They didn’t really say…the only information I have is the 2-3 months the told me at the beginning. I only (sometimes) get a 1 sentence text the morning that someone is tentatively scheduled to show up. My only complaint (If I can actually call it that) is the “lack” of communication from our PM. I haven’t met her at all and based on my camera footage, I am pretty certain that she has never visited yet. Yes, I probably could reach out, but I would think that she would have done an introduction or something when I am spending all this money. Again, I really don’t have any issues, but I guess I expected more. I do have a feeling this may be the norm with pool construction, so i’m just going to leave it alone.
New In-ground Pool Central Florida
- Thread starter mszporka
- Start date
The Plumbers returned today to backfill the pipe, waterproof and start the tile. So far it looks great. Hopefully they will return tomorrow and wrap it up. Then it will just leave foundations for the screen, electrical hook up, pavers and plaster. It also means that I need to do my portion of the electrical (about 50’ run underground) this weekend. I have the gas plumber set up for next Thursday.
You're getting even more communication from them than I did (we used the same PB). It felt like they were the scheduler, and I was the supervisor. They probably would have made more money on the project by visiting the site than having to have mistakes repaired after the fact.
This ^^^^^ is a major comment on quite a few pool builds! This is also why I say to be there for as much of the build as you can be. Had one build that was to have a beach entry for the child's wheelchair. They looked out to see them making that area like the rest of the coping
He did stop them in time so they could remove the built up area and into the beach entry. Saved them PB company a bunch of money and him a lot of headache.It’s not just your pool builder mine is not great at communicating either. He does show up the day work is being done and he has fixed the few issues we have had but I’ve always had to initiate the conversation and have had to follow up to get answers and time lines. Like you said for the money being spent you would think they would communicate better.
Same here... I guess as soon as a pool builder get too big, the service goes to s***. I had to call the office that never answer the phone. The secretary which was in charge of the schedule call me back but she did not know anything about the project. She pass the message to the project manager which was on site only 25% of the time. I am lucky that I work from home, I ended up telling the workers what to do all the time.
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Being a commercial construction project manager, I cringe at the whole pool building process, but I have learned to accept that is the way it is . The good news is that I am learning enough during this build that I could do an OB if there is another pool some day in my future. I did not want to go the OB route on this one because I feared that I would screw something up and I really didn't have time to learn on go.. I also felt that the subs would give preferential treatment to the pool builders.....but since I am basically the superintendent on this one, i'm ready now or maybe I will just open up a pool business doing things the right way!
. The good news is that I am learning enough during this build that I could do an OB if there is another pool some day in my future. I did not want to go the OB route on this one because I feared that I would screw something up and I really didn't have time to learn on go.. I also felt that the subs would give preferential treatment to the pool builders.....but since I am basically the superintendent on this one, i'm ready now or maybe I will just open up a pool business doing things the right way!The “Owner Builder“ concept is straightforward, what is hard is surrounding yourself with good tradesmen.
This personally took years to achieve and today my list of deck work contractors changes depending on the pool owners decisions.
My core trades enjoy working along side each other due to they know what level of work to expect from the previous trades and also from them.
This is a direct correlation to compensation and respect given to those with knowledge/experience along with good work ethics.
Swimming pool construction is not very regulated except for a few inspections from a city employee who has little knowledge of the industry.
Lots is to be learned and information can be found, for me the best way is from actually being exposed to the process and then using this knowledge for the benefit of the project.
You can’t make the right choices without having the right information.
With the O/B process you are trading your time for money savings.
This personally took years to achieve and today my list of deck work contractors changes depending on the pool owners decisions.
My core trades enjoy working along side each other due to they know what level of work to expect from the previous trades and also from them.
This is a direct correlation to compensation and respect given to those with knowledge/experience along with good work ethics.
Swimming pool construction is not very regulated except for a few inspections from a city employee who has little knowledge of the industry.
Lots is to be learned and information can be found, for me the best way is from actually being exposed to the process and then using this knowledge for the benefit of the project.
You can’t make the right choices without having the right information.
With the O/B process you are trading your time for money savings.
Over the last 4 days (3 days working, 1 day off), they have completed backfilling the plumbing and installing/grouting the tile.
Everything looks great, but I do have a question about the spa spill over….It looks a little unfinished and looks like it has some sharp parts to me. Is this a standard way of doing this detail? I may look at what it would take to get a soild surface piece here. I guess I thought it would be bullnose tile and a little smoother. I also worry about those tiles that are overhanging, cracking off. Any thoughts on this?
I also got done as much trenching as I could yesterday for the gas line and my portion of the electrical line. Gas plumber is coming Thursday, and I hope to finish up the electrical conduit tomorrow and pull the wire next week.
