Quote Review for First Time Buyer in Houston, TX Area

[DanielHobley]

I wouldn't let that prevent you from having a pool. Keep shopping and keep all options available for the family ... even the type of pool (plaster, fiberglass, vinyl). We opted for FB in our area for two main reason - cost and this ridiculous clay/gumbo soil. I know of at least two neighbors who went with the same company. Of course in our area of San Antonio, there are hundreds of all 3 types, so I suspect the decision is based on similar factors such as cost, soil, features, depth, etc. And in some cases, simply personal preference. But stick with it. I fought tooth & nail wit the wife about a pool, but once we got it, I can't imagine never having one. It transformed our backyard into a new living area. After reading some things above, here are some of my thoughts:

Cost savings:
- I agree with those above. I don't have a heater because for the most part, I get about 7 months of swimming. By the time Oct hits, I'm ready for a break to be honest.
- If you can't afford the SWG right now, speak to the builder about installing longer runs of PVC at the pad between components and of course after the filter. Make the pad a little bigger for that reason. Later you can install a union or two so that if/when you do get an SWG, it's a fairly easy DIY project. Same applies to the electrical. Se if you can have some extra availability at the pad so power is available. Cheaper to do it now that later.

Other considerations:
- Pool position. Take note of your predominant wind direction. Hopefully you will be able to position everything so that the poolside skimmer is on the downwind side so surface junk makes it to the skimmer. Of course the wind changes, but you probably have a typical direction.
- Safety. If you have pets or small children that may be in the area, make sure the pool has a separation boundary to protect them.
- If you did consider a FB pool, insist on a gravel base and not sand. It's more stable.

Stick with it. It's nice to have a pond in the backyard when May hits. Good luck!

Oh, yes, excellent points. Your comment about having 7 months of swim time really gives me pause -- maybe a heater isn't all that worth it in our area? At this point, it's likely a "no" unless we change directions and have a spa added to the build. That may be out of our budget, so we'll see what the PB says. They seem eager to work with us and have been a pleasure so far. I'll definitely keep your second point in mind as well.

Our yard is "L" shaped. The wind direction typically flows from top to bottom when looking at the photo I've attached (or NW to SE), so the side of the house is pretty calm. We're going to install a fence as noted. The other marking are tweaks from the design that we still need to finalize

Thanks!

 

[DanielHobley]

Living in Sugar Land these are the things I would not go without:
1. SWG. Ive said this several times on here but I’d rather cut my arm off than be without an SWG in Houston
2.*overfliow drain. Mine drains to the street and with the amount of rain we get here you will want this! My neighbor doesn’t have one and his pool is overflowing constantly. Makes me worried to be honest. I’d get the auto fill as well.
3. If you don’t have a spa don’t really see the need for a heater. I think I’ve heated my pool once so far. I was in today and water was 75 deg.
4.Chiller. Yes it a luxury item but in July when you are Rediculously hot and sweaty and want to jump in a nice cool refreshing pool you will Be jumping into a hot tub
5. Pentair Easy Touch Or IntelliCenter if you want. The automation is great and would never build a pool without it.
6. Not sure what the signature series is but if you can get the ultra smooth Primera Stone for same price do it. Well worth it.

We've asked the PB for some pricing on a SWG, and we've agreed our overflow will go out to the street. As far as the heater goes, we're really on the fence about adding a spa. It's a "nice to have" at this point. I hadn't considered a chiller, but I'll bring that up. Thank you!

 

[DanielHobley]

Did you mention what type of pool....it seems too cheap for gunnite, but i know houston is pretty price competitive. Liner price would seem okay, and fiberglass would be too expensive.

Also you are asking for "bids" when the industry is red hot right now...Most builders that are good are sold out for a year already. Some are trying to scale to build more pools, but it is harder said then done.

It's a gunnite pool. I understand builders are busy, but I view response time and transparency as solid benchmarks when trying to determine a quality builder. We'll find the right match at the right time.

