Re: Plaster Question - Need Help!!
Let me tell ya. The fifth guy has really given me a headache. I need some pro's to help me figure this out...
Please tell me what ya'll think about this....I have already had the fifth pool guy out to estimate the work I want done. Now I have made some decision on what I'm looking for so I wanted to be sure that the estimates reflect the correct work.
This is what I asked for.
I would prefer some color to my water simply because I don't care to have the white plaster which shows every little blemish that shows up on the plaster. Four out of five companys suggested dyed plaster, if you don't do that maybe you can let me know what white would be conpared to the cheapest alternate.
My coping is currenly only 7-8" and I am told by the 4 other companys that looked at my pool that it is best if I consider going with the standard 12" coping. That is what the extra $700 charge was for. Cutting my existing coping back to be the standard size. It was an option on 3 out of 5 of the estimates done.
I would like to have new equipment installed. 1 1/2 HP Pump ( I am considering going with a 2 speed), Multi Valve or push pull valve for backwash purposes, DE Filter or something similar, Timer with freeze protection. With the installation of new equipment I want to be sure that all of the above ground plumbing will be replaced. (it is being held together with large hose clamps at this point) I will most likely add a Polaris Cleaning System at this time.
I would like to have the pool tested for leaks. It is most likely 15 to 20 years old and prior to me purchasing maintance was not preformed as required.
This is the response from the fifth pool guy......
Replaster with a solid based (not dyed) plaster
82 pf $4,110
New tile & coping ( coping currently 9" ) $2,870
saw cut should not be done because your shell beam is only 9" and will not handle a wider coping because of the space between the shell and dirt and deck. It's hard to explain. But imagine taking the brick off, cutting the deck back, the shell is 3 inches away from the deck. Normally this void is filled with a mastic and the deck comes up to the shell except for maybe 1/2" or less.
The mastic is then put in (liquid) and sets up to create a cushion for the deck to move but not harm the coping or tiles. Can you picture that?
Then there comes the polaris pool sweep. Your plumbing is not adapted for a polaris. In order to put a polaris in, you will have to remove some of the deck to run the plumbing line for the polaris and then repour the deck. The only type of pool sweep you can have is one which will plug into the skimmer and run off suction.
A 2 speed pump is a great idea, requires a dual time clock and you only need a 1 1/2hp because you have no other water returns to require a higher hp one. With water as one of natures most valuable resources, it's a shame to put in a DE filter which uses 3" of water out of your pool just to clean the filter. This costs you in water and sewer and DE every 3 to 5 weeks, whereas the cartridge filter, gets cleaned once every 6 months and you power wash them off and they will last probably 8 to 10 years. The DE however will last usually 3 years and a couple of months. Also, I am not sure what brand you have been proposed, but we recommend Jandy, which has the highest standards, longest life, and best reputation for less maintenance and more durability and pumps water faster than any on the market. Hayward equipment is the bottom of the line. It was originally for on top of the ground pools, but they thought there was more money in it for them to go in ground so they did.
I don't know if I'm helping or hindering you here. If you want only to have the pool look different and you want it as inexpensively as possible, you may want to go ahead and take the other bid. But, I am just trying to tell it to you like it is,
We don't do things half way or the wrong way, because we build friendships with every job we do, large or small and we don't propose something that isn't feasible. I have a feeling your being proposed something that isn't feasible with what you have right now. It possibly could end up being more money out of your pocket after the work gets started because the guys doing the work did not fill you in on "what could happen or needs to happen" prior to starting, and can't finish unless a lot of work not noted in the estimate, has to be completed to give you what you want.
Okay, so your thoroughly confused.
