Pool People, Greetings.
Please skip this if long posts are not your thing. I cannot think of any way to make this shorter. It’s two quotes. I have removed the company names, and I don't feel like I"m doing anything wrong by posting this here. If it's against the rules or in bad form, please let me know.
My wife has always wanted a pool. We have three kids that are not getting any younger so we have decided to take the plunge. I present here for your critique, two quotes for what we want. Please provide any input you have.
Goals:
Things that need ponderin':
The property:
Builder “A”:
General:
Approvals:
Excavation:
Steel & Gunite
Plumbing & Electrical
Stone and Tile:
Water Features”
Decking and Walls
Plaster
Equipement:
Warranties
Not covered by contract:
All Inclusive Price:
Payment Schedule:
$61,980.00
30% due at signing
30% upon completion of Gunite
30% upon completion of Decks
10% due prior to scheduling Plaster
Notes on Builder “A”:
Notes on Builder “C”:
Builder "C" images:
View attachment 78089
View attachment 78091
Builder “C” quote:
all pools come standard with the following
Standard Construction Specs
standard swimming pool amenities
standard spa specs:
warranties
Electric connections
*** You have the option of using our licensed electrician or you can do your own electrical or you can also use your own electrician. We can include this in our bid as a turnkey price if requested. We use ***** Electric and he is familiar with all of our systems. ***
Standard Swimming Pool Connection includes:
Sum of: $62,125.00
Breakdown: Swimming Pool $36,900.00, plus upgrades listed above
optional: upgraded amenities to consider
PAYment schedule
Payments to be made as follows:
Less down payment
35% upon Excavation and Forming of pool
35% upon Gunite
20% upon Decking
10% upon Plaster
$500.00 completion of swimming pool (WTH?)
This proposal will be withdrawn if not accepted by homeowner within thirty days.
Average completion time is 30 working days (6 weeks) barring weather.
Yes, Builder “C” has a 30 day guarantee? Are they serious, is that even possible?
I'm sure I"m leaving things out, I reserve the right to make changes, clarify or correct.
Please skip this if long posts are not your thing. I cannot think of any way to make this shorter. It’s two quotes. I have removed the company names, and I don't feel like I"m doing anything wrong by posting this here. If it's against the rules or in bad form, please let me know.
My wife has always wanted a pool. We have three kids that are not getting any younger so we have decided to take the plunge. I present here for your critique, two quotes for what we want. Please provide any input you have.
Goals:
- * Most important: Swimming area. My wife wants to swim for exercise so swimable surface area and shape is a must.
- * Fun for the kids
- * Ease of maintenance
- * Cost Value / Bang for the Buck
- * Spa
- * An area where we can spend time relaxing
Things that need ponderin':
- Pool depth. Builder "A" says the kids can jump in all day long at 6 1/2 feet and not get hurt. Builder "B" says you can even do it at six feet (both promise to charge more for deeper)
- Pool length vs width for actual swimin'
- Things that I don't even know to ponder about
The property:
- * We have lots of room but our house builder put the septic tank where we asked NOT too. We must work around. it.
- * I live in the county, not a city. WHAT Permits and ordinances?
- * There is a slight grade but we have been told it can be worked in an leveled out with no retaining wall or stone.
- * I have always felt my back porch is small and I want to extend it with more overhead at some point. Now is the time to do that, or at least leave enough room for it.
- * We have rock. I know what is under the dirt at about a foot. I have not fully disclosed that I know it to these companies. Rock digging fees is a major sticking point for my bidding process.
Builder “A”:
General:
- Pool Dimensions: Approx. 16 ft x 32 ft with approx. 6 ft x 12 ft External Tanning Ledge
- Pool Perimeter: Approx. 110 ft.
- Pool Depth: 3 ft. to 6 1/2 ft
- Spa Dimensions: 7 ft. Square in design
- Spa Perimeter: Approx. 28 ft.
- Spa Raised: 18 inches from deck
- Spa Depth: Approx. 3 ft.
Approvals:
- City Permit: All fees and inspections included, as required by the city
- Home Owners Assoc: Assistance with required plans and forms, Fees by buyer
- Insurance: general liability.
- Standards: Design meets current standards as detailed by ISPSC guidelines.
- Plans: Final construction plans will be supplied for approval.
- Layout: Customer to sign off on provided scope of work.
Excavation:
- Rock: If rock bit is required, An additional fee of $300.00 per hour will be charged.
- *** Builder A has agreed to cap the Rock Bit Fee at 3 Hours per Owner***
- Material: All excavation material to be removed from site unless other specified - TBD @
- time of signing contract.
