Question for recent/current AZ Owner Builders

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danielmark

Member
Aug 16, 2021
24
Queen Creek, Arizona
Hi,

I’m closing on my new build home at the end of February. I’d like a pool and I think O/B through BYOP is the fastest and lowest cost option.
Dolphin pool has a low cost package but they quoted me 8-10 months.

Questions for anyone who has recently finished or just begun their owner build in AZ…

1. How long did it take from design to swimming?

2. Is there any way to estimate current costs? I’m looking for something simple like 80-90’ perimeter no hot tub or water features. Dolphin has this for about $40k but it’s 75’ perimeter and basic. I’d like to spend 40-45k. Is this still reasonable?

3. My new house has 9’ access HOWEVER, the builder put the AC unit right there which brings it down to about 5’ access… has anyone moved their AC unit to accommodate the machinery, or should I just use the other side of my yard that has 5’ access?


I am moving to queen creek by the way.
 
Subscribed and kudos to you for BYOP
I am about a year in and at a dead stop again because of quality issues, that was my reward for overpaying 30-40k for choosing a large AZ poolbuilder
build mine

I think as a BYOP and paying more for the same subs but no profit for a worthless "supervising/scheduling " company ( aka pool builder )
you can meet that price point unless you get fancy

if you have a better place for your split unit to relocate now is the time IMO , if you do relocate i would have the builders HVAC company do it so it does not bring up future warranty concerns

not sure I would just remove it for the build and then reinstall ( if that was even a thought) just because it may get uncomfortable at some point

we almost neighbors, ;-) I live at the base of the Superstitions
 
danielmark said:
Hi,

I’m closing on my new build home at the end of February. I’d like a pool and I think O/B through BYOP is the fastest and lowest cost option.
Dolphin pool has a low cost package but they quoted me 8-10 months.

Questions for anyone who has recently finished or just begun their owner build in AZ…

1. How long did it take from design to swimming?

2. Is there any way to estimate current costs? I’m looking for something simple like 80-90’ perimeter no hot tub or water features. Dolphin has this for about $40k but it’s 75’ perimeter and basic. I’d like to spend 40-45k. Is this still reasonable?

3. My new house has 9’ access HOWEVER, the builder put the AC unit right there which brings it down to about 5’ access… has anyone moved their AC unit to accommodate the machinery, or should I just use the other side of my yard that has 5’ access?


I am moving to queen creek by the way.
Click to expand...
I'm doing an O/B right now (check my build thread in my sig). I did not use BYOP. For a better price than BYOP, I hired a consultant that includes onsite inspections of the work in stages (don't think BYOP offers that at the lower tiers). There are other options out there besides BYOP as well.

1. I contracted with the consultant in May, design consultation was in July (I think), finalized design in September/October, Permits in November and just broke ground yesterday. The problem is, many subs are backlogged right now (pool plumbers are scheduling about 14 weeks out now), so I worked backwards from their scheduled date, other wise I could have had a hole in my backyard as early as late November.

2. It may be possible as an O/B with no water features, automation, hot tub, and may have to 2nd phase the deck area. For what I was quoted by a pool builder (only one of the quotes I would have actually considered as the designer captured my vision pretty much perfectly) for only the pool and equipment (no decking at all and no landscape; just the stuff included within the coping perimeter), I will have my pool and almost all aspects of my backyard vision completed.

3. Before moving the HVAC (you will have time to plan either way), get quotes for a mini excavator vs bobcat quotes and compare the price differences to the cost and hassle of moving the outside AC units. Might not be worth the hassle. Along the note with excavators, check with your neighbors that installed pools to see if they had hard digs as those fees can add up to an additional 10% to your pool cost ( I was expecting an additional $5,000 to $8,000 hard dig cost for my pool, but I got very lucky where they did the test dig).

