New pool quotes in Northern Virginia

[NovaTide]

Hi Everyone,

Long time lurker.....getting ready to become a new pool owner (Hopefully ) We have talked about putting in a pool since we first bought our house almost 4 years ago, but were hesitant due to our children's ages at the time, plus other remodeling projects that took priority. Anyway....we have begun to get estimates from local pool builders with our first coming today. Wanted to get the board's thoughts on the following:

Base Pool
Custom freeform gunite pool
762 Sf.
approx. 44'x23'
3' to 8'6" depth
gravel bottom w/ 14" bond beam, #4 1/2 inch rods, notched to support decking around pool
gunite to be a minimum of 4000psi ad 6" in floor and walls
coping - 12" flagstone (our choice)
tile - 6" (our choice)
finish - white marbelite plaster
1 6ft. loveseat in deep end
83 sq. ft. tanning ledge
1 8ft. diving board
2 Pentair LED lights
Pentair VS3050 Pump
Pentair 420 sq. ft. filter
Bioguard 'mineral springs' salt chlorination system
2 skimmers
2 surface returns - 2 floor returns
MDX debris removal system w. 2 drain safety system
Legend II Robot cleaner
All electrical hookups
35' vacuum hosw w/ head, telescopic pole w/ brush, leaf skimmer, safety line w/ floats, and test kit
7 truck loads of pool water
Pool school w/ $100 of chemical allowance
lifetime warranty on shell and piping
3 year warranty on equipment

Total price of above - $53K

Additional Options

50 Sq. Ft. Spa w/ 6 jets, 1 Pentair LED light, 2HP blower - $6K
Raise the spa 2ft. w/ cultured stone facing - $3,800
Spa hard cover - $1K
400,000 BTU propane gas heater - $2,725
Pentair EasyTouch system - $2,025
PCC 2000 In-floor cleaning system - $3250
Loop-Loc winter mesh cover - $4,025
Upgrade to colored plaster (light gray to black) - $1200
Upgrade to colored plaster (tahoe or carribean blue) - $2300
Upgrade to DiamondBrite - $4650
Upgrade to PebbleTec - $7500
Brushed concrete decking $6/Sq. Ft.
Exposed Aggregate decking $7/Sq. Ft.
(We want/need approximately 1,000 Sq. Ft. of decking)
202 ft. of 48" black aluminum fence w/ 2 36" gates - $6,400

Also should mention that this builder is currently offering $4K in incentives to use how we like.

Alright.....this is obviously our first estimate and our first go at this thing......so I'm very interested in thoughts suggestions?? We started this thing w/ a budget of 75K to include everything (spa and heater are must haves for us), so would like to know where you think the best bang for the buck is?

Thanks!!!

 

[J20832]

Check out this info on the Mineral Springs... http://www.troublefreepool.com/mineral-springs-t28785.html?hilit=bioguard mineral springs

Also, there have been reports of the flagstone coping not playing nicely with saltwater pools. Read through this one http://www.troublefreepool.com/any-...-coping-t15021.html?hilit=flagstone saltwater

I like having a looploc winter safety cover, there are positives and negatives about it.

Overall, I suggest you read as much as you can before you make any decisions. Read through "Pool School" and use the search feature to look up information regarding your proposed builds/equipment. If you can't find the info, then just ask, there are some very knowledgeable people on this forum very willing to help you out and help you avoid costly mistakes! Read through some of the stories of "pools gone bad" so you will know what not to do!

 

[JasonLion]

A variable speed pump is a cool toy but probably not really worth it in Virigina given the fairly low electric rates. Of course since they are putting it in as part of the standard package you might not save anything by getting rid of it, and it wills save you electricity.

I'm not a fan of 'mineral springs'. They clearly sell Pentair equipment. If you get the Easy Touch make them give you an IC 40. Without the Easy Touch the IC 40 isn't such a good choice, so finding an appropriate alternative is a little more open ended.

That is a nice large filter, which is good.