Need input to build Pool/Spa (Dallas: cost, budget, backyard)

[marble100]

Dear forum members,

We plan to build Pool/Spa in the backyard in north Dallas. Pool size 15' x 30'.

We would appreciate any advise and input in regards to what should we consider when building the pool - including type, materials, heater/chiller, fresh water/salt water, tiles, concrete, which pool company to use etc. Please share your experiences, Dos and Don'ts.

Is 50 - 60K reasonable budget?

Thanks

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by marble100

Dear forum members,

We plan to build Pool/Spa in the backyard in north Dallas. Pool size 15' x 30'.

We would appreciate any advise and input in regards to what should we consider when building the pool - including type, materials, heater/chiller, fresh water/salt water, tiles, concrete, which pool company to use etc. Please share your experiences, Dos and Don'ts.

Is 50 - 60K reasonable budget?

Thanks

We've owned 4 and built 3 pools around here.

My thoughts:
1). Materials - go gunite with one of the newer style plaster alternatives like Diamond Brite (costs more but is nearly impervious to stains from leaves, pecans, high cyanuric acid levels etc.).

2). Get a heater skip the chiller. Heaters extend the swim season by months. Chillers are not worth the cost IMO.

3). I've had two salt pools and while acknowledging some of the advantages I won't consider another. Liquid chlorine + a little acid + a little baking soda as the normal weekly adds works better and cost much less all in.

4). Pressure/venturi vacuums + a booster pump work better especially for collecting leaves than suction type vacuums.

5). The newer electric vacuums are sensational.

6). After your pool has been open for a few months add boric acid to achieve a borate level of 80-90PPM or so.

7). I prefer DE filters.

8). Be hawkish about cyanuric acid levels. Take action before CYA levels get to 100PPM.

9). It's complicated why but if you use liquid chlorine, maintain a fairly low CYA level and keep your chlorine levels in range there is no need at all for expensive adds like phosphate inhibitors and the like.


Some of the regulars are annoying absolutists but the general theory about using liquid chlorine, baking soda and acid as the only regular chemical adds works spectacularly well.

https://www.troublefreepool.com/blog/

[LikeThatAchillesGuy]

What’s the approximate cost to build a pool with an extensive stone patio and a sun shelf? Texas summers will be too hot not to have one. My assumption is about $60,000.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by LikeThatAchillesGuy

What’s the approximate cost to build a pool with an extensive stone patio and a sun shelf? Texas summers will be too hot not to have one. My assumption is about $60,000.

I would bet more than that. Maybe $75K?

[platon20]

I would highly encourage people to avoid freeform pools and get a standard rectangle pool instead so you can get an autocover. After a heater, it's the single best add-on to a pool that you can get.

It's expensive but it's incredibly nice to be able to "close" the pool when you want. Without it, you will spend much time, or much $$$ paying someone else to keep the leaves and debris out of the pool.

[marble100]

Thanks for the replies.

I have been recommenced Claffey pools.

How about Riverbend Pools, Crown Pools and El Dorado Pools?

Any other recommendations for Pool companies?