Pool Build in Gilbert, AZ

[flcmd]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for all the willingness to help. I've been trolling the site for a while now and I've used the suggestions posted to get a couple of decent quotes from two companies in the Phoenix area (one of them was recommended by members of this site and our experience with them has been wonderful !!!!!!). The one big frustration with this whole process has been the excessive amount of “disinformation” that each representative puts out about the other’s equipment “the PV3 is terrible, use ours instead” and so on…In any case, I appreciate the information on this site regarding what works/what doesn't and used your recommendations as far as the equipment that I want to use in our build...

I was hoping to get a little input from the community on these two quotes, as they are neck and neck in their price and offerings. Thanks in advance for your input/suggestions and sorry for the long message - I just wanted to include enough information in order for you folks to get a decent idea of what the PB's are offering. I included the hardscape just to compare between the two, but my landscaper will be the one to do it (cheaper and better). Take care and hope to hear from you soon :-D

PB#1
(Referred by several on this site. Smaller builder, but well-known and regarded by those that have used them in the past)

General Specifications of the pool:
• 90’ Perimeter
• 485 surface area
• 3’-4’-5’ depths
• 845 sf interior area
• 12,480 gallons
• Maximum Length- 35”
• Maximum Width-19’-0”
• Steps 45LF with Baja bench

Plumbing
• In-house hydraulic study of turnover rates, head loss, and pipe diameter
• All piping installed per code using schedule 40 PVC
• Plumbing will be kept under pressure (35psi) during build
• Separate suction lines (dedicated valves) for:
o Paramount MDX Main Drain w/ 2 ½” PVC (installed to meet the new VGB Act)
o Paramount PV3 In-Floor Cleaning
o 4 sidewall returns to pool
o 2” loop to all returns to 1.5” stub outs
o Thread-Care flush mount return fittings

Steel
• Steel per engineering
• 5 bar bond beam
• #4 bar in bond beam “nose”
• Steel for Raised Bond Beam included

Electrical
• ½” Conduit run from panel to equipment.
• All necessary bonding and hookup of equipment
• PVC run for Two light.

Shotcrete
• 4,000 PSI shotcrete
• Entry steps per plan

Tile
• Standard blue dot 6x6 waterline tile at pool edge

Decking
• 650 SF Versailles Travertine Decking.
• 398 SF Versailles Travertine on Covered Patio
• 90 LF Versailles Bull noise Coping
* All installed Paver Decking will have a sub base of ABC.

Waterfeatures
• 30 SQFT Real Rock Waterfall. With 2 ½” PVC return line.

Interior Finish
• Pebble Sheen

Equipment
• Pentair 3HP Intelliflo Variable Speed pump
• Pentair 520 Clean and Clear Plus Cartridge
• Automatic water leveler
• Paramount In-Floor Cleaning (PV3) with 17 heads
• Paramount MDX Main Drain (Rated Safest Main Drain)
• Pentair Intellichlor IC40 Salt Chlorinator

Lighting
• Two Pentair 400w pool light.

Total Investment: $ 41,398


PB#2
(Known throughout the valley, one of the "big three" and tends to be pricier than everyone else. The layout is the essentially the same as PB#1, only that the pool is slightly bigger)

Pricing Factors
1.00 EA 2NDSTEP Baja Step: 2nd Step Height $0.00
1.00 EA 2NDSTEP Additional Baja Step: 2nd Step Height $0.00

Pool Base
1.00 EA PROMO3 Promotional Item $0.00
1.00 SET Pool Base Base $4,120.65

Layout
1.00 EA Layout for Pool/Spa/Splashpad $87.77
1.00 SET Layout Base $15.05

Fence
0.00 <NA> NO MASONRY EQUIP WALL: 4x8x16 $0.00

Excavation
1.00 SET Excavation Base $1,675.35

Cleaning System
0.00 EA Infloor Quick Clean Xtreme (with heavy debris removal system )

Plumbing
0.00 EA GREY QC X - Gamma Heads Recommended Color: Plaster Interior Included
1.00 EA Standard Filter Run - Total Footage $201.97
1.00 EA Regular Skimmers $0.00
1.00 EA Number of Aerators Per Plan $0.00
1.00 EA 2" Line for Barracuda - Total Run $147.46
1.00 EA Auto Water Leveler Base $234.48
1.00 EA Gravity Drain - Real Rock Waterfall $15.05
1.00 SET Plumbing Base $1,112.11

Equipment
1.00 EA Modular Media 600 Microban Filter Sta-Rite $511.60
1.00 EA VS-T 3050 Pump $705.96
1.00 EA Regular Skimmers $53.29
1.00 EA TAN Skimmer Lid $8.46
1.00 EA A&A AVSC Channel Drain $132.85
0.00 EA GREY Floor Fitting Recommended Color: Plaster Interior Included $0.00
1.00 EA Pool Automatic Water Leveler $59.56
0.00 EA OTHER AWL & Fill Line By City $0.00
1.00 EA TERCOT Shade Captain - Paver Install Only: Terra Cotta $0.00
2.00 EA GREY Umbrella Sleeve - 1 1/2" Pool $0.00
2.00 EA TAN Umbrella Sleeve - 1 1/2" Paver $0.00
1.00 EA YES QuikPure3 Ozonator: QP3-25 $288.00
1.00 EA YES IntelliChlor (Salt Unit): 4PSC IC40 $0.00
1.00 SET Equipment Base $36.82

