Planning pool oasis new pool owner- seeking advise

[Pool southeast PA]

I am planning what I hope is my vacation oasis at home. Similar to others on this site I have reached out to several PBs (6) and received few proposals (2). My original idea was to build a spool (10x20 heated pool with spa jets). However when making the first call to a builder I was informed that "their " pools start at $40K regardless of size. It seemed no matter who I called I received similar information. There is a basic cost for a pool regardless of size. Therefore the current plan is a 15x30 rectangle pool. There are many decisions to be made with associated costs. I am posting here to get advise to help make decisions to have a pool that adds visual character to my yard and provides the functions that will make it an oasis for the whole family. The only feature that is a must is a heater since I live in southwest suburbs of Philly.

Finish: Current proposal includes Pebble finish. Is this worth the extra expense both from the look of the pool and durability?

Water feature: Current plan includes a raised beam along one side of the pool with three 2" Sheer Decent water falls. There will be a bench in the pool beneath the falls. I wanted to include this for aesthetics even if no one is swimming. What are the pros and cons I should consider before including this feature?

Sun Shelf: In searching pool designs, I decided to include an 8x5" (10"D) sun shelf. I am including so that I can sit in my lounge and read with my feet in the water. The original design had the shelf at one end. I also asked for a second design with the shelf to the side making the pool an "L" shape. This would leave the pool dimensions 15x30 and allow for more room swimming laps. What are the pros/cons or consideration when including a sun shelf? Second point/question: Is it realistic to think the pool is big enough to swim laps?

Pool cover: My husband wants an automatic pool cover to help keep the pool clean and to cut down on lost heat.If we include the automatic pool cover, we would lean towards including the sun shelf within the rectangle design and not go with the L shape. What are the pros/cons or considerations for installing an automatic pool cover? I understand costs ~$12-15K. Are the automatic pool covers sturdy enough for the east coast winters?

Of note, not including the automatic pool cover the two estimates I received are $70K and $73. This includes all the features and 400sq ft decking.

Here are pictures of my yard. We are planning on removing the pine trees.

 

[GaryT58]

First off, welcome to TFP! It is exciting, stressful, crazy, ... with the pool build process. Prices on construction, ... will vary based on location, competition, ... but you are going about it the correct way by getting multiple bids.

I have fiberglass (new this year) so I will leave it to others to cover your finish questions.

30' is pretty good length, and yes you can swim laps. My pool is a little longer (38'), but when I hit the 3.5' depth, you can swim, but not flip.

Autocover - I have one. It is great at keeping stuff out. Nice to be able to close for peace of mind when little ones are around. I will leave to others in terms of snow support, but suspect you can't let feet of snow accumulate. I have a pump on top of mine to take of water when it rains. It is designed to hold a lot of weight - I can walk across it with multiple people when closed, but water is about 8lbs / gallon, so that weight adds up quickly. It is expensive. If pool is going to be rectangular, then its great to hide the rails under the pool ledge. This would not work with our pool. A cover also helps keep the heat in. So will help reduce heating costs if you're having a heater. But for me in Atlanta area, it keeps in too much heat in the summer, so I leave open at nights. It did extend my season into the fall (up to beginning of October without any heater).

Couple things I suggest to everyone building:

1) Install as much decking as you can. You will be surprised how much room loungers, chairs, walking space for people, ... take up. Much easier to do at beginning and cement is one of the least expensive parts of a build.

2) Consider some built in umbrella mounts. We have a built in table with one that sits between two built in lounger (in the water) and great to have our 11' umbrella open at times so we can relax in shade while having a drink, and then open when we want sun.

3) Install a surge protector like the Square D HEPD80 with your pool's electrical sub-panel. Its pricey to replace pool equipment. Mine protects pump, lights and salt water chlorine generator (SWG)

4) If you are are going to use a SWG, get one that is rated for 2x or more of your actual pool size. The ratings are for running 24 hours and I had to replace my original installed one 4 months after installation.

5) Consider a variable speed pump if not already included. Great being able to set to lower rates and save electricity and more quiet, yet can go to full speed when needed.

