A few questions to those who have or had a pool.

[Tremor Therapy]

So my wife and I are thinking about having a pool built here at our new house in Murrieta. We are not going to get anything extravagant, no slides, large water falls or playboy grotto's, just a nice medium sized free-form pool with a Baja shelf, and maybe a spa as well. So those that have done it or have it, what would you do different or recommend as far as:

Salt water or not?
Built in spa or above ground spa?
What type of filters, pumps and controls?
Gunite, pebble tech, shotcrete or other?
Tile and coping tile or stone?
Solar heat or not? (a friend of mine up the street doesn't have solar, and his pool has already hit 75 degrees)

I know this seems like a lot of questions, but many of you have already dealt with this, and there is nothing like personal experience to help one decide on what to get. Besides, I have seen many adds in the paper from the major pool builders for 80 foot perimeter free form pools starting at $19,195, and ones with spas starting at $22,575!

I am trying to do my part to help the economy....besides its cheaper to build a pool and sit at home barbequing and drinking than it is driving to the beach 50 miles away! :swear

 

[TPC]

My only takes:

Don't go too big, or too deep.

Make sure the pump is at least 3HP, and 3.5 to 4 HP if your equipment is farther away or has some difficult or complicated runs like solar heat.

I like Teledyne equipment.

By all means go with the solar heat if it has an adjustable t stat.
Cooler water is much easier to maintain. Just warm it up when you think you might be using it.

Get the auto pool cleaner installed when you build the pool.

Make it a turn key operation. Get it all done now.

 

[Mr. C]

We went and got all our owm permits and hired out to specific contractors for each part of the job, digging, rebar plumbing etc. pool contractors wanted about 40k to do our 14x31 pool with spa. doing it ourselves it cost us about 23k. we were very lucky (i guess) the people we hired showed up everyday they said (except once), but he called and explained. My wife was at home during all this and it went very smoothly for us.

We went with Pentair equipment. The one thing with the above ground spa is it's always hot, as opposed to the built in spa.

Here's how it turned out, wish i could find more pics

 

[LhcBrad]

Nice looking pool Mr C

 

[Mr. C]

Nice looking pool Mr C

Thank you,
it works just fine for us, not real fancy with waterfalls but it is simple to maintain. Of course there are little things we would do different on the next one. Live and learn i guess.

 

[BarryMac]

I would call Roz if I were building a pool, he knows the business... :thumbsup

 

[Universal Elements]

So my wife and I are thinking about having a pool built here at our new house in Murrieta. We are not going to get anything extravagant, no slides, large water falls or playboy grotto's, just a nice medium sized free-form pool with a Baja shelf, and maybe a spa as well. So those that have done it or have it, what would you do different or recommend as far as:

Salt water or not?
Built in spa or above ground spa?
What type of filters, pumps and controls?
Gunite, pebble tech, shotcrete or other?
Tile and coping tile or stone?
Solar heat or not? (a friend of mine up the street doesn't have solar, and his pool has already hit 75 degrees)

I know this seems like a lot of questions, but many of you have already dealt with this, and there is nothing like personal experience to help one decide on what to get. Besides, I have seen many adds in the paper from the major pool builders for 80 foot perimeter free form pools starting at $19,195, and ones with spas starting at $22,575!

I am trying to do my part to help the economy....besides its cheaper to build a pool and sit at home barbequing and drinking than it is driving to the beach 50 miles away! :swear

$45,000 min. anything less be very careful
Salt system
Inground spa sitting above pool to flow over into pool
DE filters, Pentair equipment, electric Jandy valves, Goldline automated system with floating and indoor remote
Definitely Shotcrete, Pebble Tec or Sheen <-- preference
Tile, stone is more upkeep and cost $ - depends on preference
No solar, expensive. If you want, use a solar cover with a reel during the cold months, works good.
Do not get a "pop ups", waste of money. Have a self cleaner plumbed into pool during build. Hayward & Kreepy Kraully work real good. You want one that doesn't have too many moving parts.
If you have a contractor build a pool, insist on paying all of the supplies. I have seen some guys take money, disappear and never pay the supplier. The owner gets stuck with the bill twice, has a lien slapped on the property and half finished project.
Check very carefully on the type of license the contractor has and complaints. Insurance and bond company, call them. If you have a friend who is the legal profession, have them look up the guy and his company on Lexus Nexus. A lot of guys will start companies under different names.
Times are tough, make sure you have a good payment schedule. Also, because the cost of supplies goes up on a weekly basis, see what could be pre-purchased. Ask for references, go out and see the pool and talk to the people.

