Hi, I am looking for some advice on a new pool build in the Sacramento region of California. I will owner build this pool. I work in project management in construction already, and work from home the majority of the time, so I don't see any reason not to do it this way.
Here is a a little sketch to get an idea how everything will fit. We have some existing paving in the yard in the form of a 14' by 16' concrete patio, and the perimeter of the yard is landscaped. I would like to retain the patio (don't want to let the tail wag the dog though, if it makes sense to remove some or all of the paving for a better layout), add the pool, and add more paving. The basic design I have drawn is for a 12' by 20' pool. Still unsure of the depths we want in each end of the pool. This will not be a diving pool, but it would be nice for the kids to be able to jump into the deep end. Is 12 x 20 big enough? How far from the existing paving should I put the pool? I know I'll need room to excavate, etc.
I am looking for simplicity, reliability, and ease of maintenance.
From what I have gathered so far reading TFP, I should be looking at the following:
Oversized cartridge filter
Large variable speed pump (3 hp?)
SWCG 2x pool volume
Automation
Pentair seems to get the most recommendations from what I have seen. Though there are a lot of fans of other brands too. Can someone make some recommendations for which equipment to buy?
Not sure if I want a pool heater right off the bat, but I think it would be wise to plan for the ability to easily add one in the future. Not sure which direction I would go, heat pump vs solar vs gas.
For a pool our size, how many lights and a recommendation on brand? I'm thinking 2 would be enough. Not sure that we will use color change functions much at all, so if it significantly less expensive to just go with a single color, that would likely be the preference.
I don't think I need a main drain from what I have read. Seems like another pipe to potentially crack in the future. Just skimmers and returns. For skimmers, it seems like 2 is the right number for my pool, and they should be on the east and west sides of the pool since those are the directions the winds are typically blowing.
No water fall, features, jets, etc. Keeping it simple.
I see that DIYPoolsandSpas has multiple packages to choose from. A basic plans and engineering package appears to be $2000, or the full package including sub list, check lists, access to wholesale equipment, coaching, etc, comes to $4500. Homeowner Builder DIY Pool Installation Program. Also, Build Your Own Pool is another I am considering. They too have a complete package for the OB at $3500, which seems to be compatible with the full package from DIYpoolsandspas. DIYpoolsandspas has good ratings on Google, for what that's worth. BYOP, doesn't even show up as a rated business on Google. Should I go with one of these companies? Or just go straight to a landscape architect and engineer for the plans? Any recommendations of architects and engineers?
Not trying to reinvent the wheel here. Trying to keep it simple, and build on the knowledge of those on this site, learning from their best practices. Thanks in advance for the help! I have already learned a ton reading the pool school articles and a bunch a of OB threads.
Here is a a little sketch to get an idea how everything will fit. We have some existing paving in the yard in the form of a 14' by 16' concrete patio, and the perimeter of the yard is landscaped. I would like to retain the patio (don't want to let the tail wag the dog though, if it makes sense to remove some or all of the paving for a better layout), add the pool, and add more paving. The basic design I have drawn is for a 12' by 20' pool. Still unsure of the depths we want in each end of the pool. This will not be a diving pool, but it would be nice for the kids to be able to jump into the deep end. Is 12 x 20 big enough? How far from the existing paving should I put the pool? I know I'll need room to excavate, etc.
I am looking for simplicity, reliability, and ease of maintenance.
From what I have gathered so far reading TFP, I should be looking at the following:
Oversized cartridge filter
Large variable speed pump (3 hp?)
SWCG 2x pool volume
Automation
Pentair seems to get the most recommendations from what I have seen. Though there are a lot of fans of other brands too. Can someone make some recommendations for which equipment to buy?
Not sure if I want a pool heater right off the bat, but I think it would be wise to plan for the ability to easily add one in the future. Not sure which direction I would go, heat pump vs solar vs gas.
For a pool our size, how many lights and a recommendation on brand? I'm thinking 2 would be enough. Not sure that we will use color change functions much at all, so if it significantly less expensive to just go with a single color, that would likely be the preference.
I don't think I need a main drain from what I have read. Seems like another pipe to potentially crack in the future. Just skimmers and returns. For skimmers, it seems like 2 is the right number for my pool, and they should be on the east and west sides of the pool since those are the directions the winds are typically blowing.
No water fall, features, jets, etc. Keeping it simple.
I see that DIYPoolsandSpas has multiple packages to choose from. A basic plans and engineering package appears to be $2000, or the full package including sub list, check lists, access to wholesale equipment, coaching, etc, comes to $4500. Homeowner Builder DIY Pool Installation Program. Also, Build Your Own Pool is another I am considering. They too have a complete package for the OB at $3500, which seems to be compatible with the full package from DIYpoolsandspas. DIYpoolsandspas has good ratings on Google, for what that's worth. BYOP, doesn't even show up as a rated business on Google. Should I go with one of these companies? Or just go straight to a landscape architect and engineer for the plans? Any recommendations of architects and engineers?
Not trying to reinvent the wheel here. Trying to keep it simple, and build on the knowledge of those on this site, learning from their best practices. Thanks in advance for the help! I have already learned a ton reading the pool school articles and a bunch a of OB threads.
