Getting Quotes on FG Pool

[2Hipp]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to the board but have been reading as many threads as possible. We live in MD and we are looking at getting a FG pool and are currently receiving quotes.

We are planning now so we can have the pool installed next spring and want to gather as much info as possible.

We have two local companies coming by to give us quotes and will get a few more before making a decision.

Below is a package from one of the companies, which I really like as they provided customers with contact info going back to 1988 without asking and are in good standing with the BBB.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/bbawcombe/PoolPackage.jpg
I wanted to use this format for getting additional quotes as it seems very detailed. The phone quote we got from this company was $43k for a Viking (pool) Cancun (model). They told us we would get a discount if we waited until this fall to have it installed. This company also is a dist for CPC pools, which I haven't seen a lot of info on so anyone has any experience with these I would love to hear about it.

Basically I wanted to get some input on what I should be talking to them about regarding upgrades such as bigger pump, filter, etc. Is there anything missing from this package?

Thanks,
Bill

[2Hipp]

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We have a salesperson from the company mentioned above coming tomorrow and I would like to have as much info as possible.
Thanks,
Bill

[South_Texas_Sun]

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We have a salesperson from the company mentioned above coming tomorrow and I would like to have as much info as possible.
Thanks,
Bill

Hi Bill,

I don't know much about pools other than what I've learned in building ours, but be sure to get the excavation charges FIXED before signing anything. We have rock in our area, and I had the good fortune/presence of mind to demand fixed excavation costs.....otherwise it would have cost a fortune. They not only charge by the cubic yard of rock, but some by the hour, and then they use a Bobcat!........lol... (instead of a backhoe with hoe ram attachment.) You could spend another $6000 without blinking.

The fiberglass pool blanks are not that expensive. Why so much ($43k) for the pool? I'd do some more shopping if I were you. $43k can buy a basic gunite pool (maybe even a spa) in most areas I've heard of.

[2Hipp]

STS,
Thanks for the reply. The $43k is for everything listed in the package not just the shell. We figured the pool would run us about $40k total. Also here in the Washington, DC Metro area everything is super expensive.

We too have rock in our area and will be sure to speak with the salesperson to see about a fixed cost for excavation. The first two contractors coming to give us quotes are located near my house so I'm sure they understand the type of excavating issues we might have.

Thanks again,
Bill

[waterbear]

Actually fiberglass main disadvantage has been that it is the mose expensive pool you can get. It's advantatges over gunite are numerous. With the rising cost of concrete you might find that fiberglass is less expensive or the same as gunite for a similar pool these days. It is in Florida but I don't know about other parts of the country. Much of the cost of a fiberglass pool is in shipping, the closer you are to a factory the less it should cost you. From my research it seems that San Juan and Hawaiian are two of the best and Viking is good but not of the same quality. It has to do with the way the pools are manufactured. Viking uses a different process than San Juan and Hawaiian.

[2Hipp]

The contractor coming tomorrow to give us a quote deals with San Juan and we have another contractor coming in a couple of weeks that deals with Viking and CPC. We have contacted Blue Hawaiian to find a dist in our area but have yet to hear back from any. Viking has a factory in West Virginia so that would be the closest to us.

I'm willing to pay a little bit more or equal to a gunite pool as I like the ease of maintenance FG has over guninte. Also the time frame for the installation of a FG pool is really appealing.

[waterbear]

The contractor coming tomorrow to give us a quote deals with San Juan and we have another contractor coming in a couple of weeks that deals with Viking and CPC. We have contacted Blue Hawaiian to find a dist in our area but have yet to hear back from any. Viking has a factory in West Virginia so that would be the closest to us.

