Putting in a pool

[Joe H]

My Parents are putting one in and I need to help them out. Hit me with advice. Space is no object.

[double lung]

make sure it has a cooler nearby...

seriously, make sure their are no trees right above it...

[Heath]

TexasTracker's wife can help you out.

[topduarte]

Call utility companies to check for any undergroudn utilities.

Also, some overhead utilites have larger easements (50' or more).

Also, depending on how deep the pool is, you might want to have a soil test done to see if it is suitable for pools.

[Jaspro]

Don't forget your grato.

[Atfulldraw]

I don't feel like typing much tonight, but feel free to call me tomorrow 214-244-1329

I've installed a bunch of them and can at least point you in the right direction.


Nice "grotto" Prosser.
is that spanglish? italianish?

[Texas Tracker]

Need more imfo. What type? Gunite, fiberglass,liner, above ground?

[Raleigh]

Most all pool contractors use alot of individual companies for all the aspects of the work. You might have more than 10 different companies working on your pool all managaed by the pool contractor. These idividual company are paid by the contractor. If they are not paid they can put a lien on your house. My advice is to write into the contract a 20% retainage that will be paid only after all the indiviudal companies can prove that they were paid for their work. Most lending companies will advise you to this but most pool contractors wont want to. If they refuse the retainage go some where else.

[Bucknasty]

My advice is to write into the contract a 20% retainage that will be paid only after all the indiviudal companies can prove that they were paid for their work.

Glad you mentioned it...unpaid subs can wreck your sanity.

FYI- I want my pool removed...cannot stand it! I would prefer to bury me a coffee can and throw $100-200 a month in there because that's all I'm doing with that hole in the ground right now! Really, the fun only lasts a couple of years!

Good Luck!

[Joe H]

Its going in the ground and a gunite pool. One contractor that is local and has been doing them for three years. Very recommended in this area and a great reputation. Going in the pasture so no trees. Wiring no problem. Was wondering on filter recommendations, chlorine or salt etc. Thanks.

[rjet]

Salt system for sure.
Shop around for estimates. One that did me right did not do the same with my neighbor. The one I turned down cause I couldnt stand their tactics did my neighbor right.
Right now is a great time to put one in cause they are all getting hungry, which will change in a couple months.
Have them put decking all around the pool or landscape around the edges that dont have it(first thing). One side of mine is flagstone and the pool is a mess after mowing that part, am going to put a flower bed on that side to keep grass clipping from getting in.
Have them put the pool pump out of the way somewhere, I screwed up royally on that deal. The pump is only 15 feet from the pool and is an eyesore I am still trying to figure out how to deal with. I have seen pools since where the pump is 40 feet away.

Make sure and check city building codes for fence requirements depending on what type of fence (if not already there) you want to put in. I had to get the city council and city zoning to get a waiver for my fence. Small town of Bells had some ridiculous out-dated requirements (which they dont enforce). Wanted to do a CYA for the future.
Look at right side of pool, that is not enough barrier to keep grass clippings from getting in after mowing. Pool surface will be full of em.

[Raleigh]

I have chlorine and wished salt was an option. Everyone I know that went with salt likes it.

[traindude]

Get a salt water pool! My nieghbors and several other friends have salt water pools. They say they are easier to maitain and a little cheaper on maitaince fees. One of my nieghbors just converted is chlorine pool toa salt water pool. It cost about a 1000.00 bucks.

[Philip-TX]

"Cool Deck" on the perimeter/decking.....doesn't scorch your feet.

If you don't have kids to help clean the skimmer baskets, and Polaris/sweep.....get busy on that.

[JHT]

Make sure they buy a boat while the pool is getting installed.

Pools and boats are the 2 best investments a family can make.