Watermom,
We just went through this process. Your consultation is free. You will tell them what you would like for a design (size, shape, depth etc). They will also measure your yard and check out electrical/plumbing. I would tell them up front that you are seeing other bids. Buying a pool is like buying a car. Once they come back with a bid sit on it. We had three companies competing for us and they ALL lowered their bids after the first initial price quote. Good Luck!!

watermom,
A PB should be willing to come out for free. He should measure your yard and draw a plan as part of the estimate. Not all builders will leave a copy of the plan with the estimate. Each PB should take his own measurements and design based on the info you give him.
The Square footage of the pool and deck are important for comparing size. The length and width are not always true indicators of size.
Definitely tell them you are in the bidding process. 5 bids is good. I've had customers get 15 different bids and it's hard for the average person to make an apples for apples comparison.
At the first meeting the PB should be asking questions to see what you want. He will most likely show you pictures of his work and features that you might like such as water features, types of deck and types of plaster. He should also know the local codes and setbbacks for your area. You should be able to tell him if you have a septic tank and leech lines and where they are at.
You should allow about a week if the PB is going to make a good scale drawing. Some builders will make a hand sketch and estimate at the first meeting.
Ask friends and co-workers who built there pool. Usually one or two names will stand out for better or worse. Good luck.

I hopefully will be there in 12 days if escrow doesn't fall through. The hard part is narrowing down the PB's. We have a lot in Sacramento, must have something to do with the 100+ temps in summer. :)

My plan is to get 4 bids 2 from large companies, Aqua Pool & Spa and Geremia, And 2 from small PB's

I've been pouring through this forum figuring out exactly what I want in design and equipment and decking. So I can get the bids to match my specifications.

Ask to see 3 pools they have built, 2 within the last 6 months and one at least 2 years ago. If they have no one to talk with, don't go with them no matter how low the price.

Thanks everyone! I need all the help I can get. I'll keep you posted. I hope I am not crushed when I get the estimates!

Hi there,

We just finished getting bids (mostly large companies, all from recommendations). I would really recommend that you have an idea of what you want. You should decide ahead of time about what part of the yard you want it in, if you want a spa, saltwater, any features (fireplace or waterfeature...). I found that when we first called for estimates, we got bids from $50,000 to $180,000 for the same spot in our yard. I realized very quickly that I was not comparing apples to apples. One builder had a nice bid full of wonderful equipment, great waterfeatures, good landscaping and lighting, etc. Others had just the skin and bones to get my business but I would end up adding to that price substantially as time went on.

We actually went so far as to design our pool ourselves (the basics anyway) and give a list of equipment to the PBs after reading this site and trouble free pools. Now we are all on the same page and the bids are only $15,000 or so different between companies!

Katherine