Need Help Selecting a Pool Builder - Atlanta, GA

[DSMinAtlanta]

Hello,

We have been talking to several pool builders here in the Atlanta area. We have had 6 come out to look at our yard and put together a quote based on our wish list (as it's changed along the way/through this process). Attached is a comparison of each quote (company names not included) as well as the proposed design each came up with. Our yard is a bit challenging due to its shape and proximity to a stormwater detention area and a creek. We don't want a large pool due to our smaller yard and because we don't have kids so it will be primarily used by just the two of us. We are also debating whether the spa is worth spending the money on or if that money should be put towards other parts of this project. We have trees coming down next week and hope to have a pool builder selected in time to have a usable pool by spring of 2024.

The quotes have been difficult to break down and do a 1-for-1 comparison. Some pool builders itemize prices but many don't. We would really appreciate some feedback to help narrow down our selection from the 6 we have quotes from. Thank you!

 

[ajw22]

I like Company A.

I prefer Pentair equipment and would never buy a pool with Jandy equipment. I spent a few years getting all Jandy equipment out of my pool. Builders prefer Jandy equipment as they make more selling you it.

You need to decide if you want a spa or not

I would tune up the equipment...

• Pentair IntelliCenter i5P
• Pentair IntelliChlor IC40 SWG with Power Center
• Intelliflo3 pump
• You need to decide if you want the UltraTemp Heat Pump or MasterTemp Gas heater
• Pentair CCP 420 Cartridge Filter
• Polaris 280 Pool cleaner with PB4-60 booster pump
• Pentair Microbrite pool lights (Company A has spa light listed although they don't include a spa)
• Company A has a Polaris 280 cleaner and also has manual vacuum with dedicated robotic cleaner line which you don't need
• I would skip the sheer descent

Some builders put in details that others didn't. I would combine the features you want from all of them into one specification that you give to the Pool Builders to negotiate the details.

I will never have a payment schedule get ahead of the actual work performed. And I want at least a 10% holdback until the pool is fully operational.

 

[kimkats]

Some builders put in details that others didn't. I would combine the features you want from all of them into one specification that you give to the Pool Builders to negotiate the details.

I would invite all of them to look at YOUR finial ideas after you do this.

Now I will talk about your designs.

-WATER depth-needs to be measured from the middle of the skimmer opening to the floor of the pool. I would go at least 3'5". My preference would be 4' x 6' depth as that allows for a more swimmable pool.

-Benches-I would NOT have any benches at the ends of the pool. This takes up your swim lane area. If you want a bench do along the side of the pool.

-Steps in the corner to keep the ends of the pool open for swimming.

-sheers=noise- they are more of a party trick that get old fast due to the noise. I assure you someone will try to jump off the wall and 6' depth makes that not safe at all.

spa-I would invest in a "real" spa instead. They are SO comfy and have SO many jets place in just the right places. That is not possible in a plaster spa.

Allen has you well covered on the equipment part of your build.

 

[DSMinAtlanta]

I like Company A.

I prefer Pentair equipment and would never buy a pool with Jandy equipment. I spent a few years getting all Jandy equipment out of my pool. Builders prefer Jandy equipment as they make more selling you it.

You need to decide if you want a spa or not

I would tune up the equipment...

• Pentair IntelliCenter i5P
• Pentair IntelliChlor IC40 SWG with Power Center
• Intelliflo3 pump
• You need to decide if you want the UltraTemp Heat Pump or MasterTemp Gas heater
• Pentair CCP 420 Cartridge Filter
• Polaris 280 Pool cleaner with PB4-60 booster pump
• Pentair Microbrite pool lights (Company A has spa light listed although they don't include a spa)
• Company A has a Polaris 280 cleaner and also has manual vacuum with dedicated robotic cleaner line which you don't need
• I would skip the sheer descent

Some builders put in details that others didn't. I would combine the features you want from all of them into one specification that you give to the Pool Builders to negotiate the details.

I will never have a payment schedule get ahead of the actual work performed. And I want at least a 10% holdback until the pool is fully operational.

Thank you for the feedback! We are sending your list of recommended equipment to a few of the builders to see what the quotes look like.

I think we are going to skip the spa for a number of reasons so we are also asking them to provide quotes for the pool without the spa.

 

[DSMinAtlanta]

I would invite all of them to look at YOUR finial ideas after you do this.

Now I will talk about your designs.