I'm willing to pay a little bit more or equal to a gunite pool as I like the ease of maintenance FG has over guninte. Also the time frame for the installation of a FG pool is really appealing.
You might want to read my thead in the pool contruction and repair-lessons learned to see some of my experiences.
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=2178
My pool was supposed to be finished last june. I still haven't passed final inspection. My contractor did good work and had excellent references but something happened (drugs?, gambling?) and my pool and about 10 others were really botched up. He is the only fiberglass installer in my area. He was a San Juan dealer but they have recently dropped him. He just picked up Viking pools but he cannot pull any more permits until he fixes the jobs he's messed up. Just check out whoever you get very thoughly! (and yes, my builder is state licensed!) I am still waiting for him to come out and fix the things I talked about in the above thread and I posted that about a month ago!

[2Hipp]

Waterbear,
Thanks for the advice and I have read through your posts. Your situation is exactly why I came on this board before getting any quotes. I want to make sure I'm armed with as much info as possible.

The contractor that deals with Viking pools has done 2 pools in my neighborhood so I'll be going to speak with them in the next couple of weeks to see how their experience went.

Does anyone have any input on the standard package listed above? I want to make sure I'm getting properly sized piping, correct pump size, and should I get an additional skimmer?

Thanks,
Bill

[eljefe281]

I imagine this is defined by the fact that it's a Viking Cancun, but you may wish to list the dimensions and/or capacity of the pool to assist potential reviewers so they don't have to go look it up.

[uneamie]

We just got a quote for a Viking Bermuda (12x25) I believe. Base price was $21,000 with most of the same options you listed give or take a few, but certainly did not have a "waterfall" included which I think could cost a hefty sum. However, we included spa jets on 3 seating areas ($800). The salt water filter ($1400), extra decking, an upgraded pool color, all fencing around the pool and a few other things for a total of $31,000. We thought the price was reasonable although we think we want to go for a slightly larger pool which will cost about $4000 more.

From all that I've read and heard Viking is suppose to be the "best" fiberglass pool. The contractor we contacted said he will not install any other fiberglass pool but Viking due to the better quality which gives him less headaches with installation and complaints down the road. I believed him.

[2Hipp]

I imagine this is defined by the fact that it's a Viking Cancun, but you may wish to list the dimensions and/or capacity of the pool to assist potential reviewers so they don't have to go look it up.

Doh...I guess that info would be good to list, thanks. It is 35' x 16' x 6.5' deep.

[waterbear]

Waterbear,
Thanks for the advice and I have read through your posts. Your situation is exactly why I came on this board before getting any quotes. I want to make sure I'm armed with as much info as possible.

The contractor that deals with Viking pools has done 2 pools in my neighborhood so I'll be going to speak with them in the next couple of weeks to see how their experience went.
I looked at 5 pools that were installed by my contractor and talked to 4 other of his previous customers. It doesn't guarentee anything! Mine had done excellent work but he seemed to fall apart while my pool was being installed.

Does anyone have any input on the standard package listed above? I want to make sure I'm getting properly sized piping, correct pump size, and should I get an additional skimmer?

Thanks,
Bill
Just for your information.

[waterbear]

We just got a quote for a Viking Bermuda (12x25) I believe. Base price was $21,000 with most of the same options you listed give or take a few, but certainly did not have a "waterfall" included which I think could cost a hefty sum. However, we included spa jets on 3 seating areas ($800). The salt water filter ($1400), extra decking, an upgraded pool color, all fencing around the pool and a few other things for a total of $31,000. We thought the price was reasonable although we think we want to go for a slightly larger pool which will cost about $4000 more.

From all that I've read and heard Viking is suppose to be the "best" fiberglass pool. The contractor we contacted said he will not install any other fiberglass pool but Viking due to the better quality which gives him less headaches with installation and complaints down the road. I believed him.
Understand that filberglass pool installers are dealers who deal with one company for a geographic area. The pool that a particualar dealer/contractor installs is always going to be the 'best".

[2Hipp]

Anyone else have any advice?

We received a in-person quote on Sunday for both a San Juan and CPC pools.

