New Austin Build - comparing top bids

[AustinTennis]

Hi all,

Long time lurker (this is an amazing community) that is finally ready to build. We are down to our two top designs and builders and are trying to review them apples to apples as much as possible. I tried to show the highlights below. Are there things you would recommend changing with either or both bids? We are also building an outdoor kitchen and extended covered patio that can work well with either build.

Appreciate any guidance and look forward to sharing my build once we get started.

Thanks!

	Bid A	Bid B
Pool Perimeter	108 ft	121 ft
Pool Gallons	17,500	24,500
Spa Perimeter	22 ft	28 ft
Steel Structure	9" Centers on 1/2" rebar	8" centers on 1/2" rebar
Concrete	Concrete – dry mix gunite rated to exceed APSP building standards (4,000 Psi minimum will be used)	Dry Mix Gunite Rated to Contract and Construction Plans
Thickness	12” bond beam, 10”-12” floors. All above grade walls to be 12”. Shell to be waterproofed with Miracote Aqua-blok	Floor and Walls to be minimum of 8"-12", Out of Ground Bond Beam to be 12"
Inlets	4-6 directional inlets (returns)	(5) Slotted Inlets, Looped for even pressure.
Skimmers	Two CMP or A & A (with water bond)	(2), independent plumbed to equipment.
Drains	VGB compliant A & A AVSC channels & pebble plaster top	(6),VGB compliant Drain System
Spa Jets	6 rotating jets	(6) Standard Spa
Auto Fill	CMP Float	??
Cleaner Line	one independently plumbed to ¾ HP booster pump	(1) Independently plumbed
Coping	Lueders stone 2.25” thick (w/ stone skimmer lids to match coping)	Limestone Coping
Decking	Cool Deck	Salt - no color
Plaster	Pebble Sheen Level 1	Mini Pebble Finish
Pump 1	Pentair Intelliflo 3 HP variable speed	Pentair Intelliflo Variable
Pump 2	?	Pentair Whisperflo
Filter	Pentair Clean & Clear cartridge 520	Pentair Cartridge
Cleaner	Polaris Quatro Sport w/ Polaris Booster Pump	Pentair Prowler
Automation	Pentair Intellicenter for mobile devices	Pentair Intellicenter
Sanitizer	CMP Power Clean Ultra (engineered for variable speed pumps) in-line chlorinator & Paramount UV purifier	In-Line Chlorinator #320
Pool Lights	Three colored Pentair GloBrite LEDs	4 Pentair Mico Led
Spa Light	One colored Pentair GloBrite LED	1 Pentair Micro Led
Air Blower	??	Blower - Polaris QT 1.5HP
Heater	Pentair Master Temp 400,000 BTU (includes gas connection)	HEATER 400BTU NG COPPER
Tile Allowance	$12 sq ft	??
Anything else I should add / ask for comparison?

 

[ajw22]

• Polaris Quatro Sport w/ Polaris Booster Pump much better then the Prowler
• Globrite lights are in a proprietary niche and failure prone. MicroBrites give you more flexibility to use other lights in the future. Read Pentair LED Pool Lights - Further Reading
• Get blower for spa
• Get dedicated pump for spa jets
• You don’t need the UV. Read UV Systems - Further Reading
• Inline chlorinator is not a good long term solution to chlorinate your pool. The Trichlor tablets cause an accumulation of CYA and the acid can cause low pH. Eventually you have problems and need to change to liquid chlorine or a SWG. Read How to Chlorinate Your Pool - Trouble Free Pool
• Neither quote is perfect.
• Size of PVC? Minimum 2” suction and all equipment plumbing with 1.5” returns.
• All diverter valves. No ball valves to be used.

