Let's talk Swimming Pools, Please!
 

Hi there fellas.. My wife and I have been graced with 4 beautiful healthy kids.
Our home at 4,266 sq. ft. is paid for. She has a new 2013 JX35 and I have a nice ride too, which I intent to paint in the next couple of months.
Ever since We began to build our Home 14 years ago... when all we had was the house plans and 2 joined empty lots, we had envisioned where and how our pool would look like. Well, this last weekend we talked about having pool company come in and build our in ground pool. The last 4 years our jobs have granted us with the luxury of being able to say... we can do it now! Thank God...

Hard work really pays off, let me tell you. More often than not it takes more than a HS Diploma to be successful in life. Yes one can get lucky, catch a break and earn 6 figures on a HS Diploma, but it's a hell of a lot easier with a Bachelors deg. and less than 10 years.


So entertain me with some pool info...!

Post up what you got..

Pool Company

Pictures

Pool size in Sq. footage

Cost $

weekly maintenance

Anything that would help would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks in advance!

I don't have any pics to post, but I spent 2 years building pools in Las Vegas in the mid-90's so I've got some experience on the topic. Are you looking for something fairly simple, or something elaborate with a spa, rockwork, waterfalls, etc?

Yes sir.. I live in Houston. Looking for something with slide/waterfall and boulders or stone work.. palm trees the whole works..


Pm me or post up some more info please!

I need a quote for something in the 30k to 40K range

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/Luis1/Sig.jpg

Blue tile and bull nose coping are mandatory.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...81-R1-08-9.jpg

I think you need to up your budget some. It's pretty easy to go $30k+ with just a basic pool. Going moderately fancy can get you to 6 figures quickly.

I don't mean to pee in your proverbial pool, but I have to share a joke/story quick.

My folks go to visit great friends in the telephone industry who own an exchange in Cornelia GA. Both are amazed by the backyard sanctuary with boulder walls and beautiful landscaping surrounding the elaborate pool.

Conversation between my Dad and his longtime friend turned quiet after all the topics of investment, contractors, time and maintenance... not to mention hosting guests of course. Milt turns to my Dad and says, "Bob, do you know the difference between a boat and a pool?"

My Dad plays along instead of citing the obvious and says "What's that?"

Milt says "You can always sell a boat Bob.":cheers:

In the way of contribution I have little to offer but I recommend the chlorination system where you add salt. My X-Bro-in-law had that and it was really nice. Easy on the eyes and the kids, very simple to administer and much safer to have around in terms of chemical storage.

Regarding storage, prepare well for all the clutter that gets played with in the pool and what is used on the deck area... have a changing gazebo or something thought out. Good Luck! :thumbsup:

yeah my parents pool was built 15 years ago and ended up at 22k and its a pretty basic pool something like 25' x 12' with a raised spa and in ground cleaning system. deepest point is less that 5 feet!

Having had a pool or two living in AZ, there will be a bunch of costs that come up like weekly service, keeping it clean, heating the pool or jacuzzi, repairs, special gates for kid proof stuff, etc. Not to sound too negative, they have there plusses but the cost per hour of fun is VERY high.

30-40 K will be an average at best pool. Check references are a must.

Sounds like your in great financial shape, congrats. I suppose you are in good shape because of wise money decisions. You will figure it out.

Buyer beware.

One positive out of this economy is that it has weeded out most of the dishonest, unqualified pool builders. A few years ago (when we built ours) everyone was a pool builder and alot of people got ripped off and/or crappy pools. Just like getting a car built, get references, check licenses, complaints ect. There's different levels of quality and the last thing you need is an inferior product sitting in the middle of your backyard! With that said it has been a great investment for our family and weve had alot of good times with it. In fact this Thursday is the 5th annual end of school year swim party at our house!

I dont have any experience, or much advice to offer... But hearing what your asking to "get" with the "budget" you've got in mind, seems they are a bit off (atleast compared to what people have got around here).

25-30k is a fairly basic, nothing special pool with standard cleaning systems. Nothing fancy AT ALL.

Not to mention all the weekly/monthly costs to maintain it (all year long)...

personally, I almost feel that "if i have to ask how much its going to be to maintain a pool after paying to have it built, i probably can't afford it". lol thats just my thought process on it anyway.


But certainly do your homework, LOTS of it. Get customers names/info so you can go talk to them.

Pool Info
 

I am a pool builder/designer/general contractor her in Calif.

References, references, references. Review previous jobs, visually, meet with their previous customers.

90% of my work is decided by my satisfied customers giving good feedback.

http://www.sunsplashpool.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sun-Sp...12891702054355

Fiberglass or Gunite?

