Advice on a new pool in Plano, Tx

[littlesandie]

Thanks to everyone for your advice and help! I am certainly learning a lot from this forum! I had one estimate yesterday from Anthony Sylvan Pools! (Anyone know anything about them? I have not seen 1 negative or 1 postive thing about them on any forum I have been on.) Doug Green came out and gave me an estimate - he seemed extremely nice and knowledgable! He helped me design a gunite pool (3x5x4) with a wall of water fall and 2 lion heads-a tanning ledge and stone coping. 400ft decking - they use 8inch centers - and they use the nature2 system with led color lighting. Also I liked the fact that they have a lifetime (transferrable) warranty for any cracks or problems with the pool. Also they have a 15 year warranty on the decking. And they have a $500. cash guarantee if your pool is not finished within 35 days of the contract signing. Oh Yea and the cost is about $27,000
How does all that sound?

[GTakacs]

I'd get quotes for the same pool design from another 2-3 builders. Also ask for the name and address of the last 30 pools he built and a couple of references from 5 years and 10 years back. I would not only get these references, I'd also call them. Check with the BBB and see if they have a record there.

$27,000 sounds probably right for a play pool with tanning ledge, flagstone coping and a water feature. The 400sq ft of decking is rather small, I would probably add more. The gunite warranty is nice, the fact that it's transferrable. I wonder what the 15 year warranty on the decking covers. Check what is covered and what is not. I am betting my own $500 that they will not finish the pool within 35 days from contract signing unless you're outside of city limit and they don't need permits. My builder said a typical build schedule is 40 days from dig date not counting rain delays.

On the Nature2 system, ask him if it's the Nature 2 Express or the Nature 2 Professional "G" Vessel. One costs $80 the other is $360.I asked my builder to have the Nature 2 installed and he said he'd "throw it in". Guess which one he "threw in"? You guessed it right, the cheap one. I had them upgrade it to the Express 2 Professional "G" at no additional cost.

Did you also get a salt water generator? Or is that what you meant by Nature 2? Zodiac makes a salt generator/nature2 combo unit.

Good luck!

[littlesandie]

"On the Nature2 system ask him if it's the Nature 2 Express or the Nature 2 Professional "G" Vessel."
I believe it is the Nature 2 Pro G however, I did some research on it and there is a Nature2 Pro G Plus system now - is that the one you are recommending or the Nature2 Pro G?
Also, the warranty on the decking is for anything from cracks to chips. He said they are the only pool company that offers that kind of warranty.
And as for the guarantee of 35 "working days" (which I assume does not count Sat and Sun..) he said they have never had to pay it! So we will see hahaha
And I forgot to add they have a "special" right now; that if I sign by next Sat (June 3) I will get a $1500.00 gift certificate to Sunnyland (an outdoor equip center specializing in BQ pits - pool equip - loungers etc.) I thought that was pretty good too?
Am I being too gullible?
Still have 2 more estimates from 2 other companies coming out this week.
Sandie

[cajunfla]

why not fiberglass?

[GTakacs]

I believe it is the Nature 2 Pro G however, I did some research on it and there is a Nature2 Pro G Plus system now - is that the one you are recommending or the Nature2 Pro G?

Nature 2 Pro G Plus is a Nature 2 + chlorine dispensing system in one. I would not recommend that one. If anything I'd recommend the DuoClear, which is a NAture 2 and a salt water chlorinator in one. Although I think I'd rather have a separate SWG from the Nature 2, like one that I can control remotely such as the Jandy AquaPure system.

Also, the warranty on the decking is for anything from cracks to chips. He said they are the only pool company that offers that kind of warranty.

I am very surprised at that. I just can't see how someone can warranty cracks in North TX. It is bound to happen.

And as for the guarantee of 35 "working days" (which I assume does not count Sat and Sun..)

Well that is 7 weeks, which is a lot more reasonable.

Am I being too gullible?

No, I don't think you're being too gullible. Just make sure you get those references an call them to see how their pool building experience was and how the warranty has been holding up.

[mkamp1515]

400 sqft. of decking is not very much. I am not sure how big your yard is, but get more decking than you think you need if you can. I have 1100 sqft of decking and wish I had more. My back yard is 1/2 acre though. Some stats from my pool and price since I put in mine 1 year ago for comparison.

