inground pool dilemma

[mrsfascinating]

We have decided to get a pool here in Northeast PA. After narrowing it down to 2 different companies we are having a pickle trying to decide which to choose. Both companies have similar construction of the pools. Company A uses the best pumps, filter, liners etc. Where company B uses the better equipment. The difference in price is $5000. Company A warranties the steel structure for life, liner for 20yrs and concrete for 10yrs. Company B warranties the steel for 15yrs (unless you pay $2000 for powder coating which we were told is a con by someone else because powder coating doesn't do anything for steel that's being buried) Liner is 10yr warranty and concrete has no warranty.
So is it worth it to spend the extra money for the best equipment and the better warranties? Any insight from those who have pools or have looked into pools would be helpful.

 

[vickalamode]

I would go for company A with the better pumps, filters, and warranty-even just for the better warranty on the liner alone. A new liner is in the ballpark range of $5k anyways, and it's not unlikely to have to replace it after 15 years. $5k seems like a big difference now, but you get what you pay for. I would go with company A! The way I would look at it is: you're spending the money anyways, why not spend a little extra and do it right the first time to avoid headaches down the road later?

FWIW, my parents purchased a house with an inground pool 5 years ago. The previous owners had luckily installed a brand new liner, but when my parents went to open the pool for the first summer they had the house, they found out all the pumps etc were old and rotted and it cost them about $2k to replace. So pool repairs can be $$$$$!

 

[LSchrow]

especially with IGPs, the reputation (in addition to BBB, etc, google each co for complaints/kudos), and length of time a company has been in business (what good is a warranty if a company is no longer in business?) should be the most important determining factors.

btw, "best" equipment is often a relative term...did you ask the lower priced co how much it would cost with the more expensive co's "best" equipment?

good luck, whatever your decision....we've had our IGP for many years, and it has given our family (as well as friends and neighbors) more enjoyment than i would have ever imagined

 

[shadow2121]

Ok I manage the Service department of a pool company in eastern Ohio so let me see if I can help.

First off looking at warranty lengths can be very VERY bad for a couple of reasons.

1.They are warrantys not guarantes meaning that they have specific coverages and limits.(ie liner warranty will only cover mfg. defects in liner not normal wear caused by chemiclals.If defect does occur most will not cover cost of water or labor to install only the cost of the liner itself.)

2.Most are Pro Rated meaning that you get a couple of years of full replacement value then the money you get back goes down based on how old the item is.

3.Mfgs and builders are not stupid the things with the longest coverage are the things that rarely have problems.Pool structures for example rarely does an inground pool just collapse in on itself even after 30 or 40 years unless it was installed incorrectly wich would not be covered under warranty anyway.The steel panels will rust and some will be noticed when it comes time to change the liner the first time (should be at about 15-20 years) it will be cleaned and couted with a rust preventative the panel will not be replaced as it will be mild surface rust not a structural problem.

The original install and how the pool is maintained have the biggest effect on how long it will last.Look for the builder with the best reputation.Ask around trust me unhappy pool customers are not a quiet bunch the other pool owners in your area will let you know who is goood and who to stay away from.

PM me with the specifics on what your dealers are calling the best equipment and good equipment and I can help with that but I need makes,models types of pump filter heater to tell you why one is better that the other.

and congratulations on becoming a pool owner.

Greg

 

[msmama]

According to my pool guy: pool stuff is not meant to only be run for 4-6 months out of the year, like it is in the north east where we have a limited number of hot months. Therefore the filters and pumps are going to need to be replaced more often than than in, say, Florida where they can run year round (but still like 5- 10 years ish, much more than a warranty would cover).

I bought the house with the pool so I don't know anything about putting one in, but I can say its much more time consuming and a pain that I ever would have guessed.