New Pool Build - Tampa, FL

[rev29k]

Hello,

The wife and I have decided to finally proceed with our first pool build. We are currently in process of getting quotes from various local builders, and we believe we have a fairly decent idea of what we would like, size, etc. We understand the average size is 14 X 28, but we are also looking to expand that to maybe 14 X 35 with the add6ition of a sun shelf, as we understand the shelf addition isn't that much more (couple thousand). We are also looking for a 6 x 6, possibly 7 x 7 spa, with a heat pump, chlorinator, and a possible in-floor cleaning system. We are also looking at a deck 50ft. wide and 38 ft. deep, with a covered screen/cage. We are on a downgrade slope, so we understand there will be a cost for a retaining wall on the back side of the pool. Most of the builders we have met with so far all seem to start their builds with pavers, basic automated LED packages, salt water generators, 2 HP pumps (2 stage?), etc.

I have only received one quote so far and it was 85K (without the retaining wall, they want me to sub that out to someone else). That seems very high from the word of mouth I have received. But, I also can't seem to get any good recommendations on builders within the Tampa Bay area. I have been researching the various builders like crazy online (ie reviews on Google, Yelp, AngieList, etc.) but I kinda feel like I am missing out on a better deal somewhere else. I am still waiting on quotes from the some of the builders, and I am still trying to find others to get quotes from as well, but was hoping to get some advise on builders who are GOOD and have nice QUALITY and service. I have heard who NOT to build with, but not really any I SHOULD look at.

Can anyone throw me any suggestions for some really good reputable, but reasonable companies?

Thanks in advance folks!
Sean

 

[Green Goblin]

Make sure you're comparing apples to apples when thinking about prices. I've lived in Tampa too.

It's easy to make a blanket statement that $85k for a pool in tampa seems higher than average, but listening to the specs you're laying out-- nearly 2000 sf of deck, and a cage, and it's not on level ground, and maybe the quote included a spa/heat pump/in floor cleaner/chlorinator-- that might be a pretty reasonable quote depending on what is included.

1900 sf of pavers installed, even at $10sf, which would seem to be a darn good price for installed pavers would mean the deck alone is costing you around $20k.

 

[Fatjack]

I’m in hillsborough county also this is what I did to research builders https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/158383-PB-Selection-and-build our initial quotes were in the 45k range with a relatively small pool.

 

[2girls4us]

We are in the Tampa area as well. Our pool is 15x28, plus a 6x8 sun shelf and 6x8 spa. We have an existing covered lanai as well as a two-story courtyard area that we had repaved to match the new pool pavers. We also had the entire area screened in, including the two-story part (boy was that interesting to watch!!). We came in at $75,500 with a 10% Angie’s list discount, so it would have been a little over $85K pre discount.

 

[rev29k]

Thanks folks.

2girls4us :

Do you mind sharing some pics of your work? Or maybe PM'ing me with who you chose and your experience with the builder?

This thread isn't so much about just the cost (although that is definitely a factor), it is more about trying to find a reputable and reasonable builder to go with. If it that's what it costs, that what it costs. But I don't really have any baselines to compare against. And there is obviously the cost differences between different options people choose as well.

Thanks folks!

 

[kellyfair]

I don’t have any insight to add, but wanted to say hello to my fellow Tampanians! Rev, your build sounds amazing - can’t wait to see it!

 

[rev29k]

I will definitely post once we get started. I posted on our local neighborhood forum/website and got a reference for both Olympus and Real Rock Pools. I am waiting on a quote from Olympus, and RRP is coming by today. I have also had Larsen, Tampa Bay Pools, and Riviera come by as well. Out of all of them I have only received a quote from one so far. I am waiting on all of the others. Does anyone have any comments regarding any of these builders, good OR bad?

 

[2girls4us]

Here are a couple pics of our finished pool.




And a pic of the covered lanai. You can see the two-story area beyond the sitting area.


We used Larsen’s, and don’t have anything bad to say about them at all. Adam was our designer, although I already knew what I wanted it to look like. Jeremy was our project manager, but we worked with another guy a little bit as well (I think his name was Dan). The owner’s dad came out to our house to look in on the job site one day as well, and helped us with making a decision on the gutters.

the only negative I can think of was that the PebbleTec installers were sloppy. I’m pretty sure they are the only ones in town that do PebbleTec, so any builder who uses that product, will have the same people. We told our PM about it, and he was going to pass our complaint on to PebbleTec to let them know. They also broke one of our pavers when they dropped some equipment, but never came to the door to tell me (my kid saw it happen through the window). Larsen’s sent a guy out the next day to replace the broken paver.

 

[rev29k]

Thanks 2girls!

That looks great!

