Excavating and receiving my 12'x24' this weekend. I'm Ready!... I hope

[CanuckPool]

I didnt see where you alotted time to install your equipment/electrical/gas/plumbing? or is it a lot easier on an AGP?

[NWMNMom]

Our best advice on pool building is ALWAYS reasearch and NEVER rush.

[matt4x4]

What it boils down to is each and everyone's abilities, but more so, each and everyone's proper judgement of their abilities!!!
My in laws keep thinking there isn't ANYTHING I can't do - a nice thing for someone to think of you, however, the way I see it is they just haven't asked me to do something I'm unable to do - a VERY BIG DIFFERENCE!
Deciding whether or not to build my own pool was a daunting task at first, once I looked it all over, the hardest part seemed to be getting the liner in right - to this day, I feel that it still is the hardest part of the job - getting something level isn't hard given the right tools, setting up the wall isn't hard - it's somewhat physically demanding, but not hard, installing the equipment - probably the easiest part of the job for me because I like messing with mechanical stuff.

[NWMNMom]

The leveling was the most physical and time consuming part for us due to having to take down some woods to enlarge the area some, build up our low/wet area with Class 5, compacting, and getting it all level, etc. All of the tractors, loaders, etc belong to us and we own some gravel pits and areas with some fill so that made it cheap to do, but still a lot of hard work. The Class 5 was trucked in and the plate compactor was rented. I'm sure I made life tough for DH because I was after him to check level every 5 mins throughout the entire install and make adjustments accordingly - if you don't work well with your co-builder (read spouse) in situations that require specific attention to detail then this isn't the job for you either. There is no rushing or shortcuts unless you want problems later.

Our liner went in so well we thought something must be wrong - we were just lucky and also had researched and gotten good advice - this was our first JHook liner and we weren't sure how well that would go. Overlaps are easier but this wasn't hard either. Good prep and taking our time made all the difference.

[matt4x4]

Everything went in so easy on our pool - but then, it doesn't have a single screw outside of the wall bolts and the skimmer bolts, The framework all clips together with a big 1/4 turn vinyl bolt on top therefore, the liner was the hardest part - only because with a 30' round pool, it was a big PIA to try and get the wrinkles out!

The good thing was I had the pad built up and prepped by a neighbour/contractor, and all I did was level/compact the screenings and sand.
It was work, but nothing hard (except physical).

[zephans]

UPDATE:
First off, I have to say that my DW Dawn is doing a great job helping out. I'd be much farther behind (and even more exhausted) if it wasn't for her pitching in. Team project is much more fun than solo nightmare .

EXCAVATING DONE. We rented a John Deere D35 mini-excavator. We probably could have done a bit better with a bobcat with lift bucket, but it went well for roughing in. By my calculations (possibly off) we hauled out 6 yards of dirt. I hadn't figured out best place to put this so we just "leveled" out a different part of our back yard. (We're on a shy quarter acre suburb plot so not a lot of room to shoehorn stuff in.)

POOL RECEIVED 6/16: Two palates (650 lbs) dropped off. Yesterday we checked all boxes and the count matches the invoice. Looks like we're ready to go.

TOOL PREP IS DONE. We just went to Home Depot for extra screwdrivers and patio blocks for each post. I recall something about someone not doing patio blocks


WATCH INSTALL VIDEOS DONE. Looks like more work than I planned, but not by much. Patio blocks under each of the 18 support locations and digging down the tower assemblies will take a bit of time.

LEVELING IN PROGRESS: Leveling by hand. I notched a 10' board and I've leveled out a couple strips to lay 2"x2" boards (which I checked for level). I'll drag the notched board along and pull out high spots and fill in low spots. I expect this to take the next 3 hours of my life to get done.


BK has a good point. In retrospect I'd have liked to just hire a top-notch team of pool installers to knock it out in a few days. However in the Western Washington Puget Sound area (just NE of Seattle) my chances of getting a rusty pool contractor or team of people that know how to dig holes and level patios was more likely what I'd find. (We don't even know anyone in the area that has a pool.) After I read many posts about pool profesionals in sunnier areas having problems I figured I'd rather pay for my own mistakes than pay someone else for the same. I'll never know if it was the right choice, but so far I think we are doing OK.

Plumbing and electrical are intentionally not included yet. I can handle only so much planning at one time. I feel like Johnny nmemonic jacked with twice the data capacity stuffed into my head. I need to complete construction before I work out plumbing and electirical details. For now I'm figuring extension cord and quick run for Sched40 & elbows and ball valves to get started... I know I need to do more planning for ball valves.... but wife is kicking me off now because we need to finish leveling. More to come.

12x24x54" AGP received 6/16/2007. Some assembly required. Batteries not included.

[NWMNMom]

Your on your way - before you know it you will be swimming. BTW, we want PICTURES.