Pool build in san antonio need help deciding

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Ok last bid fire away

17 x 30 3' 6" x 6

Flagstone coping
645 sq feet of sundeck
Pebble fina
60FT2DE filter
2.5 hp 2 speed pump
2 skimmers. 2" suction line
3 prefilters
7 inlets. 1 1/2 adjustible directional returns fedby 2" header line
1 chlorinator
Polaris 3900 cleaner with 3/4 HP booster pump
2 led lights
Wireless light switch


Everyone is close in price main question is de or filter? Decided no salt and no ozone after my research on this site. No slide and grotto replaced by waterfall.

Thanks all and i hope to show the build but still cant post pics
 
Todd...some of the choices might hinge on whether you're comfortable doing some routine maintenance yourself, or whether you'd hire out for it. For example, we'd never owned a pool before having ours built last year, so we wanted something fairly "dummy proof"...which is why we opted for a sand filter over DE or cartridge. There really doesn't seem to be any consensus on the "best" filter system for a pool...it's all about what you're used to, how much you're willing to maintain it, and how well it filters.

One of your earlier posts indicated a Pentair Easytouch automation system, but that doesn't seem to be in your most recent post. Has this been dropped? I just added an Easytouch system to our pool, but wish our PB had done a better job of explaining our options, as we might have had it put in during the initial install. Anyway, with the Pentair Easytouch, Pentair Intellibrite LED lights, and Pentair Intellichlor SWG, you've got a system where everything can be fully controlled with the automation system.

Without the SWG (and we've got flagstone coping), you'll either be using a "puck" chlorinator (not recommended here) or carrying jugs of bleach down to the pool several times a week...make sure you understand this before deciding against the SWG.
 
Todd, I am in the same boat you are. Extreme custom PB, to Blue Haven to guy that does all the work for others and he will give me the best deal.

mhos, enjoyed the pics, I like seeing the construction phase as much as end product. Would you build again Oct-Jan, who was your PB in T-town, were you happy with him????
 
Flatlander, glad you liked the pictures! Yes, we were glad to have built during the timeframe we did, as once it got past October it was getting to be too cold to swim anyway. And...if it's too cold to swim, you aren't as anxious to have the project completed.

Our pool builder was Raley's Pools here in Tulsa. Would I use them again? I don't know....it took WAY too long from start to finish...well past what they'd said it would take. And, because they are a small company, they don't buy direct from the big pool distributors and, instead, buy from a local pool store. This makes anything added much more expensive...but we made it work for us. The big pool builders in this area are Atlantis, Blue Haven, and Baker Pools...all three can buy direct from a manufacturer, I think. We were especially impressed with the flagstone work from Raley's...it's one of the reasons we went with them to begin with.
 
Mh thanks for the pics. Pool looks great, your pool size is similar to the pool we are looking at building. One PB just told us he would knock the price down 3500.00 if we waited 8 to 10 weeks to start the build. I have learned so much and will continue to learn and read. Thanks
 
we finished our build in october and are enjoying our first season with the pool. i had quotes from most of the builders in SA, actually pretty similar specs to yours.... things I learned having a pool built: 1) go look at some of the pools the builder has done in the area..and talk to the owners about construction promises and how the 'warranty' stuff has worked out, 2) there's a reason the builders in SA will not do SWG with flagstone, 3) get a good automation system - Easytouch with wireless remote very good system and simple to use, 4) DE filter works unbelievably well and adding DE after backwashing is not that big of a deal (takes five min.), 5) get the inline chlorinator - these people will tell you not to - but it is very handy when going on vacation....just keep it turned off and use liquid cl majority of season, and 6) be very careful with the 'warranty' some of these builders have....one of the big builders only backs their pool for extended years IF you upgrade to Jandy equip AND pay 1% of the cost of your pool on an annual basis...they claim benefit is you don't have to keep chemicals on premises....but they only come 1X per month and that is not enough to keep the water well maintained, 7) Get variable speed pump rather than 2X.....you can dial the flow in for the waterfall and the pool turnover while minimizing electrical usage...and they are much more quiet in my experience, 8) make sure your builder has a plan for drainage around your pool....where will the downspouts go, deco drains around foundation, where will the water go in a downpour (we don't have many here but when we do they are bad), and where will your backwash drain to...thats probably 1000 gallons in a few minutes...9) get LED lights...awesome :) and worth it
 
