3rd option should work.

Scott

did you go OB or do you have a builder?

Hey thanks for fixin' my pictures Mud! I'll get the hang of it for the next batch. Nat 1, we're going the pool builder route. Using True Blue Pools out of Tempe and I don't mind saying they've been terrific!

Nice pictures. We are getting estimates to replaster our pool and one of the companies is True Blue Pools. How do you like them so far? I was thinking about Stonescape for the interior but I don't know anybody that actually has it. What color did you choose? I hope you don't mind if I follow your progress and ask some questions along the way.

Sure thing. Looking forward to more pictures.

Falicity, I really like this company so far. One of their biggest selling points for us was that they didn't use any high pressure sales tactics (or any pressure for that matter!) They clearly stated the price which broke everything down and said that's that. Anything less and we'd have to cut corners somewhere. No discounts for "acting now" or referring others etc. I don't remember if they were the least expensive or not, but all the quotes we got were so close as to be irrelevent anyway. They're a smaller family owned company and they seem eager to do whatever it takes to make the customer happy. We're going with the Stonescapes mini, but haven't picked a color yet and like you have never seen any examples in person. As far as questions go, ask away!

I liked them when they came out to give the estimate. They are lower than the other estimate we got but like you said it was close. How many estimates did you get before deciding on them? We have just 2 so far but another company is coming on Friday. The thing I noticed on their estimate was that they want payment in installments with the last of it due before they will finish the interior. I expect to pay some upfront but DH is concerned about paying all of it before the interior is poured. Is that a common practice for a PB? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just so glad someone finally named a company their working with so I could get some info.

Falicity,
In AZ the ROC wrote the payment schedule for pool builders. That includes getting final payment prior to interior finish going in.
Just make sure you are happy with how everything looks up to that point.
As a homeowner you have way more avenues to hurt your pool builder, then he has to collect from you at the end.
Because of this the ROC wrote it this way, and it is very common.
A lien isnt worth squat if you never sell your house, or it goes into foreclosure.

Yeah, I'm not thrilled about the payment schedule either. Since they all do it the same way I guess you just hope for the best. Funny how the fundamentally most important (water tightness) and aesthetically important, skilled techniqe dependant, part of a pool get's done with no retainage. Oh well, thanks Arizona.

just-a-pb, thanks for the info. furrysquid, I agree. It all comes down to trusting your PB.

Well this week didn't seem so productive. Just electrical got done. Waiting for pre-shotcrete inspection now. Could an expert please help me understand how this valve setup works? I've got 1 waterfall, 3 bubble-ups and in-floor cleaning all running off the one variable speed pump. Do the Valve actuator's seem to be set correctly to allow me to 1) switch between cleaning and water features modes and 2) allow me to control between having all water features going or just the waterfall going when in water feature mode? I think this is how the PB said it would work, but I don't quite understand how. Oh yeah, it's a ps4 controller and I'll have the quick touch 4 button remote. Also if anyone in-the-know sees anything that looks out of whack or unusual, please let me know. Thanks to all for making this site such a terrific resource!

The only thing I would consider is moving the light so that it shines away from the house. Put in 2 if necessary. I pay attention to this because we messed up and our light shines towards the house. Hope this helps....

Actually the light shines parallel with the back wall of the house. More importantly, I wanted it shining away from what I assume will become the outdoor nighttime area that'll have BBQ island and fireplace. Can't afford two lights, plus I don't want it too bright.

I am with you on that. Unfortunately we spend most of our time in the florida room ( the wife has named it the Flamingo Lounge) and the light was placed under the sheer descent which shines directly towards the house, however we have learned to live with it. Look at our pool build http://www.thathomesite.com/forums/load/pools/msg0718532217198.html?21

Finally, some progress. Shotcrete done, boulders and waterfall next. Falicity, sorry I never answered your question. We got quotes from 3 builders total. We were going to do more, but kind of got tired of it, plus we liked the one we picked, so that was that. I can tell already some areas of the pool I should have done differently, like larger baja shelf and steps. The jury's still out on the weird bench/ shelf/ step thing at the deep end, but it'll probably turn out to be nice. I think I'm going to love the table area. Travertine mosaic will be the top. Going to pick matching coping and waterline tile. Thanks for looking... Stay tuned!

medallion for table top.