Viking rep is coming out in a few weeks and we finally got in touch with a Blue Hawaiian contractor who should be scheduling an appointment with us today.

Anyone have any experience with using solar heating in the Mid-Atlantic region? I've been reading the threads on this board regarding them but everyone seems to live in warmer climates.

Thanks,
Bill

[wbrady]

I live in maryland also. We are on the same time schedule as you. We have already talked with 6 pool buiilders and recieved quotes. I called Tri-County and did not get a call back for almost 2 weeks. I did not even have them come out after that. I had called another FG builder in Smithsburg and never got a call back. We decide to build a gunnite pool as we have 2 laborador Retrievers who will be in the pool all the time. I would be happy to compare notes if you desire, since we are in the same area. Drop me a message.
Good Luck
Bill

[2Hipp]

Bill,
It would be great to compare notes to hopefully eliminate any bad pool companies.

I sent you an email through this board with my email address.

Thanks,
Bill

[blue_steel]

In the Fall of 2004, our 44' x 16' x 6'6" FG pool was $16,800 installed in NJ. That included shell, filter, ladder, handrail, light, vacuum equipment, etc, a few tandems of pea gravel as backfill and 1 tandem of 3/4" stone. Basic patio was $6.5K, but we added pavers for expansion joints and as the outline of the patio plus bull nose brick on the coping. Patio then came to $9K. I ran all electrical for around $300 for the material (per code). Total, not including landscaping, is at $26,100.

[2Hipp]

Blue Steel,
That seems really inexpensive for a FG pool. That pricing seems more like a vinyl lined pool. Can you tell me which brand and model of pool you have. I've seen pricing of about $15k for shells alone in the 36' range.

Have prices gone up on FG pools that much in two years?

[blue_steel]

www.waterworldpools.com
I just went on the site and you are right, the prices have really shot up. My pool was around $11.5K, but now:
16' x 43' x 6' $15,750 (this is cut and pasted off their site)
We did buy 1 week before they increased the shells by $1,000 across the board. Maybe the cost of the resin increases with the cost of oil?
At the time, an 18' x 36' vinyl pool was $14,700 installed. I thought the FG was a much better way to go.

[2Hipp]

Blue Steel,
Thanks for the info.

I just spoke with Water World and found out why their pools are so inexpensive. Their prices do no include excavating, concrete, electrical, and you need to purchase your own stone and rent a skid loader for moving the stone around.

Did you take care of all that yourself? Sounds like you may have saved some money but I think I would prefer to have one company who is responsible for everything.

[cajunfla]

I don't know about Maryland, but in Florida, the size of the pool being delivered determines how many escorts are used on the highway. I THINK, up to 14' wide requires none, 14' and up requires at least 1 and really wide pools require 2 escorts for the delivery truck. The escort cost is figured into the price of the pool.

[blue_steel]

$16,800 included the shell, complete pump, light, etc, delivery, excavation (took maybe 4 hours) and the stone. I did the electrical and another company poured patio. I broke the pricing down for you in my 1st post. The whole thing was a piece of cake. Only hitch was it took time to get the pool completely level. That meant lifting it and re-setting it in the pea gravel a few times, but no big deal. The excavator was recommended by WW and seemed to have a lot of experience. He lifted the shell from my front yard, over two fences and into the back yard very quickly. Total installation took 1.5 days. Blue Hawaiian and some others quoted me $35K and $40K for a complete FG pool with patio. I thought they were nuts.

[South_Texas_Sun]

$16,800 included the shell, complete pump, light, etc, delivery, excavation (took maybe 4 hours) and the stone. I did the electrical and another company poured patio. I broke the pricing down for you in my 1st post. The whole thing was a piece of cake. Only hitch was it took time to get the pool completely level. That meant lifting it and re-setting it in the pea gravel a few times, but no big deal. The excavator was recommended by WW and seemed to have a lot of experience. He lifted the shell from my front yard, over two fences and into the back yard very quickly. Total installation took 1.5 days. Blue Hawaiian and some others quoted me $35K and $40K for a complete FG pool with patio. I thought they were nuts.