Everything looks great, but I do have a question about the spa spill over….It looks a little unfinished and looks like it has some sharp parts to me. Is this a standard way of doing this detail? I may look at what it would take to get a soild surface piece here. I guess I thought it would be bullnose tile and a little smoother. I also worry about those tiles that are overhanging, cracking off. Any thoughts on this?
I also got done as much trenching as I could yesterday for the gas line and my portion of the electrical line. Gas plumber is coming Thursday, and I hope to finish up the electrical conduit tomorrow and pull the wire next week.
I see what you are talking about. The work was done well in how they cut them and placed them. If you want a solid piece of something that can be done. It will cost you a bit to remove the tile and buy/place the new piece. When then do it they should "score" a line/channel UNDER the lip a bit to keep the water going out and off the "shelf". Ask to go look at where they get their stone from so you can pick out what you want. A dark contrasting stone or a white one will both look great there.
Awesome! Thank you for confirming they did it correctly! I may have a piece made and sit it on there to see how it would look (I have some connections for solid surface material). Any recommendations on type of material? Would a Corian hold up?
Why didn't they line the tiles up between the top of the spillway and the sides? That would drive me nuts. That overhang of the unsupported tile just looks like it's asking to break.
Yes, that is my fear that they may break off, not to mention it is an unfinished side on the bottom there. I also have some young kids so I worry about the sharp corners. They do make a bullnose tile to match, so maybe they didn’t want to buy a case of those? Or maybe that it may makes a better effect of the spillover if it overhangs like that? I really never paid attention to this detail before now.
It's impossible with the same size. To do that, they would need at least one bigger tile of the same color for the one on the corner.
On the spillway top, there's a sliver of tile on the left, and below it there's a sliver on the right. I'm no tile layer, but it sure looks like it could have been done.
The tile on the corner is offset on both side to do the overhang on both side. The others tiles just follow the same lines, I think it's the best way to do it. Anyway with the water flow, you won't see it.
I am not as worried about the layout of the tiles as I am about how they overhang and have an unfinished bottom. The overhang leaves some sharp edges. I’ve done a little research and from viewing the responses on here, and I think that it is done right, It was just not what I was expecting. I now know that the crisp edge is needed to get the “waterfall effect.” To also be fair, the pool builder did clarify upfront that it would not be a waterfall, but rather just spill down the tile. I got a sample of some corian from work that I think may work. I just need to see how the corian will hold up in saltwater and exposed outside in the Florida heat.
The change in time is also killing me, as it is too dark to go look at the sample/template it by the time I get home.
The change in time is also killing me, as it is too dark to go look at the sample/template it by the time I get home.
I think you're on the right track with a thicker material, if you're after some waterfall effect. I know my kids and friends will stand on the spillway and jump into the pool, and I don't think an unsupported tile would last very long. Ours is just squared off mosaic glass tile, but the spa isn't raised, so the water level is close to the top of the spillway.
It has been awhile since I have updated, but there hasn’t been much action over the last 3-4 weeks while we were waiting on the pavers. The electricians, showed up on November 15th and wired up the pool equipment and set my panel. I was not too happy with the location of the panel, but talked through it and determined that due to the clearances require, this was the only spot. They of course were unable to finish because they were not expecting me to run #4 wire, so they didn’t have all of the fittings. It took them 2.5 weeks to come back and only after I called my pool builder and told them the electrical wasn’t finished (Which they
had no-idea). This isn’t really on the critical path, so I wasn’t too worried.
They also came to measure the coping for the pavers on November 11th. Why they waited so long, I will never know, but the pavers finally arrived on December 4th. You would think this could have been done when the shell was shot, especially since everything was field cut anyways. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long after that and the paver crew showed up on the 6th and just finished today. I was very impressed with the care that they took in setting the pavers. Overall it took about 5 full days. The pavers are artistic pavers Shellock in Ivory. They are still wet in these pictures from final wash down and do need to get the acid cleaning so the joints do look a little dark. Now just waiting for final grade, fence then plaster! On the home stretch!
had no-idea). This isn’t really on the critical path, so I wasn’t too worried.
They also came to measure the coping for the pavers on November 11th. Why they waited so long, I will never know, but the pavers finally arrived on December 4th. You would think this could have been done when the shell was shot, especially since everything was field cut anyways. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long after that and the paver crew showed up on the 6th and just finished today. I was very impressed with the care that they took in setting the pavers. Overall it took about 5 full days. The pavers are artistic pavers Shellock in Ivory. They are still wet in these pictures from final wash down and do need to get the acid cleaning so the joints do look a little dark. Now just waiting for final grade, fence then plaster! On the home stretch!
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SO CLOSE!!! Well done on getting it all ready now before the plaster is shot. You really don't want to have the plaster put in without the equipment ready to run!