Advice on a new pool in Plano, Tx

[Simmons99]

Here is some advice:

1. Call 5-6 pool builders that have less than 5 Better Business Bureau issues in the last 36 months - and that any issues have been resolved. Ask the company what the issues were reguarding and what they have done to make sure the problem doesn't happen again. If they have 15 and they were all "impossible customers" - I would run in the other direction!
2. Ask each one the same question - what is better? It could be that a certain type of pool is better for the environmental conditions in your area. In Central FL, it was recommeded by every pool company to go with concrete. Also if you want something you can totally customize - a pre-fabbed pool may not be what you want.
3. Never ask a pool builder to install a feature/type of pool they don't normally do - you are certainly asking for trouble. Don't insist that a company who installs 100 concrete pools a year and only 5 vinyl pools install a vinyl pool in your yard. You will be able to tell when you talk to the sales people what they don't like to do - or don't do often, because the sales people will tell you why you shouldn't do it or they will seem less then forthcoming with information about a feature they don't normally install.
4. Don't pick a pool company because you like the sales person or because its the lowest price. Pick them because they have the best installation for the money.
5. When I looked into pool companies - I drove around and found people that were having pools installed by each builder I was looking at and knocked on their door to find out if the builder kept time lines, etc.

Most of all - good luck. As with any construction project there are always problems and set-backs, but a good company will keep you informed and work with you through the whole process!

[joelq]

LittleSandie - I live in Frisco and just signed a contract two weeks ago. We received bids from (in order of receiving bids) Platinum, Blue Haven (only because some friends of ours recommended them), Foley, Riverbend Sandler, and Water Frontiers.

All bids were for gunite pools, and from what I understand, gunite's the way to go in North Texas.

Blue Haven's bid was $5K less then everyone else's, but looking at their BBB problems and general service problems from people online, our decision was easy not to go with them.

I'd also suggest going to http://www.frisco-online.com. Go to the forums on the site. There are quite a few threads on selecting pool builders.

Good luck!

[CarlD]

Vinyl vs Gunite? Well, that's up to you. But the advice that you don't push a builder to do what he doesn't do is sound.

There is nothing wrong with vinyl. It's less expensive, repairable, and doesn't require curing, doesn't require calcium in the water (though pool builders and pool stores insist it does), and can safely tolerate much higher total alkalinity levels. Liners can last 15-20 years before being replaced if they aren't abused. They can tolerate ground shifting because they are flexible and stretch, and the ground underneath them can be basically sand. It's easy to add lights or returns, too--I added two new returns after the season a couple of years ago to accomodate my re-plumbing my solar panels.

On the other hand, vinyl liners can be torn by improperly wielded tools, dogs and other animals, and by grossly improper chemicals. Too much bleach will fade them, too low a pH (too acid) can weaken them. They don't look as good as gunite, and patches can be ugly. You also can NEVER drain all the water unless you are replacing the liner.

Gunite can tolerate much higher levels of chlorine (if you need to do EXTREME shocking) and much more acid water--lower pH. They don't tear from dog's nails or a mis-applied tool. And NOTHING looks as good as a beautifully designed and finished tiled pool. If your ground underneath it is water-free, you can fully drain them for maintenance and cleaning.

But they require curing and you MUST be very careful about your calcium and total alkalinity levels. They will require maintenance--anywhere from 5 to 10 years apart. They can crack if the ground shifts and the patches are hard to hide. If the pool is emptied and there's a lot of ground water, it can actually "float" up out of the ground. And they cost more than vinyl. Repairing the underground plumbing is far more expensive and harder to access.

So it's your choice. In MY humble opinion, I believe that vinyl is lower maintenance than gunite/concrete/tile, and, if properly installed and the water maintained, I know they last 15-20 years (always get the thickest, heaviest liner you can afford that's available).

But nothing looks as good gunite/tile.