Well we decided to do our own inground pool. We went with a 18x36 with 9 foot deep end. Did our research on which excavating crews the pool companies around here use. We contracted the one most of them use. Sat morning one guy shows up to dig this. First thing he askes "where's your crew?" Ok now im sure the dumb founded look on my face answered that question. so for $1500 you get a excavator and an operator. Oh man you could imagine my surprise.
We lucked out. the operator did take the time to help me out on the layout and taught me how to use the laser level. Of course I take the time to smack my hand with the hammer. Injury #1. So he gets this all dug out. I jump in to get the sides of the bottom right. im in there beating the heck out of these walls. nothing is moving. I learned one thing. about four foot down you hit what is called hard pan. Its a clay/dirt mix. Its as hard as concrete!

well this wont work. The excavator tells me to put up the sides and move it over about two inches and that will cut out on the hand digging. Hey great idea! so Sunday morning the little lady and I are moving out these steels panels. we are almost done when I misjudge a step and trip over one of the panels. Injury #2 (four stitches in right leg). Thats it! the little lady says we are calling in help. we call a local pool company recommended by the excavator and of course they cant come out for three weeks. They give us another name and number to call. We call them and explain the whole story. Nothing like explaining how you crippled yourself. . they come right out.
They are more then willing to pick up where we left off. They will do all the hand work for 65 an hour. the only thing we could say was. "when can you start!"

they start today. Boy am I happy. all the money we were saving is now going to the emergency room. The pool company will do the hand work then we will set up the panels. Then they will give us a quote on the hard botoom. sounds like we will have them do that then we will take over again. should be healed up by then.

All in all it has been fun. I dont recommend anyone try to do the dirt work unless you are sure you know what your doing. we gave it our best but it was not good enough and that one thing has to be perfect.

Ill keep you all up todate on this project (medical bills)