New build in So. Cal.

PSPOOL

Bronze Supporter
Oct 5, 2021
26
So.Cal.
Hello, I have learned much from this website and thanks to all who post here it has been a great help with the planning of our new pool. The depth of knowledge here is incredible. I am in the Greater Palm Springs, CA. area.

I received build quotes from 3 pool builders in my area. Builder- 1 is a nation-wide builder whose videos you may have seen on You Tube. Builder- 2 is probably the biggest pool builder in CA. whose ads you may have seen on TV if you are in CA. Builder- 3 is a local builder. Builders- 1 & 2 build hundreds of pools a year. Builder- 3 about 50-60 per year. The quotes from builders 1 & 3 are within $1,000. of each other. Builder’s 2 quote is 15K over the other two. The pool dimensions are 49’ in length and at its widest point there is 14’ of water surface area and from coping edge to edge is about 18’. The Baja shelf and the spa have the same dimensions 10’ x 9.6’ with the center pool section about 29’ in length. Builders 1 & 2 use Jandy equipment and Builder 3 uses Pentair. All 3 builders can use either Pebble Technology products or Stonescapes products. However there is an upgrade charge of between $2,500 to $5,000 for Pebble Sheen over Stonescapes mini pebble. Builders 1 & 2 have generally excellent reviews. Builder-3’s reviews are all excellent. Builder-1 has a D-rating from the BBB and is not Accredited. Builder 2 & 3 are rated A and both are Accredited.

I have attached a rendering from Builder-1 for the pool. It is not very good but gives you a general idea of the pool design. The pool will be built on the side of our house as there is insufficient room to the rear. The pool will have poured in place 15” sandstone colored concrete with a top cast wash finish. Tile to be 6” x 24” matte white tile with Stonescapes Aqua Cool Mini pebble finish. The pool has three sheer descent water features. One 6’ in the 2’ x 8’ RBB and a 30” in each of the 4’x 4’x 4’ pilasters. The pilasters and face of the center sheer descent are to be covered with Travertine tile. The spa is 0-degree with 6 jets. The Baja Shelf water depth is 12.” The pool water depth is 3.5 at the steps to 6’ at the spa dam wall. There will be 3’ of concrete pavers surrounding the pool adjacent to the pool coping. The design of the pool is almost identical to a pool that builder- 2 built in Palm Springs. We got a chance to see the pool in person and talk to the pool owner.

I would appreciate any suggestions or advice you may have especially on equipment selections. By the way at this point I am leaning toward builder-3. He has been the most responsive, spent the most time with the wife and I, and we have seen some of his pools and have had a chance to talk to the owners. I know some of you are nearby and may know who the builders are. I would appreciate any insight and comments. Sorry KimKats not much bling here for you. Thanks!

The proposed equipment from Builders 1 & 2 are almost identical as follows:
All Jandy
EQUIPMENT

Filter - (1) 460 sq. ft. Jandy cartridge
Circulation Pump - (1) 2.7 HP Jandy Variable Speed
(1) 2.7 HP Jandy Variable Speed Pump for sheer descents
Heater – Jandy JXI 400,000 BTU with VersaFlo Bypass
I Aqualink automation system 4 devices
35K Salt Cell
4 or 8- 12W Hydro Cool lights
3 sheer descents 1-6' and 2-30"
6 spa jets

The proposed equipment from builder-3 is as follows:
All Pentair
EQUIPMENT

• 1 – Pentair Intelliflo3 3HP 230V VSF Pump for pool/spa circulation
• 1 – Pentair Intelliflo3 3HP 230V VSF Pump for sheer descents
• 1 – Pentair Intelliflo3 3HP 230V VSF Pump for Jets
• 1 – Pentair 520 clean and clear filter for pool/spa
• 1 – Pentair 520 clean and clear filter for sheer descents
• 1 – Pentair heater mastertemp Low Nox 400K BTU's
• 1 – Pentair Intellicenter 8 control with app for smart phones and salt system
• 6 - Jets for Spa
• 1 - Umbrella Sleeve
• 3 – Sheer descents (1 – 6’ and 2 – 30”)
• 8 – Color Globrite LED lights (1 for spa, 1 for tanning shelf, 3 for sheer
descents and 3 for pool.
(Builder has indicated that the Globrites have been redesigned and the previous problems have been resolved)
 

Attachments

  • Pool Rendering.jpg
    Pool Rendering.jpg
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PS,

Neat looking design..

I vote for builder #3 as I am a Pentair kind of guy... :mrgreen:

I would seriously rethink having all the sheers.. The fun will wear out pretty quickly and they will just become an expensive feature that you won't use often. They will make a huge amount of noise and will just be in the way if you every try to swim or float in your pool. I don't expect that you will just take my word for it, but you really should talk with other pool owners that have them.

I don't think that 3' is wide enough for the coping at your arch..

Have you ever been in a gunite spa before??

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Hi Jim, thanks for the advice! We will give thought to your suggestions. Our last pool was a Gunite Pebble Tec pool with an raised overflow spa and 3 sheer descents. You're right we didn't use them very often. But it was pretty cool when they were all on. This time we're also getting them to help entertain the grandchildren. The coping is 15" and then another 36" of pavers for almost 4 1/2'. There will also be a wide paver area extending from our paver rear patio over to the pool. This area will be big enough for tables, chairs and an umbrella. But I will discuss additional pavers with the wife. Again, thanks much for your help.

Can anyone tell me how to delete the post I made with the duplicate rendering?
 
ps,

4.5' sounds good, I just wrongly read that the total width was 3'.

I deleted your dup post, not something that can do yourself..

I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting, as a lot of people have never had a pool before, and what sounds great in theory, is not always great in real life... :mrgreen:

As long as you are happy with your choices, then it works for me... :goodjob:

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
NO BLING??? OH MAN!! Oh well.............at least I get to help you spend your money LOL!

Your equipment list seems good but I want to make sure you get the model numbers to be on the safe side

WATER depth-I see you say water depth but want to make sure it is water depth aka from the pool floor to the middle of the skimmer opening.

LOVE that your shelf will be 12" deep. That is my fav depth for a shelf!

Builder choose-I would ask all of the what subs they use................see I bet all of the use the same subs. That is how it works a lot of the time. Now if one of them says they have their own crews that is who I would use! Ask how often the PB will be there. Someone NEEDS to be there when a trade shows up to make sure they know what they are doing on YOUR pool. Quite a few times it falls on the home owner so just be ready for that.

I think white tile with white plaster will be SO refreshing looking.

Kim :kim:
 
Hi KimKats! Thanks for your suggestions. Good idea, I will get equipment model numbers. I will also verify with builder to make sure water depth is from floor to middle of skimmer. The builder I am leaning toward says he is seldom in his office and instead travels from building site to building site checking on work being performed. Which is a good sign. I am retired and possess a General Contractor's License so I will be doing some of my own supervision lol. Thanks again for your help!
 
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