New Quote Help

[atx_pool]

Hi Experts,
I am planning to build a new pool in Leander TX and got a couple of quotes for almost the same design. This is our first pool and I am a complete novice.
Please help in comparing the 2 quotes and also comment on individual bids for any apparent issues.
Builder 1 (prefers Pentair equipment) is about 25k lower than Builder 2(Prefers Jandy equipment).
Except for a little smaller size tanning ledge, 1 LED bubbler(compared to 2) and not having a dedicated spa pump, I don't see much of a difference between the quotes. So I might end up going with Builder one.
So please help me understand what is lacking in the builder 1 quote that I would want him to change/upgrade. Or is there anything that I can remove from his list? Is the Builder 2 quote worth an extra 25k?

Items	Builder 1	Builder 2
Pool Size	32 x 16 + tanning ledge and a bench	32 x 16 + tanning ledge and a bench
Pool Depth	4ft x 5.5ft x 5ft	4ft x 5.5ft x 5ft
Spa Dimension	7ft x 7ft	7ft x 7ft
Spa Depth	3.5 ft	3.5 ft
Spa Jets	6	6
City Permits	All fees and inspections included	All fees and inspections included
Excavation and materials	Complete rock excavation is included	40 hours Rock Excavation included. Pneumatic hammer excavation included
	All excavation Materials hauled away	All excavation Materials hauled away
Pool Shell	1/2" steel rebar on 10" centers, both ways.	1/2" grade 40 Steel Rebar on beam; 3/8" grid on floors
Pool Bond Beam	1/2" Steel Rebar X 4	1/2" Grade 40 Steel Rebar X 4
Concrete	Dry Mix Gunite	Dry Mix Gunite
Thickness	12" Bond Beam, 8 - 10" Walls /Floor	12" Bond Beam, 12" Walls; 8-12" Walls & Floor
	All Elevated/Exposed walls to be 12"
Pool Pipes	Up to 3" Schedule 40 PVC	2.5" Schedule 40 PVC
Returns	Directional flush mount Intels - 5	A&A infusion V-fitting inlets - 4
Skimmers	Aquastar, Independently plumbed - 2	A&A Venturi Quick skim - 1
Drains	10" SDX, VGB compliant - 2	A&A AVSC unblockable channel drain with Leaf-Vac(VIP system)
Spa Pipes	3" suction, 2.5" Return Schedule 40 PVC	3" suction, 2.5" Return Schedule 40 PVC
Spa Jets	Deluxe Therapy Jets - 6	6
Spa Air	1.5" dedicated air line
Spa Drain	Paramount 360 Superflo drain, Flush mount finish
Fill Line	Automatic Fill Line	Auto w/ RPZ Backflow Prevention
Overflow Line	Included	Included
Cleaner Line	Independently Plumbed - 1	Included
Gas Line	From meter to heater	62' Trench
Electrical	Complete Electrical connection of all lighting and equipment	150' of Electrical line included
Pool/Spa Tile	6" Band at waterline, Frost-proof	6" Band at waterline, frost-proof
Pool Coping	Travertine Coping	1.25" 12x12 square edge Travertine Coping
Spa Coping	Travertine Coping	1.25" 12x12 square edge Travertine Coping
Spa Facing	Travertine Split-Face	Splitface Travertine
Stacked Spillway	Stacked Lueder stone Spillway
Bubbler	LED Bubbler - 1	LED Bubblers - 2
Tanning Ledge	66 sqft of Upgrade tile on the surface of tanning ledge	87 sqft of Upgraded tile on the surface of Tanning ledge
Pool/Spa Interior finish	Pebble Sheen/Tec Level One	Pebble Sheen Level two
Primary Pump	Pentair IntelliFlo VSF	Jandy VS ePump Energy Star (Variable Speed 2.7 HP)
Spa Pump	N/A	1.0 HOP dedicated Spa Pump
Filter	Pentair Clean & Clear 520 Cartridge	Jandy CV Series 460 sf Cartridge
Heater/Chiller	Pentair MasterTemp 400k - LP	Raypak 399K BTU LP Heater
Air	Blower - Jandy 2.0HP	2 HP Quite Motor Upgrade
Cleaner	Pentair Prowler 920 Robotic	Polaris 8050 Robotic Cleaner
Control Box	Pentair EasyTouch PS-4	RS-PS6 & iAqualink Automation App Control
Remotes	Screen Logic Bundle (Adapter & Wireless kit)
Sanitizers	In-Line Chlor w/ IntelliChlor Salt	Fusion Nature 2 Chlorine & Mineral
Additional Actuators	1 additional (2 actuators included with automation)	Solar Eclipse, 240V UV+Ozone
Pool Lights	Pentair GloBrite LED 12v (Pool) - 3	Jandy Hydro cool color LED - 3
Spa Lights	Pentair GloBrite LED 12v (Spa) - 1	Jandy Hydro cool color LED - 1

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Pentair equipment quotes usually cost more so you did good on it. Definitely go with it.

