New Inground Pool Northeast Indiana

[socra]

We are looking at having an inground pool installed (Northeast Indian), and I'm hoping to get some advice on the quote we received. We have only been able to find 2 PB's in our area that aren't booked through next summer (scheduling summer of 2023). One of them was > $120k for a poured concrete pool. So, we are talking to a fiberglass installer. This is for a 16x40 fiberglass. We are thinking of doing a SWG instead of the Frog system based on the info i've read on TFP. Also, eliminate the UV system based on some of the threads on TFP. Otherwise, does the equipment look okay? Is there something with the # of returns that I should asked to be more specific in the quote? Anything else? Thanks!

 

[bmoreswim]

Just a note that the cover is roughly $15K /- depending on the pit lid material used, potentially $20K. So the remainder is pool itself if you are comparing to other local pools.

You'll want to read up on alternative sanitizers, and then eliminate the UV and Frog system. You should get a saltwater chlorine generator (SWCG) and that's all you need for chlorination/sanitization. I prefer a cartridge filter overall, but any filter will keep a pool clear.

 

[socra]

A friend of mine has one of the auto-pool covers. His water looks immaculate and totally clean after having that cover on! Also, we live in the country and do not have a fence.
I see other posts on here talk about # of returns & water flow. Are those fixed on a fiberglass pool?
Can those "robot" cleaners be used in fiberglass pools?

 

[Apsuhead]

They can add as many returns as you want on a fiberglass pool. My Pentair Warrior SE robot from Marina Pools works great on my fiberglass pool.

 

[socra]

Thanks for the feedback @Apsuhead. That is good to know about the robot cleaner. Any advice on what I should be asking for in regards to this model? I see another thread mentioning 2" lines, and "as many returns as possible."
This is the model fiberglass pool we are looking at (40'x15'-6") The Illusion - fiberglass swimming pool with splash pad - Imagine Pools

 

[socra]

@bmoreswim Pool school mentions that a sand filter may be better than cartridge in larger pools due to the # of cartridges needed. How much of a concern is this? How much maintenance (backwash, replace sand, etc...) is required for sand vs cartridge?

 

[Apsuhead]

That Illusion pool looks very nice

 

[bmoreswim]

Pool size is no issue for modern cartridge filters. They come in very large quad cartridge configurations. Mine is a tad smaller than I’d like but a 500SF cartridge would be great for your pool. With the size mentioned, you‘ll likely only clean it at season’s end. I clean once mid-season because it’s not as big as ideal. I also just replaced our cartridges after 8 seasons. Seemed like the right thing to do, but they weren’t broken, though probably a bit clogged from time. If you ever get a green pool (it happens - not to me but it happens) , a sand filter will take a long time to clear it. Mind you, you’ll be rinsing a cartidge filter often but it works much quicker. Sand will use water, properly sized cartridge, almost none. But I don’t suspect water is that scare in Fort Wayne most years though. Sand never needs replace unless you gum it up unnecessary pool potions.

 

[gingrbredman]

Can those "robot" cleaners be used in fiberglass pools?

Oh yeah they can!

I see other posts on here talk about # of returns & water flow. Are those fixed on a fiberglass pool?

The returns are easy to add. Mine were all drilled out on site. The skimmers can be different based on the manufacturer. for Latham in particular, they have 4 spots on my shell where there is an indentation where they can go. We had to tell our PB where we wanted them when we ordered the pool because Latham installs them at the factory.

that the cover is roughly $15K /- depending on the pit lid material used, potentially $20K. So the remainder is pool itself if you are comparing to other local pools.

Excellent advice there. When we were shopping for pools and auto covers, they prices were very different from different builders. One was $10k, another $15k.
Also for the auto cover and a FG shell, make sure to either see the builders finished work, or see pictures of a shell with a cover installed. There are a lot of options on lids, installs, etc. I feel I may sound like a broken record recently with this comment, but I think it is important for potential owners to know what they are getting into with these. How the builder finishes the transition from the cover to the shell, is important. I have posted this in a couple different posts recently, but an auto cover install for a FG shell is a little different than a concrete shell.

Maybe its a Latham/Coverstar thing, but my PB still needs to come in this spring and "finish" the ledge by the cover.

 

[socra]

Thanks for the great pics, @gingrbredman . Would you recommend I get the autocover pricing itemized from the rest of the quote? We like the concept of the auto (safety) cover, of just being able to close/open it very easily to keep the kids safe (not having a fence), and also to keep it clean!
Since you have an autocover & SWG I will ask, have you had any issues w/ the cover? This PB cautioned about warrenty issues on the autocover due to potential corrosion problems.

 

[gingrbredman]

I personally like to have all my parts itemized in the quote, that makes it easier to compare against other builders. Some of my quotes I got had covers as low as $10k in the line item, but the shell price was higher. Some had $15k costs, but the shell cost was lower. I think it is important to get as much detail as possible for you to be able to make an informed decision between your options.

I personally love my cover. Not just for safety (We also have a fence), but to keep as much out of the pool, and keep the heat and chemicals in the pool. Yeah, its a big expense, but that was a must have for me. With the cover and a heater, I can extend the swimming season for maybe a month on either side of the "Midwest season".

