New IG Pool Build - Cincinnati (northern Kentucky) - please advise

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T

thisisjason

0
Feb 8, 2018
30
Cincinnati OH
Goal was to be at $33k out the door including fence in order to use cash instead of financing -- here is where we landed with the PB that we want to move forward with:


$22,300 "base" items included (addons in separate list below):
- 14' x 28' vinyl liner pool, 3.5' to 5.5' at deeper end (calculated around 13.5k gallons)
- 4' concrete around pool (4000 psi mix) with 7' deck ends and with pad poured for equipment
- 8' steps (not vinyl covered)
- mesh safety cover
- stainless 3 tread ladder
- 42" 14 GA zinc coated galvanized steels walls (12 GA supports), 5" flange top and bottom and "Z" support ribs (8" concrete footer)
- 20 or 28 mil vinyl liner
- Hayward in-wall skimmer, vaccuum kit w/ skim plate, hose, head, telescopic pole
- anti-vortex child proof bottom drain (2)
- 1.5" directional inlets (2)
- 1.5" sch 40 flex plumbing
- Hayward Sand filter
- safety rope/floats
- dirt removal up 2 miles
- initial chemicals (salt not included)
- labor on first year winterization


Add-ons (PB allowing me to supply these on my own from Inyo Pools):


- $2,289 - Hayward Heat Pro 95k BTU heat pump (HP21004T)
- $799 - Hayward Aquarite SWCG (AQR3)
- $805 - Hayward Variable Speed Superpump (SP2603VSP)
- $199 - Pureline LED color change


This puts us at $26,392 for pool, plus:


- $135 for permits
- $3000 for 230' of black aluminum fence (DIY)
- $500 to add 60AMP subpanel for pool pump and heater (DIY)
- $150 for fill water (hydrant)
- $800 for 96 feet of pool safety fence (have 2 small kids and tons of neighbor kids, want to have 2 layers of fencing)


This puts us at $30,977... leaves about $2000 for items unaccounted for. Am I missing anything? Inyo pools recommends a "Pureline" variable speed pump instead of the Hayward Super Pump VS, that would save me $300 but not sure if its a reliable pump?

IMG_1422.jpg
 
I'd recommend spending all your extra money on more concrete. Your setup is going be be very tight in actual usage I believe.

There are also some concerns about your plumbing. One skimmer is kind of OK for that size, though debris will naturally go to the opposite corner from your one skimmer. Two is the flex pipe. It is not recommend as it is more vulnerable in general. He will say it's fine and it will be your call. Others can comment on the piping size, but 1 1/2" for some of that is smaller than ideal.

Seems like you can easily go over on dirt removal unless you own a lot within 2 miles, unless he already said he's got a spot.
 
bmoreswim said:
I'd recommend spending all your extra money on more concrete. Your setup is going be be very tight in actual usage I believe.
Click to expand...

I should have mentioned that I will be using a different contractor to pour more concrete when pool is finished this summer. PB is higher priced, and I will have more cash (dont want to finance anything) to pour concrete under the deck and more around pool.

bmoreswim said:
There are also some concerns about your plumbing. One skimmer is kind of OK for that size, though debris will naturally go to the opposite corner from your one skimmer. Two is the flex pipe. It is not recommend as it is more vulnerable in general. He will say it's fine and it will be your call. Others can comment on the piping size, but 1 1/2" for some of that is smaller than ideal.

Seems like you can easily go over on dirt removal unless you own a lot within 2 miles, unless he already said he's got a spot.
Click to expand...

Great advice, I need to talk to PB about plumbing and 2nd skimmer. Regarding the dirt, I reached out to two neighbors that build pools last year to see where they put their dirt. We are in a new construction neighborhood in a suburban/rural area so hopefully some place nearby.
 
You might consider eliminating the main drain. Not much cost savings but not much use for one either. Adding another skimmer would be better money spent.

Only caveat is heating. If you are really going to heat the pool, then main drain can be a good idea, but it needs to be plumbed separately back to the equipment pad so you can use it to pull from when you heat the pool.
 
Yes to the Salt Water Generator. You'll thank us later, I promise.

No to flex pipe. PVC is what you want especially in your cold climate.

Consider that putting padding and vinyl over your steps is a very nice looking upgrade.

Yes to the Variable speed pump.

Make sure the skimmer takes advantage of your natural wind pattern. THis helps surface debris go towards the skimmer naturally.

Plan on a robot cleaner, perhaps a later expense but well worth it.

I believe your pool is going to be smaller than the 13.5K gallons predicted. Mine is 14x32, 6' deep and it is just under 12k gallons.

Are you on a well that you don't want to use hose water to fill with? That could save you some money on that fire department bill. Sometimes water from hydrants and the hoses they use aren't as clean and clear as one hopes. There is no problem with filling with hoses slowly in a vinyl lined pool.

You probably are going to need door alarms. We have an autocover so weren't too worried about kids (and ours are 32 and 36 years old now anyway, LOL)

Looking forward to your build :)

Maddie :flower:
 
Welcome from the East side of Cincinnati! We are working towards a pool ourselves. We had one PB in the Eastgate area tell us dirt removal was our responsibility past 2 miles. For 35 to 40k, I thought they could figure it out...

Does your back yard have a slope? Are you going to need a retaining wall? Looking forward to following along.
 