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[AustinTennis]

• Polaris Quatro Sport w/ Polaris Booster Pump much better then the Prowler
• Globrite lights are in a proprietary niche and failure prone. MicroBrites give you more flexibility to use other lights in the future. Read Pentair LED Pool Lights - Further Reading
• Get blower for spa
• Get dedicated pump for spa jets
• You don’t need the UV. Read UV Systems - Further Reading
• Inline chlorinator is not a good long term solution to chlorinate your pool. The Trichlor tablets cause an accumulation of CYA and the acid can cause low pH. Eventually you have problems and need to change to liquid chlorine or a SWG. Read How to Chlorinate Your Pool - Trouble Free Pool
• Neither quote is perfect.
• Size of PVC? Minimum 2” suction and all equipment plumbing with 1.5” returns.
• All diverter valves. No ball valves to be used.

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

This is incredibly helpful. Thank you. I’m going to read the links you shared and work on getting these corrected. Do you also have an opinion on the pool heater or the plaster being Pebble Sheen vs. Mini Pebble?

Thanks again.

 

[ajw22]

This is incredibly helpful. Thank you. I’m going to read the links you shared and work on getting these corrected. Do you also have an opinion on the pool heater or the plaster being Pebble Sheen vs. Mini Pebble?

Thanks again.

I figured both heaters were Pentair MasterTemp 400K.

Plaster is personal preference.

 

[agjr85]

I would ditch a cleaner that runs off a booster pump and just have them offset that and get a robot.

 

[AustinTennis]

I figured both heaters were Pentair MasterTemp 400K.

Plaster is personal preference.

Great. I should have started here for equipment and then sent to the builders. Ha.

I updated the table below and highlighted a few questions.

• Do 9" vs 8" centers matter?
• Should I upgrade to a SWG? Which one would you recommend and will I need to change anything else?
• It look at the contract and it shows Jandy valves which appears to be a brand name. Do I just ask to put diverter vs. ball in to the contract?

Thanks again!

	Bid A	Bid B	Updates / Questions
Pool Perimeter	108 ft	121 ft
Pool Gallons	17,500	24,500
Spa Perimeter	22 ft	28 ft
Steel Structure	9" Centers on 1/2" rebar	8" centers on 1/2" rebar	Do 9" vs. 8" centers matter?
Concrete	Concrete – dry mix gunite rated to exceed APSP building standards (4,000 Psi minimum will be used)	Dry Mix Gunite Rated to Contract and Construction Plans
Thickness	12” bond beam, 10”-12” floors. All above grade walls to be 12”. Shell to be waterproofed with Miracote Aqua-blok	Floor and Walls to be minimum of 8"-12", Out of Ground Bond Beam to be 12"
Inlets	4-6 directional inlets (returns)	(5) Slotted Inlets, Looped for even pressure.
Skimmers	Two CMP or A & A (with water bond)	(2), independent plumbed to equipment.
Drains	VGB compliant A & A AVSC channels & pebble plaster top	(6),VGB compliant Drain System
Spa Jets	6 rotating jets	(6) Standard Spa
Auto Fill	CMP Float	??	Add auto fill to missing bid
Cleaner Line	one independently plumbed to ¾ HP booster pump	(1) Independently plumbed
Coping	Lueders stone 2.25” thick (w/ stone skimmer lids to match coping)	Limestone Coping
Decking	Cool Deck	Salt - no color
Plaster	Pebble Sheen Level 1	Mini Pebble Finish	Updating to Pebble Sheen 1
Pump 1	Pentair Intelliflo 3 HP variable speed	Pentair Intelliflo Variable
Pump 2	?	Pentair Whisperflo	Add Spa pump to missing bid
Filter	Pentair Clean & Clear cartridge 520	Pentair Cartridge
Cleaner	Polaris Quatro Sport w/ Polaris Booster Pump	Pentair Prowler	Updating to Polaris Quatro Sport w/ Polaris Booster Pump
Automation	Pentair Intellicenter for mobile devices	Pentair Intellicenter
Sanitizer	CMP Power Clean Ultra (engineered for variable speed pumps) in-line chlorinator & Paramount UV purifier	In-Line Chlorinator #320	Should I upgrade to a SWG? Which one would you recommend and will I need to change anything else?
Pool Lights	Three colored Pentair GloBrite LEDs	4 Pentair Mico Led	Move to Pentair Micro Led
Spa Light	One colored Pentair GloBrite LED	1 Pentair Micro Led	Move to Pentair Micro Led
Air Blower	??	Blower - Polaris QT 1.5HP	Add Blower to missing bid
Heater	Pentair Master Temp 400,000 BTU (includes gas connection)	HEATER 400BTU NG COPPER	Ensure Pentair 400K for both
Valves	Jandy style valves	Jandy never lubricate valves with Lifetime Warranty on Neverlube Seals	It looks like Jandy is a brand. Do I just ask to put diverter vs. ball in to the contract?
Pipes	Pipes –Schedule 40 PVC. Pool pipes – 2.5” suction, 2” returns. Spa pipes – 3” suction, 2.5” returns (jets).	Pool plumbing: Upto 3 inch Schedule 40 PVC. SPA plumbing: 3 inch Suction, 2 1/2 inch Return Schedule 40 PVC 2 1/2 inch schedule 40 PVC, return	Will ask for more specifics on the up to 3" pool plumbing
Tile Allowance	$12 sq ft	??
Anything else I should add / ask for comparison?

