Anthony & Sylvan Pools vs. Supreme Pools

[ethanw]

Hey guys your pool is still holding GREAT after 4 years. What a piece of art and quality. My regards to Rich and Jane in their retirement and wish you well in your great business. I will continue referring you anywhere I can since you've done such an AWESOME job with my pool.

Originally Posted by BUDad

Up front, I'm the owner of Flamingo Custom Pools. I've read through this thread and wanted to add my 2 cents. This will not be a commercial!

Many pool builders are hard working with good reputations. I agree with one poster, personal references are worth far more than anything, followed by BBB. I speak to some of that in our website.

On the other hand, many are playing the construction ponzi scheme, collecting stage payments then moving to the next project and starting before focusing on finishing yours, etc. Net position may be negative but because they keep moving forward, they have sufficient cash flow. Bad weather hits, crews get delayed and they end up in trouble. That's why there's such a high turnover. I think it was Ethan that posted these guys will reopen under a new name and keep moving.

One good way to determine if you have a reputable pool builder is longevity of the crews. Most are sub contractors and if they're not getting paid, they won't hang around.

While in the past we have worked inside the loop, we tend to focus outside just because of the delays the city of Houston can create which causes frustration for both of us. However, if the customer understands that there may be delays outside our control, we're open to working inside the loop as well.

There's some good ones out there...be careful and pick a winner!

[Shark01]

[quote=BUDad;43294644]Up front, I'm the owner of Flamingo Custom Pools. I've read through this thread and wanted to add my 2 cents. This will not be a commercial!
![ /QUOTE]

In your opinion who are other quality builders who work on the West side?

[Shark01]

Well I guess I can scratch flamingo off the list with communication being important to us

[ethanw]

Just pick up the phone and call man. You're acting like a child :-) Business is not conducted on forums but rather in person or at least over the phone. Geeeee man

Originally Posted by Shark01

Well I guess I can scratch flamingo off the list with communication being important to us

[Shark01]

Originally Posted by ethanw

Just pick up the phone and call man. You're acting like a child :-)

Now how can a child afford a pool? Seriously man, come up out of the deep end.

[BUDad]

Hey I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with the forum. What part of the westside? we do work there also.
As far as a recommendation, it really depends on what you're looking for there are several but it boils down to connection with the company and that they build what you're looking for in a pool.
Some builders specialize in lower cost with few features whereas others work on large very custom designs with unique features and can run well into 6 figures.
Connection is important, they're going to spend 4-8 weeks (depending on weather, complications, etc) with your yard in disarray. You need to establish a trust relationship and feel comfortable they will look out for your best interest (this is my opinion since you are spending a significant amount of money, they should treat it as their own and respect your family and surroundings).
Shark01 I'd be glad to discuss with you personally if you'd like, to keep this from being a sales pitch if you go to our website and fill out the contact request we'll be right with you.
I'll try to keep up with this more frequently!

[Shark01]

We live just South of Katy off Mason & 99 (Long Meadow Farms).


Price wise, looking for something in the $60-$70k area
SIZE: 15' X 30' (3.5-6' DEPTH)
LARGE HOT TUB (6-8 PEOPLE) 7.5' DIAMETER
PEBBLE TEC BOTTOM
ROCK WATERFALL W/ SLIDE 8' X 14'
BEACH ENTRY/TANNING SHELF
UPGRADED DECK MATERIAL
TILE ON SIDES
LIGHTING IN POOL - CHANGE COLOR
CAVE (WITH SEAT?) BEHIND WATERFALL
ENCLOSURE OVER PUMPS (on concrete pad) TO KEEP NOISE DOWN
MULTIPLE UMBRELLA SLEEVES, INCLUDING SOME THAT PROVIDE COVER OVER THE POOL

Minimum decking, no landscaping


Something smartly designed (modular so it can be added to every couple of years?) and well built structurally

[Cbink]

Originally Posted by Shark01

We live just South of Katy off Mason & 99 (Long Meadow Farms).


Price wise, looking for something in the $60-$70k area
SIZE: 15' X 30' (3.5-6' DEPTH)
LARGE HOT TUB (6-8 PEOPLE) 7.5' DIAMETER
PEBBLE TEC BOTTOM
ROCK WATERFALL W/ SLIDE 8' X 14'
BEACH ENTRY/TANNING SHELF
UPGRADED DECK MATERIAL
TILE ON SIDES
LIGHTING IN POOL - CHANGE COLOR
CAVE (WITH SEAT?) BEHIND WATERFALL
ENCLOSURE OVER PUMPS (on concrete pad) TO KEEP NOISE DOWN
MULTIPLE UMBRELLA SLEEVES, INCLUDING SOME THAT PROVIDE COVER OVER THE POOL

Minimum decking, no landscaping


Something smartly designed (modular so it can be added to every couple of years?) and well built structurally

I think you're perhaps a little low on the price to be honest but if you can get it for that, awesome. The waterfall you've specified is quite large and there's quite a lot of money in the waterfall/slide.
We built something similar to what you've described though a little bigger (38' x 24' x 7.5' depth) with a slide/waterfall/grotto, beach entry and about 1,150 sqft of new deck and refinishing another 250 or so of existing deck and we were at $85k a few years back and I think we'd be looking at paying a lot more now. Though I will caveat by saying the decking is a major cost so perhaps that will bring it down. I'd go as large as you can with the deck. You'd be amazed at how much space you end up using.

I'd also advise going deeper than 6' with the waterfall. An adult will hit the bottom hard if they jump off the top (mines about 5-6' high and I touch the bottom when jumping off it in 7.5' water).

We absolutely love having the slide. Our kids are 4.5 and 18 mo and are all about it.

[Shark01]

That's why we are reaching out. We can cut things out to meet the budget, or if the design is modular enough can add later. We are paying cash, so the modular approach would be appealing.

[Cbink]

Originally Posted by Shark01

That's why we are reaching out. We can cut things out to meet the budget, or if the design is modular enough can add later. We are paying cash, so the modular approach would be appealing.

Think about if you really want the slide. You could easily build a beautiful pool without the slide for $60-70k.
We had the same decision to make and decided we did really want the slide so I'm not trying to put you off just consider your options as it really will drive the price point. It will cost significantly more if you decided you wanted to add it later though.