We made it to gunite... finally!

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Less than 7 dollars per square foot installed for high quality turf is very inexpensive in the dfw area. Mine was a little over 10 and we had a bigger area. Also, our neighborhood just did a mass/group bid to four companies for turf for like 20 houses together and it was 10 to 12 bucks per square foot installed.

If you were planning on doing the turf, I’d get it from this pool company versus hiring someone later.

Also we met and bid with several pool companies before we selected ours. Mind PMing me the one you decided on and the one you passed on? I am curious if it’s some we met.

Also yes, you need to hold 10 percent or so for final - don’t pay all before plaster in case there are issues. We had some and they are getting taken care of. I did not need to make a big deal out of it - builder was all over it.
 
kimkats said:
I like it! Just know a "true" diving pool is 9'

SO worth it for two big reasons. The channel drain is flush with the surface of the rest of the bottom so cleaners do not have a problem with it. It also looks great!

Ask to visit some pools he has used the brand in. Even better if he can show one in your color pick

where will these be tied into and where will the water go?

I see a BIG red flag in the word Prior! UMMMMMMM no...........no way I would pay it 100% BEFORE the punch list is done let alone BEFORE the plaster is done!

Show me the models to PROVE not skimping. Words are cheap.......

I see his point. A lot of your pool will be sloop Like I stated above a "true" diving pool is 9' deep. 7' is good for big cannon balls and diving down from the surface to play pick up toys. Ask him to make a rendition with a side view of the pool with these depths:
4' to 7', 4'5" to 7, 4' to 9', 4'5" to 7'

Starting with 4'5" to any depth means less slope. Hold a tape measure up to the shortest adult in the house. See where it hits them standing and knelling down to see how they feel about 4'5".
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback on the channel drain. I'll definitely include that upgrade.

He showed me a sample of the Peerless Pebble in French Gray, and he showed me a pool of a recent pool he finished in this color. I'll have to see if he's amenable to taking me to see it.

The rain gutters will be tied to the retaining wall drain and deck drains... all the draining will tie into a french drain that runs the length of the side of my property and it will exit through the curb to the street.

Is 10% typically held back for final punch list? Ideally, I'd like to withhold 10% until everything is 100% done and change all other payments to after each step is complete.

Great idea about the pool depth renderings and measurements. Thanks for the tips!
 
JJ_Tex said:
+1 on the equipment models (but the descriptions look okay).

As for the zero-edge spa, I always worry about the odd nooks and crannies around the edge. They seem like they would be hard to clean. I also worry about people sitting in those chairs who are going to get bombarded by water from the spa behind them and the bubblers around them.
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I've thought about extending the ledge to 7', but then I think the general consensus is that large ledges can be a waste and I'm trying to manage the pool slope as well. Tough decisions!
 
davecraze said:
Less than 7 dollars per square foot installed for high quality turf is very inexpensive in the dfw area. Mine was a little over 10 and we had a bigger area. Also, our neighborhood just did a mass/group bid to four companies for turf for like 20 houses together and it was 10 to 12 bucks per square foot installed.

If you were planning on doing the turf, I’d get it from this pool company versus hiring someone later.

Also we met and bid with several pool companies before we selected ours. Mind PMing me the one you decided on and the one you passed on? I am curious if it’s some we met.

Also yes, you need to hold 10 percent or so for final - don’t pay all before plaster in case there are issues. We had some and they are getting taken care of. I did not need to make a big deal out of it - builder was all over it.
Click to expand...
Good insight on the turf. I was at a trade show earlier today and I asked two turf vendors there... you're right. They both said $8-$10 per square foot.

I'll shoot you a PM shortly about the pool builders.
 
agjr85 said:
Make sure to get about 10" of width around the spa in order to be able to fit a brush to clean it out.
When too narrow it becomes painful to clean.
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Thank you... we are 50/50 on keeping the negative edge spa because we want to keep the budget down while including the turf.

I love the look of it, but many folks have commented that we won't love cleaning the associated troughs.
 
sll0037 said:
I’d always been under the impression that we needed two pumps, so I was surprised when this builder suggested one.

