Help with Choosing the Right Pool

[dmarino16]

Hello,

My wife and I are looking to purchase and above ground pool. Could any recommend a pool manufacturer that makes good pools. I am looking for an 18x30 or around that size. The plan is to dig it into the ground and place a deck around the pool.

Thanks

[PoolDoc]

If you are planning to install it yourself, I would caution you that I've heard from a bunch of people this spring who decided to do that, and have been pretty unhappy with the results. Now, that's not an accurate sampling -- the people who try to install AGPs themselves, and succeed, don't post! But, I would recommend thinking twice, or three times, before you pull the trigger.

Intex pools are another matter. If you can get the ground level, you can install them. And, Intex now makes some pretty nice, and pretty large, rectangular pools. You may want to replace the pump and filter, but the pools themselves seem to do pretty well.

[dmarino16]

If you are planning to install it yourself, I would caution you that I've heard from a bunch of people this spring who decided to do that, and have been pretty unhappy with the results. Now, that's not an accurate sampling -- the people who try to install AGPs themselves, and succeed, don't post! But, I would recommend thinking twice, or three times, before you pull the trigger.

Intex pools are another matter. If you can get the ground level, you can install them. And, Intex now makes some pretty nice, and pretty large, rectangular pools. You may want to replace the pump and filter, but the pools themselves seem to do pretty well.

I plan on having the pool professionally installed. I am just looking to find brands which will fit my needs. I have been looking at doughboy pools but I was quoted by one dealer close by 8,400 for a 16 x 3. That is way out of my price range. My budget for the entire project is about 13k

[Watermom]

I recently replaced my AG pool and bought one made by Atlantic Pools, the Concord model. The reason I went with that one is because I wanted to buy locally so I could support my local pool store and also so that if there were some problems, I had someplace to go for help instead of trying to deal with someone online. Of course I don't buy my pool chemicals at a pool store -- other than CYA occasionally -- but I do buy equipment type things there. They have been very nice and helpful to me through the years. Plus, I special ordered an inground liner for my AG pool and I wanted them to be the ones to fill out the order form instead of me so that if there was a problem, I'd have them to help and not be on my own trying to handle a problem.

Not sure if this helps you any, but at any rate, it is my $0.02. (Oh, and, I hired someone to do my installation. We did install our first pool but it was hard work and I decided it wasn't something I wanted to do this time. So, I went with an installer recommended by my pool store.)

By the way, welcome to the Pool Forum! You're gonna love having a pool!