Help! Pool Reno in Northern VA / DC Metro Area

murphster · Nov 27, 2018

Any recommendations for good contractors (or experiences with the bad) in the DC metro area to do a 30-40 year old (20'x40') pool reno, including replaster, adding a sunshelf, new lighting, new coping and tile and adding an automatic pool cover?

We also are working with a landscaper / hardscaper to do some work in the backyard, and he has proposed to lay a new pool deck (which is part of an extended patio) using techo bloc slabs. Would you recommend separately contracting with a mason to do the deck?

Also, most of the equipment is older, but still has some useful life left. Should we replace all given the other work or upgrade later?

Any other recommendations on how to ensure we don't get hosed / save costs if possible?

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

ajw22 · Nov 27, 2018

Welcome to TFP.

To comment about replacing your existing equipment we need specific make, models, and approximate age. Pics of your pool, deck, equipment, and plumbing may help us understand what you are dealing with.

bmoreswim · Nov 27, 2018

I would certainly consider using a different contractor. The PB is likely just subbing that out so you should pay less in theory and it sounds like you have a relationship already. It’s really about the relationship and sub skill/experience.

murphster · Nov 28, 2018

Thank you, both!

Bmoreswim, your build link is great! I noticed you're in Maryland and that you spoke with 4 / 5 contractors. Do you mind sharing the names? Thus far, our most serious conversations and quotes have been with a smaller shop in NOVA that serviced our pool over the last couple of summers. We've spoken with another larger group, but definitely need to get several quotes. My biggest issue so far is finding someone we feel like we can "trust" (at least kind of). Our cynical impression has been that the contractors tell you (or sell you) only on what they're most familiar with or what's easiest for them (e.g., we'd previously been advised that we had to run lines to install an auto cleaner... that was before we came across the Polaris F9550, which changed our lives given all the tree cover here).

bmoreswim said:
I would certainly consider using a different contractor. The PB is likely just subbing that out so you should pay less in theory and it sounds like you have a relationship already. It’s really about the relationship and sub skill/experience.

ajw22 · Nov 28, 2018

murphster said:
Our cynical impression has been that the contractors tell you (or sell you) only on what they're most familiar with or what's easiest for them (e.g., we'd previously been advised that we had to run lines to install an auto cleaner... that was before we came across the Polaris F9550, which changed our lives given all the tree cover here).

Not so cynical. I think realistic.

Contractors have the brands they know and have experience with. Most don't like being taken out of their comfort zone. Especially complex pool automation. Expect any advice you get from contractors will reflect their bias and not be representative of the best in the market.

Pentair, Hayward, and Jandy are the big three and with integrated pool automation the automation, pump, and SWG comes from the same company. Then pick your filter and type of heater. After that it is what water features you want in a spa or pool.

murphster · Nov 28, 2018

Thank you all!!!! Ajw22 indicated info on existing equipment etc. would be helpful. I have attached some pictures of existing equipment, pool and decking as well as some preliminary notes on the landscaper's and pool proposals.

Outlined below are the upgrades we are considering thus far. I've separately pasted the one formal proposal we've received at the end. More than welcome any and all recommendations, thoughts, opinions!

install new automatic pool cover
re-finish pool interior. leaning towards grey plaster; although, we're considering pebbletech / diamond brite; would love to save costs here though.
new tile, coping (ideally, coping will match the techobloc deck, see below)
install new sunshelf - based on TFP feedback on other threads, leaning towards width of the pool with 6" step along the width (as this will be our main entrance). Sundeck proposed to be 7' long and 12.5" deep (welcome any thoughts on these dimensions and whether additional stairs / steps beyond the ledge are needed).
install techobloc deck - travertina slab (we really like the grass / pavers look, and are considering this with a few inches of grass between pavers (in part due to size of the yard and deck expansion, we want to avoid concrete jungle look) if you have any opinions on grass and pavers).
potentially install upgraded heater, as needed. We understand more efficient units are on the market. Currently we have gas, and we haven't used the heater much (in part, because we're afraid of the costs as our gas is billed bi-annually... curious if anyone has experience in verifying these estimates: Gas Swimming Pool Heaters | Department of Energy). All of this said, we understand the auto cover should help retain temperature / warm the pool as well. As it stands, we don't get as much use of the pool because the lot is so shaded and the pool is fairly cold except for a little over a month in the summer.
install in-pool polaris pool cleaner. we currently have the F9550, but if we're doing everything else, we should really install this as well, correct?
considering salt water conversion

