I built mine in southern cal.
I just finished being the GC for my 18X32 freeform IG pool with raised 8 foot spa. I also built a rock waterfall with slide. The total cost was around $30K. I started with a set of plans from an online company in Florida, but they did not meet building codes here in Cal. and had to pay a local person to revise them. I originally called all the local pool subs that I could think of or find in the phone book to get as many bids as possible. As I talked with each sub, I asked for other names, which they freely gave out. As I narrowed down who I wanted to do the work, I always asked the subs if they were willing to work with a homeowner and some said yes and other said no. I went with the ones that said yes, and I was glad I did.
I spent a lot of time talking over each part of the pool or spa with the sub so I knew exactly what I was getting --- didn't want any surprises. I must have spend 3 months (part time) studying, talking and reading about plumbing before I decided which sub would do that part. I'm extra glad there, because it's really the heart of the pool and spa. I tried to get everything done as cheaply as possible, and since I consider myself fairly handy with tools and such, I took on some tasks myself. I build the artifical rock waterfall and slide, installed coping, installed tile and did all the electrical. If I was to build another pool I probably would not do that much again ---- it was a lot of work, especially the rock waterfall.
Whenever I felt I was over my head and did not understand something completely, like how to set tile, I would stop and go back into research mode until I felt confident again. Whenever I could I attended a class to learn how the professionals did it. That's how I learned to build the waterfall and slide. I found a company that manufacturers artificial rock and asked them if they were willing to work with a homeowner, which they were and they offer to let me attend one of their professional classes, and even applied the cost of the class to my first order. In addition to learning to build the waterfall, I made some great contacts and was able to get information when it was critical. My wife and I really got into the building of the waterfall. We figured out a system of texturing and coloring concrete that looked pretty good and for many months we spend every Saturday putting the final coat on. At one point, we had a sub doing some decking work near the pool and they stopped what they were doing to watch me and my wife texture and color artifical rock ---- they had never see a homeowner tackle that job, let alone a husband and wife team. It was exciting to think we had learned enough to do it ourselves.
The entire project took about two years and the pool has been in operation for about three months now. I'm still learning the details of pool chemistry and working out some of the startup hassles, such as how to get plaster debris out the pipes, or how long to run the filter pump.
Would I do it again? The answer is a clear and loud YES, but not right away. I'm still waiting for some of the brusies on my arms and legs to heal.
Wil
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