I live in Austin and have been considering a pool build for several years. This is a big decision and a big commitment and I want to get it right or not do it at all. My bids are many thousands of dollars apart. Here in Austin all of the builders I have engaged use subs, and I am wondering that if some of the same subs are building for each of the PBs, so why the big difference.
I know this is a long post, but I have seen y'all help so many that I would love to have your feedback! Thank you in advance.
Here is the summary...
PB 1. small builder with 20 pools last year and 10 yrs experience
nice design. good 6 yr bbb status
$39,940 base. 42,640 with "spray deck", and quartz pool finish
$44,040 with 1400$ SWG
13.6 x 30
340 sf
4-5-4 ft deep
10,710 gal
80 lf
548 sq ft decking brushed unless upgraded
1/2 steel on 10 in center
8-12" gunite
4 returns with "bubbler", 1 skimmer ( I will ask for another skimmer)
sch 40 piping
6' spa with 6 jets no blower (cool sloped back with arm rests)
auto filler but connection to supply is extra due to "county requirements"
all hayward equipment.
4 channel remote controller
2 spd pump
chlorine puck dispenser unless upgraded. he discourages it, but likes copper--no go for me
cartridge filter with extra set of filters, 325. is that too small?
250 btu gas heater. is that too small?
polaris 280 with booster
flagstone coping.
2 lights
3y equip warranty, 1 y on deck elec plumbing and such
"lifetime" shell
PB #2 small local with 10 yrs exp and a local office. is and engineer by trade and forgot his tape measure during the consult. measured using footsteps and computer image looks "off"
very boring design. good bbb with short membership. "certified" builder
$49,890 ($5800 more than 1)
14x28
400sf
10300gal
90 lf
350 sf decking with sundeck 3/8 steel w 16in on center
pebble or quartz pool finish.
#4 rebar on 10 in centers
8 in walls and 10 in floor gunite
4 returns with bubbler and 2 skimmers
6" spa with 8 jets and a blower
schedule 40 piping 2-21/2 in piping
all hayward equipment
4 channel remote
auto filler connected (I think)
1 hp vs pump
SWG
2 led lights
60 sf cartridge (he calls it different than the other 2, so Im not sure how it compares yet.)
400 btu gas heater
aquabot cleaner
coping choice at 200$ per ton
3y equip warrantee, 2 y on elec, deck and plumbing and such, "lifetime" shell
PB#3 Large full service maint and building company with 28 yrs hear in Austin. Offering a 1 year chem and maint contract as a bonus IF I sign by this week. very very detailed drawings provided.
$56,800 ($6900 more than #2, and $12700 more than #1)!!!!
18x30
4-5-4 deep
410 sf
16415 gal
85 lf
600 sf kool deck decking
plaster interior
#4 rebar 9in centers
min 10 in gunite
5 returns with bubbler and 2 skimmers
piping not specified
7 ft spa with 6 jets and no blower
all pentair equipment (he thinks its better quality with better local service rep)
jandy ps4 remote
filler connected to supply
2 hp pump. (thinks anything else causes flow problems with the cleaner and doesn't offer benefit)
rainbow chlorinator
cartridge 420 with extra set of filters
400 btu gas heater
100 watt and 300 watt light
lueder stone coping
3y parts and labor on equip, 1 y on elec deck and plumbing
"lifetime" on shell
10 yards loam
one of my BIGGEST dilemmas is SWG or no SWG. I read and hear the stories of SWG damage, but I also hear of the CYA issue with pucks. With our water issues here, I am not interested in pool water exchanges. The PBs dimiss tht this is an issue. I am nervous about simple BBB because of my perception of the labor involved in maintaining with jugs and more jugs daily.
I plan on living here for a LONG time and I want reliable, efficient, and EFFECTIVE sanitation( the wife has had an organ transplant) with the lowest maint possible. (as if I'm alone) I am not lazy, but I don't want this thing to be an unruly burden, but an enhancement of my, my wifes', and our dogs' (the girls) lifestyle.