 

[AustinTennis]

I would ditch a cleaner that runs off a booster pump and just have them offset that and get a robot.

I'm showing my lack of knowledge as I though what I has was a robot. I now see that it is pressure vs. robotic. Would you get the Polaris 9450 again?

 

[dirtyJoeDirt]

i have nothing new to add other than i think that with as many of us austinites on the board as there are, we should just have our own subforum.

 

[ajw22]

8" centers is a bit better then 9" centers but not a big deal.

Get the IntelliChlor IC40 or IC 60 bundled with the IntelliCenter that includes the SWG power center internally. The IntelliCenter bundle includes the IntelliCenter Load Center with internal SWG pwoer supply, the IntelliChlor cell, and two Intellivalves.

Jandy diverters are fine. Jandy, Pentair, Hayward, CMP, all make identical diverters. Any of them are fine. Just no ball valves.

 

[JJ_Tex]

I think you are covered above on the equipment, but there is a lot more to a quote than just the equipment. How do you like the designs since there are 7k gallons difference between the two?

Also do either quote address putting your yard, sprinkler system, fence back together? What about deck sizes, water features, etc?

 

[AustinTennis]

8" centers is a bit better then 9" centers but not a big deal.

Get the IntelliChlor IC40 or IC 60 bundled with the IntelliCenter that includes the SWG power center internally. The IntelliCenter bundle includes the IntelliCenter Load Center with internal SWG pwoer supply, the IntelliChlor cell, and two Intellivalves.

Jandy diverters are fine. Jandy, Pentair, Hayward, CMP, all make identical diverters. Any of them are fine. Just no ball valves.

Done and done. Thank you. Is there any special coating or anything else I'd need to change with the SWG change?

 

[ajw22]

Is there any special coating or anything else I'd need to change with the SWG change?

No. Your pool still sues chlorine for sanitation. The source of the chlorine will be the SWG instead of tablets.

You don't put salt in a newly plastered pool for 30 days. So during that period you chlorinate using liquid chlorine.

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[HermanTX]

Your revised (modified) equipment list looks good. As does your plumbing. You do not mention anything about a water feature such as a waterfall (other than flow from spa to main pool). If you have one you might consider that a separate flow path with its plumbing and pump. Even if you don't put in now, you may want to put the pipes in the ground and have space on your equipment pad for pump. Speaking of your equipment pad, ensure it is large enough and poured concrete for stability and no washouts around it.
You also want to discuss your waste line (when you need to drain pool due to excessive rain) or where your auto overflow valve connects to. Will it go to main sewage line or a separate line. Each county or even neighborhood has different rules for pool overflow plumbing.
FYI - I have Pentair Filter, pump, heater and Jandy valves and they all perform well. Recently replastered with Wet Edge Primera Stone pebble. This is smoothed after installation so no rough edges to cut feet or snag swimsuits. I do have a waterfall that is separately plumbed and like that it is can be controlled independently of pool circulation. I do wish my 2 skimmers were separate flow lines as I would like to control those independently. I can only control the flow between bottom drain and both skimmers. I think Bid B showed the Skimmers are independently plumbed. Just may want to double check that. Good Luck.

