Some questions on equipment and builder in Raleigh, NC

[jwramr]

Morning all,

Have talked to three fiberglass companies in Raleigh so far. We have a chocolate lab (8 months) who LOVES to swim and have ruled out vinyl for that reason. If I should not be ruling that out...lemme know please.

Concrete pools here I was told by two companies that only do concrete.....start at 50k for a small pool with no frills. Ouch.

I would love recommendations on a builder, manufacturer, equipment, etc.

We are leaning toward a 16x40 to be able to lap swim with a deep end. 18" stamped concrete coping and minimal concrete - most likely 4 ft all around.

It is nearly impossible to compare one builder to another with the variations in what they include and dont include, brands, approach, etc. I have a family member who is a pool builder in FL and is willing to get me wholesale pricing on all the equipment I need. I am looking for a no brainer set of equipment for the size pool listed. We are considering downsizing down to a 14x35 in order to add a spillover spa as well.

opinions pretty please. :)

I have read a huge amount the last couple days on the original site including BBB method. I am trying to learn and I don't want to waste money learning lessons on this pool. So the more help I can get the better.

[mrkim]

Hi. Rising Sun Pools is the largest in this area. They have been satisfying pool owners here in this area for a long time. We have a 25x45 and it was about 60k 20 years ago. I think 20x40 is a "regular" pool and the majority of the cost is getting the earthmoving equipment there. It shouldn't make much difference in cost but if you can, go with the 20x40. Doing it all over again, I would do salt, mucch less maintenance.

[jwramr]

I appreciate the feedback - but I wont spend above 40k. Rising sun appears to be about 10% more expensive based on quotes so far.

[PoolDoc]

. . . membership updated.

Unfortunately, pool costs are VERY variable across the country. Ft. Lauderdale equipment wholesale is almost certainly lower than the wholesale on the same equipment in Raleigh. Concrete pool prices are much lower in Ft L, too, but you can't import their whole pool building market.

Because costs are so variable, you need to be careful in evaluating advice you receive here. There are a lot of people using PoolForum, but only a fraction of them post, and they are widely scattered. Good advice for Texas, may not be good advice for you.

I will caution you about going with the lowest priced builder. In my own market, I wouldn't send the 3 lowest priced builders to anyone but an enemy! The builders that consistently do a good job will be anywhere from 10% to 50% more expensive than the others . . . and a LOT Of that price difference is the builder's cost: there are a LOT of ways to cut corners on pools. And those cut corners mostly won't show up for for 3 years or more.

Just to give one example that I've personally worked with: it costs 10% - 20% more to do a concrete deck right, than it does to do it cheap. Ironically, the cheap deck may look BETTER the first season, because it's easier to finish excessively wet concrete. But, the first freezing wet spell will 'pop' tiny pinholes and flakes off, allowing more water into the concrete. After a few years, you end up with a flaking mess, like this:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZjLG_NmSfTA/U78IN9SUGcI/AAAAAAAAHaQ/eYUloQDVGQQ/s710/film1207-ed.jpg

You'll be much better off going with a good builder, and selecting a cheaper pool, than if you go with a low-price builder so you can afford a bigger or more elaborate one.

. . . membership updated.