Steel
116.00 BARS #3 Stl Bars as Req. by Standards $0.00
22.00 BARS #4 Stl Bars as Req. by Standards $0.00
1.00 PPLAN By "" - 3/8" rebar on 12" centers throughout pool $0.00
1.00 PPLAN By "" - 3/8" Rebar on 6"
MSG: By “” - 3/8" rebar on 6" vertically at depths over 5ft on walls, at break and coves
1.00 PPLAN By “” - 3/8" Rebar every 3'
MSG: By “” - 3/8" rebar every 3' around perimeter from pool wall into deck footing (deck only)
1.00 PPLAN By “” - 1-3/8" rebar continuous in deck footing (deck only) $0.00
1.00 PPLAN By “” - 4-1/2" rebar in BB $0.00
1.00 PPLAN By “” - Rebar placed continuous around light & skimmer $0.00
1.00 PPLAN By “” - Pre-cast Tie Block Concrete Spacers
MSG: By “” - Pre-cast tie block concrete spacers beneath vertical wall rebar and rebar around skimmer
1.00 PPLAN By “” - Pre-cast Concrete Spacers
MSG: By “” - Pre-cast concrete spacers beneath rebar throughout entire pool to ensure proper spacing
0.00 EA NO Upgrade Steel Based on Angle of Repose $0.00
1.00 SET Steel Base $1,769.46

Electric
1.00 EA Electric Base: EZTCH or IntelliTouch and Standard Light $1,015.67
1.00 EA IntelliBrite LED Pool Light $522.80
1.00 EA WIRELSS EZTCH 4P Single Body: 4PSC IC40 Wireless Operation $1,247.08
1.00 EA EZTCH 4 Aux Wireless Controller $324.54
0.00 EA NO EzTch OR IntelliTch Valve Actuator
1.00 SET Electric Base $565.84

Shotcrete
0.00 EA NO Shotcrete Cure by "" $0.00
1.00 SET Cup Anchors $0.00
1.00 SET Shotcrete Base $8,396.98

Water Features
0.00 EA PITBRWN Real Rock Color $0.00
1.00 EA 30 sq.ft. Rock Waterfall $2,006.27
2.00 EA 2' x 2' Deck Boulder for Perimeter $0.00
1.00 SET Water Features Base $115.36

Deck
0.00 EA SAND Choose Deck $0.00
99.00 LFT Travertine Coping Pool Deck; Perimeter Feet $0.00

Hardscape
808.00 SQFT NOCHE …Standard Herringbone 6" x 12" x 1.25"h: Noche $7,037.68
410.00 SQFT SAND …Travertine Sub Base: Sand $0.00
398.00 SQFT YES Travertine Over Existing Concrete $0.00
99.00 LFT NOCHE Travertine Bull Nose Coping 6"w x 12"d x 1.25"h (Enter Feet): Noche $1,613.70
99.00 LFT YES Travertine Curves Ttl Linear Ft $434.61
2.00 EA 1 1/2" Sleeves in Pavers $37.62
1.00 EA Shade Captain 2" Sleeve in Pavers $62.70
1.00 EA Hardscape Clean Up Base $250.78
1.00 SET Hardscape Base $247.02

Tile
99.00 EA Blue Dot 6" x 6" Tile $757.35
99.00 FT Caulking Required Tile/Deck $74.25
99.00 LFT WHITE Tile Grout Color: White $0.00
1.00 EA Aerator Intstall Tile Before Deck $34.48
1.00 SET Tile Base $525.00

Cleanup
1.00 SET Cleanup Base $486.52

Turbo
1.00 SET Turbo Base $56.28

Interior Finishes
0.00 EA PLSTR Pool Interior Finish: Plaster Interior Included. MSG: Free Upgrade to Pebble Sheen From Plaster pricing. Color TBD
882.00 EA Plaster Total I.A. $2,052.33
1.00 SET Cup Anchors Set $2.41
1.00 EA Interior Finish $87.78
1.00 SET Interior Finishes Base $261.76

Startup Equipment
1.00 SET Startup Equipment Base $75.27

Startup

1.00 EA Mechanical $94.04
1.00 EA Orientation $94.04
1.00 SET Startup Base $253.31

Covers
1.00 EA Solar Pool Cover 20' X 40' $126.39
1.00 EA “” Solar Pool Cover Cut and Fit $62.70

Total Cost:
$42,544.44

 

[chiefwej]

Using a lot of natal stone and travertine with a salt pool, may not get along well. The salt can be damaging to natural stone, particularly in areas like ours where water splash out evaporates quickly leaving salt behind to build up.

 

[Jriola]

Not sure if this will help you or not but I was just at Presidential over the weekend. I was looking at pretty much the same pool with the same equipment as in pb#1. They're quote was a little over 32,000 for pool only, no decking.

