Considering Owner Build Pool

[Tegguy]

The wife and I have been looking at pools for a while and are shocked by the prices we're getting quoted $70,000+ for a 15X30 pool with a spa. There aren't a whole lot of upgrades in this either other than automation, salt system, a couple water features. My wife and I were shocked at the price and decided this wasn't something we wanted to invest into.

We're considering an owner build pool to try to cut costs because it would be nice to have in Florida. I'm curious realistically how much can we save off the price of the pool on a 1 for 1 comparison. Also I'm wondering what the top 5 cost contributors are to the pol to see if I could find a company and get quotes on those aspects as a point of comparison.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

You will find a bunch of OB threads here. Here is one to read through...

BMOP

Signed a deal with BYOP Austin today. I interviewed a handful of PBs and I just felt like I was going to have to spend a whole bunch extra for good customer service. One guy even told me that if I wanted a good pool I should be involved every day and shouldn't wait to bring stuff up, which in...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JRo]

Look around there are fall/winter specials I’ve seen for $47,000 for pool/spa combo in my area without extra fluff. My pool is in that ballpark you were quoted with lots of travertine stone and rock waterfalls (no spa). Unless, it’s just that much $$ In FL

 

[Pool_Medic]

DIY can save half or more.

 

[gnr5]

Hello, not sure if half, but you can save about 15%-30% from my research, I'm in Miami. I was thinking OB for a long time, decided on a PB because I don't have time but from what I've been reading is not that time consuming either. Get a few quotes, the PB I'm picking is a VERY VERY small PB, he's an older guy that does like 2 or 3 pools a year, so I'm getting a good price and I won't have to deal with it, if he decides to walk, I can finish it since I already found all the subs.

Do your research, and find out how much everything costs so you know who's giving you a good price and who's not. One PB quoted me $1000 for an extra skimmer which I know it costs about $150 + labor.

If you decided OB, check with your city permit department, how strict they are etc.

 

[Tegguy]

I know details are required but this pool was 72,000 quoted price (after special discount)

 

[Tegguy]

Also how do you find subs to get quotes from? I know plumber and electrician you can probably just Google but how do you find a layout, dig, steel company? Gunnite company? Ect

 

[kimkats]

Get on the phone and start making calls. See a pool company sign in the yard? Ask them who is doing their work and if you see a trade truck write down their number and go from there. Once you start calling you find the same names (good or bad) keep coming up. Make a detailed list.

 

[gnr5]

Also how do you find subs to get quotes from? I know plumber and electrician you can probably just Google but how do you find a layout, dig, steel company? Gunnite company? Ect

Again, I'm not going OB but I was able to find all the subs. Start a spreadsheet, what worked for me is calling the Gunite companies around my area. There aren't many, in Miami there are only two big ones. I called both, and ask three questions:

1. Do you work with OB?
2. What's your price?
3. Do you recommend a steel company?

Both gave me a steel company, the steel guys they gave also do the layout and excavation. I asked them for a plumber and an electrician, both guys had people. That was it, after that you just need a deck, tile and plastering company, there are plenty around, just look for pool renovations, that's all they do, they will also do the startup.

 

[foo.c]

My bigger costs in desc order:

gunite: ~10k
excavation + steel: ~10k (I had 3 days of jackhammering because of rock, so this might be less for you)
decking: ~10k
plaster: ~8k
equipment: ~7k

Approximately 50k all in.

The quotes I got ranged from low 50s to mid 60s and didn't have near as much decking and for a much smaller pool. So I saved a little bit, but I got way more for the money. I could have probably built the low 50's pool for lower 40's.

So far it's been pretty easy. The subs build pools for all the PBs, and they know what they are doing. Communication is a bit of an issue if you don't speak Spanish, but I have gotten by with a combination of hand gestures and what I remember from 7th and 8th grade Spanish class.

 

[Newdude]

So I saved a little bit, but I got way more for the money.

This is the magical real world statement. For most people, any savings will go directly to making the pool and surrounding areas nicer and/or bigger. Or adding a bunch of features that would not have fit in the budget with a PB.

If you can handle the OB route you will get a lot more bang for buck.

 

[Tegguy]

1st thank you everyone for the replies.

So if I understand the process right it goes something like this...

1) Get a pool design and engineering
2) Get bids and select contractors
3) Complete layout, dig, and steel
4) Plumbing rough in
5) electrical rough in
6) gunnite
7) Plaster/pebbletec finish
8) finish electrical
9) finish plumbing
10) Water edge tile and coping
11) Decking
12) Pool fill and initial startup

Please help me if I missed anything or have anything out of order.

Do most people buy the equipment or work with one of the subs to try to get the equipment at a better price? Who does the sizing for all the plumbing and pumps and everything (the engineering company, a sub, the owner)?

Also any tips on what to search for to find subs? I cant seem to find a gunnite company or dig company or anything but I'm probably searching for the wrong thing.

 

[kimkats]

1) Get a pool design and engineering
2) Get bids and select contractors
3) Complete layout, dig, and steel
4) Plumbing rough in
5) electrical rough in
6) gunnite
10) Water edge tile
8) finish electrical
9) finish plumbing
7) Plaster/pebbletec finish
11) Decking and coping
12) Pool fill and initial startup

I changed the order on some of it. You want the plumbing and electric finished before you plaster as you want it working as soon as water goes into the pool.

Water edge tile-do you mean the tile that goes between the plaster and coping? If so that needs to be done before the plaster finish. It can be done anytime after the gunnite. It is a good idea to let the shell cure before the waterline tile is done. There are different opinions on how long to let it cure. Some say about 30 days. Talk to your installer to see what they have to say.

Kim