New contract / New build - SE Pennsylvania, Gunite free form pool and spa
- Thread starter Gorilla83
- Start date
now get some of this 
and do some of this :angel: while you work your way through the permits 
Small update: Got the township permit paperwork in last Tuesday - said it would be approximately 3 weeks from then until approval. I've got to go in Friday to the township building to notarize/sign some forms, although they seem to be generally OK with the plan including impervious coverage, etc so that's a huge plus. The waiting is the hardest part, although the weather around here wouldn't allow for excavation any time soon anyway. 
Let's keep all fingers crossed we can get in the ground in mid to late April!!
Let's keep all fingers crossed we can get in the ground in mid to late April!!
I hope so!
FINALLY got word today (4 weeks from when we submitted) the permit was approved. The township is pulling together the paperwork now and then the PB is going to stake out the pool next week. Our township requires a "stakeout" approval before we can dig but tentatively we're looking to dig the week of April 30th. Fingers crossed that the wait is almost over.
FINALLY got word today (4 weeks from when we submitted) the permit was approved. The township is pulling together the paperwork now and then the PB is going to stake out the pool next week. Our township requires a "stakeout" approval before we can dig but tentatively we're looking to dig the week of April 30th. Fingers crossed that the wait is almost over.
all these approvals. i don't know how a lot of you all deal with it. it would drive me insane. i literally went to our borough building drew a circle on a piece of paper with my setbacks gave them the name of my pool builder. they asked how much the pool cost (ya ok) and they said ok this much for the permit. and i walked out. they stopped to inspect the bonding and electrical and said call when the fence is up to get the occupancy permit.
i know everywhere is diff, but man a lot of hoops.
i bet you can't wait to get started. i was jumping out of my skin for the dig day.
gunite was by far the best day of the build. better than plaster and fill actually. it was just such a cool process and a really awesome learning experience. especially with a crew who was on point. but my builder, his son, and their main guy who acted as a translator for all of us so that prob played into it. i also give them breakfast, break, lunch, and dinner on the way home. so feed everyone! but you prob know that from doing various jobs at ur home.
good luck! all the best!
i know everywhere is diff, but man a lot of hoops.
i bet you can't wait to get started. i was jumping out of my skin for the dig day.
gunite was by far the best day of the build. better than plaster and fill actually. it was just such a cool process and a really awesome learning experience. especially with a crew who was on point. but my builder, his son, and their main guy who acted as a translator for all of us so that prob played into it. i also give them breakfast, break, lunch, and dinner on the way home. so feed everyone! but you prob know that from doing various jobs at ur home.
good luck! all the best!
Thanks! If you think these initial approvals are bad, you should see the full list required around here, ugh. Oh well, nothing we can do about that except play by the rules and hope for speedy inspections.
Upcoming:
-Final township signoff of permits by township manager
-Schedule and execution of 'stakeout' inspection which shows the exact location of the pool with noted setbacks from property lines
-DIG!!!
And you're right I'm having trouble keeping my composure waiting for dig day. As for the gunite shoot - the crappy part of the timing there is there is a good chance the pool may be shot while the wife and I are away for a long weekend. We had planned to get away the first weekend of May and if everything comes together I'd guess they'd want to shoot the pool right around then. Murphy has a way of appearing at the right moments, ha! Anyway, I suppose I'll either have to set up sprinklers (with timers) and/or have some friends/family to stop by to do the first few days of watering if so. I'm also installing surveillance cameras so I can watch if that is the case. Any other suggestions as to how to manage if we're remote? Timer suggestions?
Upcoming:
-Final township signoff of permits by township manager
-Schedule and execution of 'stakeout' inspection which shows the exact location of the pool with noted setbacks from property lines
-DIG!!!
And you're right I'm having trouble keeping my composure waiting for dig day.