Blue Steel is right about the FG prices that some careful shopping can get you.....at least in our area.

Maryland though........very pricey area overall. We spent a month there (near DC) last year and were surprised by some of the prices of property and services.

One thing you might try....drive the nicer neighborhoods and watch for pool crews at work in the back yards. Also signs outside the properties. Walk back and look at the pool and see if it suits you. If it does, ask the CREW if they would subcontract to build you a pool. This approach takes a lot of the gamble out of the deal, because you may not see the pool salesman again after you give him your first big check. (many pool companies are just salesmen that know where to find crews of workers that are experienced in building pools) Plus, you have some control if the subs don't look like they know what they're doing. :) (ask me how I know that....lol)

[2Hipp]

I'm sure there are ways to get good deals but I'm more concerned with having a single contractor with a good reputation be responsible for the build.

When speaking with Water World they did recommend an excavator but it was not included in the price and I had to manage the relationship. They also add a $4k delivery charge to MD.

I really like some of the designs they have but not sure I want the headache of managing all the contractors.

[blue_steel]

$4K delivery from the S. Jersey plant to Maryland seems way too high. I bring 40 foot containers of product from Asia by boat and then truck from the port to warehouses in NJ and the total cost is $3,718 including broker fees, insurance, etc.
My contractor did not break delivery out in his quote. I could have sworn WW told me it would be $550 to North Jersey.

[South_Texas_Sun]

I'm sure there are ways to get good deals but I'm more concerned with having a single contractor with a good reputation be responsible for the build.

When speaking with Water World they did recommend an excavator but it was not included in the price and I had to manage the relationship. They also add a $4k delivery charge to MD.

I really like some of the designs they have but not sure I want the headache of managing all the contractors.

I'm sorry, 2Hipp, I didn't make that very clear.

I wasn't suggesting bypassing a poolbuilder/salesman for the purpose of getting a better deal. (although you very well could end up with a better deal)

I was suggesting the subcontractor route because you would have a lot more CONTROL over the process than the PB company route, and if someone wasn't prompt or competant, it then becomes dead easy to rectify the problem.....i.e. just call someone else who WILL do your bidding.

[blue_steel]

I wrote a total of two checks. One to the excavator who ordered the pool, arranged delivery and installed it. The second check was to the mason for the patio. It was really painless. The excavator guaranteed the work in writing.

[2Hipp]

Blue Steel,
I'm thinking I should get a quote from one of the Water World recommended excavators. If the excavator can take care of a lot of the install and logistics maybe I can save a few bucks. I really like some of their pools as they have the best variety of sizes I've seen and they can go up to 18' wide.

Water World made the process seem much more difficult then I was will to get into. Renting a skid loader and having gravel delivered just wasn't something I'm wanting to take on.

[blue_steel]

Give it a try. Ask for the names of installers in your area and have them come over for an estimate. Then take a look at some of the pools they installed and speak with the owners (I looked at two that our installer put in). If it doesn't feel right, then head in another direction. Also, the installers told me that 18' wide pools are only allowed in certain states due to transportation restrictions on the highways. Supposedly NJ only allows 16' wide. I believe their 18' wide pools are manufactured at their Texas location.

[Jeffski]

We pay $3 per SF for cement. Your qoute says $8.75 per SF. Ask why before they start. I can add color and stamping and still only pay $9 per SF.

[2Hipp]

Jeffski - Just so I know I'm comparing apples to apples when I talk to the salesperson, what part of the country do you live in?

[pcgeek]

FWIW, I'm in the DC area and looking at $7.60 per sf as the lowest I could find from a PB for the decking so it could be a regional problem. I can't really comment on the rest since we're building a gunite pool but I can verify that this region is just rediculous for pool pricing (which I'm not sure I still understand why other than they can get away with it).

