Hey all, we're getting quotes again - last fall we got a few gunite pool quotes and that combined with the other site and patio work we couldn't pull the trigger right away. Instead we did much of the site work to include removal of a few small trees and dozens of shrubs, and tore up and replaced the 20 year old porch stairs and patio with new pavers. This year we're back on the pool research train, this time looking at vinyl liner pools. Have some decisions to make before we settle on a builder, hoping the wisdom here can at least educate me enough to make the right decisions for our situation. We've only met with one builder so far (two others have yet to return several calls over the past 7-10 days), so any price/builder opinions below are based on that one conversation.
Pool size planned - 16x32 freeform (Gemini shape) with 6' deep end plus tanning shelf. Estimated 16,000 gallons.
Decision 1: molded steps or inlaid liner steps (+$1500)? Wife likes the idea and look of the inlaid/liner steps, my concern is durability (chance of dogs using the pool), potential slip hazard(?), and most of all how much pool/shallow end will be lost to the steps.
Chlorination/filtration/pump: first pool builder suggests a standard chlorinator with a Nature2 system, says he's been installing them 30 years and loves them, talked up all the benefits. I've done just enough research on here to know the popular TFP opinion is they seem to work but are likely putting too much minerals/metals into the water with no way to verify and thus are not a good deal, is that about right? Said he'll install SWG if we preferred, believe it had an added up front cost but can't remember how much. He warned about possible corrosion of the liner track (pool walls would be polymer at least). Filter would be a Hayward sand filter. 1 HP pump.
Decision 2: I have a vague personal preference for SWG, I don't know why though, maybe it's just the "novelty" of it to me. Did my searching/reading here and I don't think the corrosion is as much of a concern as he makes it sound, provided I keep the pH in check, is that about right? Or should I still skip the Nature2 and just go standard chlorinator? I know a lot of this is personal preference, just want to be sure whether the pool finish (vinyl liner) should or shouldn't be a contributing factor to what we select.
Bottom drains: builder said these are only required above 30,000 gallons, he doesn't feel it's needed on a pool this size but left it up to us at an additional cost of course (unsure of cost).
Decision 3: yes or no? I don't know enough to know what I don't know here, and haven't done much research.
Skimmer: did not discuss with this builder but looking at his other project pictures, seems he typically only installs one on this pool.
Decision 4: Is one skimmer enough?
Water features: We'd love some sort of sheet fountain but our yard is predominantly level so we don't have any need for a retaining wall or the like, not sure how else it would make sense but he did suggest 3 jets - not deck jets from the pool deck, I believe they are installed in the pool side but above the water line? $200/each.
Decision 5: Are they worth it? Just marketing? We do for sure want some kind of feature for the background noise and to break the surface tension of the water.
Lights: Suggested one light for a pool this size, I want the color changing option (6 year old daughter will love it). Color adds $300.
Decision 6: One light enough? Worth it for the color upgrade? Is swapping a standard light for a color LED something I could do myself later for less than $300?
Deck: This builder only does concrete, but we would want to have our paver guy come back and do the deck to tie it into the existing patio.
Decision 7: I don't really know what the decision is here, I guess I'm just trying to wrap my head around the "how" - how does the pool builder set the height of the walls such that another contractor can come do the coping and decking and ensure it's going to be level with our existing patio? I'm probably overthinking this and the professionals will have no issue accomplishing it, but I like to try and understand the whole process. I've been burned by trusting contractors in the past.
Trees: We have 3 live oaks within the "pool area" - I don't want to cut down all 3. One for sure will come down, and I'm hoping the others can be trimmed enough such that actual tree limb to pool overlap will be quite minimal, understanding though that I will still have to contend with leaves.
Decision 8: Am I being naive? Will I regret leaving them? I guess in my mind I'd rather leave them now and remove them later if even at a much higher cost than remove them now and wish I had not.
I'll update this thread a little later with some pics from my phone and a mockup of the pool area, hopefully can help illustrate what I have now and what we're hoping to have soon. Thank you in advance for any advice and pointers you are all able to provide!
Pool size planned - 16x32 freeform (Gemini shape) with 6' deep end plus tanning shelf. Estimated 16,000 gallons.
Decision 1: molded steps or inlaid liner steps (+$1500)? Wife likes the idea and look of the inlaid/liner steps, my concern is durability (chance of dogs using the pool), potential slip hazard(?), and most of all how much pool/shallow end will be lost to the steps.
Chlorination/filtration/pump: first pool builder suggests a standard chlorinator with a Nature2 system, says he's been installing them 30 years and loves them, talked up all the benefits. I've done just enough research on here to know the popular TFP opinion is they seem to work but are likely putting too much minerals/metals into the water with no way to verify and thus are not a good deal, is that about right? Said he'll install SWG if we preferred, believe it had an added up front cost but can't remember how much. He warned about possible corrosion of the liner track (pool walls would be polymer at least). Filter would be a Hayward sand filter. 1 HP pump.
Decision 2: I have a vague personal preference for SWG, I don't know why though, maybe it's just the "novelty" of it to me. Did my searching/reading here and I don't think the corrosion is as much of a concern as he makes it sound, provided I keep the pH in check, is that about right? Or should I still skip the Nature2 and just go standard chlorinator? I know a lot of this is personal preference, just want to be sure whether the pool finish (vinyl liner) should or shouldn't be a contributing factor to what we select.
Bottom drains: builder said these are only required above 30,000 gallons, he doesn't feel it's needed on a pool this size but left it up to us at an additional cost of course (unsure of cost).
Decision 3: yes or no? I don't know enough to know what I don't know here, and haven't done much research.
Skimmer: did not discuss with this builder but looking at his other project pictures, seems he typically only installs one on this pool.
Decision 4: Is one skimmer enough?
Water features: We'd love some sort of sheet fountain but our yard is predominantly level so we don't have any need for a retaining wall or the like, not sure how else it would make sense but he did suggest 3 jets - not deck jets from the pool deck, I believe they are installed in the pool side but above the water line? $200/each.
Decision 5: Are they worth it? Just marketing? We do for sure want some kind of feature for the background noise and to break the surface tension of the water.
Lights: Suggested one light for a pool this size, I want the color changing option (6 year old daughter will love it). Color adds $300.
Decision 6: One light enough? Worth it for the color upgrade? Is swapping a standard light for a color LED something I could do myself later for less than $300?
Deck: This builder only does concrete, but we would want to have our paver guy come back and do the deck to tie it into the existing patio.
Decision 7: I don't really know what the decision is here, I guess I'm just trying to wrap my head around the "how" - how does the pool builder set the height of the walls such that another contractor can come do the coping and decking and ensure it's going to be level with our existing patio? I'm probably overthinking this and the professionals will have no issue accomplishing it, but I like to try and understand the whole process. I've been burned by trusting contractors in the past.
Trees: We have 3 live oaks within the "pool area" - I don't want to cut down all 3. One for sure will come down, and I'm hoping the others can be trimmed enough such that actual tree limb to pool overlap will be quite minimal, understanding though that I will still have to contend with leaves.
Decision 8: Am I being naive? Will I regret leaving them? I guess in my mind I'd rather leave them now and remove them later if even at a much higher cost than remove them now and wish I had not.
I'll update this thread a little later with some pics from my phone and a mockup of the pool area, hopefully can help illustrate what I have now and what we're hoping to have soon. Thank you in advance for any advice and pointers you are all able to provide!
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