While using T&D at the time of build is the easiest choice, it's not necessarily the best. I've installed pools at all 3 of my homes over the past 40 years and maintain them myself. As an engineer, I always did a lot of research before selecting a pool builder. T&D was on my list to of builders to get quotes from when I installed here. (I bought a new home that did not come with a pool).
These were the reasons why T&D was NOT selected:
1) All of the equipment (pump, filter, heater, salt water generator (SWG)) was quoted with the minimum size. My experience has been that you want the SWG, pump, and filter designed to handle at least 2x the size of your pool (in gallons of water), and you want the biggest heater you can get for either a heat pump or gas heater. Larger heaters will heat far faster, last longer, and are more efficient.
2) They automation they quoted was out of date and had been replaced by the manufacturer with a new model 2 years prior to them trying to sell it to me. Not only was it older... they were charging more than the new automation.
3) Out of 6 builders, they were the last to get a quote in (took them 6 WEEKS just to quote), and had the longest time until they could actually start. The builder I went with gave me quote the same day they stopped by. Once permits came in, they finished my pool in 13 weeks.
4) They were the most expensive option ar nearly 50% over the builder I ended up selecting (who did quote properly sized equipment).
5) When I asked about getting properly sized equipment they couldn't believe I would question them on their selections. To upgrade to the same level as what I ended up with from my builder they tacked on another $10K.
I ended up going with Premier Pools of Central Florida out of Winter Garden. 6 years later and couldn't be happier. From the intitial sales process, through the build, and then service and support after they were fantastic. If you are interested in seeing my pool, let me know.
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