Prospective Pool Buyer - Looking for advice!

[ilive4this]

Hi all! I live in the St. Louis, Missouri metro area and we are interested in putting in a pool. We are pretty novice to the entirety of the process, including what we should spend our money on vs. what we can skimp out on, etc. when looking for quotes and making a decision on an installer/pool.

Here are a few of our more high priority wants:
- Rectangular shape
- No need for a diving board / diving depth, so 6' depth is A-OK with us.
- Suitable for adults but also kids as we have one and potentially more on the way in the future
- Lower maintenance the better (fiberglass?), given our one young kid and the likelihood of more on the way

My biggest questions/concerns are on pricing. I have no idea what is reasonable vs. what is not. We've only received one quote so far and I've attached that with all of its details for everyone here to look at and review. This was for a Fiberglass Pool via sun pools called the St. Lucia (37 x 15). The quote we received certainly seemed pretty high to me, and we do plan to get at least 3-4 more estimates/quotes from other local contractors (minimally). But again, I have no idea what is reasonable.

Additionally, while in my mind Fiberglass is likely the best bang for our buck (most affordable when compared to gunite, and less upkeep/future expense than vinyl liner as I understand it), I'd love for people here to chime in with their opinions as well. Given we live in the lower midwest, we do have snow/ice in the winter (though more mild than Iowa/Chicago/etc.).

I'm sure there is a lot that I don't know I don't know, but we're in no hurry so I plan to take my time on going through this. I'm pretty handy and savvy so pool maintainence itself doesn't scare me if that's a consideration. Thanks in advance for all the help/tips/pointers, I look forward to reading the responses! Any other info I can provide, let me know!

 

[kimkats]

Hi and welcome to TFP! What a fun time in your life! Kind of scary too. We can/will help me sure you get the best pool for your money and yard.

 

[HermanTX]

Pricing varies so much by geography that unless you had members from your county to provide guidance it is hard to establish a market price. That said, the quote you received only provides general information such as a VS pump, a cartridge filter, LED light, PVC plumbing, etc.
Ask the PB to provide specific information such as 1.5", 2" or 2.5" PVC on the suction side and return side. What model and HP pump, what size cartridge filter. All of these specifics can drive price 10% one way or another.
Obviously, the biggest cost is the fiberglass pool and the escavation and possible construction of retainer walls, etc. Some of our members are in the industry and can provide more specifics on pricing if those prices were broken down in the PB quote.

On the options it shows a Fusion Mineral & Salt system. We recommend against any UV or mineral systems, but the salt system is great. So if you get a combo unit, just use the salt system and do not put the canister in the mineral side. Or just get a standalone salt system. It is also recommended to have a saltwater chlorine generator (SWCG) rated at 2x your pool volume so you will need a SWCG rated for 40k gals. So what is quoted is the correct size of SWCG. You do not need the mineral component.

An automation system is great, allows you to set schedules, control devices, etc via your PC or app on a phone or tablet. Jandy makes multiple type of systems, so you need to know if it is the RS4, RS6 or RS8 system.

Others will chime in and continue to post new bids if you get them.

 

[sande005]

I just watched an inground installed just down the block from me this summer. Don't forget what is NOT included:

All the equipment moving back and forth will tear up huge areas of the front/side/back yards (depending on your layout, of course). There will be a very significant amount of restoration of the landscaping required.

Check local codes - many require safety fencing. Mine must be at least 6 ft high, "non-climbable", with latching that cannot be accessed by a child. You might be able to get by with just fencing the immediate perimeter of the pool...or have to do as my yard dictated, and fence in the whole huge back yard. Fencing isn't cheap, even the ugly stuff.

Check on codes for water discharge, both for occasional dumping of water when cleaning, or for lowering the pool for winter (which can be a LOT of water). Mine allows non-chlorinated water to a street drain. Some allow you to dump on your own land, as long as it does not impinge on neighbors. Some places require it all going into a sanitary sewer - more expense for sewer pipe, drains, etc.

A winter cover may be in order. From essentially plastic sheet held down with water bags around the edges (not a great idea with kids) to safety mesh type that a baby elephant can walk on (great, but pricey).

If you don't have one, you'll probably want a shed of some kind to store pool chems, tools, etc. Or bigger to house all the pumps/filters/etc too...(almost all is weather proof, but some like the protection).

 

[sande005]

Get quotes for vinyl, also. Yes, you may have to replace every 8-15 yrs, so get a quote for that too, so you can build that into the future cost projections.

FYI - my pool, since 1992, has needed the liner replaced twice. Last time, in 2019 was $2,300. So maybe $3000 in today's economy. If the install savings are great enough, may be a reasonable alterative to get you to that point, like me, where the kids moved away, and the biggest daily users of the pool are the dogs. Of course, less future cost if you might move someday, then it becomes someone else's cost....

 

[jdsaengine]

We are having a 13x31 fiberglass pool installed as we speak (they are backfilling around it today). Our price in Indianapolis area is $103k, so not much different from you. Price does include auto pool cover ($3000) and Polaris auto cleaner. Heat pump heater, salt water generator, cartridge filter.

The yard is pretty tore up, and they trashed my inground sprinkler system (which they said they would do) so those repairs are on my dime, probably another $20K for repairs, and landscaping. Another $4000 for iron fence.
You are in the ball park, but probably need another $20K in your budget before its done.

 

[ilive4this]

We are having a 13x31 fiberglass pool installed as we speak (they are backfilling around it today). Our price in Indianapolis area is $103k, so not much different from you. Price does include auto pool cover ($3000) and Polaris auto cleaner. Heat pump heater, salt water generator, cartridge filter.

The yard is pretty tore up, and they trashed my inground sprinkler system (which they said they would do) so those repairs are on my dime, probably another $20K for repairs, and landscaping. Another $4000 for iron fence.
You are in the ball park, but probably need another $20K in your budget before its done.

Thanks. Just to clarify, you're saying your $103k includes the pool cover, Polaris cleaner, heat pump, salt water gen, and cartridge filter? In other words, everything but the remediation/afterwork (sprinkler, landscaping, fencing)?

I know the pool we are looking at is a little bigger, but that is still a $20k difference between what we are looking at and what you are getting. $100k is about where I'd like to be. Thanks for your response btw!

 

[jdsaengine]

Thanks. Just to clarify, you're saying your $103k includes the pool cover, Polaris cleaner, heat pump, salt water gen, and cartridge filter? In other words, everything but the remediation/afterwork (sprinkler, landscaping, fencing)?

I know the pool we are looking at is a little bigger, but that is still a $20k difference between what we are looking at and what you are getting. $100k is about where I'd like to be. Thanks for your response btw!

yep, the $103K included the auto cover and a $2500 auto pool cleaner (an end of season special). I did a $3000 change order for expanded concrete deck and extra house downspout drainage pipe replacement. But thats it. Our pool as of this afternoon