20/20 hindsight.... what do you regret spending or not spending $$ on?

[poolnoobgrandma]

Hi - we're locking down some of the details for our in-ground cement pool. We've settled on having a spa and sunshelf, and salt water clorinator.
Some "extras" that we'll have to decide on are:

• Multicolor LEDs and controller?
• Type of filter?
• Extra $$ for upgraded Pebble sheen color?
• Travertine vs brick deck?
• Tile accents (don't need to decide this now, but we're starting to think about it)

So - what things did you splurge on that now seem not worth the $$? What things did you skip, and now wish you had done?

Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

I hope your SWG is oversized capacity at least 2X your pool size.

Most folks here like a large cartridge filter. I like DE.

All the rest that you ask about are cosmetic. Depends if you like spending your mobey on that stuff. I prefer spending mooney on functional improvements.

 

[Saturn94]

Yep, oversize the SWCG. Also, oversize the filter so you’ll spend more time enjoying the pool and less time cleaning the filter (our oversized DE filter goes all season without needing backwashing).

We almost never use the light, so that’s something I would skip next time.

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

Hi - thanks for your response. I appreciate the advice on the SWG size. What kind of "functional improvements" do you mean/recommend?

Here's one rendering of the pool: . The only difference is that we have decided to go with square corners instead of rounded off corners.
Cheers, and thanks for the help!

I hope your SWG is oversized capacity at least 2X your pool size.

Most folks here like a large cartridge filter. I like DE.

All the rest that you ask about are cosmetic. Depends if you like spending your mobey on that stuff. I prefer spending mooney on functional improvements.

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

You don't use the multicolor LED light? We were debating that one. Do you use the pool at night much, just not the colors?

Sorry - this was supposed to be in response to Saturn94.

 

[Saturn94]

We just have a regular light. At first it was a novelty to swim at night with the light on. But after the newness wore off, we almost never swim at night, one reason being the light attracts so many bugs.

 

[ajw22]

Hi - thanks for your response. I appreciate the advice on the SWG size. What kind of "functional improvements" do you mean/recommend?

- Oversize SWG
- Oversize filter
- Automation with motorized valves
- Automatic pool cleaner - robot or pressure cleaner like Polaris 380
- Music speakers around pool
- Utility light over equipment pad
- Spa jets & air bubbler
- Autofill water line
- I think you need lights in your spa and pool for safety but I wouldn't spend extra for multicolor gadgetry. Do you have floodlights over your pool area?
- You will hardly see your upgraded Pebble colors under the water.

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

Thanks! Those are going into our checklist.
Cheers,

PoolNoobGrandma

- Oversize SWG
- Oversize filter
- Automation with motorized valves
- Automatic pool cleaner - robot or pressure cleaner like Polaris 380
- Music speakers around pool
- Utility light over equipment pad
- Spa jets & air bubbler
- Autofill water line
- I think you need lights in your spa and pool for safety but I wouldn't spend extra for multicolor gadgetry. Do you have floodlights over your pool area?
- You will hardly see your upgraded Pebble colors under the water.

 

[gdfein]

Agree 110% on pebble upgrade. We debated it and then didn’t do it as the cost to the glass sparkle was another $2.5k. Now as I do my pool for my new house and learn I can get that sparkle with $500 worth of abalone shell, I’m thrilled.

Agree 200% on automation, and iOS control too.

We had multicolor LED and enjoy it very much. Do two lights in pool and one in spa.

Agree on speakers around pool. Lesson learned from pool At our last house we had patio speakers, but if you turned it up to hear it from pool and spa, then the patio lounging folks were deafened and unable to converse. Planning ahead for around the pool landscape speakers and landscape accent lighting are two things I have planned for our new build.

 

[jimim]

Automation. Totally worth it. I didn’t have it past week and was lost without it. Not that I’m lazy but it makes life easier.

A good wired in music setup. If u like music. I don’t do anything without my music. Yard work, washing trucks, being outside in general. It’s always on inside too. But that is me.

Others have hit on a lot.

 

[OrangeAndBlue]

Biggest regret was not getting a variable speed pump. In hindsight, that is a 'must' with a SWG. I'm paying for it with high electric bills now. I probably also would have gone with something other than flagstone for coping material - it flakes a bit.
Otherwise our pool is very basic with hardly any bells and whistles and I don't feel like I'm missing anything. No regrets there and I am happy to have saved the extra $$.

 

[MLR54]

All good suggestions The only other thing I would add is ours has a screen enclosure love the no bugs we also have a partial solid roof to get out of the sun as we are located in central Florida

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

Thanks for the endorsement of the screen room with shade! There are lots of trees around where we live, as well as mosquitos and other creepies. We have already planned on the screen enclosure with partial roof, and, to offset the reduced swim season, added the heat pump (for pool and spa). Also, because as cool as it may be in April, it will be like bathwater come August, we are opting for the chill option on the heatpump.

All good suggestions The only other thing I would add is ours has a screen enclosure love the no bugs we also have a partial solid roof to get out of the sun as we are located in central Florida

 

[GregInClaremont]

It may sound bad and I may come off as extremely lazy but without the automation, I'd probably use the spa half as often as I currently do. I'm able to get it on and up to temp before I'm even home!

Another thing, my builder included a suction side cleaner in the bid. If doing over, I would have him plumb for it still(just to have it) but have him credit me that money towards a maytronics robot instead of suction side cleaner.

 

[ajw22]

Another thing, my builder included a suction side cleaner in the bid. If doing over, I would have him plumb for it still(just to have it) but have him credit me that money towards a maytronics robot instead of suction side cleaner.

I think pressure side cleaners are much better than suction side cleaners. But PB cheap out and push the suction side cleaner because it does not need an extra cost booster pump.

 

[kimkats]

With you living in FL I would think about a overflow drain as well BUT make sure you can block it off for when the Grands are in the pool having a rocking good time!

Jim, can you help set her up with her music wires and such when she is ready IF she wants?

Kim

 

[davelebo]

- Oversize SWG
- Oversize filter
- Automation with motorized valves
- Automatic pool cleaner - robot or pressure cleaner like Polaris 380
- Music speakers around pool
- Utility light over equipment pad
- Spa jets & air bubbler
- Autofill water line
- I think you need lights in your spa and pool for safety but I wouldn't spend extra for multicolor gadgetry. Do you have floodlights over your pool area?
- You will hardly see your upgraded Pebble colors under the water.

great advice!

With the automatic pool cleaner, anything specific I need to know when constructing a pool (vacuum ports, etc)? Or is this something you buy after you build a pool?

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

Yes, please! We'll definitely be looking to lay down the wiring during construction.

With you living in FL I would think about a overflow drain as well BUT make sure you can block it off for when the Grands are in the pool having a rocking good time!

Jim, can you help set her up with her music wires and such when she is ready IF she wants?

Kim

 

[jza1736]

Don't skimp on the decking. We love ours!

Automaton is not needed, but it is so nice to have it!

 

[ajw22]

With the automatic pool cleaner, anything specific I need to know when constructing a pool (vacuum ports, etc)? Or is this something you buy after you build a pool?

Keep your options open as technology changes. Put in a dedicated return that can be used for a pressure or vacuum cleaner and put in an electrical outlet that can power a robot. If you are plumbed and wired correctly you can install either system after.