Another in Texas - Cypress

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Indigo blue said:
I love it! What a beautiful pool this will be! You should be proud of yourself :)
Now... Just asking... Is there a reason why you chose to place the pool directly on the side of the house instead of more in that corner? Again I was thinking from stepping out of the house and having this full view of your magnificent pool :) maybe having some of your playground on that upper side with some grass? Just to balance the lot? I don't know what I'm saying here... You've probably thought of everything already :) I don't know what rooms are on that far side of the house and if it would make sense. I was just thinking...


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It's a fair question! We want to be able to separate the pool area for the kids and dogs so that was one consideration but easements were another. Our utility easement runs from that corner along the entire fence line where we are keeping the grass. We would have had to build a smaller pool and it would have been more difficult to fence off with a more appealing type of fence.


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Wow!!! I. LOVE. THIS. Really my dream pool. Great size, lots of benches, spa, firepit.... TM, you are going to have such a gorgeous yard. Congratulations! Can't wait to see this all come together!

On the built in bench for the firepit...my PB discouraged this. Said it's uncomfortable to sit there for long periods, can't put your feet up, can't scoot closer or further back (depending on heat and wind blowing) so we nixed the idea and are opting for chairs that can be moved how we like. I do LOVE the LOOK of the bench but his points were enough to sway me and it saved me $$. Something to think about if PB A is outside your budget but you REALLY want to use him.
 
Adirondack chairs look/work great around a fire pit. But yes, the bench is gorgeous and a custom cushion takes the bum sting away.
 
Thanks everybody! If we need to lower the budget the bench will probably be the first to go, but I'm hoping not! I love the look and we'd angle the back a bit for comfort and add cushions as well. I'd consider something like this instead of the bench but it costs the same and isn't waterproof. http://www.wayfair.com/Avalon-Wicker-10-Piece-Lounge-Seating-Group-with-Cushion-OGO4796-NFN3685.html

I wonder if my hubby could do a DIY version if we have to cut it. Hmm... Of course his DIY list just from my Pinterest habit already rivals that of Santa's Naughty & Nice List. Pray for him please ya'll. He needs them! [emoji1317][emoji23]


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Good Morning TFP!

Nothing new to report on the builders really. PB-B's wife contacted me by email asking what they could do to earn our business. I replied that we were waiting for one more bid but she could get started on my questions. Lol. I sent her the whole long list of questions and research I posted here (in that other thread I'm too lazy to find the link for right now). She replied that it was "Impressive!" and she'd do her best to answer them.

I emailed PB-C the list at the same time but they didn't acknowledge it. Funny how it works. I'd all but eliminated B and was just really looking at A & C but now, B has come back and C's communication is just not what I'd like it to be.

PB-A was waiting on a few numbers to get our quote tight so he had a delay in getting it to me but as usual his communication was quick and he let me know before I asked. Should get it today.

We're working in the gardens today. I'll try to grab a picture before it changes and then post another when he finishes. We have black thumbs slowly turning grayish green. Anybody local want to help teach us? I have books and we're reading like crazy.

We went to Lowe's yesterday and I bought my first items for outside. I couldn't resist the pillows which are outdoor and will go by the pool but for now they're hanging out on the couch in style.

Also got this sweet angel. Don't know where she's going yet though.

The boys had a grand time testing all the furniture and telling us what they though we should do. Their favorite was this one with the built in pergola and backdrop screen. [emoji5]. I didn't include the pergola on the picture.

More as soon as I hear back from the builders.



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The proposal came in from PB-A. We'll need to tighten it down as it did come in over budget (and doesn't include the Prism Matrix difference) but at least I have all the numbers necessary to make our decisions now. Anything stand out to you guys, good or bad?




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I can't ever see ya'lls emoticons. Only my own. It looks like this to me : splash : but without spaces.

Kim, I posted his thoughts on unions and such in my Things I Learned from TFP post but didn't get much feedback.


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Ok, just off the top of my head here are a few potential points on that list, I don't see anything glaringly wrong, but just some stuff that I would likely do a different way.

1, Why a spa blower? There is nothing really wrong with one, and they may have their place if you like lots of bubbling water without needing a lot of jet action, however lots of bubbles can be achieved with air induction jets with proper spa design. Often spa blowers are a crutch used to make up for poor overall spa design, they are also yet another source of noise.

