Is this a fair pool bid?

15 years ago

We are in the Dallas area and want a lagoon style pool. We have done our homework and have narrowed down to a couple of builders. Both are well respected, long established, and responsive builders. We want a large pool (over 40x20) without a spa but with a gunite slide. This is a bid from one of the PBs. Just wanted to run this by those in the forum with experience to see if there are any glaring omissions. Any feedback is appreciated.

24 x 42

Perimeter Footage: 126.00

Surface Area: 695.00

*Deck Area: 1000

Depth: 3'6 to 4'6 to 6'

Gallons: 20,794

*Stained Salt Finish

QTY ITEM

2 Surface Skimmers

4 Floor Main Drains

6 Return Outlets

1 Fill Line to Hose Bib

1 Overfill - 2" Line

2 500w Light

1 AquaLogic Digital Controller

1 Freeze Guard

1 2.0 Hayward TriStar Filter Pump

1 Hayward 500 sf Cartridge Filter

1 Polaris 280 Cleaner

1 Inline Chlorinator

1 Tile/Oklahoma Flagstone Coping

1 Beach Entry w/Flagstone

2 Extra Benches

1 Pebble Sheen Plaster (Std Color)

1 Pool School & Full Start up Chemicals

1 Clean up of Construction Site

1 Plans, Permits and Required Inspections

1 Trackhoe Dig

1 1.5hp Tristar Booster Pump

10 Ton Boulder Waterfall

3 Firepits in Rock Wall

1 Gasline to Firepits

2 Bubblers on Beach Entry

150' Deck Drains/Downspout Hookup

1 Gunite Slide w/ Flagstone Overlay

1 Cove Seating

1 Salt Water generator

1 Premium Steel Package

1 Daily Onsite Supervision by Owner

1 4000psi Gunite

1 Deco Seal

Price came out to $62,500.

Thanks!

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Comments (8)

poolguynj
15 years ago
I would have expected the pool area to have come out to a little over 800 sq. feet.

What sizes on the plumbing? Will each skimmer and drain set be tied together or run separately and valved? Where are the returns to be?

White lights? I'm surprised you didn't go with Color Logic LEDs.

If you go with Hayward equipment, you might want to add the multi-speed pump as the primary to reduce your energy consumption. You can also run the Polaris off it and not have to install it's booster pump. That can help save some money too.

The In-Line chlorinator is not needed if they are installing a Turbo-Cell. Note that an In-line will generally restrict your return flow. This is especially true for Hayward CL200s.

Your 1000' of deck has an asterisk, is that included or separate?

Electronic ignition for the fire pits? Controlled by the Aqualogic controller? Does it include the gas run?

What size steel?

How thick is the gunite?

How long is the warranty?

I can't comment on price in your area.

What happens if they hit big rocks 4' down when they dig? Will it cost more? I don't know what soil conditions exist in your area.

Best Wishes drjay71;

Scott
drjay71
Original Author
15 years ago
What sizes on the plumbing? Will each skimmer and drain set be tied together or run separately and valved? Where are the returns to be?

White lights? I'm surprised you didn't go with Color Logic LEDs.

If you go with Hayward equipment, you might want to add the multi-speed pump as the primary to reduce your energy consumption. You can also run the Polaris off it and not have to install it's booster pump. That can help save some money too.

The In-Line chlorinator is not needed if they are installing a Turbo-Cell. Note that an In-line will generally restrict your return flow. This is especially true for Hayward CL200s.

Your 1000' of deck has an asterisk, is that included or separate?

Included with colored salt finish.

Electronic ignition for the fire pits? Controlled by the Aqualogic controller? Does it include the gas run?

Manual and gas run included x 3

What size steel?

3/8" with 8" o.c. (whatever that means)

How thick is the gunite?

6-8"

How long is the warranty?

Don't know. Will ask.

What happens if they hit big rocks 4' down when they dig? Will it cost more? I don't know what soil conditions exist in your area.

Don't think they will hit rock as all surrounding neighbors with pools have not had this issue. If they do, the charge is $200/hr. of excavation.
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1: What measures did you use to determine the builder's reputation? 2: What lighting in the pool? 3: What is a 3 part Salt System? 4: Did you get other bids? 5: Why the extra pump? 6: What brand of equipment? 7: Where will the equipment pad be? 8: Is the electrical work included? 9: What other equipment is being used? 10: Did you show the contract to an attorney? 11: Gunite steps? Where? 12: What depths? 13: If there is to be a deep end, how abut a swim-out? 14: Is the depicted back wall included? 15: What does the payment schedule look like? 16: Does it include trucked in water? 17: No pool sweep? How about a care kit, pool chems .... The more you get in writing, the better! It's an exciting time but keep you head. Good luck! Scott
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poolguynj
15 years ago
You might want to rethink the ignition for the fire pits. Electronic is safer and easier. Schlepping around the waterfall area in bare feet won't be fun. I'll bet it'll look great at night though!

OC == On center. The rebar will be laid out with an 8" square grid pattern.
drjay71
Original Author
15 years ago
poolguy nj

thanks for taking the time to read through this and for your suggestions. does everything else in this bid seem appropriate?
poolguynj
15 years ago
Ask him to give you Pentair & Hayward equipment side by side equipment list. Especially consider the multispeed pumps.

Get the LEDs even if it means going to 3 fixtures. Color changes and fire pits go together like peas and carrots. They will also use a lot less electric and last a lot longer than incandescent bulbs. Service call and bulb and gasket, and still only white light. The LEDs will be like the Energizer bunny.

For both safety and WOW effect reasons, please get the electronic ignition for the pits. The WOW effect is when friends or family are over for a Bar-B-Q as dusk settles.
Just hit the button on the remote! vs trudging through and lighting each one. POOF in your face. Or a friend's or anyone else's.

I didn't see any mention of anti entrapment devices such as Hayward's & Pentair. These are fail safe devices that cause a pump to cease to be able to pull or push water by letting air in. Pumps suck air before water, releasing whatever is causing the blockage of a suction line like a person's hair or a kid's hand. New drain covers should be VGB compliant.

Get big pipes! It keep energy costs down and extends pump motor, bearing and seal life.

Make sure the equipment pad has plenty of service space.

We look forward to seeing this project come to fruition. Please let us know what you decide.

Scott
drjay71
Original Author
15 years ago
Scott or any other builder out there, I will be more than happy to email a more detailed bid if you just give me an address.
huskyridor
15 years ago
I'd say your price is inline for SE Texas.
I'm just finishing a very similar pool description in the north Houston area that's slightly smaller in size, but has 300 sq/ft more decking of stamped and patterned concrete.
The price was 63,500,but we placed a Polaris (Caretaker) infloor system too.
Above the pool price it included an outdoor stucco cabana w/summer kitchen to match the house and they upgraded to an AE 3000 heater/chiller.
If I make it by this weekend I'll take some pic's for you and upload them here.
It's another AWESOME unit, just as I'm sure yours will be too.

See ya,
Kelly
huskyridor
15 years ago
I took my new cell phone/camera yesterday but my daughter said I didn't have it on the right sizing. She did what she could and placed them in my photo account.
I haven't seen them yet so we'll get to enjoy them together. Here she goes, LOL!!!

After previewing these I'm really bummed, this is a drop dead gorgeous 6 figure backyard that deserves better pictures.
Steph's fixing to take me outside and show me how top use the new camera/phone.
Sorry they didn't turn out better, I'll use what I'm fixing to learn and try again the next time I'm there, we've still got a little work to wrap up at this project.

See ya,
Kelly