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My home will be completed in November and at that time I would like to start building a swimming pool.
The more I research the more I would like to GC it myself.
I am looking for a Free Form Pool with a Spa, some rock work and a beach entry or sunshelf.
Any thoughts or insight?
Thanks!
Why do you want to do it yourself? Do you have expertise in some aspect of pool construction? Do you have lots of friends in the specific pool trades?
I have friends and I have done a lot of research. I can do the same thing the GC's do. I have put together a list of Engineers that can help me with sealed plans and I have put together a network of subs with multiple choices for each aspect of the build. I may not have the same experience and it may take me longer, but I feel I can work through this and save a ton of money in the process. More than saving the money, I should be able to do more with my back yard while spending less.
The GC brings subs and suppliers together at the customer's site and makes all the moving parts fit together. Each trade in pool construction is a specialized skill build quality depends on individual capability. You will have no leverage over the subs as they'll all know you won't be bringing them any work down the road so you'll be the last job on their list and the first they'll leave. Remember, as GC it's your risk, not the subs. Likewise you'll have no leverage with the suppliers, they'll have no motivation to work out problems because you're a retail customer in a wholesale game.
That said, I suppose in Florida there are an abundance of skilled pool tradesmen and that if there's an off-season for pool construction, you may have ready access to them. Suppliers may also be more accommodating in slack times.
Be aware that some equipment manufacturers (Pentair comes to mind) have gutted their warranties for equipment sold directly to end users. You may want to purchase pool gear from a company that will honor their warranty to you.
Good Luck. Let us know how it's going.
martinkennedy has given us a great look into his pool build at http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/22640-New-build-in-South-Texas and I'd love to see yours. As a trial user, you'll have to copy the URL and log out of PoolForum and them paste the URL into your browser to see the page.
Wow, that is a ridiculous project and looks amazing.
How do I get to have full access to the site with my login?
There is nothing else that you have to do. The rest of it is on this end. It takes time to get everything processed and we have had a TON of new registrations lately. Trust me, it will be worth the wait!