Good to see it's progressing. I love the medallion, it's going to look great. After all the estimates we finally decided on True Blue. I went to their store and picked the waterline tile out Thursday. We're supposed to sign the contract next week so we'll see how things go.

Waterfall & boulders.

Thanks for looking.

Not that anyone cares, but... Coping & Tile:

Thanks for looking.

How did they get the medallion on the table?

Scott

Scott,

Unfortunately I missed seeing the actual install, so I'm not really sure how it was lifted in place and centered so perfectly. It's attached with thinset and grouted like any other tile. It looks nice but if I could do it over I'd pick better matching tiles for the edge. I was warned against using travertine and talked in to using "pool tile". I'm not exactly sure why it matters since the bottom of the table is set at water line.

Plan on sealing that table top. You can pickup penatrating sealers and most tile stores and Home Depot. Unless you like the look of it wet then do a color enhancing sealer.

Looks like it's coming along good! What color waterline tile did you use?

Just-a: Good tip on the sealing. Figured I'd hit it with the same stuff I use on the decking and coping which is travertine also.

Falicity: The tile is Noble, Romano series 6" NDIR 650 - Noce. It was completely by accident that the color matched the boulders so well. It really looks sharp, much better than I expected! Has your remodel started yet? Swim season's fast approaching!

Tile looks almost like the one I chose. They have done the chip-out, now we're waiting for the tile. Hopefully they'll start that tomorrow.
: )

Slowly but surely! Travertine deck...

Love that travertine!

Is that travertine or a look like? We've been told not to do travertine or limestone with salt.

Yeah, it's real travertine. Some say not to use it with salt, others say it's fine. So I don't know, looks nice now anyway! The rest of the decking is going in next week and will be concrete pavers, going for a kind of contrast thing, We'll see.

Looking good, Furry! I love the table (I've we didn't have kids that we feared would push against it leading to inevitable cracks, we'd have one) and the travertine.

Yeah, I think I'm going to really enjoy the table. We have kids too and our concern was more of safety of since they'll no doubt be jumping off of it, but I don't think it'll be a problem. As far as cracking, I don't think that'll ever happen. The base is 12" dia. concrete poured integrally with the pool shell and connected with 4 bars. The table is 4" thick concrete with the bars turning out horizontally into it. Needless to say, it ain't moving.

Kind of boring, but, in the interest of keeping this thing going; fence raised & painted, more boulders set in place, concrete footing for future fireplace and bbq island installed:

Furry -

Thanks a lot for posting the pics and info. We're getting quotes right now and hope to have a pool in the ground by August... Still a couple of months of swimming left -- we hope.

We've been told travertine will heat up and be horrible to walk on in the heat of the summer. Do you have any concerns about that, because I love the effect.

Looking good, can't wait for the next update.

Joel

Ever,
Who ever told you that is seriously confused.
The sand set travertine pavers are cooler then Kooldeck.

That is about all we install around pools anymore.

Either confused or doesn't have it to offer and felt he had to say something with confidence to maintain confidence.

Scott

Yeah, what the others said. Travertine is relatively cool on the feet. Relative, of course, meaning it'll take 10 seconds to blister your feet instead of 5 like the concrete pavers will, in August in Phoenix!

Hi Furry,

I saw that you are going to use Stonescapes mini-pebble. We are thinking of using the same material. Have you had it installed yet? If yes, do you have any pics? How does it feel on your feet? What color are you going with? We are in Northern CA and it is very difficult to find others who have used this plaster. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Tugsie

Done. Tugsie, it's Tahoe Blue and came out OK. Not perfect as there are a few rough spots, but for the most part it feels really nice on the feet. For what it's worth, it's virtually identical to my brother-in-laws Pebble Sheen in look & feel, so if you're worried about the brand name, don't be. It really is all the same stuff. Like most say on here though, I think the end product all comes down to the skill of the installers. The water color is kind of light teal with just a slight greenish tint, which some people don't seem to like. I think it's gorgeous, especially against the light travertine. Take a look!

Thanks for looking.

Great looking pool! Congrats

This may well be my favorite pool ever.

It's beautiful!

Turned out really nice! Love the travertine and the table top. How is the A&A working?