Inground Pool Construction - Not For The Unprepared

[@jaypan888]

I've seen a lot of pool builds and although this wasn't the easiest or fastest, this pool went in well for you, and I think you gave it a fair review. Over digging the hole with that soil type is unavoidable.

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

Yeah, southern PA soil is terrible. Those guys had it rough. While it actually went fast for them on the digging side of things I know it was a hard battle for them to keep it in check.

[@jamespolucha6911]

Man what a job, I’ve been pool shopping for years, I want an in ground pool , couldn’t find anyone to install a fiberglass pool and the companies that do liner pools would never come out so I even had some estimates on cement pools , well I’m still shopping, your look good enjoy

[@ce9455]

Where do u live?

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

Hopefully your shopping has gotten better. I know it's difficult in this market. Contractors are overloaded and supply chains are broken. Good luck!

[@christinesmith5706]

It looks nice. Glad it's done..

[@DavidRodriguez-qr5li]

Great video man

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

Appreciate it

[@_Moto215]

Great video. Good insight as we were supposed to begin construction last month but delayed probably until spring. Also in PA but there is a shortage of resin for fiberglass pools. One question, do you have a riding mower? If so, how do you cut the grass inside of the fence? Is the gate big enough? One of the decisions that I'm wrestling with is enclosing most of the backyard or just the pool area. I like the idea of our pool, patio, and deck being seamless but at the same time it results in more of a pain maintaining the lawn.

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

That's a dynamic question to answer. I DO own a riding mower. We have about 3/4 of an acre. this season I finally decided to hire out the cutting. Freed me up for more time with the family on the weekends. I cut it myself for 13 years. I actually still cut the area inside the fence. I use a push mower with a bagger. Takes me 10 min. I didn't want the lawn company doing it and blowing grass into the pool. When I built the fence I knew I wouldn't be using the riding mower inside that area. So, my gates are only 3'. I did, however, design 2 removable fence panels, one on each side of the yard. I remove 4 screws and a whole 6' panel comes out. I have used that twice this season to get the tractor in with the dump cart. I will need to do it again next year when we redo the patio. I would recommend leaving some type of access option if you chose to only enclose the pool and patio area. I partly wish we had of done the whole yard. It would have been close to $8k in materials for me to do that. In the end, it has made the area more intimate and easier to landscape. So its a win.

[@kencoakley539]

Nice job!

[@ivanwill]

My, my. I have had a few bad experiences with Contractors and such. But, this certainly takes the cake...! PS: Is the fence on the left side bulging, or it that a shadow or something? 26:11

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

All things considered it could have been worst. As for the fence, all is well. Guessing it's a shadow or the video.

[@jesusisking1982-m3t]

So how much was the total cost for the pool and installation? This came out really good

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

Base price was 34k. I have put about 8k in equipment additions/upgrades since. Thanks!

[@cuellar1usmc]

Awesome Vid man… I’m in the process grounding and bonding my pool, can’t move forward till I do. Did you have to bond the coping as well. I stumped on bonding it, so you recommend and resources. Thanks in advance!

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

The coping is bonded. It's bonded on all 4 sides via a bonding lug screwed into the coping. The pool builder did that part and I just tied the bonding into the jumpers they ran. Everything runs back to the pool equipment. The fence is also bonded as required since it is within 5 feet of the pool edge.

[@patrickvillacreses1532]

Nice video. You mentioned the soil in southern Pennsylvania; would the easton/northhampton area be the same you think?

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

I can't say really. I only know the soil around here having done many of my own projects and projects for others. It's a running joke around here how anything grows.

[@jameswood26]

Did you order your kit from pool warehouse? If so what was the name/color of the liner. I like it very much!

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

The pool builder ordered to pooch straight from Latham pools. My original plan was pool warehouse when I was going to do the whole thing myself.

[@boomersD9CAT]

Your Pool builder is a gluten for punishment digging that pool in shale/gravel with a 8K pound mini excavator.He did a nice job though👍

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

Yeah, I was surprised to see what he used as well. I was also surprised all in all how quickly they were able to dig in those conditions. Even with the hydraulic failure.

[@patrickhampton6248]

How much was it

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

For everything including the fence? about $40k. I have put about 10k more into it since upgrading equipment and landscaping etc.

[@KWParrish]

Do you feel you could have sub'd everything out yourself? I know you said they stopped responding but I wonder if that was a timing things. I am going to try and sub contact my own but a little nervous about getting people out there when they say they will.

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

I think I could have. It would just have been the excavation, concrete, and pool bottom in my case. I did the electric myself on this project and was prepared to drop the liner and do the plumbing myself when we were going to piece out the install. Given the scheduling issues that happened with the pool company install I don't think I could have done much worst. But, its not for everyone. And, there is something nice about someone else doing the hard work....

[@RatherBeGolfing.]

Good video. Very informative.

[@thomasroseman575]

I am doing a inground pool was looking to subcontract too. In this climate they are so busy. Nobody was calling me back. I would expect it will take several months longer.

[@thomasroseman575]

@@theaveragejoesgarage5418 i am getting ready to sign a contract. I don't think you want to mention contractors on here but maybe a private message to make sure it is not I am looking at? Thanks

[@thomasroseman575]

Where did you get the fence material. Thanks

[@eliho16]

price?

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

The base was $34000. At this point I probably am at about close to 50k. With the fence and recent upgrades, landscaping etc.

[@patrickhampton6248]

How much was it total

[@theaveragejoesgarage5418]

The initial was $34000 including the builder's equipment package. With the equipment I have upgraded and/or added it came in at $42000. My fence was $2400 and I did about $1000 in ground repair and landscaping. Those last 2 things are the things many don't budget for.