We have long wanted a pool, but the $60k-$70k+ price tag has been a deal breaker. I don't understand why California prices seem so much higher than other places. I know labor costs more, so you would think a fiberglass pool (which is less labor intensive and a much quicker install) would be the answer. But fiberglass pools price out almost the same as gunnite. Every time I have researched cheaper options or DIY options I have always come up empty handed. Nothing made sense.
Then recently a friend mentioned their doughboy and I thought, well thats better than nothing. Lets just get a doughboy. Then I read that you can sink doughboys without voiding the warranty. I was also surprised that they had options for a deeper pool (expandable liner?). The only thing I wasn't loving about Doughboy was the lack of shapes available. Researching a little more I found the Radiant pools, and they seem to have all the options I am looking for. I can't find a local dealer to help answer my questions, and I am wondering why it seems that very few people in California, specifically northern california go this direction with pools. Am I not going to see the cost savings with DIYing that I think I'm going to?
I am looking at excavating to do a complete inground with the Radiant Metric Freeform (not sure on size or shape yet).
Expandable Liner to 7ft deep end.
Walk-In Steps
We plan to hire out the excavating but do the rest ourselves. My husband is a general contractor and we (ironically) own a swimming pool maintenance company. The irony is that we don't ourselves own a pool....yet, hopefully.
Our yard is mostly flat. We don't want to spend a ton on decking which would greatly increase our costs, so we're hoping to have a narrow brick paver decking around the majority of the pool, and the side by our concrete patio add more brick pavers to connect our patio to the pool. So maybe a 5X10ft section of brick pavers (we already have a brick border on our patio, that is why we are sticking with brick pavers, for continuity).
I am hoping we can do the whole project for under $20k. I really wish I could find someone who has already done something similar in our area to get an idea of whether we are being realistic.
Either way, would love to hear any comments, advice, etc from all you DIY pros!
Then recently a friend mentioned their doughboy and I thought, well thats better than nothing. Lets just get a doughboy. Then I read that you can sink doughboys without voiding the warranty. I was also surprised that they had options for a deeper pool (expandable liner?). The only thing I wasn't loving about Doughboy was the lack of shapes available. Researching a little more I found the Radiant pools, and they seem to have all the options I am looking for. I can't find a local dealer to help answer my questions, and I am wondering why it seems that very few people in California, specifically northern california go this direction with pools. Am I not going to see the cost savings with DIYing that I think I'm going to?
I am looking at excavating to do a complete inground with the Radiant Metric Freeform (not sure on size or shape yet).
Expandable Liner to 7ft deep end.
Walk-In Steps
We plan to hire out the excavating but do the rest ourselves. My husband is a general contractor and we (ironically) own a swimming pool maintenance company. The irony is that we don't ourselves own a pool....yet, hopefully.
Our yard is mostly flat. We don't want to spend a ton on decking which would greatly increase our costs, so we're hoping to have a narrow brick paver decking around the majority of the pool, and the side by our concrete patio add more brick pavers to connect our patio to the pool. So maybe a 5X10ft section of brick pavers (we already have a brick border on our patio, that is why we are sticking with brick pavers, for continuity).
I am hoping we can do the whole project for under $20k. I really wish I could find someone who has already done something similar in our area to get an idea of whether we are being realistic.
Either way, would love to hear any comments, advice, etc from all you DIY pros!