Nonetheless, the builder was happy to design for two based on my desires so that’s what we have in this bid.
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I meant 2 sheers

We have a dedicated pump. We actually have 5 pumps if you count the non working swim jet

Also keep in mind a VS at full speed uses like 2400 watts ... And at 70% uses 1000 or so... I'm making up the numbers but the principle is right
 
Silver_2000 said:
I meant 2 sheers

We have a dedicated pump. We actually have 5 pumps if you count the non working swim jet

Also keep in mind a VS at full speed uses like 2400 watts ... And at 70% uses 1000 or so... I'm making up the numbers but the principle is right
Click to expand...

Oh wow. I haven’t heard that three sheers would not work well on one pump. What he pump is running your sheers? I was planning on asking the builder to spec high hp pumps so I could run them a lower speeds.
 

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sll0037 said:
Oh wow. I haven’t heard that three sheers would not work well on one pump. What he pump is running your sheers? I was planning on asking the builder to spec high hp pumps so I could run them a lower speeds.
Click to expand...
They are 8 ish year old intelliflow vs pumps
It was plumbed w one pump for the rock waterfall and the 3 sheers , even when I turn the waterfall off and run the VS at max the sheers don't project like they should ... maybe I have an issue but just wanted to give you a heads up
 
The builder provided the following parts list:

Pentair Clean and Clear Cartridge Filter 420
Pentair ItelloFlo VSF 3 HP pump
Pentair Intellivalve actuator
Pentair PVC Diverter Valves
Pentair Intellicenter with IC40 salt cell
Pentair Mastertemp 400k btu heater

I'm going to ask him for the model numbers to the lights.
  • Should I be asking for more detail on the equipment than what's already outlined above? Or part numbers on other equipment?
  • How can I estimate the total gallons of water for my pool/spa? I want to be sure we're sized at the recommended minimum volumes (i.e. Salt Cell minimum 2x capacity of the pool)
  • Should I be asking for specific sheer descents or are they all pretty similar outside of aesthetic choices we'll make when selected?
I don't mind upgrading some of the equipment above if the price difference is reasonable (i.e. upgrade from IC40 to IC60, or a larger filter) and I can squeeze it into the budget. I feel like pool equipment is something I should do right now so long term I enjoy a better pool owner experience.
 
Anyone have any input on the following lights?
  • Pentair IntelliBrite 5G Color LED Pool Light 601011
We plan to use two of these for the pool and the smaller version of this light for the spa.

My concerns with lights in general:

  • Reliability & Future Serviceability
  • Performance - Are they bright enough and do they function well?
I looked the light up on the Pentair website and they are marked as discontinued, so is there a better replacement model? I know lights are a hot topic, so I appreciate any input.
 
I need help with finalizing the slope of our pool as we expect to start digging this month.
  • If I understand the requirements correctly, we should be able to address the slope as follows:
    • 10" Deep Tanning Ledge
      • 7' of Tanning Ledge
      • My thoughts are that ledge loungers are 5'10" long
      • With the spa overflow, I'd like to place loungers directly in front of the spa and not be flooded with water from the spa overflow, so an additional 1'2" makes sense here.
      • Thoughts?
    • 10" Tanning Ledge to 4" Depth
      • 3 Steps
      • At least 12" wide steps... I'd like to comfortably sit on each step... Do you think we need to go wider?
      • About 12" drop for each step to 4' Depth
    • 4' to 5" Slope starts at 20'
      • In my mind, this is just past mid-pool
      • About 10' of 4' depth
    • 5' to 6" Slope starts at 24'
    • 6' to 7' Slope Starts at 27'
    • 7' to 8' Slope Starts at 30'
    • 8' Depth
      • About 6' length of full 8' depth
    • Deep End Bench
      • Currently thinking 12" wide... should we go wider?
Do you recommend this sort of pool slope? Here is what I modeled in excel.

1697511126963.png
 
For the shelf size I would do a mock up of it. Put some rope, hose, string down in the size of the shelf. Then put a pretend lounger in it. You can use towels laid out in the size of the loungers. Play with the rope aka shelf size to see what feels good then measure it.
 
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