[Williamhelmkamp@gmail.com]

My wife and I purchased a new home in Newell and are planning to have a pool built. We have quotes from 1) Premier pools of Central Florida 2) Premier pool contractor out of Leesburg 3)Waiting for T&D quote. I've heard these are all quality contractors with T&D being the best. Does anyone have an opinion on the other two contractors or another company. Thanks

[PJ_Smiley]

Blue Moon Pools in Leesburg. 352-323-1309 They have built several pools in Village of Bradford. Blue Moon built 3 or 4 pools at the entrance just past the gate (on both sides of the street).

[Babubhat]

Do you want a generic pool or custom? Premier is a franchise, seen many of there pools here. TD quote will likely be highest cost and quality.

Link has Goldwingnut and Poolbrews recommendations


Pool company recommendations

[SusanStCatherine]

I watched two Blue Moon pools go in and was impressed. Same with Fiesta. Stay away from Staycation. Sparkling Waters has filed for bankruptcy. Be very careful with your research and have someone knowledgeable go over your contract. I personally know someone with serious T&D pool construction problems and know of three others with problems - they do the most business though. Prices have almost doubled over the past two years. Good luck!

[Goldwingnut]

T&D will be you best choice. Don’t just look at T&D’s price, look at the other company’s prices, and ask what is and isn’t included. When I looked, there was always something else that I had to take care of - fencing (I have a CYV), propane tank (no natural gas between 466a & 44 where I live), landscaping, electric connections, etc. - not with T&D, they covered everything and when it was done, it was done, there was no “we’re waiting on this…” line, it was done. The extras not covered by the other contractors add to the total pool price, with T&D I knew the total before the first shovel went into the ground.

Is T&D perfect, no, but they will make it right, and when you compare the “problems” with the number of pools they build each year (600-700 between new construction and existing homes) the problems are a very small number. I’ve personally watched and photographed them building over 75 pools in the last 3 years and have only seen one that had an issue (drain line leak) that they spent several days isolating and fixing to ensure it was right, no problems with the pool since. I’ve shot 3 other pools by other builders - never again - I lost my shirt on all three because their delays drove my costs up (visit 3x a week based on schedule provided but they never met the schedule) but I didn’t have the heart to charge my customer more because of all the headaches they were going through with the build.

You will get what you pay for, the cost of steel and concrete that actually makes the pool doesn’t change too much between contractors, what does change is the many things you don’t see - design, engineering, supply chain, staffing, experience, financial stability - that will make all the difference and get your pool done right and on time. Bite the bullet and go with T&D you won’t regret it, but whatever you do stay away from Staycation pools if you value your money and sanity.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by Williamhelmkamp@gmail.com

My wife and I purchased a new home in Newell and are planning to have a pool built. We have quotes from 1) Premier pools of Central Florida 2) Premier pool contractor out of Leesburg 3)Waiting for T&D quote. I've heard these are all quality contractors with T&D being the best. Does anyone have an opinion on the other two contractors or another company. Thanks

Our quotes from Premier, and Fiesta were pretty close. We are breaking ground next month, with Fiesta, family run, all employees have been with the company for more than 20 plus years.

We could have used T&D at build, but option Pool A or B, no variation. Who wants to spend $150,000 plus and not build the pool you want. We don’t want a sun shelf, T&D at build was sun shelf only.

[RedFoxRick]

We used Picture Perfect Pools in Tavares when we moved in two years ago and were very pleased with price and the wonderful job they did. There was one small issue after installation and they worked very hard at their expense to insure the issue was fixed. Jay and his team were fantastic to work with. We also had T&D quote the job, but much more expensive. There were no surprises from Picture Perfect.

[BlueStarAirlines]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

T&D will be you best choice.

Is T&D perfect, no, but they will make it right, and when you compare the “problems” with the number of pools they build each year (600-700 between new construction and existing homes) the problems are a very small number.

Don is spot on. I have a T&D pool that developed an issue after completion. The next day after notifying them they were out to look at it and started fixing the problem the day after that. Within 5 days everything was repaired and made right. Comparing that to a neighbor who used Blue Moon, his issue after completion dragged on for 5-6 weeks and his entire pool build was close to 8 months with multiple delays waiting for supplies.

T&D price will sound higher, but everything is included and will be the correct size for your pool. Others provide undersized equipment (still within specs) to drive down cost and will nickel & dime you for things that T&D includes in the price.

[BlueStarAirlines]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Our quotes from Premier, and Fiesta were pretty close. We are breaking ground next month, with Fiesta, family run, all employees have been with the company for more than 20 plus years.

We could have used T&D at build, but option Pool A or B, no variation. Who wants to spend $150,000 plus and not build the pool you want. We don’t want a sun shelf, T&D at build was sun shelf only.

I think your experience is because you wanted it "at build". The benefit to getting a pool at build is the pool is guaranteed to be completed when the house is competed. That being said, the negative is that they can't do a completely customized pool because they are held to the requirement that it be done by home closing....so they limit the types of pools they will build.

