What am I missing?

[retiretomypool]

New to the forum and have never owned a pool. Live in Ohio so limited pool season.

Dreaming about a new pool. First mistake is I didn't find this forum until after I had asked for two quotes. I gave the same information to them both and got quotes way far apart! One unique feature I need is access for my adult son who uses a wheelchair. I requested them both to quote a pool with a wheelchair ramp. One came back with a chair lift, and I sent them back to the drawing board. Both of these bids have a ramp. They both use Jandy equipment. They have different designs, but I like bid 2 design the best for my yard (it is in a different location than the first bid).

I don't know what I don't know. Are there any major missing components? Is the equipment okay in both lists? How much work am I adding to my life with this pool?

Item	bid 1	Bid 2
concrete broom finish 1930 ft2	24232.5
concrete broom finish 750 ft2		6900
Pool 14x35 plus ramp (4.5-5.5 ft deep)	135990
Pool 19.5 x 35 includes 3.5 ft ramp to pool (4-7 ft deep)		91370
excavation	4980 plus debris/hauling fees	included
shotcrete	1/2" rebar; 9" wall thickness; 8-12" floor thickness	#4 rebar; 10" shotcrete floor and walls
pool finish	pool plaster "Diamond bright" cool blue	exposed aggregate quartz plaster finish
underground plumbing 40 PVC and pressure tested	client responsible for feed line to equipment room	included
6" ceramic tile border	included	included
Shellock Atlantic Series bullnose coping	included	included
lights	4	3
hayward skimmers	n/a	2
skimmers (not specified type)	2	n/a
Main drain	1	1
Side drain	1	n/a
pool return inlet fittings	4 in floor; 4 wall returns	6
Jandy IntelliFlo Variable Speed	included	included
Jandy FNS 60 DE filter	n/a	included
Sand filtration system	included	n/a
Natural gas 260,000 BTU Heater	included	included
Jandy Aqualink TCX automation system for phone use and control of all pool functions	not listed	included
Jandy AquaPure Salt system	n/a	included
Automatic chlorinator system	included	n/a
Jandy auto pool cleaner	not listed	included
pole, brush, net	n/a	included
18" brush, vacuum head	included	n/a
training session	included	included
water trucked in to fill pool	included	included
GLI Safety mesh winter cover	not listed	included
reroute electric power lines	not listed	4300
Fence	14610	not quoted
Permit and blueprints	3500	not listed
Total (without fence)	168702	102570

 

[PoolStored]

Please post the actual bids from both companies, include the designs. Redact your name/address/Phone/email as necessary.

I'm in NE Ohio, with homes in Ashtabula and Summit. Name the contractors.

Is there a reason you want a wheel chair ramp vs. a davit vs. chair lift? Help us understand the physical limitations your son has...

The biggest $$ differences are the depth and the area of the concrete...can you help us understand why the differences in placement and concrete areas are so big? Also why are the designs so different, given the common requirements...having the quotes/bids and designs from both companies will help.

Understanding the code requirements for fencing and permitting is a big deal...bid #2 is silent (apparently) on these aspects. Where in Summit are you located (city)?

 

[Bperry]

New to the forum and have never owned a pool. Live in Ohio so limited pool season.

Dreaming about a new pool. First mistake is I didn't find this forum until after I had asked for two quotes. I gave the same information to them both and got quotes way far apart! One unique feature I need is access for my adult son who uses a wheelchair. I requested them both to quote a pool with a wheelchair ramp. One came back with a chair lift, and I sent them back to the drawing board. Both of these bids have a ramp. They both use Jandy equipment. They have different designs, but I like bid 2 design the best for my yard (it is in a different location than the first bid).

I don't know what I don't know. Are there any major missing components? Is the equipment okay in both lists? How much work am I adding to my life with this pool?

