- Oct 8, 2013
- 20
So after interviewing several PBs and going through the second rounds of meetings, I started to have initial bids coming in. Hubby and I are still debating on a few items so they are not finalized yet. But here are the questions I've already got for you fine folks here to take a stab.
1. Do you negotiate when the final bids come in on the finalized design?
2. A painful truth we found out about our pool project is that we have very poor soil. Two best quality builders (judging from the conversation and TFP member comments) had different opinions on it. One said we'll have to do piers with no mentioning of chemical injection. The other said chemical injection is necessary but piers are optional. I know this is not going to be a common case to most people here. But could whoever have the knowledge about this topic weigh in? Are we getting ripped off if somebody's charging us more than $500 per a helical pier?
3. The pool is going to be about 38K gallon. What hp should a main pump (VS) be proper for this size without overdoing it?
4. I won't have a spa. The only water features are going to be 5 deck jets. Again the two top candidates deal with this differently. One was going to use a 1.5hp booster pump to run the deck jets. The other was going to use an actuator valve. Pros and Cons of each?
5. One PB wants to put in another booster pump to run a Pentair Legend cleaner. Is it really necessary? I thought the purpose of the VS is to run at different speeds to accommodate the different functionality (water feature vs. cleaner vs. water circulation). What's the point of having a VS pump and still have two other booster pumps?
6. Glass tile: One PB was quite lenient about bringing your own material at a better cost. We love the looks of the glass tile - who doesn't?! I saw some selections in Home Depot much cheaper that are rated to be suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and frost proof. According to reviews, it's probably just somewhat thinner than the more expensive ones - yes, I know the quality would be maybe one grade down. I just wonder if I could use those for waterline purpose. Most people obviously use them for backsplash. If that's not a good choice, anybody know some value providers I can check out online or in DFW area for pool tiles?
That's about it now. I'm sure more will come when I zoom in on a couple of finalists. Feeling like I am going through the darkest part of the tunnel right now
Thanks in advance!!
1. Do you negotiate when the final bids come in on the finalized design?
2. A painful truth we found out about our pool project is that we have very poor soil. Two best quality builders (judging from the conversation and TFP member comments) had different opinions on it. One said we'll have to do piers with no mentioning of chemical injection. The other said chemical injection is necessary but piers are optional. I know this is not going to be a common case to most people here. But could whoever have the knowledge about this topic weigh in? Are we getting ripped off if somebody's charging us more than $500 per a helical pier?
3. The pool is going to be about 38K gallon. What hp should a main pump (VS) be proper for this size without overdoing it?
4. I won't have a spa. The only water features are going to be 5 deck jets. Again the two top candidates deal with this differently. One was going to use a 1.5hp booster pump to run the deck jets. The other was going to use an actuator valve. Pros and Cons of each?
5. One PB wants to put in another booster pump to run a Pentair Legend cleaner. Is it really necessary? I thought the purpose of the VS is to run at different speeds to accommodate the different functionality (water feature vs. cleaner vs. water circulation). What's the point of having a VS pump and still have two other booster pumps?
6. Glass tile: One PB was quite lenient about bringing your own material at a better cost. We love the looks of the glass tile - who doesn't?! I saw some selections in Home Depot much cheaper that are rated to be suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and frost proof. According to reviews, it's probably just somewhat thinner than the more expensive ones - yes, I know the quality would be maybe one grade down. I just wonder if I could use those for waterline purpose. Most people obviously use them for backsplash. If that's not a good choice, anybody know some value providers I can check out online or in DFW area for pool tiles?
That's about it now. I'm sure more will come when I zoom in on a couple of finalists. Feeling like I am going through the darkest part of the tunnel right now
Thanks in advance!!