Satx you the man. I never even put any thought into drainage, so thanks a million! I looked at your pool build and I must say WOW very nice my friend. I had quotes from several PBs and I will most likely go with KZs. Numbers came in well for me in the end. I will say Im actually in Cibolo and not on rock so our code is the waters edge must be 10 foot from the house or have an engineers letter as we are not on rock. The main thing Im arguing with the PB about is they say I only need one intellibrite light vs 2. 17 x 30 pool no spa. Everything i have read shows 2 would be best on this size of pool. Im going pebble fina and not the dark black onyx. What do yall think 1 or 2, the PB may be sensitive to my budget concerns. I will also look at the vs. thanks again!
 
If you are going with SWG, I would avoid using natural stone. Although most haven't had any issues with it, some have complained of salt damage to stone. My pool was designed and built as a salt pool, and I love it.
 

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Todd....we had 2 Intellibrite LED lights installed in our pool, and I'm glad we did. While one "might" be good enough, two just seems to make the colors pop even more.

Regarding flagstone coping...that's what we have. Our pb sealed the flagstone as part of the build, and I plan on applying sealer every year to protect it. From what I've read here, although salt pools can be harmful to unsealed flagstone, most don't have any problems.
 
I definitely agree with 2 LEDs.... When you are runnin colors instead of white, you will definitely need the extra boost of a second light.

Oh and btw, i would negotiate for that second LED as a throw-in... I got both of mine thrown in by talking to the PB and indicating i needed something to 'secure the deal' because i was having a hard time deciding between 2 PBs....
 
Redfo, i know its weird but i dont really want the salt water system and I actually like the flagstone coping look. Call it my recalling my youth where i spent time collecting flat rocksout of the pasture and helping build our fireplace with it. I do love your pool and appreciate your advice, i guess all pools would look like the public pool we grew up near if we all had the same taste. Hehe getting excited.
 
That's the wierd thing. It is also a flat irregular shaped stone, and some stoneyards call it Quartzsite Flagstone. It is just super hard, and requires a diamond blade to cut. Our PB didn't charge an extra to use it.
 
Ok i sign the contract on Monday but postpone the build for 7 to 10 weeks and take off 3500.00 off the price.

17 x 30 3ft by 6ft 12625 gallons flagstone coping
645 sq ft of sundecking
Pebble fina
Jandy 60FT2DE filter
Jandy stealth 2.5 hp 2 speed self priming pump
2skimmers
3 pre filters
1 main drain 32" drain virginia baker fsa
7 inlets
Rainbow 320 in line chlorinator
Polaris 3900 vac sweep
Steel is 9 inches on center both ways grade 60 1/2 reinforcement
Concrete 8" thick walls and floor 4500 psi concrete
6" washed gravel under pool floor with 1 1/2" hydrostatic relief
Plumbing specs were good
Auto fill overflow
2 led lights
Wireless remote
Del eclipse ozone generator. I know i know lol
Slabstone water fall
7 ft by 7 ft tanning lounge 6" deep with bubbler and umbrella socket
Fence movement etc

Major builder payment intervals good and good warranty at a good price imo.

Thanks for all the help.
 
Todd, care to share who you took bids from and went with? We sold our house with a River Oaks pool so we're now preparing our building plan for the new house. My home builder will likely solicit the bids for me but it's nice to hear from home owners. Did anyone discuss automatic pool covers?
 
Sorry been on vacation. Keith Zars, Gary Pools, River Oaks, Cody Pools, Texas Pool and Patio. I am not going with an auto cover at this point so didnt discuss it. Went with KZP based on history and I felt they treated me fairly and are building the pool I want not the one they want to sell...
 
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