16 July 2024 Finishing Up my OB Pool

[setsailsoon]

Impossible for me to evaluate what is missing without seeing all the documents.

Your list had pavers and plaster but not coping and tile. Hmmm…

PS Yes great idea to add a suction port in case I decide to go back to suction cleaner. But my base plan is to use robot. Even have a special pipe that was installed during house construction to run the robot power cord from edge of pool back to the patio where it was installed under the slab an comes up under an outdoor kitchen cabinet to it's own 110 v receptacle. This way I can use a smart plug just like the previous pool and not be bothered but the cord laying across the pavers and patio floor. The house is a smart home that makes use of extensive Alexa features through out so adding this device was really easier that running to a separate circuit in the pool controller.

Thanks again for the list.

Chris

 

[setsailsoon]

A few 3d renderings from the pool designer might help. Some of the details aren't quite right but you can see the channel drain if you zoom in on the edge in the last image.

 

[ajw22]

PS Yes great idea to add a suction port in case I decide to go back to suction cleaner. But my base plan is to use robot. Even have a special pipe that was installed during house construction to run the robot power cord from edge of pool back to the patio where it was installed under the slab an comes up under an outdoor kitchen cabinet to it's own 110 v receptacle. This way I can use a smart plug just like the previous pool and not be bothered but the cord laying across the pavers and patio floor. The house is a smart home that makes use of extensive Alexa features through out so adding this device was really easier that running to a separate circuit in the pool controller.

Thanks again for the list.

Chris

With what you are putting into the pool a $250+ annual TCO for a robot cleaner seems to be a drop in the bucket for you.

 

[ajw22]

This looks like you are using tile as your coping on top of the bond beam.

Looks great but I would hate to maintain all those grout lines as the pool ages.

 

[setsailsoon]

With what you are putting into the pool a $250+ annual TCO for a robot cleaner seems to be a drop in the bucket for you.

Yeah, one of the things we learned from our last house was that we spent a huge amount of time in the pool... literally almost every night. We often spent time floating around watching TV. So there's even a fold down large screen TV that is pre-wired above the patio ceiling. Our architect thought this was really cool! And yes we're putting a LOT more $ into it than we did with the previous house.

Chris

 

[ajw22]

I hope you are having your tile installers rigorously follow this installation process and materials…

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0429/0022/6199/files/OGT-Pool-Water-Feature-Installation.pdf?v=1625588595

 

[setsailsoon]

This looks like you are using tile as your coping on top of the bond beam.

Looks great but I would hate to maintain all those grout lines as the pool ages.

Couldn't agree more! That's one of the details that are wrong. We aren't using the 1" tiles. Had to change this to get the straightest possible line around the edge anyway. Will be using 6" tile with the channel in the middle not around the outside. This allows the water level to rise when we're in "all water over the infinity edge" mode and not flood the entire deck.

Chris

 

[ajw22]

Yeah, one of the things we learned from our last house was that we spent a huge amount of time in the pool... literally almost every night. We often spent time floating around watching TV. So there's even a fold down large screen TV that is pre-wired above the patio ceiling. Our architect thought this was really cool! And yes we're putting a LOT more $ into it than we did with the previous house.

Chris

No cage for your FL pool?

Mosquitos can’t afford to live in your neighborhood?

Or you two have the blood type insects hate?

 

[setsailsoon]

I hope you are having your tile installers rigorously follow this installation process and materials…

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0429/0022/6199/files/OGT-Pool-Water-Feature-Installation.pdf?v=1625588595

Wow! Great document with a lot of construction details. I downloaded and will give this to the installer as a requirement. Your timing is great since it's nice to be able to do this before I sign the contract. Way less chance of an unreasonable price increase!

Chris

 

[ajw22]

Couldn't agree more! That's one of the details that are wrong. We aren't using the 1" tiles. Had to change this to get the straightest possible line around the edge anyway. Will be using 6" tile with the channel in the middle not around the outside. This allows the water level to rise when we're in "all water over the infinity edge" mode and not flood the entire deck.

Chris

I have seen some great all overflow edge pools in hotels in Europe and Hawaii. No skimmers and returns coming up from the floor of the pool.

Whole different class of pool design and construction then the US residential pool builds.

I never got into the equipment rooms to see behind the scenes how they run it.

 

[setsailsoon]

No cage for your FL pool?

Mosquitos can’t afford to live in your neighborhood?

Or you two have the blood type insects hate?

Another detail not in the drawings yet. Waiting for the final quote. Initial estimate was $25K plus $5K contingency.

Chris

 

[setsailsoon]

I have seen some great all overflow edge pools in hotels in Europe and Hawaii. No skimmers and returns coming up from the floor of the pool.

Whole different class of pool design and construction then the US residential pool builds.

Yes, your comments almost a year ago about this helped me a lot. I love the look and it seems to be catching on more and more in the US especially on the high-end pool builder reality shows. My gunite contractor was very familiar and had some great experience. He does the channel in 2 sprays. First does the whole pool except the inside top then installs a foam block that will be removed late to form the gutter. Then sprays the rest of the inside top. Pretty cool and he says it is the only way he does these now.

