Scott, what if the temp outside is 40 degrees and she wants the spa to reach 100 degrees? My understanding from my PB is that the heat pump only increases your temp relative to the outside temp (maybe 40degrees more). now she is stuck at 80 degree. I am getting a gas heater because I want to get in the hot tub in the cold winter nights and relax. If it is 40 degree outside, I don't want that tub to be below my body temp because I will feel cold. I want it 100 degrees and I know a gas heater can do that. What I think watermom wants to do is extend her swim season in Connecticut where the swim season is relatively short. that would be pretty expensive using a gas heater although it can do it easily and quickly. I am thinking about getting both since I want to extend my swim season in April and October but want the advantage of a hot tub in the winter. Is that overkill? I am holding off on the heatpump until after our first swim season to see how much we want to use the pool during these two months. Have you or any of the other pool builders done pools with both? would you recommend this or is it a waste of money? Watermom, I live in North Carolina. The gas heater is for both my spa and pool. this is my first pool so I am learning just like you are. I plan on using my gas heater for times we want to swim and if I find we are using it more than 1-2 times a month for the pool, than I will add the heatpump. my set up is ready for the heatpump to be added.

Steel walls would be my choice polymer walls tend to warp and don't give you those straight lines on the pool. I change about 40 liners in pools per season and the steel walls very seldom show any type of corrosion and some of these pools are 20yrs plus old. Go with the salt system the UV will cause staining down the road...If I had to pick between sand or a cartridge filter I would go with sand...Do some research on DE fiters to me they are the best of both worlds and that is what I have on my personnel pool and as a builder I could have any filter I want... also if it were me I would look at Pentair equipment. For the heater if you not planning on swimming in Dec look at a heat pump rather than gas....250,000 BTU should be fine other than that... Rusty

Thanks sceadu. I didn't make it very clear but there are actually 2 pumps. I'm glad you mentioned it in your reply because I was concerned about the heater (although we are in Atl) and waterfall size so I'll ask the PB tomorrow. Also need to ask about the number of skimmers. I'm not sure if he's only doing 1 skimmer because of the bubblers on the other end of the pool. The decking is flagstone (crab orchard?). We were thinking about using glass tiles on the slide...think this will make it faster?

I am a pool builder myself and after reviewing your quote I would say it is a very fair price. Considering the waterfall, upgraded systems (pump, controls, lights) and sprinkler repairs (which can easily add $1500.00) you should be fine with this bid. I would get at least 3 bids for any project, and compare apples to apples "where possible". Ask for recent and past referrals as well. Even go look at a couple of the builders jobs, something other than just pictures ! And when it is all said and done see if the builders sales rep will also be on the job site, we do not have salesmen ourselves . . . the person selling the pool, "builds the pool". We are designer / builders and find that our clients enjoy knowing that! Enjoy your new pool !! Here is a link that might be useful: Blue Lagoon Pools