Automatic Pool Cover problem

[chem geek]

About $1300 is what it cost me to have the cover replaced along with new ropes, pulleys and a new reel (in the vault -- what the cover wraps around). A cover alone pro-rated after 4 years is more like $800 (incl. labor). That's with Pool Covers, Inc. in the San Francisco Bay Area. I pretty much need the cover itself replaced after 3-4 years and some of the H/W replaced every other time though they told me that the reel should last longer in the future with its better coatings (less corrosion from the dripped chlorinated water). Along with some annual cover maintenance, I just figure this averages out to around $300-350 per year to have an automatic cover -- the price of convenience.

[buki5]

Thanks Chem Geek. Your numbers I could deal with....My quotes are from $1500 to replace the ropes only to $3000 to replace the cover... Seems unreasonably high. Hell I could could fly one of your Cali guys here to OH and be ahead

Any ideas on if I can get any parts on my own anywhere or other ideas?

[chem geek]

$1500 for rope replacement seems nuts since the parts cost isn't very high and the labor time even for 2 people isn't more than a few hours at most. I don't know what to suggest -- I'm not much of a do-it-yourself person.

[buki5]

Update. Well, not really...No progress yet. I have another guy coming on Sunday to look and give me prices. We'll see how he is.

Interestingly I could have the manufacturer come from 3 hours away for the price the last local guy gave me.