Haven't done much Fiberglass pools in the last 3 years, most have been gunite, but fiberglass does have its advantages! non-porous easier to maintain. Structurally stronger than Gunite, quick install.

Price point wise, small pool in California - fiberglass may be cheaper. 25 -30k
Medium Pool - gunite and fiberglass are equal in price 32k - 38k
Large Pool - Fiberglass is more expensive 40k - and up
naturally if your talking apples to apples design/size and amenities.
basic set up. lots of variables would determine outcome of pricing.

I am a dealer of, and can get you set up with pools from:

Leisure Pools - http://www.leisurepoolsusa.com/ - based out of New Braunfels, TX

San Juan Fiberglass Pools - http://www.sanjuanpools.com - based out of Eloy Az,

Aloha Fiberglass Pools - http://www.leisurepoolsusa.com/ - Plainview TX

the closer the better for shipping fees purposes.

definitely a variable speed pump, salt system, and request 2 1/2" plumbing lines on a loop system. (supply and return)

http://www.pentairpool.com/pool-owner/index.htm

http://www.aquamatic.com Auto- cover for pool

http://www.nptgonline.com/ pool tile, plaster

http://www.wetedgetechnologies.com/ pool plaster finishes

http://www.beadcreteusa.com pool plaster finish

http://www.fxl.com/ landscape lighting

http://www.poolfence.com/ safety fencing

http://www.poolcorp.com/pcf pool financing

http://www.cepactile.com pool tile

http://www.paramountpoolproducts.com/products/clearo3/ ozonator


Art:thumbsup:

Nice info Art.

Awesome information and builder links Art. The information you and others have provided will make my search for a builder that much easier.

Thanx!

Good luck with project!!

I've had two pools built and was happy with both pool contractors. Referal's are a must and how long in biz. As said earlier, this economy has weeded out alot of the di$#weeds.

I am a glazing contractor and am experiencing growth right know based on reputation alone, "you can't go into walmart and buy a reputation, bad or good, they come earned!"

I LOVE having a pool, i could live in a chicken shack as long as i have a pool. Sure theres maintence and expense, but IMO, its worth it.

Mike

I'm hoping to have mine done here in the next few weeks. The pool is has been gunited now. This picture is from a few months ago.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...IMAG0038-3.jpg

You have to love it when trade out comes like this.

That's nice.. what size is that?
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/Luis1/Sig.jpg

I want to say it is 45 x 38. I just know it is HUGE.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/IMAG0035.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/IMAG0036.jpg

The first picture give you an idea of size.

I live in Washington --- and feel the same way.... wouldn't trade my pool regardless of the "value proposition". What you'll find (at least here anyway) is that the pool becomes a SOCIAL SCENE... the sun shines - the phone starts ringing. It ends up being a big bbq - gathering spot... and we love that part of it the best.

Costs?? If you have to even THINK about what it costs... fugidabodit... pools are ridiculously expensive to maintain and repair... and they are ALWAYS being repaired or maintained.

BTW --- I'm certain this depends on where you live - but I think your "budget" won't get you anywhere near your dream... My heater (nat gas) was 10% of your high range all by itself - and most pools are bid "to the coping" not all the landscaping that will absolutely need to be done once you're done digging the hole and filling it with water. The deck around my pool cost what the pool itself did.

I've seen this pool personally... and I'm very happy that Rodger is so wealthy!! Oh... and that he lives in Bakertucky where he won't need to heat it! :lol:

I'd build one that is big enough. Between water evopration, liner maintenence, chemicals, and don't forget keeping it clean, they can be a real pain in the ass. I'd definitely put a large flat shallow area where people can set in low rise lawn chairs and an umbrella. When mine needs redone, I"m going to add that feature.

With all that said, they are worth the trouble. Especially in Vegas! Jumping in the pool commando beats a cup of coffee anyday.

I think you all just talked me out of a pool. Some one gave me an above ground too. And I just wanted a rinky dink above ground. NJ only offers ~3+ months of use.


oh, and now I have pool envy lol

I did not receive the invite...:wow: :rofl:

AND......in twenty years when you get sick of it, hire me and I will come and fill it in for you. If I had a dime for every pool I have filled in I'd be........:thumbsup:

A pool is better than an investment in a new car..
Getting some memorable times with your kids growing up around you is plenty an incentive to finally build our own. If it lasts till I retire, I'm happy with that.. !
I'm going on 47 and I'm not getting any younger. My oldest kid out of 4 is 12 years old, the youngest is 5... A pool has to be built! :thumbsup:

YOLO


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/Luis1/Sig.jpg

It's ok I won't be there either! :lol: I just get to help get everything set up, then I'm kicked out! My wife seems to handle a bunch of screaming kids better than me:D

I have a bathtub compared to the one posted at 16x32. It was something like $22k.
I've had it about 6 or 7 years. We get plenty of use out of it here in NC. I gotten in as late as Nov. and as early as Mar. I don't have a heater. But I am getting ready to put in a salt generator. I want to get away from chlorine.