Below are the specs from the existing quote we received (note the change from blue stone to techobloc deck). Curious if you think there is anything significant or notable missing.

1. DRAIN AND SECURE POOL FOR FOR THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS.
2. REMOVE AND HAUL AWAY DEEP END PORTION OF CONCRETE POOL DECK AND SIDE OF POOL DECK
FURTHEST FROM STONE RETAINING WALL. (SEE ATTACHED DRAWING)
3. PRESSURE TEST ALL SWIMMING POOL PLUMBING AND REPORT RESULTS TO OWNER/SIGNATORY.
4. PROVIDE OWNER/SIGNATORY WITH PRICES AND OPTIONS TO REPAIR OR REPLACE PLUMBING AS
NECESSARY.
5. PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW OUTDOOR INTERMATIC DUAL TIME BOX WITH BUILT IN ELECTRICAL SUB PANEL
TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY TO ALL SWIMMING POOL EQUIPMENT. NEW PANEL TO BE 50 AMPS.
6. PROVIDE AND INSTALL TWO (2) NEW SKIMMERS AS PER POOLSERVICE COMPANY SPECIFICATIONS FOR:
"REPLACEMENT OF SKIMMER(S)".
7. PROVIDE AND INSTALL TWO DRAINS WITH GRATES IN DEEP END FLOOR OF POOL THAT COMPLY WITH
ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 AS OUTLINED IN THE VGB POOL AND SPA SAFETY ACT 2007.
8. PROVIDE AND INSTALL COMPLETE POLARIS PLUMBING LINE THROUGH THE SHELL OF THE POOL RUNNING
BACK TO THE FILTER EQUIPMENT. NEW POLARIS TO INCLUDE 3/4 HP PUMP AND POLARIS 280 POOL CLEANER.
9. PROVIDE AND INSTALL TWO (2) NEW DEEP END BENCHES IN EACH OF THE DEEP END CORNERS OF POOL .
10. PROVIDE AND INSTALL TWO NEW TANNING SHELVES IN EACH OF THE SHALLOW END CORNERS. EACH
TANNING SHELF TO BE APPROXIMATELY 7' X 7' AND NINE INCHES DEEP.
11. PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW POOL STEPS BETWEEN THE TWO NEW TANNING SHELVES IN THE POOL.
12. NEW CORNER BENCHES, TANNING SHELVES, AND STEPS TO BE SHOT INTO PLACE USING GUNITE
(PNEUMATICALLY PROJECTED CONCRETE) AND BUILT AS PER INDUSTRY STANDARDS. NEW POOL INTERIOR
STRUCTURES TO BE BUILT SIMILAR AS ATTACHED DRAWING.
13. INSTALL NEW CONCRETE AUTO COVER BOX REINFORCED WITH STEEL BAR AND TIED INTO POOL SHELL AS
PER INDUSTRY STANDARDS.
14. NEW COVER BOX TO HAVE NEW STAINLESS STEEL STONE LID BRACKETS TO SUPPORT NEW BLUE STONE
LID. NEW COVER BOX LID TO BE SAME STONES AS THE NEW COPING.
15. LOWER AND MODIFY THE DEEP END WALL AND TWO DEEP END CORNERS OF THE POOL TO ALLOW NEW
AUTO COVER FABRIC TO OPERATE CORRECTELY AND PASS OVER THEM.
16. BOTH SHALLOW END RADIUS CORNERS TO BE CONVERTED INTO A MITER CORNERS.
17. PROVIDE AND INSTALL ALL NEW POOL PERIMETER COPING AS PER ATTACHED POOLSERVICE COMPANY
SPECIFICATIONS FOR: "NEW COPING BAND INSTALLATION".
18. NEW COPING TO BE: 2" THICK, 14" WIDE, PREMIUM BLUE STONE
19. PROVIDE AND INSTALL ALL NEW POOL PERIMETER TILE BAND PER ATTACHED POOLSERVICE COMPANY
SPECIFICATIONS FOR: "TILE BAND REPLACEMENT OR INSTALLATION".
20. NEW TILE TO BE SIX INCH PERIMETER BAND USING STANDARD GRADE FROSTPROOF TILE. TWO DEEP END
CORNERS OF THE POOL TO BE TILED ON TOP USING SIMILAR COLOR TILE AS THE PERIMETER.
21. PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW SAFE-T COVER T3 AUTOMATIC SWIMMING POOL COVER MECHANISM AS
MANUFACTURED BY COVER-POOLS, INC. INCLUDING: NEW DRIVE MECHANISM, PULLEYS, TRACK, ROPE
GUIDES, AND OWNER'S KIT.
22. PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW SAFE-T COVER T3 REINFORCED VINYL FABRIC AS MANUFACTURED BY
COVER-POOLS, INC. INCLUDING: NEW ROPE AND LEADING EDGE BAR WITH GLIDERS.
23. PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW WIRELESS TOUCH PAD WITHIN CLEAR SIGHT OF THE SWIMMING POOL.
24. INSTALL EXISTING WINTER COVER AS PER MANUFACTURERS INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS.
25. PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW POOL PLASTER PER ATTACHED POOLSERVICE COMPANY SPECIFICATIONS FOR:
"RE-PLASTERING OF SWIMMING POOLS".
26. PLASTER TYPE TO BE: RIVER-ROK
27. THIS PROPOSAL INCLUDES POST PLASTER BRUSHING AND CHEMICAL MAINTENANCE.
(SEE SECTION IV OF THE RE-PLASTERING SPECIFICATIONS)
28. PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW CAULK IN POOL PERIMETER EXPANSION JOINT AS PER ATTACHED POOLSERVICE
COMPANY SPECIFICATIONS FOR "CAULKING".