That's a great price. I'd take the advise offered above and have a contingency of at least 20%. The saying take what you think your pool will cost and double it, was pretty much true for us but then we weren't sticking to a tight budget. You could absolutely do it for not much more than you've listed, but there are some things that are not able to be done at a later date. They're the things you want to include now. Good call on the extra concrete. Looking forward to following your build.
 
One area that some PB's may cut their costs is by using the excavated dirt as backfill, as opposed to stone / gravel. While that may be acceptable in some parts of the country, I don't believe its generally considered best practice. I would be a little weary if that is one way he's trying keep costs down. Our PB won't use the excavated dirt as backfill in our area, as it's predominately clay-based soil. After doing some research on pool backfilling, I understood why.

Stone backfill might already be accounted for in your proposal, but since it wasn't line-itemed, it might be worth asking your PB about. I understand you're keeping a keen eye on your costs, and if not already in there, adding stone will most certainly eat into your budget. It won't be seen or add any pizazz to your pool. However, it could possibly be a case of paying a smaller amount now, vs 3-5 times more for repairs several years later....of course, after all warranties have since expired.

I'm not suggesting what you should or shouldn't do. Lord knows I'm not near knowledgeable on the subject to do that (maybe someone that knows more about it can chime in one way or the other). Just suggesting it might be worth a little self research or a mention to your PB and see what he says.
 
Todd Brock - I work on the east side! I'm following your build as well, looks awesome.

Regarding dirt removal, PB said he would use dirt to help level out the back yard (included in his price). This is also what both neighbors did last summer with their pool builds.
Regarding retaining wall, PB says not necessary. Of the 4 or 5 PBs we interviewed, only 1 suggested retaining wall. This PB said grading will be fine without one.
 
Agree that I'd throw my extra money into more concrete. 4' is essentially a walkway, but it you put all that concrete on one side, you'll have an 8' deck with some room for chairs, etc. Throw a flower bed on the back side or something. Just a thought.

My biggest fear, based on your picture, is the slope of your yard -- you may need a lot of back fill, steps, or a retaining wall, which can get pricey. I'd be sure to look into that before you sign anything.
 

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BMK said:
One area that some PB's may cut their costs is by using the excavated dirt as backfill, as opposed to stone / gravel. While that may be acceptable in some parts of the country, I don't believe its generally considered best practice. I would be a little weary if that is one way he's trying keep costs down. Our PB won't use the excavated dirt as backfill in our area, as it's predominately clay-based soil. After doing some research on pool backfilling, I understood why.

Stone backfill might already be accounted for in your proposal, but since it wasn't line-itemed, it might be worth asking your PB about. I understand you're keeping a keen eye on your costs, and if not already in there, adding stone will most certainly eat into your budget. It won't be seen or add any pizazz to your pool. However, it could possibly be a case of paying a smaller amount now, vs 3-5 times more for repairs several years later....of course, after all warranties have since expired.

I'm not suggesting what you should or shouldn't do. Lord knows I'm not near knowledgeable on the subject to do that (maybe someone that knows more about it can chime in one way or the other). Just suggesting it might be worth a little self research or a mention to your PB and see what he says.
Click to expand...

PB uses #57 gravel for backfill, thanks for pointing that out!
 
I had a 14 x 28 pool with one skimmer-- I never felt like I wanted another another skimmer at the time, but in retrospect it did have a lot of surface debris. Also there was a corner of the pool that did not have a return, and this area did not really get skimmed (well not without me doing it by hand at least).

So, I think the point that 1 skimmer is okay for that size pool, 2 may have a real benefit.
 
Pool parts ordered:

ItemCostStore
Heat Pump - Hayward Heat Pro 110K - HP21104T$2,476.99Inyo
Salt Water System - Hayward Aquarite AQR3 15k gal$615.00PoolSupply4Less
Pool Pump - Hayward Super Pump VS - SP2603VSP$665.00PoolSupply4Less
Light - Hayward Color Logic 4.0 LED - 100' cord$555.00PoolSupply4Less
Light Niche - Hayward Duraniche Vinyl$89.00PoolSupply4Less
Dolphin Nautilus Plus Robot$685.00PoolSupply4Less
 
I have nearly the same size/shape pool and one skimmer on the side in the deep end and two returns in the shallow end. If the returns are ever so slightly aimed at the surface then I can get pretty good skimming but with the cost of slightly increasing PH and evaporation from the surface agitation so I'm sure there's some measurement of time where the water replacement and additional acid would equal the cost of having an extra skimmer, if I was the one that had built the pool. If I aim them down, the corner across from the skimmer a and the stairs collect junk.
 
- All parts received from Inyo and PoolSupply4Less

- HOA approved design

- County approved the design, had some heartburn when I told them PB would be using excavated soil to level out backyard and to create a landscaping hill... they caused me to have to create some detailed drainage and elevation drawings. Funny my neighbors didn't have any heartburn and did the exact same thing with their soil. Oh well, all approved now.

- Electrician comes 4/2 to install subpanel, decided not to DIY this. $2500 to pay a pro.

- Hopefully break ground in May (crossing fingers)
 
If you'd like to share the design we'd be happy to see it! :poke:
 
Glad to see it’s moving along. Are you doing this on your own? I was surprised to see you bought your own parts for the pool. Didn’t figure a PB would go for that?

I talked to my PB today, he Hasn’t committed to a dig date yet. I have the electrician locked down. I agree for the price it was a good choice.
 

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