My wife and I purchased a new home a couple years ago in the heart of Tampa. We have a decent backyard, with a couple of large ponds, a creek, boardwalk, lots of conservation, etc., which is rare for a newly constructed home in this area.
We've wanted to build an outdoor space to compliment the view, so back in February and March we started getting quotes and reached out to a half dozen pool builders. Frankly we had no idea what we wanted, and we hoped the PB would inspire us, bring good ideas, etc. Didn't work out this way. We received dozens of design options and quotes ranging from $100K to $200K, but nothing resonated and comparing quotes was almost impossible. The most frustrating part was learning that very few companies in Tampa do ALL the work. Apparently in the Tampa market pool builders build pools, and nothing else. The demo and reconstruction of the lanai, relocating the AC units to the side of the house, irrigation and landscaping, electrical, gas tank, kitchen, etc. all had to be contracted out and timed properly by us. Frustrated we stopped the entire process and told all the PB we'd reach back out in the fall.
The pool itch is getting severe so we're ready to start the process again. However this time we want a methodical approach to quoting the pool piece only (the rest we'll handle separately). We're not interested in the cheapest pool, but we do want a mechanism by which to compare pools to determine the best overall value. So after much deliberation my wife and I came up with the basic design below (mad Excel skills
). We also staked out the back yard to make sure it all works. We then want to invite all the PB over, give them the basic design and ask them to quote. I think it's important to have the PB quote the pool, spa, basic decking, and basic equipment since this is easily comparable. However another part of me thinks I should get quotes all in with our desired equipment, automation, lighting, bubblers, pebbling, etc. At the minimum I want a quote for the following:
Pool (as dimensioned below)
Spa (as dimentioned below)
Basic pool equipment and heat pump
Basic decking
What am I missing!?!?!?! What else should I think of in the initial quote!?!?!?!
I will do a new pool build, btw, with tons of photos and drone shots. Hopefully I or a mod can change the title of this post when the time comes.
We've wanted to build an outdoor space to compliment the view, so back in February and March we started getting quotes and reached out to a half dozen pool builders. Frankly we had no idea what we wanted, and we hoped the PB would inspire us, bring good ideas, etc. Didn't work out this way. We received dozens of design options and quotes ranging from $100K to $200K, but nothing resonated and comparing quotes was almost impossible. The most frustrating part was learning that very few companies in Tampa do ALL the work. Apparently in the Tampa market pool builders build pools, and nothing else. The demo and reconstruction of the lanai, relocating the AC units to the side of the house, irrigation and landscaping, electrical, gas tank, kitchen, etc. all had to be contracted out and timed properly by us. Frustrated we stopped the entire process and told all the PB we'd reach back out in the fall.
The pool itch is getting severe so we're ready to start the process again. However this time we want a methodical approach to quoting the pool piece only (the rest we'll handle separately). We're not interested in the cheapest pool, but we do want a mechanism by which to compare pools to determine the best overall value. So after much deliberation my wife and I came up with the basic design below (mad Excel skills
). We also staked out the back yard to make sure it all works. We then want to invite all the PB over, give them the basic design and ask them to quote. I think it's important to have the PB quote the pool, spa, basic decking, and basic equipment since this is easily comparable. However another part of me thinks I should get quotes all in with our desired equipment, automation, lighting, bubblers, pebbling, etc. At the minimum I want a quote for the following:Pool (as dimensioned below)
Spa (as dimentioned below)
Basic pool equipment and heat pump
Basic decking
What am I missing!?!?!?! What else should I think of in the initial quote!?!?!?!
I will do a new pool build, btw, with tons of photos and drone shots. Hopefully I or a mod can change the title of this post when the time comes.
when they try to hit you up for more $$