-WATER depth-needs to be measured from the middle of the skimmer opening to the floor of the pool. I would go at least 3'5". My preference would be 4' x 6' depth as that allows for a more swimmable pool.

-Benches-I would NOT have any benches at the ends of the pool. This takes up your swim lane area. If you want a bench do along the side of the pool.

-Steps in the corner to keep the ends of the pool open for swimming.

-sheers=noise- they are more of a party trick that get old fast due to the noise. I assure you someone will try to jump off the wall and 6' depth makes that not safe at all.

spa-I would invest in a "real" spa instead. They are SO comfy and have SO many jets place in just the right places. That is not possible in a plaster spa.

Allen has you well covered on the equipment part of your build.

These are all good things to consider. Thank you! My wife sketched up this updated design while considering your feedback. We are going to share this with the builders along with Allen's list of equipment and go from there.

 

[kimkats]

She did listen and I love what she came up with!

 

[DSMinAtlanta]

So the progress has been slow for the project due to a number of issues but we finally have all the trees removed and the elevation survey was delivered yesterday which will determine where grading may need to be elevated due to us being in a Zone X flood zone. We are hoping to narrow down the options over the next week or two and then hope we can get this officially started!

Two things we are still trying to figure out with the design/options:

- We agree that starting at a 4 ft depth makes more sense so that will be our plan. What is the general rule for sloping of a pool from shallow to deep end? We will likely do a 22 ft length pool with the final design.

- Gas heater vs Heat pump: Based on what we are reading it probably makes sense to go with the gas heater if we want to extend the season or start early. Being in the metro Atlanta area, the winters are not typically too cold and they don't last very long but I'm not sure if a heat pump makes sense.

 

[DSMinAtlanta]

Also, here is a list of equipment that we believe makes sense based on the recommendations here but wanted to ask the experts:

• Automation: Pentair IntelliCenter i5P
• Cleaner: Polaris 280 Pool cleaner with PB4-60 booster pump
• Salt System: Pentair Intellichlor IC40 SWG W/ Power Center
• Filter: Pentair CCP 420 Cartridge Filter
• Pool Pump: Pentair IntelliFlo3 Variable Speed Flow or Pentair 1.5 HP Whisperflo pump for pool?
• Water Feature Pump: Pentair 1.5 HP Superflo pump
• Lighting: Pentair
• Heater: Pentair NG Mastertemp Heater 400k BTU

 

[Hotbobcool]

Who are you using if you don't mind my asking? Can pm me

 

[kimkats]

Sloop-You can have a flat area for the shallow end then a sloop down to the deeper end. You can also just have it sloop from the steps to the deep end. The sloop from the flat to deep will be more dramatic sloop than the one from the steps to deep end.

The question to ask yourself is what do you think you will use the pool for. Playing volley ball? Playing Watermelon ball (if you have not seen or played this game make sure to look it up!). Floating with an adult drink in your hand? Swimming laps? Socializing with family and friends? Once you/we know that then we can help with the sloop.

Heater-Do you already have gas at the house? Check on the cost of adding it to help you make the decision.

 

[DSMinAtlanta]

Sloop-You can have a flat area for the shallow end then a sloop down to the deeper end. You can also just have it sloop from the steps to the deep end. The sloop from the flat to deep will be more dramatic sloop than the one from the steps to deep end.

The question to ask yourself is what do you think you will use the pool for. Playing volley ball? Playing Watermelon ball (if you have not seen or played this game make sure to look it up!). Floating with an adult drink in your hand? Swimming laps? Socializing with family and friends? Once you/we know that then we can help with the sloop.

Heater-Do you already have gas at the house? Check on the cost of adding it to help you make the decision.

I would say we will primarily use the pool for socializing and a little swimming although it will be a smaller pool. We don’t have kids so it will primarily be used by adults. With the pool only 22 ft long, I realize our option are limited on slope.

We do have gas already in our home. We have been told that the meter will need an upgrade to handle a pool heater. Thanks for the input!

 

[DSMinAtlanta]

Update: We have narrowed down the Pool Builders to 4 options. We have received updated quotes from 3 of 4 and it looks like they are all in the same ballpark on price (within $10K of each other). All have positive reviews online. The warranties vary between them and I may cross company A off the list given their vague warranty terms. It also looks like they all do shotcrete although we need to confirm with Company B when they finally get the updated quote to us.

What is a good way to narrow this down even further? What are some key things to look or ask for at this point? I've attached the list of these 4 and would love any advice so we can make a decision and get this project moving. Thank you!