- Dirt Shuttle: If dirt shuttle is required due to constrained space in getting equipment in and
- out of the job site there will be a fee of $750.00 added to the contract price.
Steel & Gunite
- Pool: 1⁄2 inch Grade 40 Steel Rebar on 10 inch Centers, both ways.
- Pool Bond Beam: 1⁄2 inch Grade 40 Steel Rebar x 4
- Additional: N/A
- Concrete: Dry Mix Gunite
- Thickness: Out of Ground Beam to be 12”
Plumbing & Electrical
- Pool Pipes: 3 inch suction & 2 inch return at equipment, Schedule 40 PVC.
- Returns: (8) Directional Inlets
- Skimmers: (2) Independently plumbed for optimum control.
- Drains: (4) AquaStar drains, VGB compliant.
- Spa Pipes: 3 inch suction & 2 inch return at equipment, Schedule 40 PVC
- Spa Jets: (6) High Flow Jets
- Spa Air: 2 inch dedicated airline.
- Fill Line: Auto Fill
- Overflow Line: N/A
- Gas: Propane by owner
- Electrical: Hookup from exterior sub-panel, bonding by Electrical Cone (UL).
- Includes all required circuit breakers and GFCI, etc., up to 75 FT included.
Stone and Tile:
- 6” Band at waterline, Frost-proof -
- Pool/Spa Tile: Standard Selection
- Pool Coping: Lueders Stone or Oklahoma Stone Coping
- Spa Coping: Lueders Stone or Oklahoma Stone Coping
- Spa Facing: Chopped Lueder Stone
- Raised Beam: N/A
- Boulders in Beam: N/A
Water Features”
- Bubbler: YES, In Tanning Ledge
- Spa Spillway: (1) Stone Spillway to confirm with client
Decking and Walls
- Reinforcement: 3/8” Rebar 16”On Center, 4”Select Fill Base
- Deck Material #1: 300 sqft of washed concrete.*NOTE* 1 yard of concrete equals to 81 sq ft.
- Deck Material #2: N/A
- Pump Truck: f pump truck is needed there will be a fee of $1,050.00 additional cost.
- Steps:
- Deck-O-Drain: N/A
- VB / Umbrella Sleeves: 2, additional sleeves available @ $14.95 each
- Retaining Walls: N/A
Plaster
- Pool/Spa Plaster: Custom Colored Pebble
- Entry: Steps on Shallow End
- Benches: TBD
- Start-Up: Pool School with all required chemicals
- Maintenance: 16’ Telescopic Pole, Brush, Net, Test Kit & Thermometer
- Clean Up: Completed by Contractor
Equipement:
- Main Pump: Pentair Variable Speed 3 hp
- Pump #2: N/A
- Pump #3: N/A
- Filter: Pentair 650# Commercial Sand w/ Glass
- Heater: Pentair 400k – Propane
- Blower: Blower – 1hp Silencer
- Cleaner: Pentair Prowler Robotic
- Control Box: Pentair Easy Touch 8 Computer Automation
- Remotes: I-Phone or Andriod
- Sanitizers: In-Line Chlorinator
- Pool Lights: (1)Pentair Intellibrite 5 Color L.E.D., 120v
- Spa Lights: (1)Pentair Intellibrite 5 Color L.E.D., 120v
- Tanning Ledge Lights: (1) Pentair Glowbrite 5 Color L.E.D., low voltage
Warranties
- Gunite Shell: 3 Year Structural
- Equipment: 3 years manufacturers (parts & labor)
- Plumbing: 1 year
- Decks:1 year
- Tile/Coping:1 year
- Light: 3 year
- Plaster: 10 year for Custom Pebble Plaster
- Controls: 3 year limited
Not covered by contract:
- Reroute sprinkler and utility lines if required
- Landscaping, Grass or Mulch
- Modification or Upgrade to existing electrical panel/service
- Gutters and Gutter Drain Pipes
- Supply accurate survey to property
- Water supply for filling of pool and gunite process
All Inclusive Price:
Payment Schedule:
$61,980.00
30% due at signing
30% upon completion of Gunite
30% upon completion of Decks
10% due prior to scheduling Plaster
Notes on Builder “A”:
- * I had a good feeling after meeting with them. They gave me a quote right then, without seeing the property. They stated that if we are ok with the price, then they will come to the property, measure and make a 3d rendering of the designed pool.
- * They do not use sub-contractors, they own their own equipment.
