pools

[Razorback Fan]

3 years ago we purchased a used above ground pool w/deep end. Disassembled and tried to install in our yard. Completed leveling and side walls, ready to install liner. Left for vacation and returned home to a total mess. High winds blew side in and caved in dirt work. We decided that task was not for us and started researching inground pool.
After tons of research we purchased a 17'4" x 41'2" inground fiberglass pool last summer. The depth is 3' to 9'6". It has a safety ledge, two leisure seats (deep end), roman steps, with a large shallow area. Included diving board, jacuzzi filtering system, underwater light, pea-gravel deck with over pour (this hides the fiberglass lip around the top). Total installed price was $26,400.00, this included everything but electrical. No regrets, I love my pool! Hope this helps.

[beary]

The trick is not to be in a big hurry. If I had it to do over again, I would read up a lot and study how pools are made, visit pool excavation contractors, pool builder contractors, and concrete deck contractors to find out all the ins and outs of good and bad pools and the most repeatable crews. Then I would contract out the work myself and do what work I was comfortable doing.

One thing I’ve learned lately is that building a pool isn’t that hard, but there are a few tricks that good crews know to make the pool operation better. I am currently doing most of the electrical for our pool. Not easy because I have to run power 120 ft across my attack, then another 110 feet to the pool equipment. But the electrician is advising me all the way and he figures I’m saving about $4000.

If you are not in a hurry, I think you could do a lot of it yourself. There are a lot of tutorials on the internet these days.

Finally, if you are thinking of doing much of it yourself, I would consider doing gunite.

[Archer]

3 years ago we purchased a used above ground pool w/deep end. Disassembled and tried to install in our yard. Completed leveling and side walls, ready to install liner. Left for vacation and returned home to a total mess. High winds blew side in and caved in dirt work. We decided that task was not for us and started researching inground pool.
After tons of research we purchased a 17'4" x 41'2" inground fiberglass pool last summer. The depth is 3' to 9'6". It has a safety ledge, two leisure seats (deep end), roman steps, with a large shallow area. Included diving board, jacuzzi filtering system, underwater light, pea-gravel deck with over pour (this hides the fiberglass lip around the top). Total installed price was $26,400.00, this included everything but electrical. No regrets, I love my pool! Hope this helps.

I have been thinking about winds. At my house, my back yard slopes down and faces the west. Several times a year we get strong straight line winds that have taken shingles off my house. I had done decided if I got an on ground pool it would have to be buried as far as specs would allow

beary,

Thanks for info. I am already doing part what you suggest.
I won't start until next spring. I am looking now and trying to get my pricing info and find out which pool I want. I do not know much about them except what I hear and read. So any info or advice is well appreciated.

I am comfortable with doing contracting. I contracted my house I live in. I subbed out the framing, foundation, brick, drywall, and a few others but I did all the finish work, plumbing, electrical ect myself. Saved a ton of money.

Why do you suggest gunite??? Pro's,,,, cons? If you do gunite,isn't it all concrete then?

[beary]

Gunite actually is easier to shape a pool to your dreams and desires. You can’t do that with liner kits and it cost a lot if you call a liner pool company to modify the steel sidings. But gunite allows you to make custom shape the pool and add any swimouts, benches, beach entries, and waterfalls to your hearts desire. Gunite cost a little more, but I'm confident you will like its advantages.

If you want to use the best subcontractors, then I suggest building the pool in the fall and winter because you won't be able to get the better crews in the spring when everyone else, like us, are building their pools. There are dozens of pool subcontractors in our area, but I quickly learned that only a few have a good reputation and they are scheduled three months ahead. Now your area might be different, so that is another question I would ask, our Pool company had to make some deals just to get the excavator he likes best to come out and dig our pool on Saturday. They were not happy about it either. You or I could never have that kind of pull.

Beary

[topnotch]

Hey there

I am pretty good with plumbing & wiring too ...just about to put water in my pool....took a month off from work to build it...like to do things myself. ITs done but I wish I didnt....well maybe not....well....we'll see once the water goes in.

If you do it you will need a thorough knowledge of codes if you are putting underground gas water, electric, pool lights....way more complex than I knew and I am a GC. When the rubber hits the road, the elec & plumber earn their $.

Plan some nice weather too....

[Archer]

Hey there

I am pretty good with plumbing & wiring too ...just about to put water in my pool....took a month off from work to build it...like to do things myself. ITs done but I wish I didnt....well maybe not....well....we'll see once the water goes in.

If you do it you will need a thorough knowledge of codes if you are putting underground gas water, electric, pool lights....way more complex than I knew and I am a GC. When the rubber hits the road, the elec & plumber earn their $.

Plan some nice weather too....

Where I worry the most is trowling and the dig. I know it has to be right or there is a big mess.
Where I live there are no plumbing codes(country). Besides water flows downhill,,,,right?. lol and I have some friends that will tell me code for underground electric here. I can easily do that work. As stated above, I did my own electrical and plumbing in my house I reside in.

I think I am going to look into charges for excavating, a person that can do the troweling and a good concrete man. Those are the main areas that really have no experience in except minor things. I have at least a month off next summer so there is no excuse not to try and do it myself.

Thanks guys. I will continue to ask questions I am sure so I can get info from You guys on good equipment

[keithw]

Archer,

I would consider a fiberglass pool if I were you. You can cut a deal directly with the manufacturer and save a lot of money on the shell. They supply complete digging and installation plans. The pools come already plumbed with skimmers and returns. If you are so inclined, you could even dig the hole yourself, it's really not that hard. I did mine completely including the dig. All I had to contract out was a dump truck to be there to load dirt into. Fiberglasss is more expensive for the shell than a vinyl kit but much easier to install and maintain and you'll never have to replace a liner. The digging requirements are not precise because you backfill under and around the pool with sand. All you really have to make sure of is the slope of the bottom.

There are a number of good fiberglass pool companies who make 8ft deep pools, and you can get them in a ton of different shapes. CPC, Viking, and San Juan are well respected. I've priced the 8ft deep shells out for around 10-12k.

[huskyrider]

Building your own pool isn't that hard if your mechanically inclined.
Whether your in an area which has building codes or not, your most well served by adhering to them. The last thing you'd want to do is, upon sale of the property, be forced to bring the improvement into compliance because the buyers inspector found things that didn't meet code.
I build lots of pools in unincorporated areas where there is no enforcement of building codes. These standard were adopted for your protection.

See Ya,
Kelly