 

[DanielHobley]

Daniel,

You're most welcome and hang in there. Pool builders are out there that want a customer like you. In a hot market it's more time consuming and difficult to find a builder that wants you as mush as you want your pool but it is NEVER a good outcome when you have a builder that does not appreciate his customer. You'll be at the end of the line every step of the way, it's not fun! Way better to wait to find the perfect builder that wants you as much as you want him. When you pre-qualify bidders one of the most important factors is to assess the "fit". "Fit" is all about right job, right size, right relationship for both you and the bidder. When hot markets prevail there are many that want to become "super pool" builders. Worst thing in the world is for you to end up with one of them because he's "doing you a favor" by taking your job.

My $.02 and good luck to you!

Chris

Couldn't agree more. Appreciate it!

 

[DanielHobley]

Daniel,

Welcome! I had a hard time getting quotes as well last year when we started the quote process. I had several not even respond to my request for a quote and one that said my project wasn’t big enough but at least he was really nice about it. I guess the pool building market is massive here(and it probably is with all the people and the hot humid summers) that PB’s can be picky with their jobs. I live south of Houston and the PB I went with was all the way from Tomball. Just keep researching. There are good ones out there. Just be diligent in your research and take your time. This is their busiest time of the year as people scramble to get a pool built right before summer. You’ll get a lot of good help here. Just be patient and be sure to thoroughly research any potential PB’s. Pretty much all PB’s can build what you want, but not all can do it well. Once you pick a PB and sign, your married to them for better or worse pretty much. Use BBB.org, AngiesList, Google, Facebook, Yelp, Houzz.com just to name a few. It stressed me out searching for one but IMHO it was so worth it. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, but only with the help of TFP!

Sound advice -- thank you very much!

 

[DanielHobley]

I contacted probably 6 pool builders last summer, only 2 came out to see the lot and both quoted me.

Without a spa, I think you’re getting a good price there. We paid slightly more for a similar size pool and spa, but no decking. We also didn’t have to do permitting and they didn’t do anything beyond putting sand down to finish the ground once we were done.

I tend to agree about maybe not getting the heater. We have heated the pool probably 4 times since January. It’s not super expensive in gas but the heater is noisy and I feel bad having it on for so long with the neighbors being right next to us.

Also keep in mind that you are going to have a potential cost for moving your electricity line if it cuts through your lot (I have heard $1500-2000), and then another $350 to move the gas. If you get a heater, it’s an additional $350 for a new meter.

Yes, very similar to what we are going through now. It's that time of year, though -- building season is in full swing! The general feel we get for the price is that it's pretty fair. We don't feel like we're getting away with anything, and I also don't think they're trying to take us for a ride.

I had no idea it could be that high a cost when moving lines, nor did I know there was a fee for a new meter. It's looking more and more like a heater is just not worth it (especially without a spa). Thank you for your input!

 

[setsailsoon]

Yes, very similar to what we are going through now. It's that time of year, though -- building season is in full swing! The general feel we get for the price is that it's pretty fair. We don't feel like we're getting away with anything, and I also don't think they're trying to take us for a ride.

I had no idea it could be that high a cost when moving lines, nor did I know there was a fee for a new meter. It's looking more and more like a heater is just not worth it (especially without a spa). Thank you for your input!

If you decide not to do the heater now I would make space on the equipment pad and possibly add the valves or capped stub-outs to make addition easier later on. Another option is to add a solar heater later. They're not cheap either but with Houston summers they may work as well as mine does here in S Florida. This time of year with partly cloudy or less our pool is always 90 deg or better. I have a controller on it that bypasses at 92.

Chris

 

[DanielHobley]

I really appreciate everyone that provided their input! Thank you!

We gave the OK to the PB to have utility lines checked on our property. Of course, Comcast and TNMP (electric line) both skipped the easement and ran their lines straight through the yard! Doh!

 

[jstephens24tx]

I heard if you add a spa you might as well tack on 10k to the total. I live in baytown and we do not have a spa or heater. I would for sure get a SWG though. You do not want the burden of having to pour bleach everyday. I got my pool almost 2 years ago for around 43-44k. That included the robotic cleaner and to reinstall fence. We bought and laid the pallets of grass ourselves

 

[jstephens24tx]

I really appreciate everyone that provided their input! Thank you!