If you went back to T&D now that you are closed, your pool is 100% customizable.

[Signguy]

John Lalley
813 940-1038‬

Signed contract Dec 2022
I changed stuff that delayed breaking ground until March10 & I was swimming July 1

Cody did 3 pools on Burgess in Richmond.

Down the street a T&D pool took a few weeks longer, but had to get drained, fixed and refilled 2 or 3 times.

T&D limitations because you are building & designing your "Dream Home" is ridiculous. T&D could have the hole in the ground before T&D pours the slab.

[bncuhler@verizon.net]

Originally Posted by SusanStCatherine

I watched two Blue Moon pools go in and was impressed. Same with Fiesta. Stay away from Staycation. Sparkling Waters has filed for bankruptcy. Be very careful with your research and have someone knowledgeable go over your contract. I personally know someone with serious T&D pool construction problems and know of three others with problems - they do the most business though. Prices have almost doubled over the past two years. Good luck!

We used Blue Moon out of Lessburg. They have their own crew and long time employees. Started in March and finished in June. Honest and accommodating to changes we made. Local company that stands by their work.

[KCAlan]

Look into a one piece fiberglass pool. That is if you want a small pool. We love ours.

[Kingsport]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

T&D will be you best choice. Don’t just look at T&D’s price, look at the other company’s prices, and ask what is and isn’t included. When I looked, there was always something else that I had to take care of - fencing (I have a CYV), propane tank (no natural gas between 466a & 44 where I live), landscaping, electric connections, etc. - not with T&D, they covered everything and when it was done, it was done, there was no “we’re waiting on this…” line, it was done. The extras not covered by the other contractors add to the total pool price, with T&D I knew the total before the first shovel went into the ground.

Is T&D perfect, no, but they will make it right, and when you compare the “problems” with the number of pools they build each year (600-700 between new construction and existing homes) the problems are a very small number. I’ve personally watched and photographed them building over 75 pools in the last 3 years and have only seen one that had an issue (drain line leak) that they spent several days isolating and fixing to ensure it was right, no problems with the pool since. I’ve shot 3 other pools by other builders - never again - I lost my shirt on all three because their delays drove my costs up (visit 3x a week based on schedule provided but they never met the schedule) but I didn’t have the heart to charge my customer more because of all the headaches they were going through with the build.

You will get what you pay for, the cost of steel and concrete that actually makes the pool doesn’t change too much between contractors, what does change is the many things you don’t see - design, engineering, supply chain, staffing, experience, financial stability - that will make all the difference and get your pool done right and on time. Bite the bullet and go with T&D you won’t regret it, but whatever you do stay away from Staycation pools if you value your money and sanity.

What Don says is true. In the end, our T&D pool cost about the same as if we had used another contractor with a lower initial quote. They were great to work with and designed a beautiful pool. The project manager was always accessible. After the sale, every time we call we are treated like a valued customer.

[PoolBrews]

I've had 3 pools built for me over the past 40 years, and as an engineer I know what equipment should be used in a pool and how it should be sized. Although T&D is local, and may respond fast, I would not use them to build a new pool. I have several friends that have had T&D install pools - while they look good initially, T&D uses outdated technology for automation, and tends to provide equipment on the bare minimum requirements. In addition, their initial quote to me was for far more than two other bids from reputable companies (Premier Pools of Central Florida and Waterman Construction).

I went with Premier as their quote included the latest in automation, and properly sized pump, heater, and filter, and they offered the best design ideas. When I went back to T&D and asked for matching equipment, my estimate went up another $10K. When looking at the estimates, make sure you understand what equipment they are providing, and ask to see a couple of pools they have built that are at least a couple of years old.

You are welcome to stop and see what Premier did for me (my pool is going on 4 years old). Just PM me.

Do's and Don'ts for any pool builder

Do's
> Replace dual drains with Channel Drain
> Install handrail at build time
> Get a robot to clean pool and sidewalls (Buy on your own after install)
> Ensure salt cell is rated for at least 2x pool size (mine is a 40K cell, and my pool is 7K gallons).
Bigger cell works less to keep pool chlorinated and this extends the longevity of the cell.
> If heat pump, get largest available (140K)
> Get a water hose bib run near equipment pad
> Install a light near the equipment pad (if you need to work on the equipment at night this is a life saver!)
> Get autofill/drain (Premier will try to say you shouldn't do it, but don't listen. You'll regret if you don't.)
> Get full automation
> Make sure pump is Variable Speed
> Go with a larger filter (300-400 sq ft)

Don't
> Don't install suction return line (it's part of the standard build, but if you get a cleaning robot you'll never use it and it sticks out in the pool.
> No full payment until pool is operational (If you can get builder to agree - most won't)

[SusanStCatherine]

The finish failed on a friend's T&D custom build pool. T&D said they could redo the finish but it could fail again. So they charged an additional $6K for a better finish and required a costly six month service contract to warranty it. Tiles from the spa fell off into the pool as well.