New Build Wylie, TX

[Mcow]

Saw all the other threads on new builds and thought I would do one too even though we are through to tile/coping. I will say this building process has been pretty stressful. We have a good builder but my wife and I are very impatient! All the rain we have had is not helping either. Hoping to be finished up close to end of month or first of August. the neighbor behind me just had a pool built by the same builder and they finished it in 7 weeks. I think it will go a little past that. I wish I could go back the planning stage with what I know now. There are a few things I would change but hindsight is 20/20. One big regret is I wish we would have gone a little bigger. The width is good 32' and 15' the other way but I didn't think about how much room the tanning ledge would take up the 15' way on that side of the pool. I have plenty of room behind the pool where I am doing landscaping wish I would have gone another 4' that way. In reality I know it will be great and we cant wait to swim!

Renderings

My yard before the destruction! Was a little sad to see my tree cut down. It was a tiny $20 clearance tree at Home Depot I planted when we first moved in.

First day of construction. They were there an hour before it started raining just long enough to make a mess.

We have a hole!!!

Steel and plumbing.

Gunite! This is also when we noticed that one of the skimmers is right next to the stairs. Wish we would have caught this sooner. I'm hoping it will not be that big of a deal as we will probably enter on the tanning ledge.

Tile an coping. This actually turned out a little better than I thought, was not sure what I would think of the columns on the wall they were a suggestion by our PB I think they add some interest. The finger ledge on the back wall was also a recommendation from the PB I didn't even know we wanted but glad we did it.

This is one thing I regret. We went with a sheer decent because my wife didn't like the scuppers on the model pool at the PB. I liked them but you know happy wife happy life right. I didn't know it would be a piece of white plastic hanging out. Hoping it looks less noticeable with water running. If not I might have to paint it.



Now we just need decking, pergola built and plaster. I am really looking forward to doing the landscaping behind the pool it is a hobby of mine. I am thinking of doing a native Texas planting with a hill country feel.

So many decisions with building a pool. I swear it was less stressful than building a house. I also had no idea how expensive pools are to build. I mean I knew it wasn't cheap but wow. Cant wait to get in the pool and escape the Texas heat with family and friends!

 

[LDVPool]

This is one thing I regret. We went with a sheer decent because my wife didn't like the scuppers on the model pool at the PB. I liked them but you know happy wife happy life right. I didn't know it would be a piece of white plastic hanging out. Hoping it looks less noticeable with water running. If not I might have to paint it. !

The faceplate comes in different colors --- grey, tan, and white. (You should have been given a choice. Ask if the faceplate can be changed out.)

Typically, the unit is installed flush with the coping above it. That also helps to disguise it. There may be reasons why this one is not so flush.

 

[Mcow]

Yeah no choice given. I did ask them to work on it though. It's hard to tell from the picture but it sticking out more on the left side about 3" from the wall face than the right side about 1" from the wall face. Our project manager tried to blame it on the curve but I told him it needed to get fixed it should be more flush.

 

[Texas Dobie]

Your pool looks great!! I think "native Texas plants with a hill country feel" behind your pool will look awesome!!

Thanks,
D

 

[Mcow]

Thank Dobie I am chomping at the bits to get the landscaping going if it would just dry up a little bit...


I took some pictures of the sheer decent last night to send to the PB. This one shows it the best. Am I being unrealistic on this? Is this the best hey can get it on the curve? They are saying they will look at it but initially blaming the inside curve. I understand the middle will stick out more than the two sides because of the curve but seems like to two far edges should be similar distance from the wall.

 

[Texas Dobie]

I personally don't think you are being unrealistic at all and think both sides should be sticking out the same amount. If it were my pool I'd be staring at that all the time. I'm definitely the type of person that likes things to be just right lol. Good luck and hope they fix it for you!! Let us know the outcome!
We are also surprised on how much rain we've had lately! Three inches in one hour the other night!

Also, if you want to see a list of native plants we have in our yard... I wrote up a list for a fellow TFP-er with some pictures on our thread- page 13.

Thanks- D

 

[Mcow]

I am very picky and my wife is even picker just want to make sure I am not crazy! It is exactly in the middle so it it the first thing I see when looking out so yeah it drives me crazy!

Checked out your pool I like it! We REALLY wanted to go with travertine just like yours but the cost on 800 square feet of decking was pretty steep and went with Belgard pavers instead. It looks amazing on yours! Like the plants as well several are already on my list! Did you do pea gravel or DG for the mulch?

 

[kimkats]

Well look at your sneaking in in the middle of your build! SO glad you found us!

Do you have your equipment yet? Post what is in your contract so we can make sure it is big enough and only what is needed to have a Trouble Free Pool!

