Rossterman
Well-known member
If timing is firm, spend the next year researching what equipment and options you want. Not in general terms but specific model numbers and such. Bids tend to vary for a few reasons. Sometimes it’s profit margin, a lot of times it’s “comparable” equipment that isn’t specified in the quote. E.g. SWG. You think you are getting a top of the line pentair ingegrated model and instead, it’s the cheapest off brand they were able to find. They met the “terms” of the contract but put an extra $500 in their pocket at your expense. Here’s my reccos as an owner/builder back in 2008 and the sole person doing upkeep, maintenance, and repair once equipment was out of warranty:
1. Go with a single mfg for everything as it not only integrates better but typically they extend the warranty an extra year as an enticement to buy their stuff.
2. Go with ipad/iphone automation as it's so convienent to be able to run or check on the pool remotely (e.g. water temp, turn on cleaner due to wind storm, heat up spa so its ready when you get home, etc). Also the mfg hand held remotes are often slow to respond and expensive to repair. Batteries for my one touch jandy controller were close to $200 and only lasted a couple of years each time.
3. Although jandy was decent equipment, the reliability of their equipment is below par to pentair and possibly others (IMO). I the 10 years I have replaced main circ pump motor once, rebuilt it once, and replace the mechanical seals in all 3 pumps when they began to leak. Now on my 3rd complete Aquapure system (SWG) as cost to repair was close to just replacing anew. Heater, spa blower, filter have been trouble free (knock on wood). Board failed in iaqualink system after about 3 years (had the board repaired for $150 vs. replaced at $600). Also repaired polaris booster pump once and replaced it after 2nd failure. It would have cost a fortune to have a shop come and make repairs each time if I didn't do all the work myself. Jandy doesn't provide much support for those wanting to bypass a pool repair business and fix stuff yourself although some of their troubleshooting guides are pretty decent (although not intended for sharing with diy homeowners).
4. Go with a chlorine injection system (stenner set ups seem good) rather than SWG if you are building a decent size pool (20k + gallons) as cost to run the pumps to make enough chlorine in a SWG is expensive otherwise.
5. Add an automated water level controller to maintain pool level and an overflow for rainy season. Hands down the best timesaver option that you can do. It’s so nice never having to add water in the summer and not being out in the rain in the winter draining the pool.
6. Spec piping sizes and what you want for returns. 2 1/2” diameter stuff is great to cut friction losses but keep everything at least 2”. Determine whether you want stub-outs for,future solar addition, etc.
7. Figure out what coping, tile, and plaster you want. I have pebbletec and other than having to do an acid wash last year because my kids screwed up the chemistry, it looks as good as the day it was applied. Many folks have 20+ years with zero problems. IMO the pebble products are actually more economical than standard plaster when cost is figured over the life of the pool.
8. Once you have all this figured out, you can build a bid sheet with all the specifics to allow quotes to be submitted and actually be able to do apples to apples comparisons between pool builders. Or better yet, you might now have enough knowledge to be an owner/ builder and run the project yourself!
1. Go with a single mfg for everything as it not only integrates better but typically they extend the warranty an extra year as an enticement to buy their stuff.
2. Go with ipad/iphone automation as it's so convienent to be able to run or check on the pool remotely (e.g. water temp, turn on cleaner due to wind storm, heat up spa so its ready when you get home, etc). Also the mfg hand held remotes are often slow to respond and expensive to repair. Batteries for my one touch jandy controller were close to $200 and only lasted a couple of years each time.
3. Although jandy was decent equipment, the reliability of their equipment is below par to pentair and possibly others (IMO). I the 10 years I have replaced main circ pump motor once, rebuilt it once, and replace the mechanical seals in all 3 pumps when they began to leak. Now on my 3rd complete Aquapure system (SWG) as cost to repair was close to just replacing anew. Heater, spa blower, filter have been trouble free (knock on wood). Board failed in iaqualink system after about 3 years (had the board repaired for $150 vs. replaced at $600). Also repaired polaris booster pump once and replaced it after 2nd failure. It would have cost a fortune to have a shop come and make repairs each time if I didn't do all the work myself. Jandy doesn't provide much support for those wanting to bypass a pool repair business and fix stuff yourself although some of their troubleshooting guides are pretty decent (although not intended for sharing with diy homeowners).
4. Go with a chlorine injection system (stenner set ups seem good) rather than SWG if you are building a decent size pool (20k + gallons) as cost to run the pumps to make enough chlorine in a SWG is expensive otherwise.
5. Add an automated water level controller to maintain pool level and an overflow for rainy season. Hands down the best timesaver option that you can do. It’s so nice never having to add water in the summer and not being out in the rain in the winter draining the pool.
6. Spec piping sizes and what you want for returns. 2 1/2” diameter stuff is great to cut friction losses but keep everything at least 2”. Determine whether you want stub-outs for,future solar addition, etc.
7. Figure out what coping, tile, and plaster you want. I have pebbletec and other than having to do an acid wash last year because my kids screwed up the chemistry, it looks as good as the day it was applied. Many folks have 20+ years with zero problems. IMO the pebble products are actually more economical than standard plaster when cost is figured over the life of the pool.
8. Once you have all this figured out, you can build a bid sheet with all the specifics to allow quotes to be submitted and actually be able to do apples to apples comparisons between pool builders. Or better yet, you might now have enough knowledge to be an owner/ builder and run the project yourself!