[wbrady]

The quotes I recieved from 6 diferent MD pool builders ranged from $6 - $10.50 a sq/ft. Everything in the Balt/Wash area is a bit over priced, just take a look a real estate.

I looked into other concrete people and found some around $5 a sq/ft, but they had never done decking around a pool before. I quess sometimes you get what you pay for in experience.

[Jeffski]

I live in Michigan (sorry for the delay). Maybe the stuff I'm getting is of a cheaper quality? I hope not.

[2Hipp]

$4K delivery from the S. Jersey plant to Maryland seems way too high. I bring 40 foot containers of product from Asia by boat and then truck from the port to warehouses in NJ and the total cost is $3,718 including broker fees, insurance, etc.
My contractor did not break delivery out in his quote. I could have sworn WW told me it would be $550 to North Jersey.

Spoke with a Water World salesperson today. The $4k includes shipping (with permits and escorts) and installation including crane time.

He's sending me contact info for excavators in my area, so I'll talk to them and see what they have to say.

One thing that concerned me was when I asked about their warranty he wasn't sure and mentioned the 50 year shell warranty. I explained I was referring to issues with pool leaking or faulty plumbing and he wasn't sure. Kind of sent up a red flag to me.

[mbar]

The pool contractor I had got my fiberglass pool from Water World. I paid him, and he did the installation. I got the excavator and the electrician - This is the 7th year for my pool and it still looks new. They do honor the warranty, the only thing I had done to mine is to have the rim of the pool re-gelcoated due to little cracks that are common. They don't hurt the pool, just look ugly. I have been very happy with the pool.

[keithw]

I'm in Va Beach and installed my own fiberglass pool. I bought a smaller CPC brand (Marco). CPC and Viking are actually sister companies and are manufactured with the same process. If if you compare their two sites, many of the pools are identical except minor changes like an added seat, etc. I would also have to agree with those who have said that they are one of the better pools. I looked at quite a few manufacturers offerings before deciding and they had the strongest pool that I saw. Especially the upper coping.

Putting in a fiberglass yourself is also not rocket science and you could save quite a bit by either DIY or subcontracing IMO if you don't mind getting involved in the process. I bought directly from CPC inc delivery. They will even give you the installation manual if you request. All in my pool was about 13K, inc, delivery, rental of the excavator, hauling away dirt, decking around, addition to wood deck to extend to pool & waterfall.

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e40/keith_vab/?start=all

BTW, my pool came standard with three returns so two seems a bit low for a pool much bigger than mine. I would think that you would want more circulation than that on that large of a pool.

[2Hipp]

The Tri-County (Company mentioned in the first post of this thread) pool company came out yesterday to give us a quote. Their package is pretty comprehinsive but a little on the expensive side.

They are already willing to knock off $5k for starting contruction this fall so I have to weigh the credit against the monthly payments I would be making while not using the pool druing the winter. If they are willing to knock the $5k right off the bat do you think it's possible to get more out of them?

The company gave us ton of customers to talk to and a couple in my neighberhood.

All of their add ons are really expensive like $2500 for SWG, $2500 for a safety winter cover, $3200 for a gas heater, etc. All of these prices seem to be double or triple what I could purchase them for. If I go with them I'll probably get the standard package and add the accessories like the SWG and pool cover myself.

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

We're due to have a Dolphin 16 x 38 white fg pool installed next week. $28,300 includes 26" Hayward sand filter, Northstar 1hp pump, 250,000 btu gas heater, 4-color fiberoptic light, start-up equipment and chemicals, 4 ft. cantilevered concrete decking and regular cover with sandbags. Does not include heater hook-up.

Tisha

[2Hipp]

Tisha,
What part of the country are you in. It really upsets me to see in my area pools of roughtly the same size and features are $10k to $15k more then other parts of the country.

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

I live just south of Philadelphia. My pool dealer is in Vineland, NJ.