Hello TFP!
First time pool owner here. Started the process of soliciting quotes around Thanksgiving last year. Every PB in this area (and most others) were slammed. We waited to get our last quote from one of the most established PB in our city. They spent the most time onsite, were better priced, and had the most confidence about integrating a new pool into our existing backyard features (summer kitchen/bar and fire pit), hence, the big squeeze. We signed our contract with them in early March with a goal of breaking ground May 2022.
Our existing back patio has a 15' diameter concrete fire pit and seating with stone veneer located 27' off the back of the house. Adjacent the house is an L-shaped summer kitchen with matching stone. The area is currently screened with pavers. To maximize pool size, the screen will be removed and we won't be adding one back. We're not in love with the existing red colored pavers so ~1100 sqft of those get the boot as well. House is plumbed for gas. Backyard has full southern exposure with no trees so FULL sun. Attached are some renders I made after we signed the contract and I got realllly excited playing with the software until the wee hours of the morning.
General specs and colors:
- Final pool size is 14' x 20' rectangle with an adjoining 10' x 10' sun shelf.
- Depth goes from 3' to 5'.
- Interior finish is SGM Diamond Brite Blue.
- Pavers will be Flagstone Pavers Panorama Demi in White/Pewter
- Waterline tile is 6" NPT PTL-37-9653 GRN-MULTI/GRANITO
Here's the equipment so far:
- Intellichlor +
- Easytouch 4 w/ QT II
- 400,000 BTU gas heater
- Intelliflo pump w/ CC RP 150 filter
- Poolmiser autofill and overflow
- Ecopool in-floor circulation
- Ozonator (not sure of brand yet)
- Globrite LED (1) in deep end
- Deck jets (2)
- Rollaway pool fence around entire pool
Things we're still mulling over:
- Bubbler in sunshelf - we're leaning this way. I'd like to go LED.
- Deck jet positioning - both firing into pool from deep end or the back long side?
- DB finish color - blue vs. super blue vs ...
- Robot vacuum?
- Additional pool light and positioning?
- Add attached pergola overhanging sun shelf - now or later?
More to come!
Hello BJohn,
My comments:
When I cannonball into my 6 ft pool, I can hit my bum on the floor. The cost of going to 6 ft is zero even if the pool builder wants to charge you more. The only issue might be the slope with a 20 ft length but the PB can let you know if that is an issue.
I know you have a fire pit so you are thinking about the gas heater. My neighbors who have gas heaters are agitated by the loaning of the tanks and few gas suppliers. You will have to pay for gas and delivery fees. Also, I think you are tied into the gas company that installs the tank for a while. I went with an electric heater and I am happy with it. It extends the seasons and probably heats 1 degree per hour used. I understand gas if more efficient. I have solar electric panels to help offset the cost of the electric use.
I see you have a PVC fence around the backyard. Is the pool fence necessary? Seems like you can sub in a $200 float alarm to pass inspection and your other fence serves as the barrier. I see most people that have pool fences don't use them after some time and then you have a bunch of holes in your deck.
I agree with the others about the Globrite, ozone, and in floor cleaner as not needed. I started with 5 Globrites and ended with 1 Intellibrite. My neighbor has 20ish Globrites in their pool (excessive) and just recently spent around $2k replacing lights after 3 years.
For the filter, it depends on how much debris you expect. I have the RP 200 and I clean it every 3 to 6 months just because it makes me feel better. I never even get a quarter of the way up the pressure area to where it is indicating I need to clean it. I have a screen enclosure so I only get sand from the deck when it rains, some smaller flies that get in time to time and some centipedes that sneak in.
For the deck jets, I would put them where you have the least foot traffic and also where you will hang out less in the pool. I have 4 deck jets and I put them on the backside of the pool. The kids like playing with them. I would also demand CMP deck jets over any name brand. They are the same and cost less.
