Getting Quotes on FG Pool

[cajunfla]

I don't know about Maryland, but in Florida, the size of the pool being delivered determines how many escorts are used on the highway. I THINK, up to 14' wide requires none, 14' and up requires at least 1 and really wide pools require 2 escorts for the delivery truck. The escort cost is figured into the price of the pool.

[blue_steel]

$16,800 included the shell, complete pump, light, etc, delivery, excavation (took maybe 4 hours) and the stone. I did the electrical and another company poured patio. I broke the pricing down for you in my 1st post. The whole thing was a piece of cake. Only hitch was it took time to get the pool completely level. That meant lifting it and re-setting it in the pea gravel a few times, but no big deal. The excavator was recommended by WW and seemed to have a lot of experience. He lifted the shell from my front yard, over two fences and into the back yard very quickly. Total installation took 1.5 days. Blue Hawaiian and some others quoted me $35K and $40K for a complete FG pool with patio. I thought they were nuts.

[South_Texas_Sun]

$16,800 included the shell, complete pump, light, etc, delivery, excavation (took maybe 4 hours) and the stone. I did the electrical and another company poured patio. I broke the pricing down for you in my 1st post. The whole thing was a piece of cake. Only hitch was it took time to get the pool completely level. That meant lifting it and re-setting it in the pea gravel a few times, but no big deal. The excavator was recommended by WW and seemed to have a lot of experience. He lifted the shell from my front yard, over two fences and into the back yard very quickly. Total installation took 1.5 days. Blue Hawaiian and some others quoted me $35K and $40K for a complete FG pool with patio. I thought they were nuts.

Blue Steel is right about the FG prices that some careful shopping can get you.....at least in our area.

Maryland though........very pricey area overall. We spent a month there (near DC) last year and were surprised by some of the prices of property and services.

One thing you might try....drive the nicer neighborhoods and watch for pool crews at work in the back yards. Also signs outside the properties. Walk back and look at the pool and see if it suits you. If it does, ask the CREW if they would subcontract to build you a pool. This approach takes a lot of the gamble out of the deal, because you may not see the pool salesman again after you give him your first big check. (many pool companies are just salesmen that know where to find crews of workers that are experienced in building pools) Plus, you have some control if the subs don't look like they know what they're doing. (ask me how I know that....lol)

[2Hipp]

I'm sure there are ways to get good deals but I'm more concerned with having a single contractor with a good reputation be responsible for the build.

When speaking with Water World they did recommend an excavator but it was not included in the price and I had to manage the relationship. They also add a $4k delivery charge to MD.

I really like some of the designs they have but not sure I want the headache of managing all the contractors.

[blue_steel]

$4K delivery from the S. Jersey plant to Maryland seems way too high. I bring 40 foot containers of product from Asia by boat and then truck from the port to warehouses in NJ and the total cost is $3,718 including broker fees, insurance, etc.
My contractor did not break delivery out in his quote. I could have sworn WW told me it would be $550 to North Jersey.

[South_Texas_Sun]

I'm sure there are ways to get good deals but I'm more concerned with having a single contractor with a good reputation be responsible for the build.

When speaking with Water World they did recommend an excavator but it was not included in the price and I had to manage the relationship. They also add a $4k delivery charge to MD.

I really like some of the designs they have but not sure I want the headache of managing all the contractors.

I'm sorry, 2Hipp, I didn't make that very clear.

I wasn't suggesting bypassing a poolbuilder/salesman for the purpose of getting a better deal. (although you very well could end up with a better deal)

I was suggesting the subcontractor route because you would have a lot more CONTROL over the process than the PB company route, and if someone wasn't prompt or competant, it then becomes dead easy to rectify the problem.....i.e. just call someone else who WILL do your bidding.

[blue_steel]

I wrote a total of two checks. One to the excavator who ordered the pool, arranged delivery and installed it. The second check was to the mason for the patio. It was really painless. The excavator guaranteed the work in writing.

[2Hipp]

Blue Steel,
I'm thinking I should get a quote from one of the Water World recommended excavators. If the excavator can take care of a lot of the install and logistics maybe I can save a few bucks. I really like some of their pools as they have the best variety of sizes I've seen and they can go up to 18' wide.

Water World made the process seem much more difficult then I was will to get into. Renting a skid loader and having gravel delivered just wasn't something I'm wanting to take on.

[blue_steel]

Give it a try. Ask for the names of installers in your area and have them come over for an estimate. Then take a look at some of the pools they installed and speak with the owners (I looked at two that our installer put in). If it doesn't feel right, then head in another direction. Also, the installers told me that 18' wide pools are only allowed in certain states due to transportation restrictions on the highways. Supposedly NJ only allows 16' wide. I believe their 18' wide pools are manufactured at their Texas location.

[Jeffski]

We pay $3 per SF for cement. Your qoute says $8.75 per SF. Ask why before they start. I can add color and stamping and still only pay $9 per SF.