Oh, I forgot one thing. Make sure your Spa and Pool lights are LED and changes colors.

 

[scarabrick]

from a pool service owner I would,

use a 3 hp pump or larger and everything.
2 1/2-3" pipe thoughout
dual skimmers
pop ups all over even on the sides about 2 feet off the bottom. ( or a great self cleaning system. unless you have dogs or a lot of landscape around the pool. dog hait and plant material will clog up the self cleaning(kreepy crawler) and it will cost you to get it fixed
2 main drains
solar heating (3hp pump) maybe a 50,000 btu heater for spa during cold months
sand filters (cartridge too expensive)
electric valves and inhouse plus wireless remote for all equipment
SALT water with larger capasity generator
plaster bottom is easier on feet and the pebbles don't ruin you pumps/soles
check valves on both the suction and returns

This would, in my opnion, make it easier on you for maint. With this "overkill" you shouldn't need a pool guy. unless you don't have time



its a lot of money out front but you"ll make it up in the long run

 

[Mr. C]

electric Jandy valves, Goldline automated system with floating and indoor remote
.

I wish i would have done this when building but i was out of funds. had to cut back on a couple things.
Do you know what the cost is these days for that set up. I assume it is an easy install.

 

[Universal Elements]

I wish i would have done this when building but i was out of funds. had to cut back on a couple things.
Do you know what the cost is these days for that set up. I assume it is an easy install.

I'll PM you later

 

[Universal Elements]

from a pool service owner I would,

use a 3 hp pump or larger and everything.
2 1/2-3" pipe thoughout
dual skimmers
pop ups all over even on the sides about 2 feet off the bottom. ( or a great self cleaning system. unless you have dogs or a lot of landscape around the pool. dog hait and plant material will clog up the self cleaning(kreepy crawler) and it will cost you to get it fixed
2 main drains
solar heating (3hp pump) maybe a 50,000 btu heater for spa during cold months
sand filters (cartridge too expensive)
electric valves and inhouse plus wireless remote for all equipment
SALT water with larger capasity generator
plaster bottom is easier on feet and the pebbles don't ruin you pumps/soles
check valves on both the suction and returns

This would, in my opnion, make it easier on you for maint. With this "overkill" you shouldn't need a pool guy. unless you don't have time



its a lot of money out front but you"ll make it up in the long run

Like Scarabrick says invest the money now and not later. Make the pool maintenance free as possible, will make life and $ easier.

 

[lebel409]

We bought a house that came with a pool....from the '60s.

Not enough jets, skimmer is small, 3/4 horse pump, tile is fugly, coping is worse.

We've been limping with this thing since we moved in. In the future I want a self cleaning system, a tan or blue bottom when we replaster, a square edged coping...maybe poured in place..., saltwater, many more nozzles, better pump and filter. We don't need a heater, we have a jacuzzi tub in the house.

About the spa outside...depends on you and your yard.

Kids like the diving board...no room for a slide also...wife doesn't want either. But that's what they stay busy on.

 

[Deleted Account]

So my wife and I are thinking about having a pool built here at our new house in Murrieta. We are not going to get anything extravagant, no slides, large water falls or playboy grotto's, just a nice medium sized free-form pool with a Baja shelf, and maybe a spa as well. So those that have done it or have it, what would you do different or recommend as far as:

Salt water or not? We Really like the Salt.
Built in spa or above ground spa? Built in wth elevation change...
What type of filters, pumps and controls? We used Northstar. Work great.
Gunite, pebble tech, shotcrete or other? We used a grey colored plaster and the pool stays around 78-80 all summer..Tile and coping tile or stone? We liked the stone - Quartz.
Solar heat or not? (a friend of mine up the street doesn't have solar, and his pool has already hit 75 degrees) Don't really need solar out here.