Does anyone have any cautions or stories involving pool users/owners with organ transplants??
Thanks, Chris
I know this is a long post, but I have seen y'all help so many that I would love to have your feedback! Thank you in advance.
Here is the summary...
PB 1. small builder with 20 pools last year and 10 yrs experience
nice design. good 6 yr bbb status
$39,940 base. 42,640 with "spray deck", and quartz pool finish
$44,040 with 1400$ SWG
13.6 x 30
340 sf
4-5-4 ft deep
10,710 gal
80 lf
548 sq ft decking brushed unless upgraded
1/2 steel on 10 in center
8-12" gunite
4 returns with "bubbler", 1 skimmer ( I will ask for another skimmer)
sch 40 piping
6' spa with 6 jets no blower (cool sloped back with arm rests)
auto filler but connection to supply is extra due to "county requirements"
all hayward equipment.
4 channel remote controller
2 spd pump
chlorine puck dispenser unless upgraded. he discourages it, but likes copper--no go for me
cartridge filter with extra set of filters, 325. is that too small?
250 btu gas heater. is that too small?
polaris 280 with booster
flagstone coping.
2 lights
3y equip warranty, 1 y on deck elec plumbing and such
"lifetime" shell
PB #2 small local with 10 yrs exp and a local office. is and engineer by trade and forgot his tape measure during the consult. measured using footsteps and computer image looks "off"
very boring design. good bbb with short membership. "certified" builder
$49,890 ($5800 more than 1)
14x28
400sf
10300gal
90 lf
350 sf decking with sundeck 3/8 steel w 16in on center
pebble or quartz pool finish.
#4 rebar on 10 in centers
8 in walls and 10 in floor gunite
4 returns with bubbler and 2 skimmers
6" spa with 8 jets and a blower
schedule 40 piping 2-21/2 in piping
all hayward equipment
4 channel remote
auto filler connected (I think)
1 hp vs pump
SWG
2 led lights
60 sf cartridge (he calls it different than the other 2, so Im not sure how it compares yet.)
400 btu gas heater
aquabot cleaner
coping choice at 200$ per ton
3y equip warrantee, 2 y on elec, deck and plumbing and such, "lifetime" shell
PB#3 Large full service maint and building company with 28 yrs hear in Austin. Offering a 1 year chem and maint contract as a bonus IF I sign by this week. very very detailed drawings provided.
$56,800 ($6900 more than #2, and $12700 more than #1)!!!!
18x30
4-5-4 deep
410 sf
16415 gal
85 lf
600 sf kool deck decking
plaster interior
#4 rebar 9in centers
min 10 in gunite
5 returns with bubbler and 2 skimmers
piping not specified
7 ft spa with 6 jets and no blower
all pentair equipment (he thinks its better quality with better local service rep)
jandy ps4 remote
filler connected to supply
2 hp pump. (thinks anything else causes flow problems with the cleaner and doesn't offer benefit)
rainbow chlorinator
cartridge 420 with extra set of filters
400 btu gas heater
100 watt and 300 watt light
lueder stone coping
3y parts and labor on equip, 1 y on elec deck and plumbing
"lifetime" on shell
10 yards loam
one of my BIGGEST dilemmas is SWG or no SWG. I read and hear the stories of SWG damage, but I also hear of the CYA issue with pucks. With our water issues here, I am not interested in pool water exchanges. The PBs dimiss tht this is an issue. I am nervous about simple BBB because of my perception of the labor involved in maintaining with jugs and more jugs daily.
I plan on living here for a LONG time and I want reliable, efficient, and EFFECTIVE sanitation( the wife has had an organ transplant) with the lowest maint possible. (as if I'm alone) I am not lazy, but I don't want this thing to be an unruly burden, but an enhancement of my, my wifes', and our dogs' (the girls) lifestyle.
Does anyone have any cautions or stories involving pool users/owners with organ transplants??
Thanks, Chris