Another Pool Build in Cypress, TX

I am VERY proud of you for thinking this all through! :mrgreen:

I could tell from how you said what you did that you just were not happy with him. I would start over with someone else. He seems sneaky. I do NOT like how he changes things to match what was said. I would not trust him.

I say go for what you NEED and go from there.

Tell all of them that you need time to think about it THEN come here and share. You know we will help you spend or save your money!

Kim
 
Kim, thank you!! You really made me think. Plus, I simply wasn't happy when he left which should have been a signal. But at that moment I didn't have the energy for anything but to give in.

I could still be wrong. The only way to know is to get bids from others.

Aye, Aye, Captain! You better believe I'm coming back here first. And I'm keeping my big mouth shut! :silent:

You're the best, Kim!! Suz.
 
They finally installed the equipment at the house but suppose finish out the stone/glass work. its dragging at the house now.

How's yours coming Suz?

Kelly just now told me he had a death in his family. :(

Oh, here is a peek of the raised back wall finally with some coping and back tiles turn on a diamond and added the 1" pencil molding dividers.
Golden white ledger panels coming soon for the columns. :)

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I met a new landscaper/Paver yesterday. A friend recommended him. It was a huge difference! I can't say he's someone I'd want to hang out with, but he knows a lot about paving, landscaping, sprinkler systems, drainage, etc. The biggest difference was that he listened to what I wanted. There was no arguing over getting things things I did not want. He made suggestions - some things I liked, some I didn't. That was fine with him. I had a list of each item I felt I needed/wanted, and a wish list of a few things (trying to keep costs down). He wrote his bid out for me right then and there. His "drive out" price was almost $10k under. He can't start for about 3-4 weeks, but I can live with that. He covered everything plus my wish list. And we'd be getting Travertine pavers for less than the other guy, so my son would love that.

I'm sad to say, but I think the first guy was heavily padding all landscaping items - well everything. This new guy was higher on some things, but of course lower on many items. But, he wasn't forcing things on me that I didn't want. (expensive things). And no bogus charges such as for design and prep. (I already had the design plan.)

So what do you guys think? Should I pull the trigger on New Guy? Thanks for your thoughts and support! Suz.
 
I would like for you to talk to at least one other person just so you have three points of reference. You are NOT "allowed" to go with the first guy though. LOL

Did the 2nd guy offer to give you any other references? Call him and ask if you can call and go see his last job or two. See what he says.

Kim
 
I agree with Kim, not allowed to go with first guy. :) the 2d guy sounds much better but I also agree in getting 3 quotes. I also use angieslist which has been helpful, or yelp for reviews. that's how i find most of the companies i use. maybe the bbb, too?
 
I would get a third quote for sure. You want to be sure as to the pricing, it sounds like there was a major deviation in costs from one to another, so usually there is a reason there. If the third comes closer to the second, than you make the choice there. You should save quite a bit knowing you already have the design locked down and know most of what plants/stone you want. It is very important they respect your opinion, input and position, this is your money being spent.

Hold off, and then decide and no way to number ONE. He is out.
 
Ok everyone! Thank you so much for your advice and support. I sort of figured I should do that, but the tired and lazy part of me was hoping otherwise! I'm already on the hunt for a third bid. I'll let you guys know what I find out. But as of now, I'm already relieved knowing I will find someone better suited for my project. Take care! Suz.
 
Oh, I agree with ya'll. A little nudge never hurt! A guy is coming out later this afternoon. Several I called couldn't come out for a couple of weeks. I need to get "in line" or this pool won't be finished until Christmas! Kidding - sort of!

But don't worry, I WON'T switch from bad to worse! I'll let you know! Take care. Suz.
 

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Guy # 3 was a younger guy, very nice. I really liked him. After we talked, he went to his truck and did his bid out there. He came back in, quickly went over it, and left. He hasn't been in business long, so very eager. His bid is a little under Guy # 2. But... he's not doing as much. I believe in helping those trying to get started. They deserve a chance too, right?!

I'm going to sleep on it, but right now I think I will go with Guy # 2. As much as I want to help out G#3, I want to be confident in my paver/landscaper. He just doesn't have the knowledge and experience.

Another bid would be wise, but I'm running out of time and energy. I feel like everything changed abruptly for a reason. G#2 checks out on everything I've been wanting (and thought I was getting with G#1). He sent me his official proposal this afternoon. It's EXACTLY the same as yesterday's bid he did in front of me yesterday. So no surprises or switch-a-roos.

What do you guys think? Suz.
 
go with your gutt. maybe #2 will be fine. just check out his reviews first if u can find any! i'm like kimkats where i usually get several quotes, depending on the kind of job, but sometimes i don't, like out fence/gate guy. he's custom and it's hard to find anyone like his work and i went to his house in historic phoenix. got a sense for him and learned about him from a referral at a garden tour. gave him $1500 deposit. could get ripped off but i think i have a good sense for him. with others, like the pool builder, i'm asking for lein releases and not so trusting...
 
I say guy #2! It really sounds like your gut says him as well.

For something like this you need experience. It is too big for someone to make a mistake on.

I hope you had a good nights sleep. Now go make guy #2 day and tell him he got the job! Tell him Kim said so! LOL

Kim
 
Hi Suz!
Checking in on you after a couple of weeks. Just saw your glass pieces! [emoji813]️[emoji813]️[emoji813]️
Bea.u.ti.ful!
Sorry to hear about your landscaping guy, but better now than a week before you're ready for him!
Hope you're keeping your head above water!
 
It's been a busy, busy week with changing the paver/landscaper and the glass tile arriving, then installed. I've been on call to answer countless questions. I'm behind on posting pictures, so I will try to catch up now. I just want to say here, that you guys have been so great with all your advice, support, and encouragement. I can't thank ya'll enough!

I was worried that the tile crew wouldn't be able to handle the glass tile installation. We had some hiccups on the coping, and it seemed to take them a long time. The longer they worked, the more I began to doubt their experience even though at first I thought they must be great because they moved so slowly. But then they began installing the glass tile. And wow! This seemed to be their niche. There was NO scratching of their heads, multiple phone calls as they worked, or huddling together to discuss things like they did when they did the coping. They had questions for me about how and where I wanted the glass tile, but when they worked, it was Zoom Zoom with confidence. They left this morning after grouting and washing the tile. There is enough tile left (I had ordered 10% extra for waste and breakage) to tile the entire benches in the spa. They will do that later this coming week. Since our PB wanted me to change plans and tile the entire upper back raised beam, I didn't think there would be enough since I hadn't ordered with the entire back wall in mind. But they had so little waste, almost none. There may be even more left to trim a step-out or two. As for the Shell Beach trim, the step toe tiles, and a trim of the deep water bench, they said the plaster/pebble guys do that. I've seen photos on here to the contrary, so I will check with my PB about that.

But here goes with the photos:

Coping, waterline tile, and stonework completed, view 1:



Coping, waterline tile, and stonework completed, view 2:


Coping on the spa 18" raised beam for sheer descent and coping on the 12" spa raised beam:


Coping on the back raised beam:


Coping on the bump-out bench:


The tile guys installing the glass on the spa spillway above the waterfall ledge:


An overview of where the glass tile is installed on the pool (the tile still has the plastic tape on top and has not yet been grouted):


A closer look at the tile on the spa spillway with the plastic tape removed, tile grouted, and all washed:



I think she's finally crossed over from the Klingon battleship I first saw after gunite to the Starship Enterprise I was hoping for! Hope it wasn't too many pictures. Take care! Suz.
 

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