- * Builder “A” insists that a square pool is the best value for your money, says pools are priced by the “footprint” and curves eat away at it.
- * Builder “A” states costs get exponentially more expensive when depth goes beyond 6 ½ feet.
- * Claims to be building a LOT of pools in the area, can confirm some of their work is in the area.
- * Operates from an established physical store front.
- * Uses Pentair equipment, states it’s top of the line and he offers nothing cheaper, includes full smart phone automation. Nothing is an “Upgrade”, this is the price.
- * States that the variable speed pump will save me Thousands of dollars a year in electric
- states that the robot that comes with the pool is amazeballs and will keep it clean.
Notes on Builder “C”:
- * I told them to quote me a pool at Builder “A” specs, but it was confusing because everything is an “upgrade” and it’s whatever you want. (I’m not a pool designer, or builder, I don’t know what to spec out)
- I did not get the same warm feeling as Builder "A", I felt confused when they left. I'm also confused when reading their quote in places, they are consistent.
- * They came to my house and measured and looked at the property
- * It took about a week to get the quote from them, I assume because they did a 3d rendering
- * Insists that a pool with curves is cheaper because the perimeter is shorter, and it’s “priced by the perimeter”, sends me a quote with pool dimensions: 16’ x 32’, no perimeter included.
- * Sub contracts excavation, and I’m assuming everything else.
- * Operates from their house, but I know they are established with work in the area.
- * Charges a MINIMUM $1500 for rock bit, which they want up front as a deposit. Refused to put a cap on it.
- * Does not include electrical and mentioned a flat fee of ~$1500 to hook everything up with “their guy.”
- Claims robots are dumb and only a suction side vacuum thing will keep the pool clean.
Builder "C" images:
View attachment 78089
View attachment 78091
Builder “C” quote:
all pools come standard with the following
- * Final approved swimming pool plans
- * Pool permits pulled within City limits
- * All sales tax included in proposal amount
- Builder “C” is insured and bonded
Standard Construction Specs
- *One-day excavation using track machine with standard excavation bucket, if rock hammer is applied we charge $375.00 per hour with a 4-hour minimum ($1,500.00 min.)
- 1/2” steel in beam, rebar tied on 10 inch centers doubled up on 5x10 inch centers on stress points of pool
- Schedule 40 PVC plumbing 2” suction and 2” returns, all pressure tested
- 2 skimmers
- 6 returns
- 2 anti-vortex main drains
- Monolithic Gunite structure using 7 – sack cement mixed on job site 10” walls & 12” beam
- 6-inch standard frost proof ceramic tile of your choice around perimeter of pool
- 12-inch standard flagstone coping or 12” bullnose brick coping (unless upgrade is discussed)
- 4-feet of standard washed aggregate, salt finish, or broom finish concrete decking around perimeter of pool (unless otherwise discussed). 350 sq. ft. of additional concrete 800 sq. ft. included
- Concrete equipment pad
- Stone Scape plaster
- Standard swimming pool equipment package
- (2) Color logic LED lights
- (1) Hayward Tri-Star or Super II Pump variable speed pump
- (1) Hayward Sand or Cartridge Filter
- (1) Hayward Navigator Cleaner
- (1) Single Freeze Guard Timer
- (1) In-line Chlorinator
- (1) Vacuum pole
- (1) Pool Brush
- (1) thermometer
- (1) Test Strips
- (1) Vac Head
- (1) Vac Hose
- (1) Vac Plate
- (1) Skimmer Net
- Start-up chems for salt and chlorine pool
standard swimming pool amenities
- Tanning bench (size determined by customer)
- (1) Bubbler jet in Tanning Bench valved so it can be adjusted or turned off
- (2) Umbrella anchors and (2) Volleyball anchors installed in decking
- (1) Umbrella anchor installed in tanning bench
- (1) 4’ interior bench in pool
- (1) Set of Steps with wing bench
- One month of FREE WEEKLY MAINTENANCE. Once a week for 4 weeks
- Pool School upon completion on pool
- Salt start-ups and automatic cleaner installation at 2 weeks after completion
standard spa specs:
- 7 ‘ inside/ outside spa raised 12-inches,With a tiled roll beam and rock coping & rock veneered spillway to pool
- 6 Hydrotherapy Spa Jets
- (2) Spa side air control venturi valves for air bubbles (blower available upon request)
