Another in Texas - Cypress

[twinkiesmommy2009]

Okay, original design by PB-C in picture form.



Revised design:





I feel like this design is taking up too much of my shallow area though (and I'm under 5 ft so the shallow area is MY only area). Made some suggestions for changes so we will see.

To refresh memories and not make anybody go look, here is:

PB-A:



PB-B:




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[kimkats]

B=1
A=2
C=3 (not all as it is too crowded

I really like how B is laid out with the fire pit and patio around it. I LOVE the benches in it as well.

A but ONLY if their cost is much less. I like B that much.

C=as stated above-------just too crowded at the fire pit end.

Kim

 

[Mamiamjo]

O

B=1
A=2
C=3 (not all as it is too crowded

I really like how B is laid out with the fire pit and patio around it. I LOVE the benches in it as well.

A but ONLY if their cost is much less. I like B that much.

C=as stated above-------just too crowded at the fire pit end.

Kim

I agree with Kim, I like PB B design best

 

[Indigo blue]

I'm going to say A only because, again, visually as you are coming out from the house you get a better view of your design and on B it feels like the best part of the design is better seen from inside the pool as suppose to when you first step out and get that wow factor.


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[Nursenini]

I like B the best! Pretty pretty!!!

 

[twinkiesmommy2009]

Thanks everyone!

So B is actually my tweaks on A's original design. I had Builder B do so many tweaks when I started talking to him that it basically turned into a similar base drawing but with all of my additions, like benches.

A hasn't had a chance to do my tweaks yet. We agree with Indigo and like the placement of the spa and shelf better in A, so even if we choose B, we will reverse those in the design. C has some changes to make so we'll see what she comes back with tomorrow. Agreed that it was way too crowded and was eating up my shallow space.


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[Helen203]

I like "C" -- something about the way the "living room" is all clustered in a corner appeals to me.

ETA: I circled back and looked more closely, "B" is actually darned nice with the long benches and shear descents. And the curves are nicer than "C" has.

 

[Indigo blue]

Ahhhh now that sounds like a plan! To be honest I couldn't get past the fact I'd be looking at the back of the spa with B, it really flows better when things open up to you as you approach it


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[Marlahoutex]

I like where the spa is in C, before the fire pit was added. I also like its placement in A. I agree with Indigo about viewing the back of the spa in B. What if you moved the fire pit to the edge of the pool in the curved area by the tanning ledge, in A and C? Just a thought...

 

[Helen203]

I like where the spa is in C, before the fire pit was added. I also like its placement in A. I agree with Indigo about viewing the back of the spa in B. What if you moved the fire pit to the edge of the pool in the curved area by the tanning ledge, in A and C? Just a thought...

ITA on the spa location in "C" before the fire pit was added! I wonder if fire pits will be passe in a few years? Can you move the firepit to another area in the yard altogether? Are you sorry you asked for our opinions yet? LOL

 

[ummgood]

I agree on the spa location in the original design on C. I also like the built in bench for the fire pit instead of having to supply your own chairs. I saw one in person and they are great.

How about moving the fire pit over by the other side of the pool by the deep end. Then having more lounge area where the spa is in the first 'C' design? Another possibility is somehow integrating the fire into the spa and having chairs around that?

Maybe like this?

 

[kimkats]

I forgot to say I LOVED the bench by the fire pit as well!

Kim

 

[bmoreswim]

Nothing to add really on the design selection except that deck space conservation may be important.

But my other suggestion is to pick your favorite design, tweak it and then have your favorite PB (may not be the one with your favorite design) price it for you.

You don't owe any of them loyalty...just a fair chance at winning your business. You want the PB you are most comfortable with building the pool you want.

Ours didn't work that way only because we designed the pool and then had them bid on it.

You are in a very exciting and important stage of the process. Good luck with your selections!

 

[BigEinAZ]

I'm raising my spa wall up to 24 inches so it can function as a seat wall when entertaining and so it is easy for those who just want to dip their legs in the spa to do so. Just sit down on the wall and throw your legs over. This way the spa can be used by people that dont want to don swimsuits or when it is too cold to have a pool party.