Other notes. I could have probably moved quicker, but a pool is an expensive toy and I did a ton of research on this site, asked questions, and didn't proceed with design approval until my wife and I were happy. Many subs are not taking bids for O/Bs right now because there is enough demand from PBs, which they have to keep that relationship going as it is repeat business, and that is if you are lucky enough to get any response from a sub. Because you are in Queen Creek, you may have some subs that just won't go out that far because they have enough business closer to Metro Phoenix. I have a similar situation as I am on the other side of the Estrella Mountain range on the other side of the valley, so some recommended subs would not come out to me.

Good luck!
 
thewolf56 said:
I'm doing an O/B right now (check my build thread in my sig). I did not use BYOP. For a better price than BYOP, I hired a consultant that includes onsite inspections of the work in stages (don't think BYOP offers that at the lower tiers). There are other options out there besides BYOP as well.

1. I contracted with the consultant in May, design consultation was in July (I think), finalized design in September/October, Permits in November and just broke ground yesterday. The problem is, many subs are backlogged right now (pool plumbers are scheduling about 14 weeks out now), so I worked backwards from their scheduled date, other wise I could have had a hole in my backyard as early as late November.

2. It may be possible as an O/B with no water features, automation, hot tub, and may have to 2nd phase the deck area. For what I was quoted by a pool builder (only one of the quotes I would have actually considered as the designer captured my vision pretty much perfectly) for only the pool and equipment (no decking at all and no landscape; just the stuff included within the coping perimeter), I will have my pool and almost all aspects of my backyard vision completed.

3. Before moving the HVAC (you will have time to plan either way), get quotes for a mini excavator vs bobcat quotes and compare the price differences to the cost and hassle of moving the outside AC units. Might not be worth the hassle. Along the note with excavators, check with your neighbors that installed pools to see if they had hard digs as those fees can add up to an additional 10% to your pool cost ( I was expecting an additional $5,000 to $8,000 hard dig cost for my pool, but I got very lucky where they did the test dig).

Other notes. I could have probably moved quicker, but a pool is an expensive toy and I did a ton of research on this site, asked questions, and didn't proceed with design approval until my wife and I were happy. Many subs are not taking bids for O/Bs right now because there is enough demand from PBs, which they have to keep that relationship going as it is repeat business, and that is if you are lucky enough to get any response from a sub. Because you are in Queen Creek, you may have some subs that just won't go out that far because they have enough business closer to Metro Phoenix. I have a similar situation as I am on the other side of the Estrella Mountain range on the other side of the valley, so some recommended subs would not come out to me.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
I just had my first call with BYOP. I saw you said that you hired a consultant that was a better price. Do you mind me asking who this was? It seems that BYOP does have a big price tag for what seems to be not too much of a service
 
after reading the second post I figured I better clarify
I did not mean to imply that selecting the company "BYOP" was a choice I would applaud
I just meant building your own pool was a good choice, I have no experience with the company BYOP
 
danielmark said:
I just had my first call with BYOP. I saw you said that you hired a consultant that was a better price. Do you mind me asking who this was? It seems that BYOP does have a big price tag for what seems to be not too much of a service
Click to expand...
I'll send you a message with the name.
 
Without a spa, I think you can do that price. We have a spa and waterfall and spent right about $50,000 and finished last Feb. We don’t have pavers, just a traditional cool deck.
 
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danielmark said:
Zmann, noted. I’m sorry you’re having issues with your build! How would you do things different the second time around?
Click to expand...
I would build my own pool and be the onsite project manager ,, I signed on with my pool builder when they still had good yelp and BBB reviews ,, that is all gone now they and like most pool builders are getting slammed on public media
 

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soobs68 said:
Hi @thewolf56 would you mind messaging me that company/contact as well? I think I know who your referencing and would be interested to know you overall experience with them. I'm about to start the O/B process and more feedback the better for resources here in the PHX metro.
Click to expand...
Just sent you a message. I'm happy to answer any questions about my experience so far.
 
I may need to clarify on the pricing. When I added the add-on options that I wanted to BYOP's Premier package, my consultant's price was better. If I wasn't getting the add-ons to the package, my Consultant may not have been a better price, but I get the on-site inspections at major stages and other assistance included.
 
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