Fiberglass 16x40 DIY install (PICS)
- Thread starter JPontius6
- Start date
Did you put in a main drain? Do you think your one skimmer was enough, or would you recommend two?
No main drain. The deepest fittings in the pool are 16” from the top, so if I ever had a leak or broken fitting, I won’t have to drain the pool or dig very deep to get to them.
For me, one skimmer works just fine. I can get right around 90 gpm through it, my pool location is relatively leaf-free, and I keep the cover closed when we’re not swimming anyways.
Thanks, you're really awesome with all the information! Did you do any automation at all with your equipment setup?
happy to help! No automation here - that stuff is PRICEY! And I’m a tinkerer anyway, so I enjoy turning valves, adjusting pumps, and pushing buttons manually ?
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Hi - I know I'm digging up an old thread but we are planning a DIY of a fiberglass pool, with the help of a certified dealer/installer. I'm so impressed by your work! Long story short but we have an opportunity to get the shell at cost, and all equipment at dealer costs, with the labor, excavation all for free, and any crusher run/gravel (probably botching the correct term) plus stone/decking at no charge. It's a no brainer for us to do it ourselves, but I'm trying to gauge what just the equipment will cost us. Do you have a ballpark for budgeting on what you spent? We're being told freight will be about $7K, but our size will also be a 16x40. Thanks for any help/guidance.Thanks for the Kudos @PlaysARobin
There have been moments where I feel like I'm in over my head but overall, I'm happy with how it's going, and I can see light at the end of the tunnel. The fun part is the savings - in case anyone is interested in the numbers (i'm an open book), the whole project was quoted at $82k and $86k by two different pool builders. All in, it's looking like I'll complete it for right around $58k myself. I will say, however, that I do understand why they charge what they charge, and I don't think it's unfair - I just have more time than money and like to do things myself when I can. When you consider the knowledge a good pool builder has, the liability that they assume, and the warranty coverage they (hopefully) provide, it is a VERY valuable service that they provide.
But I do think that doing it myself makes the water feel even more refreshing, too.
Hey KP, sorry for the late response - i'm just now seeing this. In case it's not too late, I spent around $7500 on equipment, plumbing, and electrical. Here's a breakdown:
| EQUIPMENT | |||||
| DESCRIPTION | MODEL | QTY | PRICE | TOTAL | |
| Heater | HAYWARD H250FDN | 1 | $1,695.00 | $1,695.00 | |
| Pump | Hayward TriStar | 1 | $1,165.00 | $1,165.00 | |
| Filter | HAYWARD C2030 | 1 | $534.49 | $534.49 | |
| SWG | Circupool RJ30 | 1 | $869.00 | $869.00 | |
| Lights | SR SMITH KELO KIT | 1 | $507.52 | $507.52 | |
| Plumbing | 2" PVC AND FITTINGS | 1 | $800.00 | $800.00 | |
| general electrical | 1 | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 | ||
| CMP 3-way Valve | CMP CPVC 3-way | 1 | $35.00 | $35.00 | |
| misc | 1 | $500.00 | $500.00 | ||
| Return Fittings | waterway 400-830 | 9 | $4.90 | $44.10 | |
| Check Valve / Flow Meter | FlowVis | 1 | $116.95 | $116.95 | |
| double Union Ball Valves | HYWRD TRU-UNION | 4 | $23.00 | $92.00 | |
| EQUIPMENT TOTAL: | $7,359.06 |