As for the cost
The pool kit (on ground kit--we weren't sure when we bought if we would put it the whole way in the ground or not--plus this kit was the size we wanted and had a 3 week lead time--the in ground kits were cheaper but had a 6-8 week lead time) $18,312
Excavation $5300 (several people said I overpaid for this but they did a great job--saved all the topsoil--completely revamped my yard--there was a hillside where the pool is--worked hard for two days--dig was underdug by about 1.5 inches in several spots--overdug nowhere)
Concrete ring around pool $1,531
Concrete pump $500 (wheeling concrete is not in my skill set)
Pool crete installation, liner installation, plumbing parts and installation $6797
Total for these items $32.440--(pool store quoted these items (without coming to my home-so just a rough quote/estimate--had sand for pool base) $55,000
Electrician $2361
Propane heater $2931
Propane Installation $1000
Water $1100
Permits $314
Pool crete $2113
Part for bonding pool $81
Total for this stuff (not included in pool store quote) $9,900
Still need to pay for
Stone for backfill ?
Concrete deck (quoted $7400)
Winter cover
Fence--haven't even looked into this yet.
So probably when it is all said and done I'll be at $55,00--$60,000 more or less.
My husband and I did the pool assembly and poured the concrete ring. Also, we will do the labor for the backfill and we put some drainage around the pool to keep the water away, moved some downspouts etc.
We ordered the kit on July 5.
Everything delivered July 26
Excavation scheduled August 6/7--cancelled by rain
Excavation Augst 13/14
We left on vacation on August 16
Pool assembly Augst 22-26
Pour concrete August 26--cancelled concrete truck broke down
Pour concrete August 30--cancelled horrible weather
Pour concrete Sept 2
Put on coping/prep bottom of pool/put up strings/start plumbing September 4
Place pool crete, complete plumbing, place liner, fill with water September 10/11
It rained a lot from August 26 to September 11--pumping out the water worked ok--but using a shop vac to suck up the water worked great--in our efforts to keep the bottom of the pool from becoming a mud pit before the pool crete was put down.
Thanks for all the great threads on this site--so helpful! Hope this info helps someone else.