My pool is really only been open for one month last fall so I can't say anything about mine long term yet, but others have had them for a long time with a SW pool and have little issues. I personally think PBs like to caution everything about salt water pools, the cover is just one more part. Pentair, Jandy, Hayward, all make and sell SWCGs, and Coverstar, APC and others make covers that go on SW pools. Water chemistry is the absolute key to keeping everything running great and for a long time, and you will find that information here.

The biggest thing I have learned about SW pools and covers is you do need to open them once in a while. Coverstar in particular says you need to leave them open for at least two hours after adding chemicals, and open the cover to let the pool "breath". TFP methods for water chemistry will be the most important thing you can do, not just for the cover, but for everything in and around your pool.

 

[bmoreswim]

When we were getting quotes, I didn't ask for the price to be itemized, though all did, as they have to do it for themselves anyway. But I did give them a very long list of specifications to include. I focused mostly on total price by PB and let them make their money where they wished. It was interesting to see how they broke it out, but the line-by-line variance meant little unless it pointed to a possibly different specification to inquire about.

I also wholeheartedly agree with the many methods and materials used for autocover pits as well as lids. For example, our pit is concrete (integral with our concrete shell). While I've also seen many with PVC pits. Pit style can also affect lid types available. Our lid style uses large stainless steel brackets mounted on the concrete pit to support 24" long x 2" thick x 12" wide bluestone slabs. You can easily walk on it, though I don't encourage others to do so out of extreme caution. Theoretically, if you are on the very edge of our stone, and are weighty, it's possible it could flip as the stone extends slightly past the bracket towards the pool. Not likely but the stone could move. And also the tile wall topper is quite slippery when wet and if stepped on in bare feet is all but certain to cause a painful fall. All of which is to say that @sorca is correct about the many options for the whole autocover area. If you want to see any of our cover during installation, there are pictures in our build thread - link in signature. They are in they are in the first 5 pages of the thread.

No matter how you chlorinate, you will have salt accumulating in your water. Possibly to 50% of the SWG level. I will never own a pool without a SWG. The benefits are too great.

 

[socra]

We have a meeting scheduled w/ this fiberglass installer for early this evening, with plans to go ahead & put a deposit down to get on the schedule for an August start. I'm getting really nervous!! I feel like there is still a lot I don't know, but I'm sure I will get there as I continue to scour this site and with everybody's help!
@bmoreswim Great documentation on how your build progressed, and the end result is absolutely incredible. The stone pattern of your flooring is sweet.
We were originally thinking of going perpendicular to our house, to stay away from an existing deck & utilities (yellow line is electric, copper phone, & fiber). I'm now wondering if installing on an angle to follow the deck/porch would be better. So many decisions!!!

 

[Newdude]

I'm now wondering if installing on an angle to follow the deck/porch would be better. So many decisions!!!

I like the angled way. You’ll see more of the pool more often. Many people choose to put theirs off to the side or kinda out of the way but I want to see that beauty 24/7.

It’s also better from a maintenance and safety perspective if you’re forced to look at it. (Not that you’ll be forced. You’ll be going out of your way to look at it). If something is amiss, like if it lost its sparkle or it’s overflowing from the April showers, you’ll spot it sooner.

 

[bmoreswim]

Designing a space is highly personal. I'll give you my personal thoughts.

My mind can't handle the angled pool with your house/yard. I'd make it go parallel with the house for my own aesthetic vibe, with the far wall at the same distance from the house as the currently farthest points of your two options. It gives you the idea from Newdude regarding a more full view of the pool (a few feet further away), and gives you great space between the house and pool for an awesome deck space for multiple tables, and chair/chaise settings. In our yard, we have two tables on the deck, with a few seating areas. And by the pool we have multiple seating areas and a table there as well, with lots of open space. I can vouch for the benefit of many options regarding spaces for people to gather. Our family gatherings are in the 15-25 person range and kids sports parties were occasionally larger (though those are sadly over due to kids growing up). You have space, I'd recommend not crowding yourself towards the house. Either the parallel or perpendicular to leave more open space, since you seem to have it with your yard.

 

[Newdude]

I would like to change my answer to option 3, parallel, with more hangout space in the gap.

(don’t forget you will be the one looking at it so if you really like perpendicular, then by all means !!)

 

[gingrbredman]

Sometimes the design is not just personal, but also practical within your lot.

I would have loved my pool to be parallel with my house, or lot line, but in my case, I had several setbacks to worry about, utilities, and not a very big back yard. Mine is it's own little oasis off to the side and I like it. I would have loved to see it out my back door, but this is where it fit, and we made the best of it.

 

[bmoreswim]

Sometimes the design is not just personal, but also practical within your lot.

100%. Aesthetic, functional and practical concerns round out the consideration list. Oh, then the pocketbook.

 

[socra]

Whelp, we pulled the trigger on a down payment w/ the PB for the fiberglass Imagine Pools, Illusion model (signature updated!!)

 

[gingrbredman]

Oh, then the pocketbook.

Oh yes, the pocketbook! Sometimes the only decision driver haha!

Whelp, we pulled the trigger on a down payment w/ the PB for the fiberglass Imagine Pools, Illusion model

Excellent! This is your build thread, can't wait to see the updates as you progress!