Yeah I would push on the part sticking out like that. They can fix it but it will be a pain so they are not going to really want to.......so sad too bad...do it to make me happy! My money my way $$$

Kim

 

[Texas Dobie]

Thanks!
I'm picky too lol! I also understand how building a pool can be stressful but when it's done you will sit back and enjoy every minute of it! It's the best place to woosa and relax!! Then you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner! So.... hang in there, take a deep breath, and see what the PB says about fixing it .

We did pea gravel in the front yard and larger river rock in the backyard.
I'm sure the pavers are going to look great!

Thanks-D

- - - Updated - - -

Well look at your sneaking in in the middle of your build! SO glad you found us!

Do you have your equipment yet? Post what is in your contract so we can make sure it is big enough and only what is needed to have a Trouble Free Pool!

Yeah I would push on the part sticking out like that. They can fix it but it will be a pain so they are not going to really want to.......so sad too bad...do it to make me happy! My money my way $$$

Kim

Yay!! Kim's here!! She's awesome and so very very helpful!!! Along with everyone else here on TFP !!!

D

 

[Mcow]

Hi Kim!
Here is the equipment list. It has been installed. One thing that was a lot of debate was going salt versus UV chlorine. I really like the feel of salt but our PB scared us off a little because of damage to patio furniture and salt residue on flagstone and paver decking. A pool heater was another thing we thought about but the PB said he didn't think we would use it much and said to give it a year it can be added later.

Equipment
* 3 Year Warranty - Service by Hobert Pools
* Pentair 520 SF Cartridge Filter
* Pentair 3HP SVRS Variable Speed Pump
* Pentair Racer Cleaner with Booster Pump
* 2 Pentair Globrite LED Lights
* Paramount UV with Ozone and Pentair In Line Chlorination system
* Pentari EZ Touch Wireless remote system with Screen Logic

 

[sunsoul]

Your pool looks great n almost similar to ours. We also went with Hobert n in the middle of construction

 

[kimkats]

The UV system will not hurt anything. It won't help much either. I just want you to be ready to use liquid chlorine to keep the pool clear and balanced.

I have a set of links I share with all new pool owners. When their gunite is shot is when I share it so it is time for your own set of links!

Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule

Pool School - Recommended Levels

Bookmark these:

Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html

Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

Make sure to ask any and all questions you might have no matter how small! We have all been where you are at one point.It is a lot of info. but it will all start to make sense when you start using it!

Please ask your PB what test kit he will be providing. Let us know so we can fill in any blanks.

Kim

 

[LDVPool]

I took some pictures of the sheer decent last night to send to the PB. This one shows it the best. Am I being unrealistic on this? Is this the best hey can get it on the curve? They are saying they will look at it but initially blaming the inside curve. I understand the middle will stick out more than the two sides because of the curve but seems like to two far edges should be similar distance from the wall.

I would be concerned at this point of damaging the unit if they had to chisel it out to adjust it.

Go over that possibility with the PB.

(These things can be cut to fit a curve. Your PB should have also given you that option.)

 

[Mcow]

Thanks Kim lots of info! I will have to get that to my wife. Part of the deal for putting in the pool is she agreed to do the maintenance

 

[Mcow]

(These things can be cut to fit a curve. Your PB should have also given you that option.)

Yes that was what I was thinking the easiest fix is to cut it to be near flush with the wall. Right now I am dealing with our project manager who apparently is brand new. He sent me a message and told me the construction manager is going out to look at it so hopefully they will get it fixed.

 

[LDVPool]

I think they have to be ordered from the manufacturer that way --- cut to the curve. But hey it doesn't hurt to ask the PB if they can be cut on site.

 

[kimkats]

Mcow, have your wife join us. We can teach her step by step how to care for the pool. She could have you own sign in or you two share this one. It does not matter either way.

Kim

 

[Mcow]

I think they have to be ordered from the manufacturer that way --- cut to the curve. But hey it doesn't hurt to ask the PB if they can be cut on site.

I actually found a little scrap piece that looked like it had been cut off in the yard so may be possible to do it after the fact.

 

[Mcow]

Good news PB fixed the sheer descent looks a lot straighter and even under the flagstone cap.





Bad news RAIN!! Any other year I would be happy it's been raining so much to keep things less scorching. Of course the year I build a pool it's raining like crazy. Hopefully it will dry up enough by Wednesday to set the post for the pergola which then have to be inspected so they can start decking next week. I haven't grilled since they started construction. For the rest of the country 6 weeks of not grilling may not be a big deal but for a Texan it's sacrilegious. Plus I have a brand new grill sitting in the garage waiting to be fired up! Right now we are about a week behind which really isn't that bad all things considered I'm just extremely impatient.

 

[kimkats]

That did even it up! Are you still thinking of painting it?

Kim