The main chemical I need is soda ash. Trying to maintain proper PH is the most demanding for our climate but even that isn't too bad.

Well I have the first pool company coming in on Saturday for a looksy and a quote on site.. Let's see how it goes. Since we have talked about having a pool even before we started building our home 15 years ago... it's time we really started getting this ball rolling!

:willy:


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/Luis1/cdr-1.png

I agree with you on the points above!
Our first home in Vegas had a pool and we lived in that home for 12 years. Our Son was born in 92 and enjoyed that pool (once old enough to take lessons and learn to swim) until we moved to Phoenix in 2000.. Once we relocated here and found a home we had a pool built and have not looked back. The other side benefit of the pool is the exercise and the most important "Family Time" spent. This also kept my Son close to home growing up as he invited his friends over to hang out / swim. My Son is now in college and to this day still talks about the fun he has had swimming, friends , family! The expense and time for keeping it maintained is a bump compared to the benefits.
Roger..

That's what I want to remember.. The good times to be had with family and friends.. Thanks for chiming in, Bro!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/Luis1/Sig.jpg

Just another compelling reason to pop-in to Bakertucky. :unibrow:

Not yet, I need to post some updated pictures. i will see if I can get around to taking a few this weekend. They are "supposed" to start on the rock work next week. I have heard that before but we shall see.

Saturday, a pool company showed up at my place to give us a run down and quote.. We are looking at a 40K + pool as we envision it.. Let me upload some pictures so that I can show you all what we have to work with..

Seamless beach entry from the porch area.. fenced in at porches edge by a Mediterranean style 4 foot fence with self locking gate.. Beach entry raps around corner of porch into a slow incline into pool.. 12 inch step into 3.5 feet of water. Deepest will be set at 6 feet. 7 feet high turning slide which is over a water fall and cave where one can go under and hide for some relaxing water fall sounds.. 3 jets of water at the beach entry with illumination for the whole pool area with changing colors.. 12 feet wide at widest point length of pool exceeds 30 feet... Pictures coming..!

Picture this... edge of pool from the edge of porch and wraps around the corner..

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...6-09173051.jpg

Seamless pool surface begins at the wall of my formal living room outside wall..

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...6-10142121.jpg


Edge of beach entry starts at that corner and house wall..

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...6-10142150.jpg


Pool edge 10 feet from fence and wraps around that corner into a water fall and slide on the far end..

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...6-10142241.jpg

Pool goes all the way to the far end window, where the slide and deep area of pool will be at..

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...6-10142326.jpg



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/Luis1/Sig.jpg

Progress.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...-8-2012005.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...-8-2012006.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...-8-2012007.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...-8-2012009.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...-8-2012010.jpg

looking Good... Coming out nicely.

We have the second pool company coming in this Saturday for our second quote. Totalbackyardsolutions is the second company coming over to take some measurements and have a look at our backyard.

Your pool looks awesome Bro!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/Luis1/Sig.jpg

holy hell rodger!
that guy must be getting some good work from you!;)

Wow....you guys are lucky. Where I live quotes for a basic gunite rectangle (no waterfall, beach, hot tub or palm trees) start in the $60k range. For a medium size free form with a beach area, waterfall and some landscaping quotes were in the $120k range! Needless to say, end of our dream!!!

Today the third pool company came over for a look around take measurments and some pictures.. Also, the second company came through with the first renderings of what We are wanting to build.. looking at 55K finished and landscaped. here are the rendering We got from RICHARDS TOTAL BACKYARD SOLUTIONS

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...s_Luis_007.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...s_Luis_006.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...s_Luis_005.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...s_Luis_004.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...s_Luis_003.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...s_Luis_002.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...s_Luis_001.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...s_Luis_008.jpg

Very nice. Have they been in business long?

30 years and built mainly in the upper class subdivisions of The Woodlands North Houston.

:hail:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/Luis1/Sig.jpg

Double very nice, I really respect "old school" business's that roll/reinvest in the changes that current business dictates. Software like that is not cheap, and you still have to maintain and staff it. Sounds like a win/win...good luck to you...My pool is currently 83 and lovely lol...