New Owner-Build In Fresno, California (Any Help/Advice is appreciated)

[559OwnerBuild]

Hello All,
(This is going to be long, so bear with me)

I have been interested in the owner-build route ever since I came across the idea years ago. I am using an online company called DIY Pools & Spas. The program I purchased from them includes design, plot plan, construction plan, structural engineering, consultation throughout , and “wholesale pricing” on Hayward equipment. Fast forward to now, and I have received city permits, and pool excavation took place on Tuesday 6/29/21.

here’s a bit about my pool...
Pool - 12’x30’
84’ perimeter
approx 360 sq ft
9,800 gallons
3.5’ - 6.0’ depth
12’ x 6’ Baja shelf
12” raised beam along 30’ east side of pool
18” raised beam for middle 8’ section
2-24” raised block Columns between 12” raised beams and 18” raised beams
2-12” sheer waterfalls coming out of 24”raised columns
1-36” sheer waterfall in middle 18” raised area
- 1 fire bowl on each 24” raised column

spa....
7’ x 7’
28’ perimeter
6 jets
30” spillway into pool
12” raised entire spa

other specs.....
- approx. 250 sq fr concrete decking
- pebbletec finish
- cantilevered pool coping

Equipment.....
Pump- Hayward variable speed TriStar VS 950
Filter- Hayward SwimClear 4030
Heater- Hayward natural gas 400k btu
Fountain pump- Hayward MaxFlo VS 500
Purification- Hayward 950 AquaRite Salt System


My biggest struggle so far has been getting ahold of contractors. I work in the utility industry, so I have had no problem gathering multiple contacts for each trade over the past year. However with the demand so high right now across the country, these contractors are trying to balance there work, bidding, scheduling all in a very busy day. I know in the past, bids weren’t so hard to get, more so rule of thumb was that most contractors don’t like setting a schedule until they know the prior trade has complete there portion of the work. Now days, these contractors don’t even give time for a bid until they know there work is ready to be done which really sets a delay in between each work taking place. I’m sure I left a lot out, so please let me know if I need to clarify anything. I greatly appreciate you all!!


Thanks again!!!!
Thomas

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!

I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

559OwnerBuilder, in today’s market all the trades are over booked and owner builders fall low on the list because contractors are trying to keeping their regular customers happy. I would ask your next trade who they usually work with on other jobs. I do have a few questions about the pictures you posted. Thickness of your coping and distance from patio post to form of pool, Ray.

 

[559OwnerBuild]

559OwnerBuilder, in today’s market all the trades are over booked and owner builders fall low on the list because contractors are trying to keeping their regular customers happy. I would ask your next trade who they usually work with on other jobs. I do have a few questions about the pictures you posted. Thickness of your coping and distance from patio post to form of pool, Ray.

Hello Ray,
Im sorry for the late response, I wasn't getting much feedback so I haven't checked back in awhile. Thank poi so much for reaching out! To your couple of questions, the current distance from patio post (which is actually post home build) to the inside of Gunite is 4' 10". and the few concrete guys I've had give me bids are telling me my coping will be about 3.5" thick. I was originally concerned of the pool being too low, but thankfully everyone who has come out, said its at the perfect grade thank god.


So in summary Fast Forward to now, and the progress has moved decently. I was able to complete plumbing, rough gas, and rough electrical, as well as Gunite. Also have passed all this inspections as well (rough plumbing, rough gas, underground electrical, pre Gunite).

If I've learned anything so far thru this process, it is definitely to get multiple bids , especially in this historical market. the bids are sooooo far apart its crazy!!!

thanks again for reaching out, and any advice, tips, concerns, or even direction towards certain forums would be much appreciated !!!

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

I only work with Owner Builders so I completely understand your concern, glad to help, Ray.

 

[ddoggphx]

I am planning to work with DIY as well. A tiny bit larger pool but very similar. No waterfall.

Curious as to your costs so far and what your expectations of final out the door price will be.

How were they to work with on design?

 

[559OwnerBuild]

I am planning to work with DIY as well. A tiny bit larger pool but very similar. No waterfall.

Curious as to your costs so far and what your expectations of final out the door price will be.

How were they to work with on design?

Hello!
DIY, is very very very responsive and quick to help where they can. However in my case, I feel like I wasted the money using them, figuring I was way more hands on, during the entire process from beginning to end. I paid for there upgraded program solely because the wholesale equipment pricing was pretty competitive compared to what you will find out on your own. However I placed my “initial order” with them in early June and still haven’t heard anything from them. By now my pool is pretty much done so I was pro active and was able to find quite a bit of equipment online for just as good of a price as they were going to get me.

As for the Owner Build process. I’d do it a million times over again and again. I don’t care what any pool company says, YOU WILL SAVE MONEY!! Not just a few grand, A LOT. however you can’t just assume because your doing it yourself, it’s an automatic save. You’ll come across plenty sub contractors who know your mindset and will throw crazy high numbers at you. If you don’t get multiple bids, you can wind up paying way more than you would’ve just hiring a pool builder. That’s my biggest advice.

Example, for excavation I had bids range like this.
Bid 1 - $7,000. Bid 2 - $3,300. Bid 3 - $10,000

mind you Bid 2 was cheapest and was one of the most reputable excavation companies that a lot of the local pool companies use.


But in summary to answer your question
I got 2 quotes from local pool companies. Exact same pool design with similar features except I had multiple upgrades such as larger retaining walls, better automation system and those two quotes were $81,000, and the other was $83,000. Currently I’m likely to end up at about $57,000. That’s a pretty sure number too figuring all I have left is stone work on the walls, and pebble tec which both have already provided me pricing. Feel free to ask anything if you have questions. There’s a lot to know, and it’s not a walk in the park, but isn’t rocket science either.
Good luck!