Coverstar vs Coverpools

[Thomas Vegas]

Hello, I plan to have an automatic pool cover, 2 brands came Starcover and Coverpools, someone has an experience with these brands? I feel the price is about the same. Thank you.

 

[BMK]

Our previous pool (came with the house) had a CoverPool auto cover. It was 4 years old when we bought the house and we used it for another 4 years before demolishing the whole pool. Mechanically, I had no issues in that time. The cover fabric was probably a year or 2 past its useful life, but I used it as the pool's winter cover, so I guess I cant complain.
All in all I was happy with it.

I'm guessing in your area it wont be an issue, but make sure the manufacturer has a local authorized service provider...just in case.

 

[Thomas Vegas]

Thank you BMK for your answer. I have a CoverPools system on my pool, we bought the house recently, but it's doesn't work anymore. I have to fix it, or probably replace everything. 2 companies showed up for an estimate, one represent CoverPools and the other Starcover. The first one estimated roughly to $11000 and Starcover estimated to $4700... The difference seems crazy... and the Starcover seems more serious... So do you know what can justify a gap like that? Thank you.

 

[bmoreswim]

Is this a new build or a retroactive addition? It sure seems like their approach or scope is different. Did you get line item quotes?

I would like to check on one thing. You are mentioning Starcover, which I've never heard of and can't find online. Are you sure you don't mean Coverstar?

 

[BMK]

I agree get line item quotes. With that big of a difference, it doesnt sound like an apples to apples comparison.

 

[Thomas Vegas]

My bad, I wrote Starcover, I mean Coverstar Home - Coverstar
I changed the threat name also, good call, bmoreswim! Thanks

And I agree with you. It is probably true... it won't by the same apple at the end...
I presented the 'job to do' in the same way for both companies. The first company told me "roughly $11000" without giving me any written estimate... (at this time I had no idea for an automatic pool cover) so probably they would charge me with things I don't really need (like for example a wifi transmitter or I don't know)
And the second company gave one written estimate (Coverstar) at $4700.
My first intention as I explained to them is to fix my exciting pool cover (COVER T by Coverpools)
So maybe I should ask a real estimate to the first one... but anyway the fact he tries to sell me more, doesn't make me trust him...

Thanks, both of you!

 

[dw886]

We have a coverstar - it's going on it's 3rd pool season and is just completing it's 3rd winter. I've been really happy with it. Up here, it's pretty much what every pool builder uses. I can think of 9 pools off the top of my head that have coverstar covers within a few miles of our house... I'm guessing that these companies aren't quoting the same things like others are saying.

There's some really expensive options (like a rotational counter that determines how far a cover is open to stop water features from turning on) that are over $1k just for the components. I'm guessing that the first quote assumes you have nothing (no cover-compatible coping, no cover box on the end of your pool, etc), where the second quote assumes that some of that is there, and it's a replacement of the ropes / canvas / motor. The CoverStart Wifi compatible keypad is ~ $500.

 

[bmoreswim]

My Wifi keypad failed after a few years. I never actually used the Wifi part, just the push buttons to open/close. So I replaced it will their standard momentary contact switch in a key locked box. Just one data point but more complexity always brings more opportunity for failure.

Overall we are very pleased with our Coverstar cover (6 years). Service, when you need it, is shockingly expensive, but an autocover is a luxury item (albeit a functional one). Repairs have been:

1. Alignment issues (broken pulley) - dealer repair
2. Wifi switch failed - self repair
3. Broken rope (after 6 years) - dealer repair (ouch)
4. Patch same large hole twice from rodent over winter

Have a breaker bar and appropriate socket on hand in case something goes wrong on the day you are having a pool party and you need to manually open the cover. It's not easy or fast, but I did it both times for the switch and rope issues.

 

[dw886]

Have a breaker bar and appropriate socket on hand in case something goes wrong on the day you are having a pool party and you need to manually open the cover. It's not easy or fast, but I did it both times for the switch and rope issues.

Does this only work for opening the pool (rolling up the cover) when the ropes break? This has always been a fear of mine - I've actually contemplated getting an extra set of ropes to keep on hand because of this....

 

[bmoreswim]

I've only ever opened it this way (twice) with our Coverstar. I've never tried to close/cover it. Installing new ropes can be a DIY project, but not something this Y wanted to tackle. I also opened the cover once when the switch failed, but the ropes were still in tact. That was the much harder of the two times. When one rope broke, I cut the other one (since I knew I would replace both) and it rolled up pretty easily using the breaker bar method.

You can manually close the cover per the manual: "Pull the ropes to extend the cover out over the pool."