Teribble's Vegas OB Pool / Spa

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Of course, money talks! Makes sense. They have to keep their regulars happy, in part by being super competitive price-wise, but for a one-off they can maybe make a little extra, and so that would be the motivation to "squeeze in" the job in between their regular stuff.

Are you getting good response from the subs you've contacted? Getting bids within a reasonable turn-around? Contractors in my area are awful in that regard. Which has always been a mystery. They don't seem to want work that bad. And they don't seem to care about word of mouth. Hopefully you're not running into that in Las Vegas.

I like doing the work myself, and only contract out for the things I just don't have the horsepower for. Of the things I'm capable of, I know I'm going to get a better end result by doing the work myself, for sure. If I can ask... What parts of your build are you thinking of doing yourself?
 
Dirk said:
Of course, money talks! Makes sense. They have to keep their regulars happy, in part by being super competitive price-wise, but for a one-off they can maybe make a little extra, and so that would be the motivation to "squeeze in" the job in between their regular stuff.

Are you getting good response from the subs you've contacted? Getting bids within a reasonable turn-around? Contractors in my area are awful in that regard. Which has always been a mystery. They don't seem to want work that bad. And they don't seem to care about word of mouth. Hopefully you're not running into that in Las Vegas.

I like doing the work myself, and only contract out for the things I just don't have the horsepower for. Of the things I'm capable of, I know I'm going to get a better end result by doing the work myself, for sure. If I can ask... What parts of your build are you thinking of doing yourself?
Click to expand...

So far the bids have come back within a few days and most of the subs and have been really good with communication. I've had a few that I can't get a hold of to get a bid but for the most part it's been good. We'll see how it goes once the work starts.

As for the work I'm going to do myself..... That all depends on the bids and my free time. I've been trying to do less and spend more time with my wife and kids but I think this build could be a fun family project. My son will be 13 in a few days and daughter is 11 so it's about time to put them to work and have them pitch in but back to the work. I'm most likely going to do the plumbing, electrical, title, and set all the equipment. I have a few iron workers / rod busters friends that I might have help me do the rebar unless I get a good bid. I did the pool drawing for the county. I do know I'm not going / can't do the shotcrete or plaster but everything else is within my skills.

On a side note.. I finished my side gate which took way longer then it should have but I had to work our some of the small details but I'm super happy with it in the end.
 
That is a beautiful gate!

I question how much an OB can save just my coordinating subs vs risk. I'm sure it's a good amount, but is it worth the hassle and the missing warranty?

But I think doing a substantial amount of the work yourself is the way to save a lot of money, and make sure the job is done correctly in the first place, negating a lot of the risk of not having a general's warranty (which is of questionable value anyway).

I'm just completing the replumbing of a four-plex. My material bill is somewhere around $4K. The bid for just the plumbing was $20K. The subsequent sheetrock and painting I'm guessing would have been another $10K at least. Since I really suck at estimating, and a job like that always finds a way to cost more than estimates, I think I likely saved $30K doing the work myself. That's something like a 80-90% savings!! Of course it's convenient to leave out what my time is worth when doing that kind of math, but it's still $30K that's in my bank account that would not be there otherwise!

I like the sound of putting the kids to work. A little less screen time and a little more exercise and time with dad! Yah! Hopefully they won't grumble too much (they are teenagers after all), and that they'll gain a real sense of pride when the pool is done. A pile of cash in the bank and healthier kids! Win-win!!
 
Thank you

I know most of the time the warranty work get's blamed on someone else or they try to fight you to death to avoid doing it. I can make sure it's done right and if it's wrong it's on me and I'll have to suck it up and fix it.

That sounds like a good amount saved and worth it. You'll know just about every fitting you installed and if it passed the pressure tests. I got one quote for 6k for the plumbing piping so far and once I finish drawing it up in Revit I'll have a true cut list with total amount of fittings needed to get the cost of material. I'm going to guess it'll be around $1500. That will make it worth it for me. I'll share some pictures of it in 3D once it's done. I know everyone like some 3D action.

