New build DFW

[Kia68213]

Hello hello!
After years of dreaming (& saving) we are on our way to getting our first pool!

I am curious to see what y’all think about specs/equipment for the pool. I double checked to make sure the equipment was 1 of the top 3. But I’d love to hear any recommendations and suggestions you might have.

Also, we do have a slight slope, away from our home. I’ve seen some pools in my neighborhood with retaining walls and some that had the ground/grass built up around it. Is one better than the other or is it just a preference?

Trying to go simple with our pool/spa. I attached screenshots of the info. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[kimkats]

Well happy build thread! Going to be a fun ride!

The first thing that sticks out to me is the lack of model numbers. That is oh so important as there are many sizes of each piece of equipment. Make sure to get those in writing before you move forward. Share that info here.

You do not need the UV system. You have the sun to give your pool all the UV you need.

Get more details on the "fusion chlorine" please and share them here.

The way you deal with the slope is really up to you. Both ways work. What do you like the look of the most? Both have + and -

 

[jark87]

There are plenty of equipment experts on TFP, so I’ll just pass along some of my own experiences. We’re also in the DFW area. Having had drainage problems when we first built our home, that was one of our primary considerations. The builder we chose was the one who paid the most attention to drainage and we’re glad we picked them. Every pool on our cul-de-sac has flooded at least once except ours.

Be sure to have ample space for hanging out around the pool. Whenever entertaining, it seems that most adults don’t get in the water, so ample space for tables and chairs is a necessity. Your grassy area next to the spa behind the pool might be worth thinking about as patio space.

If there’s no shade for your pool, think about a chiller. Our pool is surrounded by mature trees, yet water temps would still get to the mid-90s by early July. I added a Glacier chiller about 5 years after building the pool and it was probably the best investment in the pool that I’ve made. I can keep temps in the low 80s all summer now.

Be sure that you really want a spa. I realize that this is a personal preference thing. We love the look of ours and the grandkids enjoy the “bubbles”, but in actuality, we hardly ever used it as a heated spa, especially after the first year. Our heater hasn’t worked for years, but I don’t miss it. And we’ve never heated the entire pool.

Enjoy the build process!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Kia,

Have you ever been in a gunite spa?? If not, your really need to try one, before you buy one.. This is because about 50% of pool/spa owners, never use their spa after the first year.. The fun wears off pretty quickly.. The other 50% love their spas.. you need to know which 50% you will fall in...

A large VS pump --- great!!
Large cartridge filter--- great!!
This is the perfect start to having a great saltwater pool..

It is impossible to tell what kind of sanitizer you are getting due to lack of part numbers.. You do not need, or want, a mineral cartridge system, chlorine tablet system, or a UV system.. These things are just not needed in a saltwater pool... Ask your pool builder about what he is actually trying to sell you..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[.ben]

I'm not familiar with Jandy, but please confirm you are installing a Salt Water Generator rated approximately double your pool volume. Also, NO ozone, UV, or mineral system. You don't need an in-line tablet feeder either.

I don't see a line item for the concrete decking. Is your PB providing the deck? The contract should specify the square footage of the deck. You want at least 3-4 feet of decking around the entire perimeter of the pool to reduce the amount of lawn clippings blowing into the pool.

Make sure the depths provide are water depths.

I don't see a line item for the plaster (plain white? Pebble? Manufacturer?)

Contract shows tanning ledge (missing dimensions) but rendering does not show a ledge?

I don't see a line item for tile (glass? porcelain?)

I don't see a line item for coping (travertine? precast?)

 

[JJ_Tex]

A couple of comments:

• Water depth of 3.5 is a tad bit shallow. Mine is 3'8" andwish I would have started at 4'
• Sanitizer #1 - Fusion Chlorine. You dont want that as that is a mineral system that adds copper and silver to your water. That can cause staining, plus you have to buy refill cartridges for $100 a pop. Either just go with chlorine or salt water (preferred) as your sanitizer
• Sanitizer #2 UV - Thats just a silly waste of $. The sun provides all the UV you need, without the cost of UV replacement bulbs. The only time you need those is on an indoor pool.
• Pool Cleaner - That is a good cleaner, but still a pressure side cleaner that requires a booster pump. Polaris makes good robotic pool cleaners for the same price, which are much newer technology. Plus they run off of electricity and do not need the separate pump (labeled as a "cleaner pump" on your estimate). Even better, get the builder to delete and buy your own robotic cleaner for likely a lot less than the builder mark up.
• Speaking of builder mark up, I would want to know the cost of the pool loungers and see how that compares with retail price. Those are easy to buy yourself and likely save you some $, especially if you can find a end of season discount.