Leveling pool equipment cost

[cberry75]

Just bought a house with in an ground pool. I’m learning (youtube, online research, etc.) as I go about pools. Current heater sits in 2 center blocks which is on top of flat cement.
I received an estimate of $8k to disconnect pool equipment, install a pad, reconnect pool equipment, and to repair two pool lights. I also received an estimate of $583 to ground the equipment. These estimates seems very very very very expensive.

I believe the area needs a more solid foundation, however, I know pouring concrete is not expensive.

Can anyone share their thoughts on what this job should really cost?

Thanks,
New pool owner

 

[PoolGate]

This is so dependant on your local contractors. It doesn't seem too out of line for current costs though. Do the pool light repair include new lights? Pool lights can run $1k each by themselves so that is a big wildcard. If it was me I'd leave well enough alone with the equipment pad. Well, if it was me I'd do it myself.

Get a quote for new lights separately.

 

[Newdude]

Hey C and Welcome !!!!


Which lights ? What scope of work is needed ?

Is the equipment not bonded ? What scope is involved there ?

 

[cberry75]

Hey C and Welcome !!!!


Which lights ? What scope of work is needed ?

Is the equipment not bonded ? What scope is involved there ?

There is one pool light and 1 spa light.
He would replace both lights.

The equipment is not bonded.
The would disconnect equipment, install pad, and reconnect. I’m not sure of the measurements for the pad.

 

[Newdude]

There is one pool light and 1 spa light.
He would replace both lights.

Ok. Those are the cheaper ones so it's eating up less of the total cost.

The equipment is not bonded.

Is the pool bonded ? They need to tie the two together, not just bond the equipment with its own halo. I'd hope that they know this, but we've seen it where they didn't.

 

[cberry75]

The pool is bonded.

 

[PoolGate]

The pool is bonded.

What does this mean?

I also received an estimate of $583 to ground the equipment.

Bonding and grounding are different things. If your pool is properly bonded, there should be a bonding wire at your equipment pad. This should be connected to each piece of equipment. Is it not connected? This is something that should be free with the work you are getting done.

 

[cberry75]

Hmm…so there is no bonding wire. I don’t think it is connected. He said he will have touch point slide the pump, heater, and the filter. He said he will place a pole into the ground as well.
This is so overwhelming….

 

[PoolGate]

Hmm…so there is no bonding wire. I don’t think it is connected. He said he will have touch point slide the pump, heater, and the filter. He said he will place a pole into the ground as well.
This is so overwhelming….

Ask him to tell you the difference between bonding and grounding. If he says they are the same thing, bid him farewell. Your equipment is already grounded. Him saying he is going to bury a pole (copper I assume) means he doesn't know what bonding is.

Ask him if your pool is bonded (he should know). If not, ask him if just bonding your equipment and not the rest of the pool is what he plans to do.

 

[cberry75]

Ok, thank you so much. I’m going to research this as well. Stay tuned…

 

[Newdude]

Bonding vs Grounding

Electricity and water don't mix. Learn a few basic tips how to keep your family safe when dealing with electricity around your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

Electrical Bonding - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Jimrahbe]

The equipment is not bonded.

75,

I find it hard to believe that your equipment is not bonded...

Did you actually go out to the equipment pad and look?

Both the pump and the heater should have a bare copper wire connected to the outside of the units..

The connection lugs would look something like this.


Pumps and heaters come with this attached to the outside of their cases. Go look and see if you can find the lugs, and see if there is a bare wire attached or not..

Thanks,

Jim R.