New build- Northern NJ

[Cphats]

Hi everyone
I posted previously during my planning process and I appreciate all the help/advice. I ultimately settled on a fiberglass by Latham called the Barcelona. It’s a 16x38 rectangle with a small ledge in shallow end and a bench at the 7’ deep end. Delivery date is set for 4/28/21. Timing was a big deciding factor in me choosing fiberglass over over vinyl despite the higher cost, as I had hemmed and hawed long enough that the vinyl contractors became booked until 9/21. Builder has a good (albeit small) reputation for “high end” work, grew up in my town, and has a retail location here too. He is the authorized dealer for latham and leisure.
I also purchased a H2X Trainer 12’ swim spa that will sit parallel to the pool And will be delivered on 4/26. Crane for pool itself will lift that from driveway to its location on 4/28.
I didn’t expect work to start till late March, but PB texted me 2 weeks ago saying he’d like to come get the electrical set since permit was approved quicker than expected. Im working from home anyway so no big deal. Trenches were dug, electrical run (inspected/passed), water line run, existing pavers ripped up and reset afterwards. Need to upgrade service to 325 amps heat pump, swim spa, and enough for a pool house/she shed with heat/ac down the road) but all wiring to separate garage (which will get a new sub panel) and equipment pad is done. They also set up the pad and and equipment, which I’d didn’t realize was happening until after it was done (had a busy day with conf calls and when I came out they were gone for day and pad was down). They used plastic pads. i don’t think that I specifically discussed the pad details with the PB, but wondering if anyone has significant concerns. They told me about and fixed the busted French drain pvc, and sprinkler line was repaired.
besides that, everything is looking ok to me, but it’s just electrical and equipment. Posting pics and will update as it progresses.
thanks again
Chris

 

[Cphats]

And here are 2 versions of the concept plan. Hasn’t been updated to show final pool model or location, orientation of swim spa etc. The sun hits the right side (East) of the pool most of the day, so we shifted more of the pavers to that area for lounge chairs. Swim spa will be on left (West) side of pool, and will be parallel without a raised patio around it. The existing shed will not be renovated, and instead I’ll be putting a pool house at the north end (2-3 years down the road max).

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Looks like a very nice set up. 38' long! I envy that!!! Deeper too. What fun you're going to have this summer. Keep us posted, please. Lots of pics!

Maddie

 

[Casey]

How exciting!

 

[Cphats]

more pics

 

[Cphats]

And more

 

[Casey]

I bet you are so excited?! My pool builder is coming out tomorrow at 1730 to lay out my build and look at the yard.

 

[Cphats]

Swim spa h2x trainer 12 delivered

 

[Cphats]

swim spa is in a temporary spot until pool is delivered and new patio installed. fence is 2/3 done (left incomplete for equipment access purposes. The pavers were delivered a couple weeks ago. New pool delivery date is 6/7. The federal stone instagram picture is our patio inspiration. We purchased the 12" bullnose coping from them. pavers are cambridge holland in onyx and onyx natural. Herringbone pattern.

 

[Cphats]

Dig started today.

 

[Cphats]

more progress

 

[Cphats]

Hi Everyone!
This batch got uploaded out of order. The first picture in the previous post (the one with the guy raking the gravel swim spa bed) is the latest. The pool was supposed to arrive tomorrow (Monday), but has been pushed (yet again) to Tuesday. There doesn't appear to be any support under the shallow end ledge yet. Should they have shaped the ground for that (like they did in the deep end), or is it ok to backfill it with gravel? Thanks in advance!

 

[Cphats]

Hi everyone! I have a hail mary help question. Not sure if I should start a new thread for better response, but will try here. Pool got delivered on Tuesday. Builder forgot to update skimmer location once we added the auto cover (in April, 4 months after initial order, but still plenty of time to update before delivery). Latham had cut and installed skimmer in the deep end, right where the auto cover box was supposed to go. Latham says they could come change it, but it'd be at least 6 weeks (and no other work could progress during that time). Builder suggested something like the attached picture, but we would get cast concrete (from Federal Stone, to match our coping) to go around the skimmer access hole. It's unclear how much longer this would take. The other possibility would be to place the cover box in the shallow end. Builder is hesitant to do this b/c it will get more foot traffic therefore more risk of damage/shifting/injury liability (the cover box will be beneath a diamond plate or stainless steel tray he was creating to hold the coping stones and one holland paver- see the inspiration picture from Federal's instagram in post above). The other option is to scrap the cover. That's easy, but the main reason we went with it was for safety belt and suspenders. We picked the location of our fence and gates thinking that we would have that cover. Without it, we will need to get a removable safety fence to more closely surround pool. Not ideal and not what we wanted (though I'm acknowledging it's a first world problem). What do you guys think about the shallow end option? Is it really a safety concern? They will be completely hiding the leading edge of the cover under the coping when it is open. If it is a concern, would you guys sacrifice the aesthetics (like the attached), or would you just scrap it and settle for a safety fence? I apparently need to give him an answer by 4pm EST today in order to prevent further delays. Thank you in advance!!!!!!!!

 

[Cphats]

We figured out the auto pool issue. They found some much sturdier brackets and the cover manufacturer gave the sign off. Here are some pics of the delivery. They initially brought the wrong (smaller) crane. I allowed them to use it to lift off the Latham delivery truck, but refused to let them use it to lift over the house. Delayed the process a couple hours, but better than risking it drop. Main drain inspection passed on Friday. Backfill with clean gravel tomorrow.

 

[Texas Splash]

Delivery day is always a big day. I"m sure the neighbors were peaking through their blinds to watch. That backyard is going to be epic once it's all done.

 

[Cphats]

Delivery day is always a big day. I"m sure the neighbors were peaking through their blinds to watch. That backyard is going to be epic once it's all done.

Thanks! Yeah. There were 20+ people watching and taping it. Several put it on our town Family facebook group, and there were tons of comments. Not a ton of visual progress today. Just water and backfill. I have time lapse video that shows a lot more, but I only took one pic.

 

[Cphats]

More progress. Concrete rim lock will be poured Monday.

 

[Cphats]

even more

 

[Cphats]

Slow, but some progress. Auto cover tracks never came last week. Arrived late Saturday afternoon.

 

[Cphats]

Hmm. Looks like I skipped a few photos. Here are some from when concrete rim was poured.