Chris

 

[ajw22]

Yes, your comments almost a year ago about this helped me a lot. I love the look and it seems to be catching on more and more in the US especially on the high-end pool builder reality shows. My gunite contractor was very familiar and had some great experience. He does the channel in 2 sprays. First does the whole pool except the inside top then installs a foam block that will be removed late to form the gutter. Then sprays the rest of the inside top. Pretty cool and he says it is the only way he does these now.

Chris

Interesting. I always wondered how they formed those curves and edges. Looked like a lot of handwork and craftsmanship. Requires a different level of experience and skill then you find with the typical residential gunite and plaster crews.

I have not been down to the So FL area recently to see what new hotel pools look like and where the European look has been followed.

 

[setsailsoon]

There are only two high quality gunite contractors that I know of in South Florida. Southern gunite and Prestige gunite. Looks like prestige has our job so far. Also supply chain has loosened up substantially. They are available with just a week or two notice. Their proposal was extremely detailed and very complete. They do a very detailed quantity takeoff for every single piece of concrete work that appears to be pretty conservative. They provide a price at this concrete volume and refund for the Delta if you end up using less. Right now looks like I will be using about a hundred yards. That's about 30% more than my original rough takeoff. But I added 30% for contingency so I'm pretty close.

Chris

 

[setsailsoon]

Folks,
Confirming a final few prices with gunite contractors and excavation but I think we're finally ready to start the dig in next week or two. Got confirmation today there are no digging issues from our local 800-dig outfit. Couple of questions:

• There's a company called Pool Supply Delivery (poolsupplydelivery.com) that has great prices on a lot of name brand equipment. I bought the heater for my previous pool from a company like this at a huge discount and it worked like a charm. Has anybody had experience with them they'd be willing to share?
• I remember reading previously that several had replaced Jandy nicheless lights that failed with J&J electronics. How did that work out? Any other ideas on the best nicheless lights currently available?
• Spa jets. My previous pool used the eductor-type that had a manual suction control mounted around the spa. I plan to use them for this pool. Any recommendations from people? I'm leaning toward waterway plastics.
• I'm probably going to try to get one of the Raspberry Pi type of controllers working. Wife wants me to just go with an Intellicenter. I think I'll use an Intellicenter load center in case I need to punt on the home made version. Any advice on the best approach for the best for a barely can program person like me but I did get my Raspberry Pi running a few years ago to do simple functions.

It sure is nice to be finally moving forward on our pool project!

Chris

 

[setsailsoon]

Folks,
Since this thread is pretty long and actually started with construction of the house over a year ago (PB is really just now starting) I thought it might help to provide a plan view to save people from having to search back to find this information. I'll also add a couple 3d views.

I hope this is helpful.

Chris

 

[kimkats]

This is going to be one oh so pretty pool when it is done!

I am of no help with your above questions. I did a search for the supply company here on TFP and did not get any hits.

I do know there are several hits for the Jandy nicheless lights saying what you say-they fail fast

 

[Katodude]

I'm probably going to try to get one of the Raspberry Pi type of controllers working. Wife wants me to just go with an Intellicenter. I think I'll use an Intellicenter load center in case I need to punt on the home made version. Any advice on the best approach for the best for a barely can program person like me but I did get my Raspberry Pi running a few years ago to do simple functions.

It’s super easy to do. It has also gotten easier lately as the control boards have improved. Lots of us can help here in case you get stuck.

I would recommend when you do your plumbing to plumb in a bypass and manifold so that you have add in a bunch of probes as necessary. Look at something like @MyAZPool has. He probably has the nicest looking plumbing of anybody. Sensors are getting better and cheaper and you would want to future proof yourself to be able to add whatever comes out.

 

[setsailsoon]

A couple of interesting things I've found in pricing as I start committing to about $100K in contracts and equipment orders:

• Many items have come way off of peak pricing over the past 2 years like concrete but have stabilized at the high end of normal. And you have to do a LOT of negotiating to even get that.
• Delivery times are getting back to pretty normal. Longest delivery time right now is for pavers - about 4-6 weeks.
• Polytech still seems to have great prices for Pentair including their pumps and automation products.
• Some items have gone way up. SWG for example, my RJ 30 complete kit cost $860 back in Feb 2019. It's 50% higher now at about $1250.
• Pool builder margins still appear high and it still takes almost a year to get scheduled with reputable builders in Florida. Based on my budget and quotes from builders margins are above 50% over their cost. This may seem high and it is but don't think they ever come down to 10%. A builder can't survive with less than 30-40%. A few fly-by-night scammers that promised better deliveries took owner's money and became well-know prosecutions in Florida.
• Circupool still seems to have the best price ($/# chlorine produced) so I'll be buying again from them. Probably at least an RJ 45 to stay with the 2X TFP recommendation.
• Permit fees were pretty reasonable. ~$600 which includes 6 inspections so that's not too bad.

Chris

 

[setsailsoon]

This is going to be one oh so pretty pool when it is done!

I am of no help with your above questions. I did a search for the supply company here on TFP and did not get any hits.

I do know there are several hits for the Jandy nicheless lights saying what you say-they fail fast

Thanks Kim, much appreciated. One thing you may know about is our original plaster color was Diamond Brite Bahama Breeze and we can't seem to find it anymore so we're ordering midnight blue. Does this look similar to you? Looking a photos of plaster is difficult since depending on the light and surrounding the same colors look anything from light to very dark. We're trying to get a medium blue appearance.

Chris