As for the gunite shoot - the crappy part of the timing there is there is a good chance the pool may be shot while the wife and I are away for a long weekend. We had planned to get away the first weekend of May and if everything comes together I'd guess they'd want to shoot the pool right around then. Murphy has a way of appearing at the right moments, ha! Anyway, I suppose I'll either have to set up sprinklers (with timers) and/or have some friends/family to stop by to do the first few days of watering if so. I'm also installing surveillance cameras so I can watch if that is the case. Any other suggestions as to how to manage if we're remote? Timer suggestions?
Make sure the PB is there and he has your cell phone number so he can take pics and get your input if needed. I like the idea of the sprinklers on timers + someone stopping by to make sure it is getting all of the pool and doing some spot watering as needed. What timer? Not sure. I would go to Lowes and see what they have and go from there. Ask them which ones get returned the most and do not buy them.
Kim
Kim
Make sure the PB is there and he has your cell phone number so he can take pics and get your input if needed. I like the idea of the sprinklers on timers + someone stopping by to make sure it is getting all of the pool and doing some spot watering as needed. What timer? Not sure. I would go to Lowes and see what they have and go from there. Ask them which ones get returned the most and do not buy them.
Kim
Kim
examples:
https://www.amazon.com/Orbit-62040-...pID=41ra7V-sCDL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
https://www.amazon.com/Instapark-Ou...pID=41xv1uLnWGL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Shop Melnor Digital Water Timer at Lowes.com
Can the sprinklers be placed in the pool or do they have to be next to it?
Thanks for checking in!
Good news - Permits and pre-dig inspections all good to go, we are next in line in terms of priority to dig. Yard is staked out and everything looks good to go.
Bad news - Dig date has been pushed back a few times unfortunately which as you can imagine is quite frustrating. We're scheduled for this Wednesday as of now to break ground but when looking at the forecast does not leave me the least bit optimistic that will happen. We show rain for 9+ straight days, ugh. The most frustrating part is I feel like I have to ride my PB to get any updates/communication from him with regards to timeframes. I know he builds a nice pool and he does respond quickly to my requests but it's always ME having to ask for updates and he always seems behind the curve.
Other - We've been discussing options for an autofill and the PB wants to use the Pentair Intellilevel which is their new electronic product that integrates with automation/easytouch. It's pricey but I'm going to give it a shot, let's hope it isn't super quirky.
Here's to hoping/wishing we can get in the ground this week!!!
Good news - Permits and pre-dig inspections all good to go, we are next in line in terms of priority to dig. Yard is staked out and everything looks good to go.
Bad news - Dig date has been pushed back a few times unfortunately which as you can imagine is quite frustrating. We're scheduled for this Wednesday as of now to break ground but when looking at the forecast does not leave me the least bit optimistic that will happen. We show rain for 9+ straight days, ugh. The most frustrating part is I feel like I have to ride my PB to get any updates/communication from him with regards to timeframes. I know he builds a nice pool and he does respond quickly to my requests but it's always ME having to ask for updates and he always seems behind the curve.
Other - We've been discussing options for an autofill and the PB wants to use the Pentair Intellilevel which is their new electronic product that integrates with automation/easytouch. It's pricey but I'm going to give it a shot, let's hope it isn't super quirky.
Here's to hoping/wishing we can get in the ground this week!!!
Oh gosh, I feel your pain. After today, the next good weather day in our area(s) probably won't be until Wednesday of next week. My June 1st contractual deadline looks like it's going to get harder and harder to meet.
BTW, I feel similarly about my PB. They are great guys and I too believe they build a quality pool, but I'm the one being proactive most of the time.
BTW, I feel similarly about my PB. They are great guys and I too believe they build a quality pool, but I'm the one being proactive most of the time.
Another week come and gone, weather is looking much better now. Unfortunately still getting the run around from my PB with no commitment or guess as to when we will dig. I'm about at wits end and strongly considering bagging this project for this year - if it's this bad before we start I can't imagine what it's going to be like once we're waiting between phases. My wife and I are at a point where we don't have much trust established with the PB and it seems to be getting worse not better.