 

[agjr85]

I'm showing my lack of knowledge as I though what I has was a robot. I now see that it is pressure vs. robotic. Would you get the Polaris 9450 again?

I've only had mine for less than a month. Seems to be doing well, takes a few times for it to learn the pool. If you have a ledge or benches it won't work well for does, you have to brush that manually and it does floor and walls.
There are a couple more higher ends models, but I didnt see the value. Just make sure you have an outlet that accommodates the robot.

Also review if you need a gas line stubbed out, if you need a light over your equipment pad if it is in a dark area. Verify the placement of panels and switches.

 

[AustinTennis]

I think you are covered above on the equipment, but there is a lot more to a quote than just the equipment. How do you like the designs since there are 7k gallons difference between the two?

Also do either quote address putting your yard, sprinkler system, fence back together? What about deck sizes, water features, etc?

Hi - both quotes show that the yard and sprinkler is on us but that they will do the fence. Is that typical?

Below is the design we are leaning towards. The outdoor kitchen and the covered section above it are also new. We really like it for our house but welcome any feedback or suggestions! Getting close.

 

[AustinTennis]

I've only had mine for less than a month. Seems to be doing well, takes a few times for it to learn the pool. If you have a ledge or benches it won't work well for does, you have to brush that manually and it does floor and walls.
There are a couple more higher ends models, but I didnt see the value. Just make sure you have an outlet that accommodates the robot.

Also review if you need a gas line stubbed out, if you need a light over your equipment pad if it is in a dark area. Verify the placement of panels and switches.

I hadn't thought about the light for the equipment pad, which we will need, or getting specific on the panels and switches. We will now. Thanks!

 

[AustinTennis]

Your revised (modified) equipment list looks good. As does your plumbing. You do not mention anything about a water feature such as a waterfall (other than flow from spa to main pool). If you have one you might consider that a separate flow path with its plumbing and pump. Even if you don't put in now, you may want to put the pipes in the ground and have space on your equipment pad for pump. Speaking of your equipment pad, ensure it is large enough and poured concrete for stability and no washouts around it.
You also want to discuss your waste line (when you need to drain pool due to excessive rain) or where your auto overflow valve connects to. Will it go to main sewage line or a separate line. Each county or even neighborhood has different rules for pool overflow plumbing.
FYI - I have Pentair Filter, pump, heater and Jandy valves and they all perform well. Recently replastered with Wet Edge Primera Stone pebble. This is smoothed after installation so no rough edges to cut feet or snag swimsuits. I do have a waterfall that is separately plumbed and like that it is can be controlled independently of pool circulation. I do wish my 2 skimmers were separate flow lines as I would like to control those independently. I can only control the flow between bottom drain and both skimmers. I think Bid B showed the Skimmers are independently plumbed. Just may want to double check that. Good Luck.

We hadn't discussed the waste line or auto overflow but we will now. I just added a few pics of the design we are leaning towards. There are three water features on both designs. I'll also double check on the skimmers. Thanks!

 

[JJ_Tex]

I like your design, with the exception of the spa location. We sit in our spa a lot in the winter and watch tv and/or interact with people on the covered patio.

You have a really cool covered patio area with a TV, bar, the tanning ledge is close... then way on the other side of the pool is the spa. If the spa was on the other end of the pool, they could better interact with everyone else too

 

[JJ_Tex]

As for your comment on yard and sprinkler repair, my quotes were a mixed bag on if they were included. I just wanted to make sure you were comparing apples-to-apples. Those unexpected out of pocket expenses at the end of a build are no fun

 

[dirtyJoeDirt]

Hi - both quotes show that the yard and sprinkler is on us but that they will do the fence. Is that typical?

we talked with 5 builders and all 5 told us that the yard is not included. every one said they could add it in to the proposal but it would cost us more since they’d have to take their cut of the price.