Welcome!

 

[jimim]

i'm in the same process as you. my problem i do't have many choices for builders. I'm in NEPa actually. My pool will be very similiar in size. I'm looking straight pool and spa and I'm well over 50 right now. if i added an auto cover i would be over 60. if i added the waterfalls and other stuff i would be over 70. i'm also not doing pebbletech. i'm doing the inbetween choice cause for price is seemed a good balance of cost and quality. it's called colbalt ansylbrite it has great durability than stright plain plaster but is smooth vs pebble tech. the life span was shorter but not too much.

i'm still learning alot. i have learned a ton here. you will too.

but i will say i can't see how you are going to stay in the 40 range in pa for a concrete pool. maybe you can but i'm not seeing that.

 

[kimkats]

Hi! What a fun but scary time in your life! If you share a picture of the yard the pool is going in we can help you plan the shape and layout better.

Shelf-I would have one! So nice to sit on while others swim or to sit and read with your feet as as mentioned above.

Auto cover-$$$ but might be worth it. I would call the different cover companies and see what THEY say about snow load.

I love the idea of the L shaped pool BUT a cover would not work with it

Water features-so pretty and sound so neat! After a while they will be more for "party tricks/showoff" than everyday use. The water fall does tend to make the PH of the water rise BUT that is easy to fix. We can teach you all about that.

GaryT has you well covered with his list! (Thanks GaryT!)

Kim

 

[Mam262]

I again can emphasize to get as much decking as possible. It is relatively inexpensive.

 

[Pool southeast PA]

jimim...just to clarify I was told any basic pool starts at $40. My quotes with the pool as I described (sans automatic pool cover) are in the $70K range. I look forward to hearing how your plans progress.

 

[Mam262]

As a comparison, if we had done a 700 square foot pool, including all equipment, hook ups and permits it would have been $65,000. We added a lot of features so we were well over that. Point is, it appears what you are being quoted is accurate.

You may want to think about features that are functional vs. aesthetics. Will you get more enjoyment out of looking at a waterfall vs. using a spa or slide. We went with function (raised spa and boulder slide). I am not saying one is better than the other. For some aesthetics is more important. Just something to think about.

 

[bmoreswim]

I have an autocover on our 4 year old pool in MD. I do not use it as a winter cover. I installed a Merlin Smartmesh safety cover. I've been very pleased with that decision. My autocover fabric will last a few years longer due to the reduced UV exposure. But there is a lot more to the decision to use it as a winter cover than longevity. If you peruse my build thread in my signature, there is one post where I discuss at some length what Coverstar East Coast had to say about their clients' use of them year round.

I personally wouldn't recommend using it year round. But if you have the cost appetite and it fills a safety need/desire, they are nice. But they do need routine maintenance like a car.

I'd say that 80+% of people who come by for advice on building a pool, and have some interest in an autocover end up passing on it. Mostly for financial reasons, not because they didn't want it.

 

[Pool southeast PA]

Thanks Gary, You brought up some points we did not consider e.g. variable speed pump. Question about the pool cover. What shape is your pool and how is it attached if you were not able to hide the rails under the pool edge?

- - - Updated - - -

Hi Kim, I added pictures of my yard. We are building the pool to the side of the house. I tried to post pics of the pool design, but ran into problems..(space limitations??)

 

[GaryT58]

My pool is "mostly rectangular", kinda gold fish shape - see below. Rails are on top. We wanted model with some built in loungers and table, but it was not rectangular (fiberglass).

-- Edit: If you decide to go with a automatic cover, you will need to make sure that all ladders do not interfere. You can see the one below which I can raise when we close, and the one at the stairs is mounted high enough that it does not interfere.

 

[Pool southeast PA]

bemoreswim..good advice. I also enjoyed following "our build". Your pool is awesome

 

[kimkats]

Just removing all of those trees is going to set you back a bit and change the whole feel of your yard!.

More pictures-two ways to do it:

1. Become a supporting member-more photo storage AND discounts!!!! You save on a testing kit AND you get a discount from Swimming Pool Supplies, Pool Safety Cover, Swimming Pool Covers, Swimming Pool Pumps, Pool Pump Parts - INYOPools.com
plus it helps us keep the lights on.

