We are just starting this process (in Southern CA), and just started looking at contractors. I'm sure I will start learning what all those technical terms mean soon, right now I am clueless. Looks like a really nice layout! Can I ask what the budget is on this? Thanks, Steph

Cutter2010, Email me from my member page, and I'll be happy to share the bid with you. Maybe I'm just too embarrased to admit in the open what I'm spending! Mudn, It would seem the consensus is that Paramount's systems are the best, and perhaps if my builder were selling that model I might be more inclined. I don't know...it also seems like in floor cleaners are just 1 more system to have problems with down the line (but same can be said for anything). Jury is still out for me. -Tim

Progress Update: Well we are moving closer. The GC and the PB met with us on Friday to hammer out some logistical details. After all the planning we still have some logistics issues to work out. In the process we've had some snags regarding the waterproof deck on the balcony that would balloon the costs out of control. So we've decided to put 1 1/4" travertine pavers everywhere there was originally concrete. In total 4,150 sqft including 5% loss. I think it will be a better look and I get to cut the cancerous membrane contractor out of the job. Either he didn't completely understand the job or he was pulling the classic bait and switch. That means he didn't think it was important enough to specify the job or he thought we would just pay him double after the membrane was down and it needed a finish on it. Either way I feel like I dodged a bullet. It's a good thing that we didn't re-engineer for the lighter surface or we would have been screwed. My GC is just sick about it since he was part of his bid. I looked into getting pavers from a local yard that wanted to order them from Peru for $9.20sf. The PB thought that was ridiculous too for the quantity required. For the look it probably wouldn't be too bad if I had a smaller area since I could get it delivered in smaller portions and it wouldn't require so much work to figure out how to get them here. Anyhow I've managed to find a source and shipper that can get them to us fairly quickly at a 1/3 of the price. I think it helps when you order 69,000 lbs of material and dedicate a couple of flatbed trucks to the job. Unfortunately this will add some logistical problems since the pavers will come in 25 5'x5'x30" crates. With all the roofing material, lumber for the structure, and equipment, the job site will be pretty packed. I think I'll rent a forklift, take a couple of ACME testosterone pills, and stack them 2 high in the backyard. According to the county we have to have the equipotential mats in place to pass the bonding inspection for the pool. This shouldn't be a problem if the bond mat is laid under the base material for the pavers but if it must be laid between the crushed rock and the sand then that will throw in some delays as the structure catches up to the pool build. I've read the NEC code on equipotential bonding and it does say that it may be laid in direct contact with the soil under the "base" material. However, all the pictures of the installation show it on top of the base under the sand layer. Anyone have any guidance here? I'll for sure verify this with the county but I want to make sure I am talking in the same language that the inspector is speaking in.

Thanks for the tip about salt pools in Austin. Our neighbor had to convert their salt pool into a chlorine one after 2 years because the corrosion was so bad. I never asked PB about it because I assumed they didn't do it since the brochures I got from the companies talk about some new high tech "ozone" something or another. Good to know I have choices--I will do some homework! Oklahoma flagstone is what I will be using anyway..... This design is Cody and I am 85% sure we will use them. Bayside Pools is coming out tomorrow (this will be the 3rd and last quote I get so if they don't wow me, Cody is the big winner). At this point, it's who will give me the most features for less, as they are all pretty reputable PBs. Anthony & Sylvan was the first PB to come out and quoted me 50k for a basic kidney shape and although it did have a spa and "grotto", it seemed pretty boring for 50k. I wasn't impressed with the high pressure sales tactics either. But 50k is what we expected to spend in Austin so you can imagine the pleasant surprise with this design and quote. Anthony & Sylvan's design wasn't nearly as pretty and this design that Cody came up with is just my style. I really love it. There are a few design things I will tweak, but overall Cody has been great. We had a slight misunderstanding in the beginning that they felt really bad about, so they tell me I am getting many upgrades for my inconvenience. If you compare my two quotes, this seems to be true. For my fellow Austinites looking for a PB, I will post tomorrow after my meeting with Bayside Pools and let you know how it goes. Hope everyone had a great 4th. Been on the lake all day and am beat--would love to jump in a pool at my own house! ;)