I would negotiate your payment schedule. There isn't any holdback at the end. Also everything is due before it happens, so you might see if he'll change that to after excavation, gunite, etc. I can't remember what ours was/is but I know we paid after completion of a phase and we have 5% hold back.
Yeah I wish that was an option but all the builders I've spoke with their schedule payment schedule is basically set in stone.
Yeah, we were 30% after each of those and 10% after fill.
Make sure the filter pump is variable speed.
I would skip making the deck match. We have rock salt colored concrete deck, it is great, maintenance free, not slippery, not too hot and still looks great 4 years later.
It was a VS pump in our meeting. I'll make sure they get the model numbers in the bid to confirm.
The problem is my existing patio deck is just brushed concrete and looks very unattractive. I do need to look more into longevity of the spray dek.