I know this seems like a lot of questions, but many of you have already dealt with this, and there is nothing like personal experience to help one decide on what to get. Besides, I have seen many adds in the paper from the major pool builders for 80 foot perimeter free form pools starting at $19,195, and ones with spas starting at $22,575!

I am trying to do my part to help the economy....besides its cheaper to build a pool and sit at home barbequing and drinking than it is driving to the beach 50 miles away! :swear

I have all the lien releases, etc. Stop by for a beer and have a look.:beer

 

[BarryMac]

I have all the lien releases, etc. Stop by for a beer and have a look.:beer

I think we should all stop by and pee in your pool... :thumbsup

 

[Deleted Account]

I think we should all stop by and pee in your pool... :thumbsup

Anytime you want, just stop on by...:smackhead No floaties for you, either.

 

[HavasuHank]

:thumbsup

 

[Tremor Therapy]

I have all the lien releases, etc. Stop by for a beer and have a look.:beer

If you don't mind me asking, what did a set up like that run? I like the overall appearance of your pool and spa, I just don't want the waterfall dealio.

 

[Deleted Account]

Check your Pm's.

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

Definetely have a cleaner plumbed in the sidewall to use for an automatic cleaner aside from the skimmer. I have a Hayward. Shit makes it easy.

Only thing I wish I had was a walk in shallow side. A spot for sitting in the shallow side and an umbrella would be nice too. I'm in Corona though, so it would be nice to have these things at times, even for our dog to kick it. I dig my raised terrace on the deep end though. So do the kids.

 

[djunkie]

Definetely have a cleaner plumbed in the sidewall to use for an automatic cleaner aside from the skimmer. I have a Hayward. Shit makes it easy.

Only thing I wish I had was a walk in shallow side. A spot for sitting in the shallow side and an umbrella would be nice too. I'm in Corona though, so it would be nice to have these things at times, even for our dog to kick it. I dig my raised terrace on the deep end though. So do the kids.

As do hot chicks. :skull
________
Ford Xb Falcon Specifications

 

[scjohn]

PM me and I will give you the name of a guy in Murrieta who has been building pools in the area for 20 years. He charges a small consulting fee; takes care of permits and engineering, helps you with the design and lets you choose the subs if you don't like the ones on his list. He did my pool 10 years ago and still helps me out when I have a problem. He is a Murrieta LEO and has built many pools for friends and neighbors, all are happy.

Pentair intelliflo pump - pretty much mandated by Edison - saves big $ on electricity bill, Pentair heater and DE or sand filter and 40K gal. salt system, Plumb for cleaner/navigator, good controller system for in the house and or wireless remote, Pebblesheen, two floor drains, equipment as close to the pool as possible, Big reef and lots of umbrella holders in the reef and deck and maybe a nice little rock island to set your drinks on.

10 years later and we still use the heck out of our pool.

John

 

[ROZ]

Pentair intelliflo pump - pretty much mandated by Edison John

title 20... all pumps replaced and that are in new construction pools will be 2 speed of greater.

Intelliflo is a shit load of money, but hey so are pools....

Inline suction vac

Solar is expensive, but worth it if you want to swim in 90 degree water or extend your pool swim season to 10 months.

Salt system, yes

Pool automation controls, yes.

you don't know what speed or how many pumps you need until you know exactly what your demand is.

Brand? Jandy or Pentair pumps and filter with a Jandy LX heater

Pool Vac? Either the "pool vac" or Hayward Navigator.

Pebble, Plaster, or Fiberglass? Personal decision. Fiberglass and pebble last. Plaster only looks good 7-10 years.

2 skimmers? Not necessary in a smaller pool. Just put the skimmer down wind. Let nature help you with your work. Wind will blow debris toward your skimmer

Only cover your pool if you are doing it for safety reasons. Bubble covers are a pain in the ass and are only meant to raise water temp.

CAn't think of anything else right now :hmm

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

As do hot chicks. :skull

LMAO!!!!! That pool has seen some good times. I got alot of good pics. :skull Focking Treena is nuts. :thumbsup

 

[boatnam2]

I have gotten 3 quotes so far all from local pool builders for a 15x32 with spa baja step 20 feet 18" raised beam rec pool and so far all have been around 29k with no flat work.