Researching, researching and asking lots of questions

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mrbarron

mrbarron

0
Bronze Supporter
Dec 30, 2017
19
Fort Lauderdale, FL
OK here goes, first post, let's see what to ask first??

So got on this forum at 8:30 this morning and have been reading and searching and it's after 11 pm, so yes, you can easily say I'm obsessed with TFP right now and impressed by the moderators and experts.

Home has been mine for 20 years and I've wanted a pool since day one, but timing has just never been right, but seeking to refi and pull out equity and get my pool. Looking to build a small inground pool and a spa (or at least that's what I am thinking today). Here goes the questions:

No one on the site ever mentions how much they've spent on building the pool, is it gauche to ask? This has been my primary reason to wait until I could afford it and since AARP just came calling, I thought I should bite the bullet. Would really be interested in costs associated with building and equipment and the incredible extras I've found on this site.

Secondly, many of the photos won't show for me they say to upgrade my photobucket or some such thing, should I be doing something different or is that warning for the OPs? The posts seem so interesting, but I can't see the photos.

I really am curious for those who've added a spa to an inground pool if they enjoy it?? Many comments say to get a hot tub, but my prejudices hit me that it looks very low rent. I know Im a snob.

SWG is where I hope to go, but cannot seem to find out if the water will stain furniture, towels, pool tiles and so on.

Finally, I'm in South Florida, the land of fly by night pool builders. And wondered if I should hire a landscape architect first so that all bids are equal? Though cannot seem to find a landscape architect who does anything but outdoor kitchens and firepits and landscaping -- not pool design. Any ideas?

OK embarrassed to ask so much right of the bat, but hopefully I wont be banned for my stupidity. Any help really appreciated and photos would be great!!
 
mr,

Welcome to TFP.. A great place to do research for all new pool builds... whether you live in a Fort or not... :shark:

If you are getting a Spa to impress your neighbors with how beautiful your pool looks, then a gunite Spa is for you.. If you are getting Spa so that you can be comfortable and get massaged by a million jets, then not so much. I suggest before you go one way or the other, you try each of them out, and then decide which works best for you.

We don't talk much about specific prices, because location, location, location really makes a difference.. In a lot of cases, the same exact pool, in the same city, have very different prices just because of the neighborhood where the pool is being built.

If you could be banned for stupidity, not many of us would still be here... :p

The pictures no longer show up because of Photobucket.. you are not doing anything wrong...

Why would you think that a saltwater pool would stain a towel or pool tiles??? The water in a saltwater pool has the same amount of salt as the tears in your eyes... I have three saltwater pools and have had zero issues with them. You would have to rip them from my cold dead hands... I will never, ever, ever, go back to a non-saltwater chlorinating system.

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.
 
Jim, thanks so much for your reply. Love salt water pools but remember being at a pool party more than a few year back, and the Mom screaming at the kids for not showering off the salt water pool water on their bodies before they sat down on fabric. Always thought that was a drawback to SWG.
 
FLORIDA in the house!!! HI!

Prices-talk about it all you want but as Jim says what I would pay up here in T-town would not compare to what you will pay down there.

Are you thinking of doing an Owner Build? As in you find your subs for each trade and watch over them? It can be done. What you do is find one sub you KNOW you can count on and trust and does good work because everyone you ask about that trade says his name. You then talk to him about what subs to use or not use for the other trades. Make sure to write it all down so you will remember. Your build might go a little slower if you go this way but I wanted you to know it can be done.

I love you pic! What is his name?

Kim:kim:
 
mrbarron said:
Love salt water pools but remember being at a pool party more than a few year back, and the Mom screaming at the kids for not showering off the salt water pool water on their bodies before they sat down on fabric. Always thought that was a drawback to SWG.
Click to expand...

That is a new one. Our Sunbrella chaises and cushions have see no effect from our SW pool. If I did see a dried salt line on a cushion a quick hose off or swipe with a damp rag would get rid of it.

As Jim said, I also could not own a pool without a SWCG.

Take care.
 
Hi Kim, can I just say I have loved your comments on other's posts as I read them yesterday, but this site is crack! I ended up going to bed after 2 am reading the posts, didn't know I had an addictive gene, but 18 hours of reading shows me that I definitely do have. Made a first donation today to show my appreciation.

I have thought about Owner Build and looked for a thread on that way, but couldn't find one. What type of PB would you start with or just start looking for a GC? I did my renovation to my home 14 years ago this way but I had a strong GC who held my hand and told me up front when I had a stupid idea. I learned so much and loved it.

His name is Buddy, rescued him two years ago as he had bad ears and they couldn't find anyone dumb enough to take that burden of vet bills. Funny thing he's always nearby, as it is with Goldens, but he is not one to like me too near with the exception of in the hammock, when he'll spoon for hours as long as I keep petting him. My Golden back during my first renovation adored going to my neighbors pool so I am hoping Buddy will enjoy it too. Have lots of questions for dog owners and pools as well, but didn't want to get kicked out for asking too many questions upfront.

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Thanks Mknauss! I really feel it's how I will go. Just like Kimkats, I have loved your comments on other posts throughout the forum. Very supportive. Do you have photos of your pool? Still not sure how to find other's photos unless there is a link in their sig.
 
As to the prices, in your area I will bet that a the same pool in Victoria Park/Las Olas Isles would be priced very different from one in Pembroke Park. Location and perceptions of your pocket depth may cause prices to slide one way or another.

My first comment is that you should never think of a pool as something that will increase the value of your home except in very limited circumstances.

Second, identify exactly why you want a pool and what activities the pool will be used for will determine size, shape and depth. The size and shape of your lot for access and egress for construction may affect cost. Needing permission from a neighbor to take down part of their fence and terar up their grass can cause the price to rise. Insufficient space to stage materials on the lot will increase cost as they will have to more closely coordinate the subs on the job.