Item	bid 1	Bid 2
concrete broom finish 1930 ft2	24232.5
concrete broom finish 750 ft2		6900
Pool 14x35 plus ramp (4.5-5.5 ft deep)	135990
Pool 19.5 x 35 includes 3.5 ft ramp to pool (4-7 ft deep)		91370
excavation	4980 plus debris/hauling fees	included
shotcrete	1/2" rebar; 9" wall thickness; 8-12" floor thickness	#4 rebar; 10" shotcrete floor and walls
pool finish	pool plaster "Diamond bright" cool blue	exposed aggregate quartz plaster finish
underground plumbing 40 PVC and pressure tested	client responsible for feed line to equipment room	included
6" ceramic tile border	included	included
Shellock Atlantic Series bullnose coping	included	included
lights	4	3
hayward skimmers	n/a	2
skimmers (not specified type)	2	n/a
Main drain	1	1
Side drain	1	n/a
pool return inlet fittings	4 in floor; 4 wall returns	6
Jandy IntelliFlo Variable Speed	included	included
Jandy FNS 60 DE filter	n/a	included
Sand filtration system	included	n/a
Natural gas 260,000 BTU Heater	included	included
Jandy Aqualink TCX automation system for phone use and control of all pool functions	not listed	included
Jandy AquaPure Salt system	n/a	included
Automatic chlorinator system	included	n/a
Jandy auto pool cleaner	not listed	included
pole, brush, net	n/a	included
18" brush, vacuum head	included	n/a
training session	included	included
water trucked in to fill pool	included	included
GLI Safety mesh winter cover	not listed	included
reroute electric power lines	not listed	4300
Fence	14610	not quoted
Permit and blueprints	3500	not listed
Total (without fence)	168702	102570

I’d replace the DE filter with a cartridge style or the sand filter as a second option.

 

[kimkats]

Hi and welcome! Lets get the pool just right for you and your family.

First things first, you NEED model numbers for all of the equipment. There are many sized of just the filters alone.

Show us the drawn designs so we can see what you are dealing with. We have helped build many a pool so we know what to look for as far as use for the whole family.

Kim

 

[retiretomypool]

Thank you everyone.

My son is paralyzed from the chest down and while he can transfer to a wheelchair independently, transferring to the chair lifts at hotels requires a second person to support and help. The ones we've used do not lock in place so there is movement of the chair while he is transferring, and I am always afraid he will fall and/or I won't be able to support him if the chair moves mid transfer. I'm also concerned about reliability - he is not able to get out of a pool without some assistance. Since COVID almost all of the hotel pools we've been to do not have working lifts - the batteries have to be regularly charged and replaced just like cars or other items. I'm not thrilled about having to lug the batteries in regularly to get charged.

I'm waiting for updated drawings from both contractors. The one is parallel to the house and behind the existing patio/fire pit area. The other one is perpendicular to the house and placed to the right of the existing patio/fire pit. It extends into the second lot to the right of our ranch home which is a big empty space. The land in this second design is flatter than the yard behind the patio.

I live in Fairlawn, OH. Both indicated a fence was required. The one included it in the quote, the other did not. I didn't specify either way. I have a contractor I've worked with before that can put in the fence for me.

The differences in concrete are my doing as I didn't specify how much. I asked both to make the pool deep as my son will not be able to feel it if his feet drag on the bottom of the pool and I'd like to avoid foot scrapes for him. I should have been more specific in my request. I'm learning.

I'll ask them both for the model numbers so I can provide more specific information.

 

[Bperry]

The differences in concrete are my doing as I didn't specify how much. I asked both to make the pool deep as my son will not be able to feel it if his feet drag on the bottom of the pool and I'd like to avoid foot scrapes for him. I should have been more specific in my request.

A smooth plaster finish like diamondbrite is fairly smooth and not likely to scrape feet. It’s not impossible obviously but mine would be very difficult to scrape skin inadvertantly, but obviously don’t know for sure. I have swam in some kind of pebble texture pool where it was quite easy to draw blood though so I’m aware of the possibility.

Remember that people tends to float in water and so your feet are supporting much less weight when submerged which translates to less friction as well.

I’d be more concerned with whomever is helping him while swimming be able to stand up and help out safely. Again I don’t know the details of your sons requirements but something to consider when choosing water depth.

 

[retiretomypool]

Model numbers from one quote:
Pump: Jandy 2.7HP Variable Speed Pump "POOL FILTRATION”



Filter – Jandy:

JS100-SM JS FILTER SIDE MOUNT - 30" "POOL"

BWVL-NVL 2-1 BACKWASH VALVE W/UNION "POOL"

A999008 25# grade-1 fine activate glass filter media

A999009 25# grade-2 coarse activate glass filter media


Heater-Jandy: JXi400N 400BTU NG "POOL"


Chlorine Generator: R171096 Pentair Rainbow In-line Chlorinator #320: "POOL"




Jandy pool lighting: JLU4C12W150; LED fixture, 150' cord: "POOL"

 

[retiretomypool]