How many gallons in the pool?

What size IntelliChlor cell?

Globrites use proprietary niches and are prone to premature failure in a few years. You are signing up for a few hundred for each light every few years. There is nothing serviceable in the GloBrites. Consider nicheless Microbrite lights instead. You will have more light options if those don’t work out well.

Confirm your ET4 is not the Lite version.

Pentair LED Pool Lights - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Pentair Automation Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[YippeeSkippy]

awwwrighty then! Lets do this TFP review- (and welcome, by the way!)

I would personally go for PB#1.
Pentair --- You get a far better warranty because you can work on it yourself also, but Jandy requires professionals only.
Salt Water ---Ozone, UV and "minerals" are unwelcome and worthless
2 Skimmers
1 Bubbler ---a Sure, 2 is nicer but most folks get annoyed by the noise these things make and end up rarely using.
Filter size is Best for least bother with maintenance

Globrite lights -- switch those out as these have poor performance

We can help you get a robot cheaper elsewhere.

Maddie

 

[atx_pool]

Thanks Guys.
The pool would be a total of 21,000 gallons.

* Will Check on the size of IntelliChlor. Assuming this has to be rated for double the size of the pool. So 40k gallons?
* Will surely ask the builder to switch the GloBrite lights. I Will update you on what other options they give.

Don't I need a dedicated Pump for Spa? Builder 1 has not provided that.

 

[atx_pool]

Any other suggestions guys?

 

[TampaKathy]

Builder 2 is including pebble tec level 2...probably a few k more than level 1 that Builder 1 is including (probably not going to change your decision, just FYI you may want to budget more here in case you wind up not liking level 1 options).

 

[SecoSteve]

Tanning ledge size may be deceiving. 66sqft is ok if you do not want any furniture on it, but your pictures show lounge chairs. We are having a pool built now, and went with 120sqft and that still may get crowded with two lounge chairs and a small side table in between.

 

[atx_pool]

@TampaKathy, Yes. Noted down the price difference. I have accounted for this difference. Yet to visit the builder showroom to see which color we want to go with.
@SecoSteve. You think 11' x 8' is a good size for 2 lounge chairs?

 

[SecoSteve]

@TampaKathy, Yes. Noted down the price difference. I have accounted for this difference. Yet to visit the builder showroom to see which color we want to go with.
@SecoSteve. You think 11' x 8' is a good size for 2 lounge chairs?

Here is the spec for an in pool lounge chair that gives the measurements.

https://ledgeloungers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/signature-chaise-specifications-layout.pdf

11' x 8' would fit two according to the spec sheet, but you have to decide if you want room to walk around on the ledge. Also, is the ledge the main entrance to the pool? I would think the ledge would be a hangout spot for people, and if there's two chairs, and it's the main entrance and exit, would you consider it crowded? You could layout an area in the yard and put a couple of regular lounge chairs there and get a feel for the actual size. Also, what is the depth of the ledge? Keep that in mind when buying chairs, as they have different ones for various depths.

 

[atx_pool]

Thanks, the picture helps a lot.
We have steps(4 ft wide apart from the 11ft ledge) that are adjacent to the ledge. I could add a foot more which might make a lot of difference.

 

[SecoSteve]

Thanks, the picture helps a lot.
We have steps(4 ft wide apart from the 11ft ledge) that are adjacent to the ledge. I could add a foot more which might make a lot of difference.

One other thing to consider is color of the "in pool" chairs. As I was researching what chairs to get, I was told that a salt water pool would show more residue on the color option chairs at the water line, so we went with the white ones.

Lastly, try to have all of your build options taken care of BEFORE you sign your contract. When we were going through our negotiations, our builder was much "friendlier" before we signed the contract. When we wanted to add something, it seemed that we would get something extra included without more $. After signing, those freebies went away.