Estimated labor cost to work on Esther Williams vintage pool

EstherWilliams

Active member
May 28, 2024
28
Greece, NY
Greetings!

I have a 1988 Esther Williams 24' Round Carousel that needs work.

Looking for what would be a fair price to do the following: (JUST LABOR)

a) Open the pool
b) Replace Liner
c) Replace Skimmer Slat and return slat (and any other slats that need work)
d) Replace Skimmer set and return jet
e) Any other loose ends that need to be taken care.

Just looking for a ballpark figure for the labor cost.

TIA.
 
Sorry Ester but we couldn't even guess. If installers aren't close by, they'll charge extra for the lost time. Or they have high overhead and charge extra. Or they're crooks. Or they're entirely fair and do great work and are booked for a year and a half from word of mouth. It just varies way too much from area to area.

The only way to feel better about who you choose is to get multiple quotes to get a feel for what it should cost by you.
 
These guys say they custom make liners for the pool, with the special bead. Esther Williams Pool Liners

I would think any local service company would be able to order it from them, and even get any special instructions needed to understand the install, if there is something else special about them.
Call poolstore.com to get information about that from them.
All pool liners are generally non-returnable. So it is good to have someone experienced do the measurements (per the manufacturer) and order. Then if there is an error, it is on them.
 
Just looking for ball park.
I ballpark $150 an hour for labor by me. It's usually per employee because the job is an X hour job so they would lose money doing it charging what they pay the helper workers if they get it done 3 times quicker with 3 people

But even with that, you don't have a set amount if work to estimate. They may need 10 man hours, or 40.

All you can do is get quotes to compare. If there's only one option, then that's your cost to do the work if you can't DIY.
 

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What exactly did they do ? (Plans often change on the fly)
At what cost ?
Was it itemized ?

It may help someone else get an idea because you were the first in a looooong time. (y)

Well done, and more pics please. 😁
 
Makin A Splash (Rochester, NY) --- Dan Merola --- Incredible work!!!! (Makin a splash | Rochester NY)

Work completed

Open the pool
Drain the pool
Remove old liner
Replace slats at intake and skimmer (I bought the slats at TeddyBear Pools) and trim to 48" (only come in 52")
Change the liner (bought from my local swim store) add foam on the walls and a bottom cover
Replace the skimmer (Hayward from local pool store that I bought last summer)
Reconnect filter and pump

As you can see from the pictures, he struggled dearly with the Skimmer Slat...couldn't get it to come out. Intake one wasn't too bad. He was able to get that one out with only a small struggle. He was extremely happy that I bought EXTRA SLATS which was critical in the job being a success. The Skimmer was a TWO DAY affair. He fought tooth and nail and couldn't get it. He called me and said I'm going to have to cut it, and if it doesn't work...well, it would be GAME OVER. I trusted Dan. I told him, give it a try.....cut it half.....one side came out easily, the other was a #$#@$....but little by little he got it to move, and before you know it.....VOILA!!!!! Pools looks brand new and I feel like it has 35 more years of life to it!!!!! I would recommend him wholeheartedly!!!!! Some pool guys wouldn't even touch it, one guy quoted me $2600 without even looking at it, just to take the SKIMMER SLAT OFF and replacing it.....I was very fortunate to come across Dan!!! He is indeed the man!!!!!
 
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