When considering the pool remember to price the "required" extras which in your area will include a climbproof fence and door/window alarms for any coors/windows that open to the pool area. The overbearing homeowners associations found in Broward are a consideration also.

South Florida is one of those areas where gunite pools are king and liquid chlorine is plentiful.
 
Best thing is to get as many bids as you can. Try to get apples to apples but you will find this is somewhat difficult. But you can specify some basic specs that should apply to all pools like size, equipment, materials for decking, etc. If you have a significant amount of landscaping that you want to do that will add a lot of costs. We did almost all of our landscaping ourselves. Make sure all quotes include the exact model specs/numbers of all equipment that is included. The pool in my signature was contracted at $62k and we ended up at right around $80k when it was all done. Change orders cost a LOT. So make sure you think and rethink everything before inking. Something that might be free if it is included in your initial contract could be $10k more if it is a change order. For instance, we increased the size of our pool the day of the build. The builder added around $10k for this change. It was still within the basic footprint for our price point so I don't think it would have cost any extra money had we specified that size on the initial contract. It always helps to hold back as much money as you can until the end. But this is very dependent on the pool builder's contract. Most of them are designed so they builder has 95% of their money before the problem stages start (finishing). You can always try but the builder could simply say no and walk away. Check references! Good luck!
 
If they are willing to speak to you, service/renovation/resurfacing outfits which don’t build, are the best resource for PB research.

Many owners are thrilled with a POS pool, because they only swim & play in the pools & they look “decent.”

A renovation outfit knows which pools are pretty but are junk. There are several builders in my area, when one of their builds comes up for renovation I know to immediately add “POS corner cut builder tax.”
 
This is your thread so you can ask any and all questions you want. We had one build where their goat was the star of the thread!

You will be the GC with us in your back pocket.

The posts above should give you plenty to work with............it is like pulling a sting and seeing where it goes.

Buddy! What a wonderful name for a golden! Bad ears on a golden? Very common. Did you find something that helped them? Have you heard of the "blue ear" treatment? I had a yellow lab named Jolly Mon. It worked great on his ears. I wonder what it is about the hammock that Buddy likes so much?

You will need a shelf or wide bench or a beach entry for Buddy. There was one build where they put a corgi sized step on their shelf. It was a purrfect fit!

Lets start with a pic of Buddies yard and what you think he would like to do in his pool.

Kim:kim:
 

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Tim5055,

Wow either your great on Goggle maps or you've lived here in SoFL. No concern about the increase of value with a pool, they'll be taking my dead carcass out of this place if I have my way. Looking for a "cocktail" pool, someplace to sit relax and enjoy, no laps or exercise above shifting a noodle from one leg to the other. Spoke with my neighbor and the egress looks to be fine once fence is out. Fence exists already, so just upgrading the gate is needed. Again thank you so much for taking the time to respond.
 
Wow poolgate your pool is amazing, love the huge beach! My whole yard I think can fit in your pool with very little decking covered. Yes I want to hold back as much as I can here in south florida, contractors have a reputation that make used car salesmen look like angels (apologies to those i've offended). Yes I'm narrowing down to 4-5 PB's so I can start checking references before I even meet with them. Thanks again

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Thanks PoolguyinCT for your reply. Yes that strategy is what I am hoping to do, renovators are plentiful here. LOL i didnt understand why you were talking about a "point of sale" pool, and then it hit me. LOL
 
OK another questions for those with square or rectangular pools, my neighbor said his biggest regret was not curving all the inside walls so the autocleaner could reach everywhere, he also said the corners created dead zones where leaves always stayed. Any opinions?
 
mrbarron said:
Tim5055,

Wow either your great on Goggle maps or you've lived here in SoFL. No concern about the increase of value with a pool, they'll be taking my dead carcass out of this place if I have my way. Looking for a "cocktail" pool, someplace to sit relax and enjoy, no laps or exercise above shifting a noodle from one leg to the other. Spoke with my neighbor and the egress looks to be fine once fence is out. Fence exists already, so just upgrading the gate is needed. Again thank you so much for taking the time to respond.
Click to expand...
I am good with Google Maps, but I had 32 years in Dade/Broward, mostly Broward......

Remember, the inspectors are strict as to the pool protection issues, it's more than just having a fence, it has to be a qualified pool fence as to height and design so kids can not climb it.

I'll tell you where I am right now. After having the pool in my signature I will be downsizing with my next move. The big hole in the ground will be replaced with a small above ground contraption along with a self contained spa (these I have always had). Right now I'm looking at the larger Endless Pools waterwell models. They make them up to 9 X 15 and 51" deep. With seating along the side that is plenty of space to sip a drink and splash around.....
 
mrbarron said:
OK another questions for those with square or rectangular pools, my neighbor said his biggest regret was not curving all the inside walls so the autocleaner could reach everywhere, he also said the corners created dead zones where leaves always stayed. Any opinions?
Click to expand...

My polaris doesn't reach the corners itself, but I normally brush the pool anyways so it's not a big deal. Yes the corner can create a spot where leaves and such collect, but one way I see it is that it actually makes it easier. It collects there and I don't have to go chase them down.
 
Yes they can and should. I tell everyone to even get the model numbers in writing. It has paid off more that once when someone checked his equipment and found the smallest, cheapest filter and pump made on his pad. When he pointed out the fact it did NOT match what was written on the SIGNED quote the PB ordered and installed the correct stuff.

When someone has a quote for "normal grading" I have them get in writing what "normal" means to the PB and what the PO needs.

SO you are NOT off your rocker to ask for details of how you are spending your money! If the PB will not provide it :gone: don't let the door hit ya on the out!

Kim (no cheering on this one)
 

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