We gave the OK to the PB to have utility lines checked on our property. Of course, Comcast and TNMP (electric line) both skipped the easement and ran their lines straight through the yard! Doh!

that happened to us too. Before they covered the new electrical line back up we had comcast put their new cable in the same trench

 

[DanielHobley]

I heard if you add a spa you might as well tack on 10k to the total. I live in baytown and we do not have a spa or heater. I would for sure get a SWG though. You do not want the burden of having to pour bleach everyday. I got my pool almost 2 years ago for around 43-44k. That included the robotic cleaner and to reinstall fence. We bought and laid the pallets of grass ourselves

The more I think about the spa or heater, the more I feel like I don't want it. The gas line will need to be run all around the house (we have an "L" shaped yard and the pool is literally on the opposite side of the house from the gas meter), we're already working with a small space, and I'm not sure it's cost effective. Pretty close to just dropping it altogether.

I've asked the PB about a SWG. Waiting for his response.

that happened to us too. Before they covered the new electrical line back up we had comcast put their new cable in the same trench

Did you call to have it moved, or did your PB take care of that? I understand there is a cost associated with both, too.

 

[jstephens24tx]

The more I think about the spa or heater, the more I feel like I don't want it. The gas line will need to be run all around the house (we have an "L" shaped yard and the pool is literally on the opposite side of the house from the gas meter), we're already working with a small space, and I'm not sure it's cost effective. Pretty close to just dropping it altogether.

I've asked the PB about a SWG. Waiting for his response.



Did you call to have it moved, or did your PB take care of that? I understand there is a cost associated with both, too.

PB told us it was on us to have electrical moved. For some reason I am thinking comcast didn't charge us anything.

 

[DanielHobley]

PB told us it was on us to have electrical moved. For some reason I am thinking comcast didn't charge us anything.

Okay, thanks - good to know!

 

[Jbrillo]

Daniel,

It sounds like you’ve made up your mind about a heater and spa. I will let you know that it’s expensive to run a gas line that’s far. We were in a similar situation. Our gas line was run something like 130-feet and it was a couple of grand just to run the line. Personally, I say go for the heater and spa. I think it’s worth it, but I am biased. If you think you want a spa/heater even a little bit, do it now while you can. Or leave enough room on your deck for a stand alone spa. Good luck!

 

[Bvacchiano]

I’d figure on minimum $3k to have that electric line moved. I have the box in the corner of my house and the electric is on the other side. I was pretty much positive it ran diagonally through my lawn where my pool was going. In order to reroute if needed I was looking at $3500. All depends on how much they have to move. Fortunately they ran the line in the easement and saved me lots of $$$.

 

[Poolbella]

You’re definitely looking at upwards of $10k for a spa. I’d consider a standalone one if you have room.

 

[DanielHobley]

Daniel,

It sounds like you’ve made up your mind about a heater and spa. I will let you know that it’s expensive to run a gas line that’s far. We were in a similar situation. Our gas line was run something like 130-feet and it was a couple of grand just to run the line. Personally, I say go for the heater and spa. I think it’s worth it, but I am biased. If you think you want a spa/heater even a little bit, do it now while you can. Or leave enough room on your deck for a stand alone spa. Good luck!

We have enough room for a stand alone spa, so we're going to go that route. Thank you!

 

[DanielHobley]

I’d figure on minimum $3k to have that electric line moved. I have the box in the corner of my house and the electric is on the other side. I was pretty much positive it ran diagonally through my lawn where my pool was going. In order to reroute if needed I was looking at $3500. All depends on how much they have to move. Fortunately they ran the line in the easement and saved me lots of $$$.

A rather annoying cost considering the line should have been in the easement to begin with! Thank you for your input.

 

[DanielHobley]

You’re definitely looking at upwards of $10k for a spa. I’d consider a standalone one if you have room.

The benefits of a standalone outweigh those of the in-ground, so we've decided to go in this direction. Thank you for your input!

 

[texaggie1994]

This is all incredibly helpful! I've actually got a nice list of question to go back to the PB with now. This PB offers turn-key service, but landscaping is optional. It sounds like we need to take that option and run with it. We do plan on getting a few more bids, but it's also been so hard getting anyone to respond. I think our project is too small (even at almost $50k) for most -- some have come right out and said as much. While a little disappointing, it's great to not have anyone's time wasted.

Again, I appreciate this immensely!

Give Spencer Craig at StoneWall pools a call. You won't regret it. (281) 806-6101

Go with the SWCG, we're on our third year, ZERO regrets. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Pentair Equipment too!