As for the kids, we limit all screen time and they have to ask permission before playing with or on anything. They still don't have cell phones and won't for as long as possible. They'll for sure cry and whine about helping out but what kid doesn't. I think it'll be a great project for the whole family and I'm sure they'll tell everyone that comes over all about how we built it.
 
I've banned all screen use, save a little TV, 100% for my grand kids. They get plenty everywhere else. Video games are the devil (some serious addictive behavior involved). Good to hear there are others out there that limit use. It's easy to forget, kids do just fine, always have until just a few years ago, entertaining themselves without electronic devices. Their closet here is filled with games and puzzles and arts'n'crafts and construction-type kits. So I don't care who says what about it, building a robot out of an erector set (or building a pool!), far exceeds in value to shooting a robot with an M-16 on a video screen!

Back to the build...
This is somewhat controversial here, as the evidence is not overwhelming, but I still believe using sweep 90s instead of regular 90s helps with overall flow and therefore energy efficiency. Something for you to consider if you haven't already. I use 'em and swap 'em in when I can, but I can't get at the ones that are buried. They have to be sch-40 sweeps, obviously, not the ones that look the same at the big-box stores, which are usually for waste and not pressure-rated as the sch-40s are. Might be worth a look...
 
Dirk said:
I've banned all screen use, save a little TV, 100% for my grand kids. They get plenty everywhere else. Video games are the devil (some serious addictive behavior involved). Good to hear there are others out there that limit use. It's easy to forget, kids do just fine, always have until just a few years ago, entertaining themselves without electronic devices. Their closet here is filled with games and puzzles and arts'n'crafts and construction-type kits. So I don't care who says what about it, building a robot out of an erector set (or building a pool!), far exceeds in value to shooting a robot with an M-16 on a video screen!

Back to the build...
This is somewhat controversial here, as the evidence is not overwhelming, but I still believe using sweep 90s instead of regular 90s helps with overall flow and therefore energy efficiency. Something for you to consider if you haven't already. I use 'em and swap 'em in when I can, but I can't get at the ones that are buried. They have to be sch-40 sweeps, obviously, not the ones that look the same at the big-box stores, which are usually for waste and not pressure-rated as the sch-40s are. Might be worth a look...
Click to expand...

I have been doing some research on the sweep 90's and I know they're better for flow but I think the cost is about 3 or 4 times of a normal 90. One PB tried to use the sweep elbows as a selling point but they only use them on the equipment side. He tried to tell me they used them everywhere but they didn't on a friends pool that just got built. I'm going to draw it using sweep 90's or 2-45's if a sweep won't fit and see where the cost ends up. I should be able to get all the piping at cost through my work too.
 

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So for the pool equipment and lighting I'm thinking this...


  • Raypak Digital Natural Gas Pool Heater 399k BTU
  • 2HP Silencer Blower
  • Pentair IntelliFlo Variable Speed Pool Pump 3hp
  • Pentair Clean and Clear Plus CCP520 Cartridge
  • Pentair Easy Touch 8 Function Control Pool/Spa with IC40
  • Pentair GloBrite Gunite Double Light Combo 100' Niches x2
  • Pentair ColorCascade® LED Light Bubbler | 8-Colors 100' Cord | 580006
  • Pentair GLOBRITE Shallow Water Color LED Light 12V 100' Cord | 602055

Did I miss something or going the wrong direction? Suggestions?
 
teribble1 said:
The issue I'm having with doing my own excavation is finding someone or somewhere to take the "fill dirt" while I'm doing the dig. The search is on
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Wait, I know this one. I saw it in a movie. You put some of it up in your rafters. The rest you put in your pants, and casually walk over to a neighbors yard and shake the dirt out of the legs and kinda stamp it in with your shoes. They'll never notice.

That was a for a tunnel, but should work for a pool, too... ;)
 

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