2, I don't see a big need for 2 pumps here, if I were doing it I would do water management with valves controlled by an automation system and just have the 1 intelliflo, which would certainly be big enough to run the water feature and pool circulation at once, or the spa and pool circulation, although spa and water feature at the same time might be pushing it. So ask yourself would you ever want / need to run those two at once? You already have the Easy Touch in there so it would just be a matter of removing the 2 HP whisperflo and adding a valve actuator. That could be a $500 saving

3, Ditch the suction side cleaner and invest in a robot (robots are much better at cleaning, save on electricity as you don't have to run your pump on high while you are cleaning) they do have a higher up front cost though, but you can still get a decent one for $650 or so, maybe better if you catch an off season sale.

4, Is there a reason you are picking natural gas over a heat pump? Not saying there is a right or wrong here, just trade offs, and making sure it was an informed decision.

5, What diameter PVC pipe? and is it all home run design?

6, Payment schedule is very front weighted, does not give you much leverage at the end if they mess something up.

Ike
 
Isaac-1 said:
Ok, just off the top of my head here are a few potential points...Ike
Click to expand...

Thanks for replying Ike!

1, Why a spa blower? There is nothing really wrong with one, and they may have their place if you like lots of bubbling water without needing a lot of jet action, however lots of bubbles can be achieved with air induction jets with proper spa design. Often spa blowers are a crutch used to make up for poor overall spa design, they are also yet another source of noise.

We asked about this and all three top builders said we needed to do a blower. Our spa is an 8' diameter and they felt the blower was necessary. Also thinking about adding a few more jets but I see he forgot to give me the price for that.

2, I don't see a big need for 2 pumps here, if I were doing it I would do water management with valves controlled by an automation system and just have the 1 intelliflo, which would certainly be big enough to run the water feature and pool circulation at once, or the spa and pool circulation, although spa and water feature at the same time might be pushing it. So ask yourself would you ever want / need to run those two at once? You already have the Easy Touch in there so it would just be a matter of removing the 2 HP whisperflo and adding a valve actuator. That could be a $500 saving

Hmm... I will look into that!

3, Ditch the suction side cleaner and invest in a robot (robots are much better at cleaning, save on electricity as you don't have to run your pump on high while you are cleaning) they do have a higher up front cost though, but you can still get a decent one for $650 or so, maybe better if you catch an off season sale.

We already did this! Looks like when he adjusted the new proposal he forgot to take out that change. Thanks for catching it!!

4, Is there a reason you are picking natural gas over a heat pump? Not saying there is a right or wrong here, just trade offs, and making sure it was an informed decision.

Gas here is much cheaper than electricity so it seemed to make sense. It also seems standard as that's what all 15 builders included. Can you see an advantage to the heat pump in Houston we aren't considering?

5, What diameter PVC pipe? and is it all home run design?

He said no dead ends runs and all returns are in a completed pipe loop. Everything is plumbed separate to the pad. 2" PVC for most. 2 1/2" for spa suction

6, Payment schedule is very front weighted, does not give you much leverage at the end if they mess something up.

He told us this was completely flexible and had no problem with an arrangement that saved 5-10% for after completion of punch list. In this case they won't change it on our contract though as it's irrelevant. Since we're financing they are subject to the allowable draws of our construction loan.




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Got a lot done in the yard the last two days. Want it all done before the PB makes a bigger mess. Had a lot of help too!



Found what we think is a skink? Didn't look it up yet though.



It was pretty funny because right after taking those he decided to run away when DH tried to take him. All around both sides of my daughter's neck with her squealing as it tickled.

If you're familiar with Texas clay then you'll know why after two days this was serious progress!



This orange tree is two years old but hasn't done very well despite our efforts. Any green thumbs with some advice?



This also happened. We think it was while DH was either mowing or weed eating so that stinks and quotes have ranged from $150-$425 to fix it and they can't get out here until Monday.



Really cool upon closer look though.



Going to put clear contact paper over it and try to save it. What do YOU see!!


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Also, here is the proposal from PB-C. (I won't be posting PB-B because it was convoluted in spreadsheet format with every option they offer listed and a check mark for what you selected. As a result it's about 20 pages.)




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