New Build (Jax FL) - Pool Filled 10/12 - In Startup Phase

[Blancmik]

We are building a new pool/spa in our back yard and expect it to be ready in Sep/Oct 2022. Repurposing this first thread for key details and tracking the timeline.

Timeline:

• 5/17/2022 - Contract Signed
• 6/16/2022 - Permit Issued
• 6/29/2022 - Site Prep Day
• Week of 7/11/22 - Sod strip & Pool Layout
• Week of 7/18/22 - Dig, Rebar, & Spa Plumbing (Inspection approved 7/25/22)
• Week of 8/01/22 - Gunnite, Strip & Backfill
• Week of 8/08/22 - Plumbing and Equipment Rough-In
• Week of 8/15/22 - Tile & Gas Line
• Week of 8/29/22 - Footer
• Week of 9/05/22 - Decking
• Week of 9/19/22 - Electrical, Started screen enclosure
• Week of 9/26/22 - Finished screen enclosure
• Week of 10/03/22 - Shell Clean & Bonding Agent
• Week of 10/10/22 - Pebble Finish & Fill

 

[Blancmik]

Repurposed Post - Pool Details:

• 30 x 14 (379 sq ft, 10,589 gallons)
  • 7 x 7 Sunshelf
  • CLI Sunstone Pearl Pebble Finish, Blue Pearl
  • 1 Skimmer, 1 Cleaner Line, Dual Main Drains
  • 2 x Jandy Watercolor 24w "Nicheless" LED Lights
• 7 x 7 Spa (49 sq ft, 644 gallons)
  • CLI Sunstone Pearl Pebble Finish, Blue Pearl, with spillover to pool
  • Raised 18" from Decking
  • 6 Wall Returns, 1 Floor Return, Blower (1.5HP) & Dual Main Drains
  • 1 x Jandy Watercolor 12w "Nicheless" LED Lights
• Decking
  • 1015 sq/ft
  • Concrete Paver Decking
• Screen Enclosure (31'9" x 43'6")
  • Bronze Aluminum Enclosure
  • 20/20 screen walls
  • 2 screen doors
  • 7" gutters
  • Hurricane win bracing & cables
• Equipment/Automation:
  • Jandy AquaLink RS-PS4, Pool/Spa Automation
  • Jandy VS PlusHP 2.7HP VS Pump
  • Jandy CS200 Cartridge Filter
  • Jandy Aquapure PLC1400 SWG
  • Jandy JXi400 Natural Gas Heater

 

[Blancmik]

Repurposed Post: Design Photos

 

[Blancmik]

Finalized Pool Design:



Back of the house:

 

[TampaKathy]

I agree...I like the sunshelf closer to the house. One light doesn't seem like enough. And where will the light be...will it be on the wall closest to the house?

 

[jwhitt]

I agree...I like the sunshelf closer to the house. One light doesn't seem like enough. And where will the light be...will it be on the wall closest to the house?

If I may, I would only add that it may be nice to arrange the seating area in the spa so that your back is to the house ( minimizing the light in your eyes from the house at night ) while keeping the view you‘ll get of the spillway from the patio.

 

[Blancmik]

Thank you both for the reply. I got an update from the builder that they are actually including two lights in the pool (their estimate was wrong and they are going to update). Below is how the lights will be arranged. The builder suggested that we have the lights closest to the house and pointing away.

@jwhitt - interested in your feedback to make sure we not missing anything thought wise. We chose to not have the bench on the side closest to the home for the following reasons:
- We wanted benches on the left and right side to view the fountain in the pond near our lot (left) and watch the sunset (right)
- There is a park behind our lot and a big TV in our patio, with the bench on the backside of the spa, we would not have to look at the kids in the park and would hopefully be able to see if the TV (or I have an excuse to get a larger one )

 

[jwhitt]

Not flawed at at all - The view your getting sounds like it will be perfect. I hope your build is exactly as you want it to be

 

[Blancmik]

Contract is signed. Our pool builder expects a 90-120 timeline to complete once the permits are pulled. Will be interesting to see how real that is

 

[FloatingAround]

Looks great! Not sure if you’re willing to share but I’d love to know what You are paying for this (obviously knowing pricing can vary).

We are shopping pricing for a very similar design in central Florida.

 

[Blancmik]

@bradmcgonigle - Attached is a copy of the proposal with detailed pricing. It's absolutely nuts (I paid $34K for a pool of the same size just 3 years ago without the spa and cage), but seems to be the going rate in North Florida. Good luck with your search and be sure to get multiple quotes. We saw quite a range, but went with the same builder who did our last pool. They were very competitive and we were happy with them on the last build.

 

[Blancmik]

Just got a call from our pool builder... the big dig starts next week!

 

[FloatingAround]

Nice. Can’t wait to see the progress!

 

[Blancmik]

Just wrapped up the first week of work. They scrapped the ground and marked out the pool... no "big dig" this week, but cool to see the form of the pool. They will be back next week for digging and rebar. The pool feels much larger, but I'm assuming that the form I see is the outside of the pool.

I built a pool with this builder back in 2019 and they have really improved their communication game. We are in "Phase 1" and the steps are outlined in the guide that I attached (with pool builder details removed).

 

[Blancmik]

Big Dig day today! The guys were able to get everything dug out despite a large shower in the middle of the effort, but boy did that make a mess! This is the hard part for me... I like things well kept.

Is there anything I should be checking/validating? When I measure, everything is significantly larger, but I'm assuming that's to account for the thickness of the gunite shell?

Ugh my front lawn :-(

 

[FloatingAround]

Big Dig day today! The guys were able to get everything dug out despite a large shower in the middle of the effort, but boy did that make a mess! This is the hard part for me... I like things well kept.

Is there anything I should be checking/validating? When I measure, everything is significantly larger, but I'm assuming that's to account for the thickness of the gunite shell?

Ugh my front lawn :-(

The mess will definitely be worth it but I’m the same way. It’s hard to see such a beautiful yard absolutely torn up.

 

[Blancmik]

The build continues and we have rebar, some plumbing, and the rain is already washing the walls away.

• How concerned should I be about the walls washing down?
• Is there something that I should be watching for, or taking action on?
• I see the main drains and spa jets are plumbed... am I correct to assume that the skimmer, lights and pool returns also need to be setup before they can gunite?
• Should there be rebar for the benches in the spa, or do they just build that up?

Really hopeful the rebar inspection is done this week so they can gunite next week

 

[TampaKathy]

Yes, there should be pvc where the lights and returns will be...lights and returns won't be in yet and they probably don't need rebar for the benches...I know steps are just built up with gunite so spa benches are probably the same.

 

[Blancmik]

Looked what showed up in the mail this weekend! I had the original at my last house (and left for the new owner along with lessons on the TFP method). I'm pretty impressed with this"pro" kit. Even my wife was impressed with the new case. She asked if I was excited.... uh, yes I am

Few things compare with a Saturday brushing, vacuuming, testing and beering

 

[Blancmik]

So went out of town for a few days (work trip) and came back last night to a completed pool shell! PB was back this morning to do the strip and backfill. The wife started watering the morning after the pool was shot and we are watering 3x a day due to the hot Florida sun.

How much water should I be adding when I water the shell? I'm going until it changes color... hoping that's enough.

There is already some water in the deep end (rain storm)... should I be concerned about this at all? I suppose it will evaporate after a few days of Florida sun if we don't have afternoon showers..

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