- 250,000 BTU Hayward natural gas or propane heater w/dual thermostats
- (2) main drains with anti-vortex lids
- (1) Spa light
- Plumbing is 2” – 2 ½” schedule 40 PVC
- Stone Scape Plaster
warranties
- Three-year warranty on pool structure
- One-year workmanship warranty on plumbing, tile, and coping
- One-year warranty on white Plaster
- Eight-year manufacture warranty on Stonescapes plaster
- Three-year warranty on ALL Hayward Equipment
Electric connections
*** You have the option of using our licensed electrician or you can do your own electrical or you can also use your own electrician. We can include this in our bid as a turnkey price if requested. We use ***** Electric and he is familiar with all of our systems. ***
Standard Swimming Pool Connection includes:
- A 60’ run from your panel box to our equipment (trenching and longer runs will be an additional fee)
- (1) pool light included – (additional lights are $100.00 each)
- (1) pool pump
- Bonding of pool and lights
- Electrical Permit included
- (1) pool panel, salt system, chlorine system or UV system included
- Total for Pool Only: $1,800.00
- Total for Pool & Spa: $1,900.00
- Breakdown of pool and/or spa
- POOL DEMINSIONS: 16’x 32’
- POOL DEPTHS: 3 ½ ‘ x 6 ½ ‘
- SPA DEMINSIONS: 7’ raised Spa with tiled rollbeam
- UPGRADES:, Stone scape plaster $4,800.00, 3 color logic LED lights $2,300.00, Up grade to a two speed pump $500.00, Extra depth $700.00, & 7’ Spa $14,500.00 with roll beam (without $12,500.00) extra bench $500.00 & 350 sq. ft. additional decking $1,925.00
- Totals $25,225.00
Sum of: $62,125.00
Breakdown: Swimming Pool $36,900.00, plus upgrades listed above
optional: upgraded amenities to consider
- Additional standard decking $5.50 per square foot
- Delta UV System $1,800.00
- Pro Logic P-4 Salt System $2,400.00
- Additional Bubbler Jet in tanning bench $500.00
- E-Connect remote system for chlorine pools $1,000.00
- Hayward Color Logic Lights $850.00 ea. for pool & spa
- Additional 500 watt Lights in pool $450.00 ea.
- Aqua Pod Remote System for salt pools $1,800.00
- Aqua Cal Heat-Cool Pump $6,000.00
- Color added to concrete by estimate only (depends on square footage)
- Dive package with 8’ depth (min. 16x32 pool size), with 6’ diving board and base, and additional decking $5,000.00
- Additional Depth to 7’ is $2,000.00
- Figure 4 Handrail tan powder coated $600.00 installed
- Standard Jump rock decorative boulder $450.00 installed
- Stonescapes pebble Plaster (color of choice) determined by size of pool
- Stonescapes Pebble Plaster on Spa $750.00
- 1-ton rock waterfall $2,400.00
- 1.5-ton rock waterfall $3,000.00
- 2-ton rock waterfall $3,800.00
- 1.5-ton weeping wall with 4 inlets $3,600.00
- 2-ton weeping wall with 4 inlets $4,200.00
- (4) deck jets $2,100.00
- Wood Burning Fire Pit $1,900.00 (rock veneered)
- Gas burning fire pit or fire bars by estimate only
- Sheer Descent walls by estimate only
- Grottos/caves by estimate only
- Pre-fab and tile slides by estimate only
- Electrical hook-up of pole lamp lighting or additional outdoor lighting supplied by homeowner by estimate only
- possible additional expenses to consider if applicable
- Propane tank for propane heater and connection (for spa)
- Natural gas connections (for spa)
- Deck drains if required
- Gutters on house if needed
- Additional grading if required
- Tree stump removal
- Sprinkler repair or relocation
- Fence repair
- Pump truck (for concrete decking) to be determined by CCP construction super.
- Bobcat Dig/ Bobcat Shuttle for limited access yards to be determined by CCP
- Any utility re-route is at homeowners expense
PAYment schedule
Payments to be made as follows:
Less down payment
35% upon Excavation and Forming of pool
35% upon Gunite
20% upon Decking
10% upon Plaster
$500.00 completion of swimming pool (WTH?)
This proposal will be withdrawn if not accepted by homeowner within thirty days.
Average completion time is 30 working days (6 weeks) barring weather.
Yes, Builder “C” has a 30 day guarantee? Are they serious, is that even possible?
I'm sure I"m leaving things out, I reserve the right to make changes, clarify or correct.
Most of us started out very much like you. Like Kim and Maddie, I'll comment on whatever I can and leave the rest to others. I may repeat some of their suggestions to emphasize how important I think it is. 