Ironically, Larsen's is the one I was referring to as well, and our design is very similar to yours. They do seem like a good group to go with, however they also seemed pretty high. Quoted $85K for us too, but that doesn't include the retaining wall that they don't want to do. They are requiring we sub that out ourselves. I am currently waiting on quotes from Tampa Bay, Olympus, Riviera, and I have Real Rock coming out today. RR was recommended by some others in my neighborhood. But I definitely appreciate your pictures and suggestions/feedback. At least I know they do a good job and aren't too difficult to work with.

 

[rev29k]

I also wanted to ask a question regarding some particulars. Does anyone think automation is worth the cost? Also I was told that travertine can be much more slippery than pavers. Anyone have any experience with that? And also lighting. I’m seeing different sizes vs. number of lights and was wondering anyone’s thoughts as well.

And if anyone still had any builder suggestions please let me know.

 

[PoolGate]

I think they already sticker shocked you with the pool bid and didn't want to kill the deal with the retaining wall. I can tell you around here a retaining wall like you describe would be in the $20k-$30k range. For lighting go with multicolor LEDs. Probably need 2 for the pool and 1 for the spa. Automation 100% is worth it. Also make sure to get a VSP. See my chart below for cost savings.

 

[rev29k]

I don’t think they wanted to do the wall because they haven’t done too many. All of the others have said no problem, and quoted anywhere from $5-15K. Does it matter what size the LED lights are? Most are roughly 2.5”, while one guy said you really only need one large one for the pool. I like the idea of several smaller ones, but figured I’d ask. And you think automation is worth it even if we don’t have water features besides a bubbler, lights, and the spa spillover?

 

[PoolGate]

I don’t think they wanted to do the wall because they haven’t done too many. All of the others have said no problem, and quoted anywhere from $5-15K. Does it matter what size the LED lights are? Most are roughly 2.5”, while one guy said you really only need one large one for the pool. I like the idea of several smaller ones, but figured I’d ask. And you think automation is worth it even if we don’t have water features besides a bubbler, lights, and the spa spillover?

I would go with at least 2 in the main pool. I think the larger and smaller put out about the same amount of light though. The smaller may be "nicheless" which would help with the installation not needing a big hole in the wall. I'd also put a light in the spa. Automation is definitely worth it! Especially if you go with the SWCG. You'll be dialing it in. Lights are nice to have on a remote too. Just overall a better thing to have.

 

[rev29k]

Thanks. That helps. By SWCG do you mean salt-water chlorinator?

And I forgot to ask about filtration. Regular cartridge or DE Filter?

 

[PoolGate]

Thanks. That helps. By SWCG do you mean salt-water chlorinator?

And I forgot to ask about filtration. Regular cartridge or DE Filter?

Yep - Saltwater Chlorine Generator.

I have a cartridge and really like it. But those with DE filters like them too. With DE you have to backwash somewhere. My neighbor has a pile of crud from where he backwashes. I clean my filter cartridges (4) twice per season takes around 45 minutes.

 

[tampatommy]

Have you looked at Tropical Pools and Paver's? We saw one of their pools in a model at Starkey Ranch. I contacted them about the cost to recreate it (pool, spa, paver deck, screen) and he said right around 50. We took that pool and tweaked it a bit to come up with our design. Stand by for pic.

 

[tampatommy]

 

[rev29k]

Tampatommy,

That looks great! Very similar to what we are wanting. I had originally contacted Tropical back in April and they said they couldn’t even meet with us until June, with construction not starting until August. Most other companies are saying they’ll be DONE in September, and that’s a conservative estimate.

But that that price seems very competitive! I went ahead and replied to him and we’ll see what his availability is still like.

How was your experience with them? Did they take a long time to complete the job!

I must say that price has me very interested, but their timeline is a major bummer.

 

[Nectarologist]

Hi Rev29k,

Regarding the retaining wall...I thought I would need one and my landscaper suggested that I just slope the area. I have a long run in a crescent shape (about 70 ft). It's 3' high in the middle and lessens down to grade in both directions. I love it as the wall would have been so big and the focus would have been the wall instead of the pool. So if you don't need the retaining wall for structural reasons consider landscaping the area. By the time you add plantings it's not that much cheaper than a wall but it can blend in nicely depending on your property.

 

[rev29k]

Yeah, the possibility of backgrading behind the retaining wall to make it shorter came up, but then we are looking at re-sodding a very large area, and it probably wouldn’t look any better or save any money.

And now Tropical is backed up for 4 months. Can’t start any builds until September. Ugh. Although I won’t get a quote from them for several months, I get the impression from tampatommy that it would be rather competitive.

Does anyone know of any companies that bid very competitively?