$850 installation?

[astargel]

Hi everyone, this is my first post, very glad this site exists!!
We have purchased an 18' round AG "Paradise" pool from sunenterprises.com.
We are having to hire a contractor to install it. Our yard is pretty darn flat. In fact, we had an Intex metal frame pool on it without having to make any yard adjustments and it was only 1-2" off.

At any rate...said contractor is saying $850 to install. Does this seem exorbitant?
Does anyone know a round-about figure of what they paid and/or how much they paid to have the electrical work done? What kind of electrical work do I even need?

Thanks for all of your help, it's greatly appreciate

[green600]

I am not sure myself what would be considered a fair price, but as a point of reference I have one quote for $3000 for installation of a 34 X 18 Dougboy AG.

I am considering doing this myself.

Dean

[CarlD]

Any reputable installer will not leave you with a pool that's over an inch out of level--they WILL level the site, add sand for the floor and do their best to ensure the liner is wrinkle-free. Usually the electrics requires burying a line from the house, which must be on a GFIC breaker--usually requiring an electrician. The metal frame needs to be banded which means grounded.

You probably need an electrical permit too, and you may need a building permit. If your town requires a building permit and you don't have one, your insurance will NOT cover you for pool accidents.

If these guys are good and cover all this for you, here in north central NJ, that would be a BARGAIN for $850.

It's not the same as a do-it-yourself Intex.

[astargel]

Hi Carl,
Thanks for your reply. I checked and we don't need a permit to build an AG pool. I will look into the electrical permit. The person installing the pool owns his own pool store, offered to do it for free if I purchased the pool from him, but I got a better deal online. I will double check with him if the install includes the electricals or not. Thanks again

[BigTallGuy]

I would call around to other local pool stores ands see if you can get names of other local installers and see if you can get competative bids, however, it largely depends on what area of the country you are in. There may not be very many installers in your area, and the few that do exist may have a monopoly on the market.

To Carl's credit, most installers use Laser Levels and should be able to level any pool within a 1/4 of an inch or less even on the largest pools. If electrical work is required, you will in all probabilty need an Electrical permit. Don't let the installer talk you out of the permit to save a few bucks. Any outdoor wiring will require a GFCI.

[CarlD]

I would call around to other local pool stores ands see if you can get names of other local installers and see if you can get competative bids, however, it largely depends on what area of the country you are in. There may not be very many installers in your area, and the few that do exist may have a monopoly on the market.

To Carl's credit, most installers use Laser Levels and should be able to level any pool within a 1/4 of an inch or less even on the largest pools. If electrical work is required, you will in all probabilty need an Electrical permit. Don't let the installer talk you out of the permit to save a few bucks. Any outdoor wiring will require a GFCI.

Yeah, self-leveling laser levels get rid of excuses. If a contractor tries to talk you out of getting a required permit, report him and replace him. Your safety is at stake.