Swimming Pool Builders Bonanza

Comment from Jim S
Time April 26, 2010 at 22:28

When our pool was constructed, the company met with us to decide on the shape of the pool that would fit in our back yard. Then they had to do the detail on the excavation, plumbing, electrical, gas (for the heater). After that they had to get preliminary approval from the city and our homeowners association. Then they pulled permits. After the permits, they finally were ready to get to work. They took down part of our fence and came into the back yard with a mini-excavator. The hole was dug slightly larger than the pool dimensions. After that, they had the structural steel guys come and install the rebar. Then came the plumbers and the electricians. The plumbing company had to dig a ditch to bury the gas line for the heater and they did all the pvc work for the water, pool lights, controls, etc. The electricians ran circuits from the spot for the pool equipment to our home’s breaker box, and pulled wire to where the light generator for the fiber optics was located. (No bulbs in the pool.) Of course there were inspections at every step. Then came the gunite guys, blowing that stuff through a boom and forming the walls and floor, etc., around the rebar and the plumbing. The smoothed out the gunite as they went, leaving a fairly smooth surface. After the gunite, the tile and coping crew showed up, installing the tile around the edge of the pool and the flagstone coping we had selected. They also faced the portion of the pool designed to be above grade and had a spillway. The pool pump, filter, and heater were installed and connected. Finally, the plaster crew came and finished the pool to it’s final color and smooth surface. We filled the pool. The builder sent a guy by to start the pool and give us a quick lesson on how to work the equipment and maintain the chemicals. That’s the only part I could fault the pool company about…he was a total waste of time. We sat in the spa and drank a toast (it was December). The final inspection went great on all the work the contractors had done, but I had to raise a portion of my fence and move the gate latches higher to comply with ordinances.

Do you think you can do all this, or hire it done individually? I, personally, wouldn’t even try. I’m a true and true DIY’r but this job was best left to pros. BTW, our pool was in the $35K range seven years ago. You can buy cheaper pools but we opted for the heater, fiber optic, and the computerized controls. It’s given us a great deal of pleasure in the Texas heat.

Comment from GreasyCoffee
Time April 26, 2010 at 22:28

Check out your local Craigslist…

I have noticed SO MANY inground and above ground pools being given away due to the economy and cost of upkeep, which can run into thousands of dollars per season.

This would involve having someone removing the pool and reinstalling it, but some of them come with EVERYTHING you need and are FREE, people just want to get rid of them and the exhorbinant cost of upkeep. A lot of people have purchased homes and these were already there…. in VERY good condition, so yeah, check out http://www.craigslist.com

I guess if you take it down yourself, you will KNOW HOW TO PUT IT BACK up, so that’s a good point.

Good Luck!

Comment from Dr. Strangelove
Time April 26, 2010 at 22:28

Forget it! Besides excavation, trucking, plumbing, electrical and bonding, concrete finishing and landscaping, you’ll need tools you never heard of, and lots of muscle . This is no job for an amateur.