We have not yet started our pool, we just saw that one in a model home and called to inquire the price on it. Just have to ask yourself if it’s wortg waiting a few months to potentially save tens of thousands of dollars.
New Pool Build - Tampa, FL
- Thread starter rev29k
- Start date
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,975
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
My strong advice is to select the pool you want and not to worry or even consider when it will be completed. You live in Tampa so you can swim pretty much year round. This will be with you for a long, long time. Also PB's lie! Not all of them, of course (yes they do, all, 100%
), but what they say before the contract has been known to differ from what actually happens after you sign. So one PB's "we'll finish by July" is not the same as another's.Also be sure you are comparing apples to apples. Is the decking, coping, tile, interior finish all of the same quality? What about equipment sizes? Automation?
With our pool, we chose travertine coping, which was an upgrade to the concrete paver coping. We also went with a company who uses PebbleTec, which I understand to cost more than some other finishes. Then, we went with Pebble Sheen that was slightly more expensive. If we had went with a less expensive finish, all concrete pavers, and had not had the lanai and courtyard re-pavered and screened (that is the two-story section), we would have come in many thousands of dollars lower than what we paid.
When looking at timing, be sure to allow for time for permits. We are almost to Wesley Chapel, but happen to be considered city of Tampa. Our permitting took what felt like forever. Several weeks in reality, but when you are anxious to get started on a project, it’s frustrating to be put on hold over paperwork. Once work finally commenced, we were 2 months from dig to swimming. Dig day was March 14th, and fill day was May 15th.
With our pool, we chose travertine coping, which was an upgrade to the concrete paver coping. We also went with a company who uses PebbleTec, which I understand to cost more than some other finishes. Then, we went with Pebble Sheen that was slightly more expensive. If we had went with a less expensive finish, all concrete pavers, and had not had the lanai and courtyard re-pavered and screened (that is the two-story section), we would have come in many thousands of dollars lower than what we paid.
When looking at timing, be sure to allow for time for permits. We are almost to Wesley Chapel, but happen to be considered city of Tampa. Our permitting took what felt like forever. Several weeks in reality, but when you are anxious to get started on a project, it’s frustrating to be put on hold over paperwork. Once work finally commenced, we were 2 months from dig to swimming. Dig day was March 14th, and fill day was May 15th.
Unfortunately the reason we have jumped into action is because of the empty lot next to us. It has been vacant for years, but about 2 weekends ago we noticed surveyors outside marking it, which means they will soon begin construction next door.
We know being able to use that land for access will save us money in terms of the digging access (pulling up a dump trunk vs having to do a shuttle dig), as well as not having to replace mine and my neighbors sod (which we would have to do if there was a house next door). So that is the reason we are reluctant to wait so long. But we also aren’t to rush into it either.
We are definitely doing our best to compare apples to apples. I can’t believe Tropical is the only shop in town that might price competitively. There are so many in town, there’s got to be others we can hopefully go with. I am still waiting on quotes from Olympus, Riviera, and Real Rock.
We know being able to use that land for access will save us money in terms of the digging access (pulling up a dump trunk vs having to do a shuttle dig), as well as not having to replace mine and my neighbors sod (which we would have to do if there was a house next door). So that is the reason we are reluctant to wait so long. But we also aren’t to rush into it either.
We are definitely doing our best to compare apples to apples. I can’t believe Tropical is the only shop in town that might price competitively. There are so many in town, there’s got to be others we can hopefully go with. I am still waiting on quotes from Olympus, Riviera, and Real Rock.
My sister used Grand Vista in the south tampa area, and had a good experience with them. Pool looks good to my untrained eye, but only about a year old now.
I have no connection to the company or pool industry.
I have no connection to the company or pool industry.
Thanks Goblin. I actually tried Grand Vista but they said they aren't building in my area right now.
Consider Freestyle pools. They built my pool here in Clearwater 25 years ago and the pool has held up beautifully. I've had it resurfaced, but I've heard from several people in the industry that they build a quality pool. My pool is not fancy by today's standards, but I'm sure they build with the latest bells and whistles.
OK, I've got a structural question to pose. For the 50" retaining wall we need due to our sloping yard, should that be monolithic or block construction?