 

[flcmd]

Thanks for the heads up, without the decking, they are both coming in to around 32 - 33k, pretty close to presidential. We actually talked to them first, based on the experience of our neighbor, but went with the other quotes due to feedback about presidential from others on this site and around the web...

 

[flcmd]

*****BUMP*****

Any additional input out there :-D

 

[jv92red]

Just one light with PB#2? Looking at that pic I would recommend two lights for that size pool. Shining away from the house if possible. For PB#1 quoting two lights but non LED, if funds allow upgrade to LED if possible. I have two lights in my pool with a light in the spa for a total of three and I spent an additional $400 more per light to upgrade to LED but the kids love it. No regrets there but worst case at least make sure you are happy only running one light cause adding another later is next to impossible while retrofitting from incandescent to LED later on existing lights is as easy as pulling wire most of the time. If you decide on staying incandescent make sure retrofitting won't be a problem in the future.

Also, will there be any access issues the builder will need to address? For my build the builder stipulated in the contract they were not going to be responsible for replacing the gate they needed to take out to get a bobcat back there.

 

[AZHeat]

Looks like the second one has automation (intellitouch) where the first one doesn't. Also only has 1 light bit it's LED. My pool only has one light but it's not LED. It provides enough light for me. But it's important where it is placed. Needs to shine along the length and not width. Yhe amount to upgrade from regular 400W light to LED was more than the LED costs on its own so I styed with white thinking I could change later. Haven't missed the LED. Wondering how you got 2 quotes on basically same pool? I would want them to use their creativity to see different options. To me, the design is just too many curves. Coping gets expensive with all the cuts. Is the coping factory bull nose or is it just tumbled? WHat is the quality of the coping? Big difference in quality grades available here in the valley. Do they use Monterrey Tile or cheaper supplier? The second one has factory bullnose ad accounts for all the curves. The first one doesn't mention it. Once you pick colors, you will find out that whatever you want is an upgrade! Even the color of the Pebbletec. I think the PV3 is better than the A&A but that is my opinion and others will disagree I'm sure. There's more but that's a start.

 

[flcmd]

Thanks for the input guys. I addressed the pool lights once the quotes came back and they both mentioned that they would add the second light without raising the cost of the estimate :-D Both will be the Pentair 400W LED's.

As far a two quotes for the same pool, we looked at a few dozen designs throughout the web and on both builder's sites and went with the free form that you see above as an idea for our design. The quotes are so similar b/c I essentially provided each PB with the quote of the other PB to see who would give me the best deal. I liked both of them and got along with them well enough to trust them to give me the best deal. By pitting one against the other, we were able to get a better idea who had the better equipment for our needs and used the same design to get similar quotes, just to keep things relatively even

I went with the landscaper to place the decking. Coping will be bullnose at 1.5" (better price). Turkish travertine (I guess better quality?). I'll find out on the "Monterrey Tile" part.

I agree that the design has too many curves...Will work on rounding it out a little as we finalize the design. I think that we are close to going with PB #1. Thanks again for the input and look forward to getting some pics uploaded as we move forward on this project.....

 

[spanky99l]

Beware with travertine (natural stone) ans Salt Water


Will

 

[chiefwej]

Salt eats natural stone. In areas with high evaporation and low rainfall it is much worse. Salt splashes out and just builds up in the stone and is never rinsed off by rain. I have several neighbors who wish they had never used stone with a salt pool. Like my pool builder said, "salt or stone, pick one".

 

[Flippy]

Thanks for the input guys. I addressed the pool lights once the quotes came back and they both mentioned that they would add the second light without raising the cost of the estimate :-D Both will be the Pentair 400W LED's.

As far a two quotes for the same pool, we looked at a few dozen designs throughout the web and on both builder's sites and went with the free form that you see above as an idea for our design. The quotes are so similar b/c I essentially provided each PB with the quote of the other PB to see who would give me the best deal. I liked both of them and got along with them well enough to trust them to give me the best deal. By pitting one against the other, we were able to get a better idea who had the better equipment for our needs and used the same design to get similar quotes, just to keep things relatively even

I went with the landscaper to place the decking. Coping will be bullnose at 1.5" (better price). Turkish travertine (I guess better quality?). I'll find out on the "Monterrey Tile" part.

I agree that the design has too many curves...Will work on rounding it out a little as we finalize the design. I think that we are close to going with PB #1. Thanks again for the input and look forward to getting some pics uploaded as we move forward on this project.....

Just a FYI the LED lights use way less power. They are 400 watt equivalent lights. Get the color changing ones for the best effect. Everyone that see's my pool at night is impressed. The pool glows at night and is an impressive sight.

 

[flcmd]

Hi Folks,

Just a quick update....We went with PB #1. Liked their reputation on this site as well as other boards online. They have been awesome to work with thus far and we'll be painting lines soon to start digging! Here is the final layout that we decided on. Thanks for the heads up for two lights (400 W, LED, color-changing and facing away from the house), we added them and some bubblers for the kids...can't wait to start!