Going it alone???

[captainx]

Yes, pavers are the deck.

I wouldn't go it alone if I hadn't already lined up all the contractors. We have an addition going on as well and the plumbers and electricians are doing both (same guys). The tile, coping, pavers, and screen guys have all been contracted BY US, not the "pool contractor". Like I said, his help has been sketchy at best. The few guys he has lined up have 1) been in a car accident, 2) been sent to jail (not kidding)! and 3) not shown up.

It always starts with "I know this guy...". So, we started passing on "his guys" and found our own. The contractor who is doing our addition, a real licensed trustyworthy contractor, has helped too.

[Lenny]

If a pool company won't take responsibility for completing the job, how about a good mason for at least the coping and deck? There's definitely a lot of old-school masons around.

The surface is the scariest part, IMO. I watched the guys do my plaster and they were impressive. Not something one could figure out on the fly. And that seems like a very specialized thing.

[captainx]

I didn't actually mean doing the work myself, I mean hiring the contractors and seeing it through to the end.

I'm not that crazy!

[Lenny]

I did get that eventually, but at first I though you were thinking about doing the work!

Good luck. The whole process is stressful enough even if the pool company does a pretty good job, which mine did thankfully.

[stever13]

You can do it yourself. I contracted my own pool. If you already have the list of contractors you have done most of the work. Just make sure they are licensed contactors. Check the status of their licenses with your state and check their references. NO license = do not use!

[Guido]

I would do the surface last after the pavers because you will fill the pool after the surface is done and when they come out for the pavers stuff might get dusty and things are dropping into the pool. Also make sure to pressure test the plumbing before the pavers and the surface. I had my pool build last year and they did the test just before the surface was done everything was looking good but now we lose pressure in the return pips. It looks like we have to jackhammer parts of the deck open to fix the leak. I don’t want to scare you just pay attention to the plumbing before you put the pavers over it.
Good luck the summer is coming

Guido