, I can oversee this project.
I'd like to extend my gratitude to bulldogz400 for a lot of great advice and spillmar who just messaged me and I'm getting ready to email you.
OK, so up to this point I've spent the last 4 weeks researching the design we want and designed the plot plan myself. When I decided that I would end up doing it myself, I located pooleng in Anaheim and sent them the drawings of what I wanted. They're a super easy group to work with, even though I did have a bit of a hiccup, which isn't too serious.
Since a few of you inspired me to do this myself, I'm going to keep a journal of the build, and maybe I'll encourage someone else, or teach a valuable lesson not to do it yourself. We shall see.
AUGUST 21 2014
Today I received the plans from pooleng. Everything great, 2 copies, a stamped copy. . . and a photocopy. I get all my stuff together to drive on down to apply for my permit to build, when I get halted in my tracks. Riverside County needs 3 stamped copies! Whoa. . .I get pooleng on the phone and they made a mistake. They thought my house was in LA County for some reason (some secretary probably misfiled it). They tell me they're going to overnight it to me free of charge, so I should be doing that part tomorrow.
Through a few people I got the name of a pool plumber not too far from me. I called him up and he came by, seemed like a real nice guy, but didn't offer a price. He gave me some references for excavator and a steel guy and told me that he's going to get a price for me by the time I'm ready, and to contact him after I get closer. That seemed fine with me.
I called the ref's. The excavator guy will be coming out tomorrow to give me a bid. Hoping that Spillmar can give me a lead on some other subs, but regardless I'll be contacting at least 2 more for competing bids, and also need to take some time to research who I'm considering.
So far so good.