29. BILLING SCHEDULE TO BE AS FOLLOWS:
A. DUE UPON ACCEPTANCE
B. DUE AFTER EXISTING TILE AND COPING ARE REMOVED
C. DUE AFTER NEW TANNING SHELVES AND STEPS ARE INSTALLED
D. DUE AFTER NEW TILE AND COPING ARE INSTALLED
E. DUE AFTER NEW COVER BOX AND DUAL DRAINS ARE INSTALLED
F. DUE AFTER NEW AUTO COVER MECHANISM IS INSTALLED
G.DUE AFTER POOL HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR NEW PLASTER
H. DUE UPON SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION

ajw22 said:
Not so cynical. I think realistic.

Contractors have the brands they know and have experience with. Most don't like being taken out of their comfort zone. Especially complex pool automation. Expect any advice you get from contractors will reflect their bias and not be representative of the best in the market.

Pentair, Hayward, and Jandy are the big three and with integrated pool automation the automation, pump, and SWG comes from the same company. Then pick your filter and type of heater. After that it is what water features you want in a spa or pool.

bmoreswim · Nov 29, 2018

If you contact James at Vista Pro Landscape (or Vista Pro Pools) he is a straight shooter. He’s an engineer and it shows. He’s also a landscaper who will sub some stuff out, but the PB’s do too. He may or may not be interested but he would be good to talk to. I’d try to have him come out versus a salesperson because he was great. He is in Davidsonville near Annapolis.