New Florida Pool Quotes

[jstar]

We are looking at an inground pool install in Panama City. We have gotten quotes from the two builders with the best reviews that we've found so far. We are at the extremely early stages of this process and are looking at a 15'x35' pool that goes from 3 ft deep to 6 ft deep. Here is a sketch of the pool and deck:
Pool - Album on Imgur

I'd like some comments from the group on the quotes. My first impression is :
the base prices include different items - for instance the deck sf are different between the two and in fact the one is missing a few hundred sf of deck space (it will be close to 1000 sf). There are a few other items that are different too.
Neither quote is specific to model numbers or equipment sizes- I will get them to specify this in the next iteration
The second quote has the incorrect depth of 5ft instead of 6ft while the first does not include the steps from the house.


Any other comments on materials or anything?
We're probably going to get some quotes on stamped concrete decking directly from a sub.
We will go with the variable speed pump and SWC.
Does anyone know how SWC retail consumer prices compare to pool builder marked up prices? I'm pretty handy and if it were several hundred dollars cheaper, I would think about changing the standard chlorinator out myself. Are there other components that would need changing too?
Is one skimmer sufficient for a pool like this?
We plan on buying a robotic cleaner ourselves.
I don't know what to think about the "free" rotating heads. Sounds like a future maintenance problem. Anyone have experience with this system?


I welcome any comments.


Quote 1:
15’x35’ in-ground pool 3ft to 6ft deep
Base Price = $29,500
· Permits
· Excavation
· 6”shotcrete pool shell with #3 steel 12” oc
· One row 6”x6” Frostproof tile
· One row 4”x8” Bullnose Brick Coping
· Two main drains, one skimmer, two pool returns and one pool cleaner outlet
· One 1hp pump and one high rate sand filter
· One Rainbow 320 Chlorinator
· All sch 40 PVC pool plumbing
· One set steps and one ladder or swimout
· Marcite interior of pool (blue quartz)
· Vacuum and cleaning equipment
· Start up chemicals
· One 12v LED white light
Options:
Salt generator system $1,795
Upgrade to var. speed pump $700
Two color LED lights Included
926 sq ft stamped concrete $11,115
Water line for future water feat Included

Quote 2:
15’ x 35’ Rectangle Pool - 3’ to 5’ Pool

Shotcrete - An engineered steel reinforced shotcrete shell. (Our crews are ASTM certified with
over 75 years in the art of shotcreting.) Lifetime Warranty
Cleaner- Pre-plumbed for future robotic pool cleaner. (pressure or suction)
Standard Skimmer
Tile - 6X6 frost proof waterline tile (stock), set with pre-mix tile base and grout. Aquron is applied to beam and grout to water proof area to alleviate bleeding of calcium
Deck- 3ft Surrounding Pool (371 Sqft Included)
Plaster –Blue Quartz Plaster 5 Year Factory Warranty
Lighting- (2)- 12v 1.5" L.E.D. underwater pool lights
Filtration System- ¾ HP Single Speed, 27” Sand Filter, and equipment pad.
Maintenance Equipment- Manual vacuum equipment, brush, and test kit.
Base Pool Price
29,750

Additional / Optional Equipment
Ecopool – Total water circulation with three Rotating in-floor heads - Free Promotion
- with Venturi Skimmer
1.85hp Variable Speed Pump $1,000
Upgrade to Cool Blue Pebble Plaster 15 Yr Warranty $2,160
40K Salt Chlorinator $1,600
4ft Bench in Deep End $400
5ft Shallow End Bench $250
365 Sqft of Extra Kretekoted Deck $3,650
Concrete Staircase and Landing $3,400
41 Ft of Deck Drain $287
Additional / Optional Equipment Total $12,747

Total Base Pool Price plus Additional / Optional Equipment $42,497

Services not Included Above
Landscaping
Alarms for Doors and Windows Required by Code
Electrical Estimated at $1,800

 

[PoolGate]

Skip the vacuum port and get a robot on your own - robots do not require any ports.
Specify 2 skimmers - look at wind patterns and place intelligently.
Go deeper! 3 feet is very shallow.
Get EXACT equipment models
Variable speed pump - check for local electric rebates they are significant but require specific models
Automation system
Pick a brand - Jandy, Hayward, Pentair - and stick with it
Lose the chlorinator and go salt
figure out how much deck you want and negotiate for this NOW. Adding extra decking after signing will KILL your budget! 3 feet of deck is NOTHING.
Personally I like cartridge filters
Specify Jandy NeverLube valves for ALL valves
Pump prices are high - Jandy 3hp variable speed is only $900 market price.

Good Luck!

 

[kimkats]

HI! I am guessing you are in Fl! I love coming to visit your area!

What a fun time for you and your family! Can be stressful but so worth it in the end!

Now lets talk your pool.....3' is too shallow. Take a tape measure and hold it up to yourself. Also think about trying to do a crawl stroke.You cannot do it in 3' without rubbing your knuckles...ouch!

-Excavation-does this include taking the dirt away or putting it in your yard and leveling it, etc.?

-returns-I would like to see more than two. At least 3 but would like to see 4.

-lights-one spot says one and anther says 2......you need two for that long of a pool.

-pump-at least a 2 speed. NO one speed pump......vs if you will have any water features

-electrical-NOT included in #2?? What is up with that?

-#2 charging extra for steps and benches??

I will not even bother touching the cost quotes as each area is so different. I would try to get at least 2 more quotes.

Right now it is hard to really pick one as there is so much missing info (as you have stated). I hope what I said above at least gives you some food for thought.

Kim

 

[bmoreswim]

Good comments above. On benches, below is a picture of our benches. I like benches. For reference, our pool is 38' x 18' vs. 35' x 15'. Having a bench on the opposite side of the main seating area is great because folks can be in the pool sitting and facing the folks seated. I also love our two level deep end benches. The short leg would be good at 42" deep. The deep end of your pool, 6' is too deep for almost anyone to stand 6' 5" and up folks excluded. The area on the left side is our autocover pit, so you can ignore that. There are pics in my build thread, link in my signature if you are interested in some rectangular inspiration (or what not to do!)

Just be sure to get what you want, not what they are offering. I always recommend to make your own spec sheet, including everything and give it to them. Have them price that. Or at this point, use it to clean up their quotes. My spec sheet was about 45 items, 1 1/2 pages single spaced. It really helped having the quotes be on a similar page. They certainly didn't use it exactly but the quotes were certainly better because of it.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

My two cents-

Even though the PB says he's including that Ecopool thingie "free".. it doesn't look like anything you really need. And as you say, it is one more thing that can breakdown and be annoying. After viewing the website for it, I'd skip it. Must not be selling well at all since we don't hear much about it, right?

A good robot runs on minimal electricity and doesn't need anything other than an outlet close to the pool. Lose the pressure or suction line cleaner lines entirely.

Get as much cement decking as you can afford now... once you set a table and chairs out on pool decking you'll realize how small it can be sometimes. More is always better.

Maddie

 

[jstar]

Thanks for the replies. This was the first iteration of getting an idea what these guys offer. I'm gonna get back to them to get a better idea. I was "happy" that the quotes were in the same ballpark. I'll talk to the wife about going to 4 feet in the shallow end. We have a 5 year old who can swim good and a 4 month old. I guess the extra foot will only impact the youngest for a short time period.