Taking the plunge... (pun intended)

[tclary47]

Wife and I are set on a new fiberglass builder. We got 5 quotes and this is the 2nd cheapest but most open and trustworthy in our opinion. Father-son team and I am looking to confirm the pricing for what we're getting.

16x30 Fiberglass Pool (freeform)
9,000 gal
3' concrete decking w/cantilever coping
Hayward Equipment: Tristar Pump; Cartridge Filter sized to pool; automatic chlorinator; E-Command Controller
PAL 2000 LED lights
Water Wall w/ 2 sheer descents (includes 163 sq. ft. additional concrete)
Cool Coating on all new pool concrete and existing patio
3 year parts and labor on pump and filter
Lifetime transferable warranty on Pool Shell
15 year finish warranty on pool shell

All-in Cost: $50,000
Location: South of Austin, TX

Appreciate any and all insight on this (We are such rookies with this stuff)

Thank you!

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
You really want a variable speed pump, a large cartridge filter (at least 200 SF, preferably bigger), and a SaltWater Chlorine Generator. The detail above is a bit light on specifics.
Are you planning on water line tile?
Are you planning to get a robot to clean the pool?
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

 

[tclary47]

Welcome to the forum!
You really want a variable speed pump, a large cartridge filter (at least 200 SF, preferably bigger), and a SaltWater Chlorine Generator. The detail above is a bit light on specifics.
Are you planning on water line tile?
Are you planning to get a robot to clean the pool?
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

My apologies for the lack of specifics - I have asked for the specifications document to be emailed. I seemed to have lost it.

We decided against the water line tile.
Yes to the robot - will be bought 3rd party.
If I remember correctly the pump is a Tristar which is only a single speed. I inquired about the Tristar VS (is this a deal breaker?)
Filter will be over 200SF

 

[mknauss]

If you stay with a trichlor erosion chlorinator, then a single speed pump will work, but it will be costly in electricity (they use right at 1 kWh per hp) and are noisy. Is a shame to see a new pool installed with out dated equipment.

 

[tclary47]

If you stay with a trichlor erosion chlorinator, then a single speed pump will work, but it will be costly in electricity (they use right at 1 kWh per hp) and are noisy. Is a shame to see a new pool installed with out dated equipment.

Appreciate the insight -- Would a VS be a better option with a trichlor or not needed?

 

[mknauss]

I think it would be though you do need to run the pump at higher rpm to erode the tablets. But you do realize that trichlor is not a sustainable method of chlorinating, right? You can use it for a short time but then will need to change to liquid chlorine added daily to the pool. Or start with a SWCG, which is by far the best method of chlorinating, especially in your climate.

 

[tclary47]

I think it would be though you do need to run the pump at higher rpm to erode the tablets. But you do realize that trichlor is not a sustainable method of chlorinating, right? You can use it for a short time but then will need to change to liquid chlorine added daily to the pool. Or start with a SWCG, which is by far the best method of chlorinating, especially in your climate.

Yea we decided against the cost of SWCG - one of the decisions still being made is to be liquid or tablet chlorine.

Any thoughts on the total cost for the project? seems fair?

 

[mknauss]

Total cost is really dependent on your area. Even where in a city you live. Seems OK, but I have no knowledge of pricing in your area.

Have the plumber leave a span of 24" of straight pipe after the heater so you can install the SWCG later.

 

[tclary47]

Extremely new to the pool business - have never owned one. I have gotten 7 different proposals, some fiberglass, some gunite. We have landed on this builder and I wanted to cross check pricing as all of them are all over the place. We live outside Austin, TX. This is for a new build and I have included the photos. Just curious as to what I might be missing, what can be improved or removed. Thank you!

