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Old 03-24-2012, 08:33 PM
 
3 posts, read 8,630 times
Reputation: 12

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I have read the pool reccomendations thread but I wanted to get some new information for 2012. We are looking at the following builders:

Kieth Zars
Cody Pools
Blue Haven
Pool Concepts
Pools Unlimited

Would anyone be willing to share their stories, references or provide guidance? This is a huge purchase for us and we want to do this right.

Thanks in advance!!!
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Old 03-24-2012, 08:42 PM
 
6,705 posts, read 8,771,270 times
Reputation: 4861
I used Keith Zars for my pool. No complaints although I wish I had not gotten the ozone set up.

I think they are the only builder that installs pebbletec which I love so much more than standard plaster. Ask if the other builders offer this.

Prepare to replant grass after they are done wrecking your yard.
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Old 03-24-2012, 08:42 PM
 
Location: San Antonio, TX
71 posts, read 282,625 times
Reputation: 46
My only experience has been with Keith Zars and it hasn't been good. We 'completed' our project in spring of 2008 and are STILL having problems. I've since had several landscape contractors do some work and none have had anything good to say about KZP. Hope that this helps!
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Old 03-25-2012, 09:00 PM
 
322 posts, read 774,504 times
Reputation: 111
Smile buying a pool...

Quote:
Originally Posted by wisemonkey View Post
I have read the pool reccomendations thread but I wanted to get some new information for 2012. We are looking at the following builders:

Kieth Zars
Cody Pools
Blue Haven
Pool Concepts
Pools Unlimited

Would anyone be willing to share their stories, references or provide guidance? This is a huge purchase for us and we want to do this right.

Thanks in advance!!!

We went with Gary Pools because Keith Zars wanted 10k more for "a rectangle." When one of KZ's sales guys came out, he was very friendly and he said he would go back and design us a pool to match our yard. Three days later I called him and he said "oh, oh yes.. let me email it to you. " and it was clear he simply took an old drawing, put my name on it, and emailed it. There was no design to it at all. And the price was insulting!

Gary Pools did a custom, free form, pool at less than KZ's intro prices. I'm not saying KZ is a bad manufacturer, by any means, I simply had a bad experience.

Find out how thick their pool is. Gary's used gunite, blown concrete, and they had one of the thicker standards out there. Find out about the drain and what happens if you ever need to do any repairs on it - can they access the plumbing. We also have a two-speed pump which, theoretically, saves us money by running the pump on low 95% of the time.

We didn't go for any of the fancy technology. You an easily spend another 10k by adding things you don't need. The most important thing is a SOUND AND STABLE pool! The rest you can do later or do yourself

Find out how long it'll take them to build, start to finish. Find out what their policy is for restoring your lawn back to normal -- their trucks will tear up grass, trees, patios, etc. Are they going to put humpty dumpty back together or is that cost on you?

Most importantly DO NOT go with someone who is new to the industry. It sounds like you're looking at the right companies, though I do not know all of them, but you want to go with someone who will be here for you when/if something happens. Keith Zars has been here forever and should be a great company for years to come. I say this because an ex coworker went with one of those "deals" and the guy promised landscaping, technology, etc., but he couldn't deliver. Last I knew, it took him over a year to get his pool finished! I probably paid 8-10k more than he did for my Gary's Pool but I know it's well built :-)

Lastly -- the things we did get that I love are little "umbrella sleeves" in the pool deck (flagstone). They're really great to use for umbrellas for shade in the pool or to put up a volley ball net. I had no idea I could do that -- it was a Gary Pools recommendation
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Old 03-25-2012, 09:12 PM
 
431 posts, read 765,591 times
Reputation: 234
Check out gary
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Old 03-25-2012, 09:18 PM
 
6,705 posts, read 8,771,270 times
Reputation: 4861
The owner of Gary's (Gary Zars) pools and owner of Keith Zars are related. Father and son if I am not mistaken. I have been told they are "friendly" competition.

As for landscaping, I would rather repair it myself than have them do it. However they did repair any broken sprinkler lines, they even modified the sprinkler layout around the pool for me. No charge.
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Old 03-26-2012, 10:13 AM
 
358 posts, read 577,111 times
Reputation: 232
Keith Zars owns Keith Zars Pools. Dad Leif Zars owns Gary's Pools. Son Gary Zars owns Gary's Pools and spas. The last one does only pre fab pools.
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Old 03-26-2012, 05:31 PM
 
2,312 posts, read 3,663,793 times
Reputation: 1606
Never ending cash cow
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Old 03-26-2012, 08:58 PM
 
322 posts, read 774,504 times
Reputation: 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by badhornet View Post
Never ending cash cow
true - but also a great source of fun and entertainment. loosen up the wallet a bit, buddy
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Old 03-27-2012, 03:15 AM
 
502 posts, read 934,025 times
Reputation: 405
Quote:
Originally Posted by deek102 View Post
true - but also a great source of fun and entertainment. loosen up the wallet a bit, buddy
For real! Our family has had a pool since the 70s and the fun out ways the cost any day!
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