2. using Photo bucket or such with the IMG code to embed the picture in the post.

Kim

 

[jimim]

jimim...just to clarify I was told any basic pool starts at $40. My quotes with the pool as I described (sans automatic pool cover) are in the $70K range. I look forward to hearing how your plans progress.

Ya in my area (again i have only gotten 3 quotes so far and 1 is from outside the area) price of admission is 40k pretty much. spa add ons are about 6800 to 7800 it seems. our friends have an auto cover and it was 12k for their pool. rectangle that is like 18x38 ish. i know if i added a water feature i would easily add over 10 grand when said and done. the pebble finish was a huge price boost from all that i spoke to so far and my wife is liking the smooth middle of the road choice we choice at this point. i haven't eve nresearched finish yet cause i won't be plastering till 2018 spring. i'm concentration on design, shell, hardscaping, pool house, drainage this year.

my wife and I have set in our mind that we will be in the 55-60k range for just the pool, no decking. that's me and my guys.

 

[Pool southeast PA]

[/URL]<a href="http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/KJM_1/media/Scan0001_zpsdjnvo7pd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u434/KJM_1/Scan0001_zpsdjnvo7pd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Scan0001_zpsdjnvo7pd.jpg"/></a>[/IMG]Well, We have signed the contract and the permit has been submitted. I have posted our plans for a rectangle pool with a wall and 3 decent sheers. We have decided to go with a variable speed pump although out PB did not think it was necessary. We have a booster pump too. My question is about the light placement and skimmer. A couple changes from the diagram are that the bench does not go all the way across the shallow end and we agreed to move the single LED light to the shallow end. Should I add a second light? I was considering adding a light on the sun shelf to shine towards the wall/water features away from the house. Please advise on light placement. Second question is the placement of the skimmer. Is a skimmer on the sun shelf the best placement?

As always..opinions appreciated! was having trouble uploading pic yesterday. Just added.

 

[kimkats]

I cannot find you plans I wanna spend your money and help you have the purrfect pool. Can you point to where they are?

Kim

 

[Pool southeast PA]

Hi Kim, I edited my previous post to add the plans. I am now thinking of only having one light at the shallow end shining towards the deep end. I am not sure if the light will have less distance if it is place in the shallow end. Any thoughts. Also, Is a remote control/system a must have?

 

[kimkats]

Your pool is 30 ft long. That is a LONG way for a light to travel. Now if you want to get fancy you can add a above ground light like this:

3 light pole light images - Google Search

I would have a switch by the house to turn it one and off.

Remote control/system-I don't even have a timer so I know you can do it by hand. What is NEEDED vs what is WANTED is up to you. What fits your wallet and life style?

I love how they have the play shelf all drawn out!

Kim

 

[jimim]

Hi Kim, I edited my previous post to add the plans. I am now thinking of only having one light at the shallow end shining towards the deep end. I am not sure if the light will have less distance if it is place in the shallow end. Any thoughts. Also, Is a remote control/system a must have?

we originally had 1 light and then i googled pool with 1 light and found a bunch of night pics with 1 light shining up the length of the pool. it was dark half way out.

showed my wife and she agreed to add more lights. they are just so expensive.

what we did was 3 globrite's from pentair shining across the narrow portions of the pool. this should give us equal cover across the pool now we feel and the builder does also. and those smaller lights are cheaper and shine far enough for our width which varies from 17-23 feet.

maybe look into something like that.

 

[Veccster]

I'm curious if your builders are worried about a concrete pool in that climate? I've spoken to several pool builders in my area and none of them will do concrete. They said the freeze/thaw causes cracks too easily. So we went with a vinyl liner pool (I'm in Pittsburgh area).

 

[Pool southeast PA]

Concrete is very common in this area. None of the builders we met with mentioned vinyl. Having a daughter that went to Pitt, I would say we do have milder winters here in south PA, but of course we still get snow and cold. I see your expected completion is spring 2017. I hope all is going well.