1100 sqft washed aggregate decking
Free form pool, 3.5ft*5ft*4ft, 20,000 gallons (36 ft long, width varies 24 ft at widest, 16 ft narrowest, I think 100-110 perimeter)
coping is flagstone
20 ft long mossrock waterfall, highest is about 4 ft tall
matching mossrock planter on opposite side of pool
tanning ledge (4 inches deep)
Tahoe Blue Pebble Tec surface (gives a lagoon look)
Jandy LED color lights (2 of them)
2 hp pump for main circulation
1 hp pump for waterfall
Polars 280 cleaner with booster pump
Jandy Aqua Pure Salt System
Price was $31,000

I am sure there has been price increases over the last year. I would certainly entertain multiple companies and multiple pool plans. There is always somethink you wish you did differently.

Good Luck and have a great Memorial Day.

Mike

[Simmons99]

How long has the company been in business? A 15 year warranty doesn't mean anything if they have only been in business for 5 years. Also - I would be weary of gimicky sales promos - a good company shouldn't need those - they are able to get work becuase they have good QUALITY.

Also the Nature 2 system (from what I have read on this forum) basically adds copper to your pool - which can stain it in high doses and give blonde swimmers green hair. (IMHO - I wouldn't care about that)

How many of their customers have you talked to? Ask you sales person where they have done pools (not who) - and drive around to see their installation signs. Go knock on doors. Find out if they have had a alot of warranty call backs, etc.

BTW - $500 is NOTHING to a pool company that is making $10,000 on your pool - also they state that they have never had to pay it - the only time they would have to pay it is if you sued them (which would cost you more than $500 to do).

I don't mean to be a real downer, but you need to look at the facts. They can say what they want, but that doesn't mean that is what you get. Do a lot more homework before you make a decision.

[Simmons99]

Pool prices for comparison (Florida)

I got a 15X13 (3-6'deep) roman style pool
Hot tub with 3' splash over (all raised 6") with 250,000 BTU heater
Sunning ledge (about 7' X4')
Tiled steps & standard tiled water line
Brick pavers deck (27'X40') with an acrylic band around the pool. Raised deck 6" around the hot tub
Screened enclosure (27X40' with a covered roof 8' X40' and gutter system)
Saltwater Chlorine Generator
LED light in the pool w/ remote system
SAM light in the spa
Fountain in the spa (removable)
Exposed aggregate finish.
2hp Hayward C1750 Cartridge filter
Hayward Navigator with seperate vacuum line
one skimmer

Total $52,000

Just for comparision - quotes came in from $47,000-$67,000. The most expensive options were the screen enclosure ($13k) and the brick pavers ($7k)

[santorin]

How long has the company been in business? A 15 year warranty doesn't mean anything if they have only been in business for 5 years. Also - I would be weary of gimicky sales promos - a good company shouldn't need those - they are able to get work becuase they have good QUALITY.

Also the Nature 2 system (from what I have read on this forum) basically adds copper to your pool - which can stain it in high doses and give blonde swimmers green hair. (IMHO - I wouldn't care about that)

How many of their customers have you talked to? Ask you sales person where they have done pools (not who) - and drive around to see their installation signs. Go knock on doors. Find out if they have had a alot of warranty call backs, etc.

BTW - $500 is NOTHING to a pool company that is making $10,000 on your pool - also they state that they have never had to pay it - the only time they would have to pay it is if you sued them (which would cost you more than $500 to do).

I don't mean to be a real downer, but you need to look at the facts. They can say what they want, but that doesn't mean that is what you get. Do a lot more homework before you make a decision.

They've been in business for 60 years. I don't think they are going to go belly up any time soon. They also have a lifetime warranty on the pool itself. I just got an estimate from them tonight. We are going with them due to recommendations from friends and from their BBB scores or whatever you want to call them.

[South_Texas_Sun]

I understand Anthony Sylvan is one of the biggest pool builders but there seems to be a few complaints floating around. Try googling or try this:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeo...ony_pools.html

Another random thing to watch out for Sandie.........rock charges.

I don't know if you live in an area that has a lot of subterranean rock (and you may not either) All I know is you'd better read the fine print in any Texas contract you sign, because a lot of the PB's charge $60-100 per YARD of rock work to dig your hole. (Then trot out a Bobcat instead of a backhoe)

It's perfectly acceptable to demand a fixed fee for excavation, and I had our PB write it in LONGHAND before I'd sign....

There's an awful lot of ways to cut corners building a pool, and I've been on our crews like "white on rice" while they've been trudging though our project. It's really paid off though, and a lot of the info I've read here has saved us future problems. (i.e. keep reading