Hi all, as the original poster... I'd like to add some thoughts to this discussion. My hope in listing manufacturers and models was to solicit specific feedback. As a homeowner with no previous pool build experience, I need to hear from those in the pool industry or from other homeowners who have personally used or are using that equipment. Maybe someone has a similar setup and is thrilled with the results. Maybe someone upgraded an item or items and, since hindsight is 20/20... can offer insight so that I can make a better choice. I have learned so much from reading hundreds of other posts. I've been able to make informed decisions when discussing the project with the potential pool builder. And this forum provides an unique opportunity to get the opinions of those in the know. Had it not been for the info here and the pictures of pool builds, I may have made some costly mistakes. Because of detailed questions and information... I've been able to negotiate a very smart pool package and know what to look for as the build begins. And, maybe even more importantly, I feel good about my decision because the experts here have been willing to freely share their knowledge. Where else would I go? I personally know no one in the pool building industry. It's taken weeks of exacting research... hours online sifting through varying opinions in the search of objective input. So, thanks to all who've contributed here. Scott, if you have a moment.. would you mind looking over the original post and suggesting any changes or additions you feel might improve the project? Thanks again!

Just to toss out another idea to ponder. If you live in a area with a strong regional style, I think it's okay to decorate with a nod towards that style, even if it isn't strictly appropriate for the house itself. My 60s phony colonial tract home resides in a lovely part of Connecticut with many beautiful historical homes and many excellent historical reproductions. To me, the 60s tract homes in my development seem out of place. They don't relate to the area and have an anachronistic feel. My neighbors have maintained their homes well. But some of the modernizations, especially of the interiors, strike me as off -- you just don't get a sense that you live in Connecticut. Everybody loves living here because of the historical charm & the abundant natural beauty, but walking into some of these homes, you might as well be in Des Moines. Or Provence. Or the Upper East Side. Two years ago we needed to sink money into the house as most of the original materials and mechanics were failing. I thought about the inappropriateness of some of the changes we were making. Was I trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear? (Yes) Could I successfully transform a 60s house into a genuine colonial style? (Not really) Would I be destroying the architectural integrity of the home? (A purist would think so). These houses were never plumb & square anyway. Mine sags in the center even. Why try for spit and polish, or even maintaining the 60s feel, when rusticating it could blend in the quirks and flaws? Low unlevel ceiling? It's a feature! So we went ahead with the changes: shingles that mimic the historical houses, traditional colors, native stone. We got rid of the triple track windows with the hideous aluminum storm covers, replaced the skimpy moldings with wider ones, replaced the flush doors with 4-panels, banished the bright brass with black iron or ORB, ripped out vinyl flooring and put in stone-like tile, replaced shiny for rustic, sleek for textured, contemporary for old. Eventually we'll put in wide plank pine flooring in the family room. On the whole, nothing could be mistaken for antique or genuine. It's more a nod to the past with modern materials. So yes, the house is still a 60s phony colonial with a too flat roof and asymmetrical window placement, but at least it now feels like a Connecticut home. It seems to relate to the area better, both in looking at the home and in looking out of it. (Maybe that's something I missed having lived in 2 contemporaries with big, low windows, that sense of connecting with the outside.) By trying to nudge the house towards a more historical, local, true colonial feel, I did all the "wrong" things, but the house seems more right for it.

Ryan0424' Sorry for the late response. Been away from the computer. We were in the low $40's. They removed and replaced 235 sq.ft. of decking, and added another 225 sq. ft. decking. My total spray deck area was approx 700 sq. ft. The plaster is Wetedge Technology luna Quartz series (Mediterranean). I have 2 LED 4.0 colorlogic lights in the pool, and one in the spa. We are very happy with our pool. I have not been able to get pictures. The weather has been bad. Hopefully today or tomorrow I will post some. We are circulating water now. Pearland uses Hayward equipment. I cannot complain about pearland. They have been very helpful and pleasant to deal with. Their subcontractors all seem to take pride in their workmanship. I have never been red flagged by inspection this entire time. Randy was a city inspector for pearland at one time so he knows the codes. Definitely get ATLEAST 3 bids. Do not be afraid to change your design ideas as many times as you want. We went through at least 3 or 4 totally different designs, and then altered our a few times as well.

I haven’t seen either show, I will look for them. I like the idea of not allowing owners to move in if they haven’t respected the time limits, or even better in my view, if the historic modifications that were agreed upon were not observed or respected. We have problems in our city with speculative developers who purchase old houses or schools and then rather than restore them as they suggested they would, they let them sit for years and years until they must be demolished for safety reasons. Then of course a condo tower does up. The other problem is developers who agree to restrict a development to two storeys, but end up building three. Or their approved plans don’t show a roof top terrace over looking their neighbout’s yard, but they build it without approval. They get a slap on the risk from the city, but they never lose their property or have the project torn town. It’s a scam, especially in heritage districts and our city let’s them get away with it. If the city demolished the new structure, or denied developers or homeowners occupancy rightsjust once or twice I bet the rules would be followed far more often. So I’m all for the British rules!