 

[firehunter]

...

I spoke with our lender a bit ago and was told that they are at a standstill until we choose a builder and have a contract. [emoji15][emoji15] That means any hold up is on us. Go time! Lol

....
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I'm confused why your lender needs you to have a builder and contract before they can do anything else? For our HEL, once the process is finished they deposit the loan amount in our checking account for us to use.

- - - Updated - - -

I too like the spa and firepit on the right with the sun shelf in the middle, it opens up the whole area for a nice entrance to your pool. Love the built in bench for the firepit, we had to nix both of them due to budget. Taller spa for sitting is a good idea, I guess i thought the standard 18" was tall enough for that. Is 18" the standard height for spas?

 

[twinkiesmommy2009]

I love all the opinions! Keep them coming!

So, A had the first design we really loved. When we talked to B, we understood better a few things we wanted, like all the extra benches and such. By the time we got to now, C, we had all kinds of suggestions so really each design is a progression of a previous one. Once C gets hers the way we want it, we're going to go back to A & B to tweak and let all three bid on what is essentially a very similar pool.

I'm confused why your lender needs you to have a builder and contract before they can do anything else? For our HEL, once the process is finished they deposit the loan amount in our checking account for us to use.

- - - Updated - - -

I too like the spa and firepit on the right with the sun shelf in the middle, it opens up the whole area for a nice entrance to your pool. Love the built in bench for the firepit, we had to nix both of them due to budget. Taller spa for sitting is a good idea, I guess i thought the standard 18" was tall enough for that. Is 18" the standard height for spas?

We looked into doing the HEL, but we would have been limited to 80% of the value it appraises at as-is. We're also remodeling our interior kitchen, floors, and master shower so we wanted a bit more money. Doing a Home Improvement/Construction type loan allows us to use the appraised value AFTER improvements (a difference of 40,000) and a higher LTV if we wanted. We had the option but chose to get more money and complete our remodel with the pool. In our loan, one contractor is the general responsible for the whole contract, and gets draws from the loan managed by the bank. They are working in line items though to give us some control over our subs doing the interior work even though our builder has to pay them directly.

Our spas have all been quoted at 12" raised? Now I have to go see about 18" and 24"! Lol. You guys really are great at helping spend money!!


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[ummgood]

What is the depth of your shallow end? The reason I ask is it seems like PB C has way more steps from the ledge down. I understand that the ledge is farther towards the deep end but it seems like way more steps than I would have thought.

 

[twinkiesmommy2009]

What is the depth of your shallow end? The reason I ask is it seems like PB C has way more steps from the ledge down. I understand that the ledge is farther towards the deep end but it seems like way more steps than I would have thought.

The pool is only 3.5' - 5'. She's moving those steps to the other side against the wall instead of in the middle of the pool but that was my attempt at more Suz like steps. [emoji5][emoji5] I've had two knee surgeries, need a knee replacement, and have arthritis in both knees and my back so I thought I might like the 6" risers. We'll see. I'm not sure how it's going to work out.


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[firehunter]

Ah the loan makes sense now. I dont think our credit union had that type of loan. We were going to do some other upgrades too until we found out how much a pool and A/C units cost, so now those other items will have to wait.

I went back and checked one of our quotes: 8' round spa with 18" beam, raised 12"... I read that wrong, so it is 12" and not the 18" I thought. Now to measure that on a chair and see what I think.

 

[twinkiesmommy2009]

Newest design edit from Builder C is in! You'll see where it's beginning to take on a similar shape to A & B. We must like that.

I was trying to see how to get the shorter steps but I'm still not feeling it. I love the look of the benches in B and I think I may have to change these back to something closer to that. My knees won't be happy but hopefully my eyes will be.

Also, can't figure out how we want the kitchen. Just not enough space and I don't like the covered patio getting closed off like that.








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