Where are you located, different prices for different areas.

I am in the Phoenix, AZ, more specifically, Gilbert area.

Austin

I guess, Shaftya pools.

Austin,

I cannot address price, but I'll provide feedback based on my own experience and research...

- A pool of that size is typically bid with a single skimmer. I'd imagine two skimmers are better than one. How much better? Dunno, so I'll defer to the experts around here.

- In FL, code requires 2 drains... mine are T'eed. Reason is to reduce suction thru each drain, thus reducing the possibility of someone getting stuck on a drain and drowning.

- Running the grotto and cleaner at the same time? Only real reason to do that is "because you want to." :) I do not know how long the cleaner will run per day, so having the grotto off for that period of time might be a problem... grottos are much nicer to see/hear than a cleaner system.

- In general, if the pump is on then the skimmer should be on. Skimmers capture surface debris.

- Good call with wanting a separate line for a vacuum

My personal advice:
- Reconsider the in-floor cleaning system. I have a ~880 SF pool/spa, and I manually vacuum once per week. Takes no more than 1 hour tops. Yup, I do not even have a auto cleaner, but that is by choice. Save the money and put it elsewhere

- Leaf Vac is a gimmick for most pools... unless you have a LOT of leaves. I lived in Tuscon for a bit. We hand no leaves.

- I strongly suggest you get another quote based normal cleaning equipment (i.e. no in-floor system, plain skimmers, no Leaf Vac). Once you see what these extra "cleaning" systems will cost you, you may have second thought. I know I would.

-Gorilla

Here is a link that might be useful: Is this what you are referring to?

You should always get several bids, but especially now. Most pool builders in the Valley have dramatically dropped prices.

I don't know what Leaf Vac is, but the most we get for about a month, twice a year, are the leaves off the mesquites trees and the yellow palo verde flowers. You just have to be more diligent emptying the baskets. No big deal.

During monsoon, you'll will want to vacuum manually. Here is what can happen in a matter of minutes (this is a white plaster pool!)

I guess the number of skimmers would depend on the plants you have. Again, I have the mesqite and palo verde right by mine. Also, I thought two drains was required for the reason GorillaX gave, but maybe not.

I don't know enough about variable speed pumps and the Intellitouch, but I often wonder why they don't recommend two separate pumps when you have a water feature. We have a sheer descent and I have to constantly switch the valve on and off. We are planning a larger water feature behind the sheer descent and have all the plumbing in place so that I can add the sheer descent onto the new pump when the time comes. I can't wait to have my cleaning system completely separate from my water features. Is there a reason nobody seems to do this?