Please Help! Need Eyes on our Pool Bids!

[RomoKitty]

Hi Everyone!!

We've met with 2 PBs so far that seem to be somewhat near each other but we would really love more eyes on these bids. They seem high to us but our only real comparison was my parent's pool that was built in 2009 in Austin...so not a great one. Haha. We are building in Houston, TX and just want to make sure that these seem reasonable or high or what. And if there is anything else we should be asking about or was left off? Seriously, ANY help is appreciated! Any of the pool experts we know are out there - please share your knowledge!

PB 1:
GENERAL SPECS
Pool Perimeter:74
Square Feet: 288
Pool Length: 23'6"
Pool Width: 13'5"
Pool Depth: 3.5' x 4.5'
Steel: 8" On Center

PLUMBING
Skimmers: 2
Returns: 4
Main Drains: 2 *if booster pump added, will be more suctions
Gas Run: 130

GUNITE AND INTERIOR FEATURES
Steps into pool: Yes-3
Bench(es): 1
Tanning Ledge:1
Raised Pool Wall
12" Raise (LF): 33
Columns
18" x 18" x 18": 2

POOL PLASTER White Marcite with LunaQuartz Plaster Grade

TILE AND COPING
Waterline tile: 6" standard
Coping: Travertine

ELECTRICAL (up to 100' inc.)
Over 100': 5
Sub Panel: Yes

*DECKING *400 SF Min, could show 400 but be less
Deck Type 1: Spraydeck Square Feet: 400
Deck Drains (LF): 145

SPA Yes
Spa Light: 100 Watt
Blower: 1.5HP
Spillway: Standard
Jets: 6
Raised: 12 Inches

WATER FEATURES
2' Scuppers: 3

POOL EQUIPMENT
Pool Pump: TriStar Var. Speed
Pool Filter: 525 Cartridge
Pool Light(s): 500 Watt
Quantity Lights: 1
Purification: Chlorinator with Del Ozone Eclipse System
Auto Cleaner: Navigator
Pool Controller: E-Command
Pool/Spa Heater: 400K BTU

Prices don't include underground reroutes, sod, sprinklers, landscaping, furniture unless written. Total: $52,500


PB 2:

Pool Structure:		Beam to be a 12" box
			Pool walls minimum 6"
			Pool floors minimum 6"
			Coves minimum 8"
			Deck dowels to connect pool to decking
Equipment Specifications:_____________________________________________
Pool Filter		430 Cartridge with Spa
Filter Pump		2.7 HP VS Pump
Feature Pump		1½ HP
Pool Cleaner		Polaris 280
Sanitizer(s)		Rainbow 320 Chlorinator and Ozone Joe Ozonator
Heater			Hayward 400.000 BTU Heater
Pool Lights		1	Hayward LED Pool Light(s)
Air Blower		N/A
Warranties___________________________________________________________
Equipment		3 Year Warranty on Equipment
Gunite Warranty		Lifetime Structural Warranty
Craftmanship Warranty	1 Year Warranty on all pool workmanship
Mechanical Specifications:_____________________________________________
Skimmers			2	Hayward
Pool Returns		3	1.5" Schedule 40 PVC
Pool Main Drains		2	Anti Entrapment, VGB Compliant
Spa Main Drains		2	Anti Entrapment, VGB Compliant
Pool, Lights and Equipment to be wired persuant to current NEC code.
Sub Panel Included	No
Pool Coping, Decking and Drainage:__________________________________
Coping Material	Natural Stone Travertine
Waterline Tile	Standard Ceramic
Deck Size/ Material	468	Sq.Ft. of	Stamped Concrete (400 sq.ft.min)
4" Drainage	0	LF
Deck-O-Drain	0	LF
Overflow Line		Yes
Fill Line		Auto
Pool Interior___________________________________________________________
Swimming Pool Interior:	Redman White Mini Pebble
Pool Controller_______________________________________________________
Automation:		PDA Prologic PS-8 - Pool Spa
Additional Items____________________________________________________
Raised Beams
Pool Entry:		Tanning Ledge Per plan	with three bubblers
Benches:			1
Water feature
Total Project Cost_____________________________________________________
Total Retail Price of the Project
				$57,780

 

[LeighHop]

Hey there -

We are in the Dallas area. Pool is a bit larger (40x15) but deck is about the same size, going for scored broom finished concrete, salt water generator. We also have three bubblers on the tanning ledge but will also have three deck jets. We are building at a cost of $65,000 so I don't think these estimates are bad.

I know everyone on here will tell you that the ozone system is a total waste of money so you should try to strike that from both invoices.

 

[RomoKitty]

Thank you! We appreciate it! We're on the fence about the ozone. We keep reading the reviews on here about it. We'll definitely be talking about it.

 

[propjetprop]

Mine was 79K for the pool and the stuff in my signature... Spent another 40k on the deck, sod, landscape, patio, porch, etc etc etc... This is an expensive luxury, but will get years of enjoyment out of it... think about it this way.. people spend more on everyday driver cars....

 

[ctrav]

Estimates seem fine but...not crazy about the ozone, I would consider revising depth of pool 4'x5' as a minimum (we have 4 1/2' x 5 1/2' x 4 1/2'). I would consider more than 3 pool returns as water circulation is a big deal in my humble opinion! I like my DE filter and it was less painful to clean than I thought it would be. I had a suction cleaner (the pool cleaner) but just upgraded to a robot. My robot (Phin) is awesome and would seriously consider upgrading to one now if you can get PB to add it at cost (Dolphin S200 at $900 or less) I got mine on sale for $750! Seriously think about low voltage lighting runs NOW!! Good luck...

 

[mikew2069]

I'm also in the Houston area, building a much larger pool (in my signature), with twice as much decking as yours (travertine). Also with water features, fire feature and a separate fire pit. And we're at about 70k. New Pool Build Thread in Cypress TX (NW Houston))

 

[espejo]

I'm also in Houston and about same size as mikew2069 with about 900 square feet of travertine pavers for about $58,000.

 

[RomoKitty]

Thank Espejo! Would you mind PM-ing us who your PB was?

 

[bere]

I'm in the Houston area and had a pool built in January. Mine is 99' perimeter, about 20x36, tanning shelf, cocktail cove, flush spa, white plaster with quartz aggregate, travertine coping and no deck (I had another company do my deck) for $39k. I hope this helps you compare. One thing I would do differently is not listen to the builder and go with saltwater system. I wanted it but he talked me out of it and now I'm paying someone else to change it.