Standard plaster (10+ years) - Can upgrade to Stonescapes (20+ years) would be $2,600.00
Patio has Smartdeck finish, to top coat existing patio to match would be $1,000.00.
Included UV/Ozone sanitation ( DO WE NEED THIS???)
Omni VS 500 Wireless Variable Speed Pump
Hayward smart cartridge filter 450 w/ microband
Hayward universal crystalogic 12v Pool Light
Polaris TR28P with booster pump pool cleaner
Smart Pure (OxiPure 25) Sanitizer
Fence Removal - No replacement
5 Filtration Returns
8x8 inches VGB Compliant Main Drains
Spot Tile on Steps, Benches and Ledges
2FT Water Sheer
Margarita Table

575 SF Surface Area
102 LF Perimeter
3 x 4.5 x 7ft Depth
19x37 Dimension
422 SF Smartdeck Decking

Total Cost: $72,220

Thank you all for your help and advice! You all are awesome.

 

[TampaKathy]

You don't need the UV/Ozone and a lot of people on this site recommend ditching the Polaris and booster pump and getting a robot. How many skimmers? Overflow pipe? Autofill? Is one light enough? Are their payment terms acceptable...like do you get to hold back at least some until start up or do you have to pay all before they finish? Some of the items above I'm not familiar with...I'm a soon to be new pool owner also.

 

[ajw22]

• Included UV/Ozone sanitation ( DO WE NEED THIS???) - No UV Systems - Further Reading & Ozone Systems - Further Reading
• Omni VS 500 Wireless Variable Speed Pump - With a combo pump and automation you are locked into a more expensive Hayward pump. Consider getting a Tristar Vs pump and OmniPL automation.
• Hayward smart cartridge filter 450 w/ microband - ok
• Hayward universal crystalogic 12v Pool Light - is one light adequate? Depends if you get a dark or light pool surface color.
• Polaris TR28P with booster pump pool cleaner - Delete and get a robot pool cleaner independently. Just have a 120V outlet installed near the pool to plug the robot cleaner into.
• Smart Pure (OxiPure 25) Sanitizer - Delete and get the Hayward Aquarite SWG system
• Fence Removal - No replacement - What are you doing for the fence?
• 5 Filtration Returns - ok, how many skimmers? You want at least 2.
• 8x8 inches VGB Compliant Main Drains - ok
• Spot Tile on Steps, Benches and Ledges - ok
• 2FT Water Sheer - how will that be controlled? You want all diverter valves and no ball valves.
• Margarita Table - make sure it has no sharp corners and not located where swimmers can run into it.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Margarita Table

47,

Some things sound good in theory, but are not that great in practice.. Margarita tables, etc, are one of them... After 10 minutes, and the fun has worn off, it will never get used again. I would rethink that option..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[tclary47]

Hello,

Central Texas here - currently in our 2nd month (moving slowly) of pool construction. Recently our area had unprecedented temperatures. As you can hopefully see from the photos, the dirt behind rebar has collapsed a bit towards the middle/bottom. Any idea if this is detrimental? Will PB fix this issue? What's worst case scenario here?

Sorry new to this and slightly worried about this issue.

Thanks.

 

[Krysib]

PB will fix-doesn't look too bad actually. I've seen worse where the collapse causes the rebar to buckle.

 

[cowboycasey]

 

[tclary47]

see above

 

[tclary47]

Hello,

just as the title says. Coming up on the end of our build (long over due) and the PB wants to do the plaster before the cool decking is sprayed. Is this recommended? Anything I should worry about?
He stated they will bubble wrap the pool to protect it from the spray decking. He is wanting to move quickly and he can get plaster before the cool decking crew - that is the reason for it.
Thanks for any help.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

That's a very common order of work.

Maddie

 

[colinn]

My builder did plaster and I’m now waiting on cool deck. He told me that sometimes the plaster crew messes up the cool deck when it’s done before. I guess every builder has their strategy and reasons

 

[NCMike]

Plaster company will use a lot of muriatic acid on plaster day. I would rather that get spilled on bare concrete than my new Cool Deck. I had Sun Dek installed after plaster, some over spray did get into the pool water but it didn't stick to anything. My robot vacuumed up what went to the bottom and the skimmers took care of what floated on top.