There's a discussion about this very subject at the Pools and Spas forum (click on link below): Here is a link that might be useful: True monthly cost of pool?

To understand, this is a HP system or straight AC? What size system do you have now? Your general location? Coastal or inland? It would be nice to see all complete model numbers for both Trane and Heil quotes. XB13 is low end Trane. Post back. IMO

Additional things I think we can/should add and are in no particular order yet: The suitability of the desired pool location is a huge concern that often leads to added costs that weren't mentioned. For example, what if there are large rocks found at the excavation, a high water table, heavy clay content, run off water coming from up hill neighbors, septic systems, and other situations that might make a particular location require some sort of corrective actions, some of which can be costly. Learning about any potential geological issues in your area before they are surprises will save you money. While surprises do often happen anyway, most can be foreseen with some investigative work. While not all that hard to do, pool care education is important. No pool is maintenance free. Liken it to an artificial life form in the back yard. It has at least one heart (pump), veins and arteries (suction and return lines), kidney (filter), needs to be fed a proper diet, needs grooming, and has some sort of intelligence (timer or automation). Pools can get sick in different ways. Even if you plan to hire a service, you still need to be able to judge if they are doing it right. More on contracts: If it isn't written, it wasn't said. Different states have different laws and recourses when it comes to contractor law. Pay schedules often become a sore spot. PBs need to make a fair profit. Good isn't cheap. Different regions have different costs to contend with so don't expect a pool in Massachusetts to cost the same as one in Florida. Different regions may use different materials and even similar materials may have things like added shipping costs that you might not see burdened in. You might be able to buy equipment on the 'net for less but the 'net is not going to show up if something breaks under warranty. It's great for the DIYer but you wouldn't bring your own steak to The Outback Steak House and expect them to cook it and serve it to you for free, would you? Using builder A's design but not compensating him if you use builder B or going Owner/Builder to do it is wrong. That is the theft of intellectual property. While it is often said that business doesn't have morals or ethics, there are a lot of people that don't work that way. Many are here to help counter the ones without the ethics or morals. It is a two way street though. Pools cost a lot. Doing your research will pay off. This doesn't mean you have to learn in detail, every aspect of the project but finding reliable and trustworthy resources before hand is important. A Mens clothier had a tag line I loved, "An educated consumer is our best customer." Scott

A couple all tile stools without a table or bar top? Maybe $400-500/ea retail. Tile top only you're maybe $250-300/ea.... that is if that's all you want. If you have infloor cleaning you'll be looking at about 3 extra heads per 2 stools. A swim up bar can obviously have a sunken dry bar on one side. This number jumps into the thousands very quickly on a flat yard.