New to AGP's

[Tpope]

My wife and I are looking into buying an above ground this year. We are looking at the Beachland Oval 15'X30' with no buttress. here is the link: http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/...roductID=13919

My questions are:
Is this a quality pool? If not why? Is this common pricing for this type of pool?

Anyone have experience with this line?

I asked the price for install and the store quoted $1200.

I am disheartened at the price of install, I live in the country and our soil is sand, grading won't be too big an issue. We do have moles don't know what kinda problem that could pose. I have a tractor with grader and am sure I can read instructions and get pool sand delivered. Should I go about this adventure alone or pay a high price for someone to do it for me? What is the time frame for setting a pool like this?

[NWMNMom]

MOST of the work involves the ground prep, which is the MOST important part. If you don't see a problem getting a level and compact base, digging in the blocks, then the rest is just putting things together - It is a LOT of work either way but I believe 100% worth it.

We are just now filling our new 18x33 and had WAY more to do because the entire yard area had to be filled and compacted, edged, set for proper drainage, etc. instead of just leveling a spot for the pool (long story) If you just need to grade it level - have at it. Borrow or rent a transit - the best tool you can have for this job to be sure its all correct.

Don't know anything about the pool brand though - you may want to Google it, or find out who the actual manufacturer is and Google them. What is the warranty on it? That will tell you a lot about quality right there.

[hrsdennis]

Hi, that looks like a nice, high end pool. We have a lot of Leslies pool stores in my area and we do a few pools for them. We installed a couple of their ovals last year. This looks like the same model.

With a buttress free oval pool all they have done is transfered the support from outside of the pool to underneath the liner. In doing so most of the designs have become much more complicated. There are still a few fairly easy ones out there but most have been way over designed. This does complicate the install process a little.

In the Phoenix area we charge $950.00 to install this pool.

Two thoughts about doing it yourself. We finish a lot of jobs for poeple who get stuck. We most often have to take down whatever was done and start over. Can anyone do this? No, not everyone, but I have seen a lot of do it yourselfers do just fine.

You have a big advantage, you have us. Ask questions, post pictures when possible, and you will get a lot of help. That I can promise you.

Best of luck, Dennis

[Tpope]

o.k. I hear a lot of talk about compacting and using blocks and such. I live in sand nothing else around just sand for about 5-10' then clay. is compacting and setting blocks necessary with a deep sand base? I will prob just pay for the install to learn how to do it I just don't think it will be that complicated but I am new to this so what do I know. heh

[matt4x4]

You will need something a bit firmer than sand, unfortunately, sand likes to move, so I would recommend patio blocks under your uprights just to help hold everything in the proper place.
I built my own pool too, and it is a lot of work, however, not nearly as complicated as one would think - ground prep is key here, get it perfectly level either by using a water level - cheapest, or a transum.
WRT compacting, you can compact your sand, I would recommend it, using a rented gas plate compactor and water. Only you can decide whether or not you feel up to the job, but it is relatively easy from an instructional aspect, just pretty hard physically.

[Islander2C]

We paid 1200 for installation on our 27' AG Pool and I believe it was worth every penny!! Three guys came in and each one had his own job to do....it was amazing to watch. It was also very comforting to know that if anything went wrong, it was their problem to fix it. They did the ground preparation and everything! Highly recommend it!

[Tpope]

ok so here is my delima. I have read in a few places that the chemicals are not necessary to buy from dealer. all that is needed is bleach boric acid and baking soda. is this correct? if I don't have to buy the expensive pool chemicals that come in the package then I could just buy the pump/filter a test kit and put more to another pool. help me here if I am wrong... thanx

[CarlD]

TPope:
YES! You CAN run your pool with Bleach, Borax, Baking Soda, Muriatic Acid and Cyanuric Acid. AND NOTHING ELSE. Most of us do that now. I've been doing it for years. The ONLY chemical you need from the pool store or the pool section is Cyanuric Acid, called CYA, or Chlorine Stabilizer, or just Stabilizer.

See the Chlorine forum for the B-B-B thread.

Getting a good test kit will be the best investment you can make in maintaining your pool. There are 3 or 4 we can recommend. Get a test kit, not test strips. It's a little daunting at first but with practice, it's easy. My kid keeps fish and the water tests are far more complicated and he runs them with ease--and he's 11!

Site preparation cannot be neglected. It is the single most important part of pool preparation for ANY Above Ground pool, from a tiny 8' EasySet donut to a 45' long monster. You may THINK your ground is level, but if it's more than 1/2" off over that 30', you can have troubles. If it settles, you can have troubles. Have them do it, have them warranty their work in writing, and consider it worth it.

I'll bet that doesn't include electrical work either, does it. If it does than it is the BIGGEST bargain! Most codes require that the electrical be done in a very specific way.

Once you decide, talk to us about your pump and filter options too, and maybe we can help.

[matt4x4]

all AG installs i've seen have NOT had electrical included, that seems to always be the homeowners responsibility to get done. Probably because of teh permit involved.
Since the pool is not a permanent structure, up here, permits are not required, making the install of one a simple matter. Electrical is different though...

[Tpope]

well my dad is an electrician so that part wont be the problem. the pump is a 1hp w/ sand filter. is second under the DE filter where I am purchasing.