Hi TFPers,
We broke ground on our IG pool in mid-June, so we're right in the middle of the "giant mess" phase. Completion date in contract is 8/30 but PB says we're moving along pretty quick and might be swimming before that, fingers crossed.
Received bids from a few PBs ranging from large, nationally known companies to local family-owned. Ultimately chose the small local company based on personal recommendations even though price was slightly higher, and have been really happy so far. Didn't find TFP until after we'd signed the contract when I went looking for info on pool chemistry (I'm a chemist by training and have enjoyed geeking out over everything on the site!), there's a lot I wish I'd known before signing the contract but ultimately I'm still happy with our design, equipment, and specs. I think we ended up getting lucky with a good builder - some of the PBs we ended up not choosing wanted to add stuff like in-line chlorinators, ozone, or in-floor cleaners that TFP has taught me were bullets we dodged without even knowing it.
Only thing I might've done differently was take a harder look at the SWG before passing on it. Our PB actually recommended it but we chickened out after talking to a bunch of neighbors who have them and used the same soft Oklahoma stone coping that we're using, and they're having all sorts of corrosion issues. Our PB said that could be addressed by regularly sealing the stone but that sounded like a headache we wanted to avoid. So, I'll be adding bleach myself every day, if we change our minds and want an SWG later I guess I can always add it.
Here's the design (© our PB) and some details on the build, I'll add some photos in the next post showing progress so far.
Specs:
Freeform pool, approx. 85' perimeter, 436 sqft area, 17'x31'
Depth 3.5' to 6', 17500 gal, reef entry with umbrella sleeve, deep end bench with 2 return jets w/venturi (in place of a spa)
Gunite structure with #4 steel reinforcing, PebbleSheen Blue Granite finish, 6" water line tile
2.5" suction lines with split main drains w/anti-vortex covers, 2" return lines with three returns, 1 skimmer, manual fill line
Oklahoma Stone coping and raised 18" wall with 24" sheer descent waterfall
550 sqft new concrete deck with salt finish to match existing patio with pizza oven
Hayward TriStar VS 950 variable speed pump
Hayward DE6020 60sqft DE filter
Polaris 360 pool cleaner on 1.5" dedicated line
Hayward 500W pool light
I think that's the highlights, anything I'm missing?
We broke ground on our IG pool in mid-June, so we're right in the middle of the "giant mess" phase. Completion date in contract is 8/30 but PB says we're moving along pretty quick and might be swimming before that, fingers crossed.
Received bids from a few PBs ranging from large, nationally known companies to local family-owned. Ultimately chose the small local company based on personal recommendations even though price was slightly higher, and have been really happy so far. Didn't find TFP until after we'd signed the contract when I went looking for info on pool chemistry (I'm a chemist by training and have enjoyed geeking out over everything on the site!), there's a lot I wish I'd known before signing the contract but ultimately I'm still happy with our design, equipment, and specs. I think we ended up getting lucky with a good builder - some of the PBs we ended up not choosing wanted to add stuff like in-line chlorinators, ozone, or in-floor cleaners that TFP has taught me were bullets we dodged without even knowing it.
Only thing I might've done differently was take a harder look at the SWG before passing on it. Our PB actually recommended it but we chickened out after talking to a bunch of neighbors who have them and used the same soft Oklahoma stone coping that we're using, and they're having all sorts of corrosion issues. Our PB said that could be addressed by regularly sealing the stone but that sounded like a headache we wanted to avoid. So, I'll be adding bleach myself every day, if we change our minds and want an SWG later I guess I can always add it.
Here's the design (© our PB) and some details on the build, I'll add some photos in the next post showing progress so far.
Specs:
Freeform pool, approx. 85' perimeter, 436 sqft area, 17'x31'
Depth 3.5' to 6', 17500 gal, reef entry with umbrella sleeve, deep end bench with 2 return jets w/venturi (in place of a spa)
Gunite structure with #4 steel reinforcing, PebbleSheen Blue Granite finish, 6" water line tile
2.5" suction lines with split main drains w/anti-vortex covers, 2" return lines with three returns, 1 skimmer, manual fill line
Oklahoma Stone coping and raised 18" wall with 24" sheer descent waterfall
550 sqft new concrete deck with salt finish to match existing patio with pizza oven
Hayward TriStar VS 950 variable speed pump
Hayward DE6020 60sqft DE filter
Polaris 360 pool cleaner on 1.5" dedicated line
Hayward 500W pool light
I think that's the highlights, anything I'm missing?
