- Jun 4, 2007
- 233
- Pool Size
- 12200
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
EDIT: Details of final pool design and contract (NOT with River Pools) are at post 52. Construction starts in earnest at post 66.
* * * * *
Hey, all. I’ve been around here (and the predecessor forum) for close to 2 decades - I’ve built 2 gunite pools but haven’t had one for 5 years at this point. I’m now single, in a new build spec house in Manassas VA with a small yard and pondering a pool build over the winter. My ex was an architect who designed the prior pools but I’m on my own this time.
For whatever reason I really want fiberglass. I got a preliminary estimate from River Pools, a local vertically integrated installer and manufacturer - the salesman/designer is coming out in about a week for a site visit and there is no fixed design yet other than what I’ve told him I want, so nothing is final. Specifics so far:
D24 pool, which is as 12x24 rectangle with a Baja shelf - $35,000
Arctic shimmer (white) finish instead of standard Maya shimmer - $2000
2 bubblers on shelf - TBD, expecting around $1200
Pentair salt generator, model TBD - $1900
Pentair color Microbright LED lights (2) - $0
Electrical - $3800
Waterline tile (probably a white mosaic) - $2600
Pentair gas heater, model TBD - $3800, plus plumbing
Pentair ScreenLogic2 automation - $1000
Brushed concrete decking (including poured cantilevered coping) - $9/sq foot at 600 feet estimated - $5400
Retaining wall allowance, need still TBD - $8000
Dirt hauling - $1000
10 outdoor light fixtures tied to pool automation - $2500
Total so far - $68,200
Seems like a lot, since everything adds up once you start adding “extras,” especially since I haven’t started factoring in landscaping, needed fence modifications, etc. I’ve already done some value engineering, like using brushed concrete to match the existing small patio and using precast pavers to connect them, using a gas heater rather than heat pump after running some numbers, etc. The outdoor lighting package is “extra” but pricing doesn’t seem out of line for a professional install. Aesthetics are important so the waterline tile and (despite my best efforts to convince myself that I could live with the standard blue) an “upgraded” finish are not really negotiable. Nothing I can do about the retaining wall until we get into a more detailed design. I could eliminate the bubblers, but I really like the idea of making the pool a water feature too. Their similarly sized model without the Baja shelf runs the same price, so there are no savings to be had there. Am I missing anywhere else that’s reasonable to cut corners?
I am pondering getting at least one competing bid. On the other hand, I don’t have the energy or patience for a difficult experience, and these folks are very, very highly regarded, on local message boards, reviews, etc. They send their own crews. Also, there just aren’t a lot of fiberglass installers as far as I can tell near here. I just was a a friend’s house who has one from one of the others and the install issues are still ongoing 3 years later. I don’t have time for that. My first build was in Hawaii and was a disaster from start to finish, ending in a lawsuit. My second build was nearby in Arlington, and turned out well, but I just reread my emails with the president of the company (one of the bigger local ones) and now remember why I don’t really want to work with them again.
W/r/t the last paragraph I guess I’m just venting. If anyone has a recommendation for a local NoVa pool builder they’d trust for a competing bid, please message me.
* * * * *
Hey, all. I’ve been around here (and the predecessor forum) for close to 2 decades - I’ve built 2 gunite pools but haven’t had one for 5 years at this point. I’m now single, in a new build spec house in Manassas VA with a small yard and pondering a pool build over the winter. My ex was an architect who designed the prior pools but I’m on my own this time.
For whatever reason I really want fiberglass. I got a preliminary estimate from River Pools, a local vertically integrated installer and manufacturer - the salesman/designer is coming out in about a week for a site visit and there is no fixed design yet other than what I’ve told him I want, so nothing is final. Specifics so far:
D24 pool, which is as 12x24 rectangle with a Baja shelf - $35,000
Arctic shimmer (white) finish instead of standard Maya shimmer - $2000
2 bubblers on shelf - TBD, expecting around $1200
Pentair salt generator, model TBD - $1900
Pentair color Microbright LED lights (2) - $0
Electrical - $3800
Waterline tile (probably a white mosaic) - $2600
Pentair gas heater, model TBD - $3800, plus plumbing
Pentair ScreenLogic2 automation - $1000
Brushed concrete decking (including poured cantilevered coping) - $9/sq foot at 600 feet estimated - $5400
Retaining wall allowance, need still TBD - $8000
Dirt hauling - $1000
10 outdoor light fixtures tied to pool automation - $2500
Total so far - $68,200
Seems like a lot, since everything adds up once you start adding “extras,” especially since I haven’t started factoring in landscaping, needed fence modifications, etc. I’ve already done some value engineering, like using brushed concrete to match the existing small patio and using precast pavers to connect them, using a gas heater rather than heat pump after running some numbers, etc. The outdoor lighting package is “extra” but pricing doesn’t seem out of line for a professional install. Aesthetics are important so the waterline tile and (despite my best efforts to convince myself that I could live with the standard blue) an “upgraded” finish are not really negotiable. Nothing I can do about the retaining wall until we get into a more detailed design. I could eliminate the bubblers, but I really like the idea of making the pool a water feature too. Their similarly sized model without the Baja shelf runs the same price, so there are no savings to be had there. Am I missing anywhere else that’s reasonable to cut corners?
I am pondering getting at least one competing bid. On the other hand, I don’t have the energy or patience for a difficult experience, and these folks are very, very highly regarded, on local message boards, reviews, etc. They send their own crews. Also, there just aren’t a lot of fiberglass installers as far as I can tell near here. I just was a a friend’s house who has one from one of the others and the install issues are still ongoing 3 years later. I don’t have time for that. My first build was in Hawaii and was a disaster from start to finish, ending in a lawsuit. My second build was nearby in Arlington, and turned out well, but I just reread my emails with the president of the company (one of the bigger local ones) and now remember why I don’t really want to work with them again.
W/r/t the last paragraph I guess I’m just venting. If anyone has a recommendation for a local NoVa pool builder they’d trust for a competing bid, please message me.
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