info on pools & summer kitchens

[electricblue]

Hello,
Just looking for info on whether to build pool and spa with new construction or wait and do as add-on? Any thoughts or advise would be helpful. Same for summer kitchen? Thank you..

[Dreamer61]

Since you're going through the process now, personally I would do it now. That way it will be finished and you'll be enjoying your new home and you won't have to think about it.

[GilchristCruisers]

Hello,
Just looking for info on whether to build pool and spa with new construction or wait and do as add-on? Any thoughts or advise would be helpful. Same for summer kitchen? Thank you..

We put our pool in "after-market". Other than having the side and back yards a mess for about 2 months, it wasn't a particularly difficult process. Decided not to add a Summer kitchen, but in hindsight probably would have done that during the build - or at least get the wiring and plumbing in.

[electricblue]

We are moving into Gilchrest as well. I was wondering if we would save a lot of money having it built after-market or would it just make sense to do now. Thanks....

[jchase]

We did it when building our house, glad we did! :spoken:

[kittygilchrist]

had the pool in when building. you can't beat the planning with t and d for selection of style colors, shape, etc. I am glad I used them. I had the summer kitchen prep done but am waiting to finish it up later. decided to skip the venting and use a free standing grill so I can replace it as needed...
welcome to TV!

[jimbo2012]

if u have the rough in done for the kitchen u will save $10,000 with after market.

Pool about 15K savings

So U can save $25K

[Meddick]

We are buying a spec house without a summer kitchen. Is it possible (and feasible) to install a summer kitchen with a sink if there has been no plumbing rough in?

Can a duct for a gas grill be reasonably installed without having any rough in for this being done by TV?

Of course, it I can't install a sink, maybe I will have to settle for a beer keg tap.:)

[Happinow]

Build it now!!! We had ours built when constructing our house (both pool and summer kitchen) and our neighbors are now, after 1 1/2 years, putting a pool. It is kind of a mess. Noise, tearing up our lawns.....they said it would take about 16 weeks! Your house, pool and summer kitchen will take less time to build than that.

[jimbo2012]

We are buying a spec house without a summer kitchen. Is it possible (and feasible) to install a summer kitchen with a sink if there has been no plumbing rough in?

Can a duct for a gas grill be reasonably installed without having any rough in for this being done by TV?



The gas grill requires a vent hood simple install along with a in ground tank, again simple install.

Sink can be done, here's the issue the drain needs to connect to the sewer line, U don't want to rip up the slab, so my guess is the pipe needs to go around the perimeter of the house and hook up in front where you see a white cap.

The hot & cold water can be routed thru the attic or walls depends on the model U have.

Call 3 plumbers and get costs and ideas.....it can absolute be done.

I see folks paying upto and maybe over 20K to have the builder do it, it just don't cost that much look at it, add up $$$ the appliances the elec and plumbing you have to be able to get it done for $8-12K, but shop trades outside the villages for lower prices.

Remember all the contractors here think we R old and rich.........

Build it now!!! We had ours built when constructing our house (both pool and summer kitchen) and our neighbors are now, after 1 1/2 years, putting a pool. It is kind of a mess. Noise, tearing up our lawns.....they said it would take about 16 weeks! Your house, pool and summer kitchen will take less time to build than that.

If it takes 4 months to put a pool in they must be working part time a few days a week.

A gunite pool should take about 6 weeks.

Now if you really want something to consider look at Sun Pools fiberglass pools install time < 10 days, save about $10,000 ++++

Sun is the company that T&D uses when they install glass pools, less up keep no resurfacing ($6-7,000 in 5 years or so) or leaching of concrete junk in the pool for over a year.

Much easier to clean, comes in many colors & sizes, I have one and know several neighbors that went that route.

[Meddick]

Jimbo,

Thanks for the information.

Don

[Golfingnut]

We went with the pool but not the summer kitchen. Decided a grill on its own outdoor patio an put in a bar near the pool with frig, water and elec allowing entertaining but not a full kitchen. We are now very happy with that decision.

[keithwand]

Do it with the build and enjoy it when you move in.

[jimbo2012]

But then isn't your going to look like 99% of everyone elses?

After market is more customizable I think.

[gmcneill]

Generally speaking, add-ons and extras- pools, kitchens, window treatments, etc.- that are included as part of the build will be more costly but also more convenient; add-ons and extras that are included after the build are less convenient but also less expensive.

The factor of convenience vs. expense is the prime consideration in making such decisions.

[jimbo2012]

Agree

The prime consideration is do you want to throw your hard earned retirement dollars away.

Disagree convenience, that gets U a rubber stamped version of everyone else pool/summer kitchen.

Just look at houses every job that T&D does is almost the same-they may be sooo burned out they lack creativity.

either way U do it it's a fair amount of money

[bikeman]

I think, but I am not sure, if you wait to add after you build they may not include the extra square footage on your initial property taxes, and that will save you some money. Check it out.

[electricblue]

Thanks everyone for all the input. We will look into doing a fiberglass pool after market I think. We will just have the kitchen plumbed and do that later as well. Who doesn't want to save money? :D

[T-325]

But then isn't your going to look like 99% of everyone elses?

After market is more customizable I think.

Jimbo

I will probably have to ask the trolley to stop by your house when I do the trolley tour this fall. The photos of your handi work set a pretty high bar. Since I suspect I will buy a gently used house, your work provides inspiration. Please keep us all updated on your efforts...thanks

[keithwand]

But then isn't your going to look like 99% of everyone elses?

After market is more customizable I think.

Actually no especially since 99 percent don't have pools and summer kitchens.

[batman911]

We had a summer kitchen and spa installed during the home build. I would at least get the plumbing, venting and electrical work installed during new build. Getting that done later will be more expensive and may not be as pleasing to the eye. You certainly can find less expensive outdoor appliances and cabinets than those offered by the developer. A lot depends on your schedule and how much aggravation you can endure. Dealing with contractors is not an easy task. There are lots of horror stories on TOTV about money lost and poor work quality. Bite off no more than what you can chew.

[CraigAC]

We had our summer kitchen installed during the building process. Now we wish we would have had the pool/spa installed as well.

T&D came out to our house, we agreed on the design and price, but have yet to see the contract -- that was over 12 weeks ago. To their defense, their sales rep told us that if TV gets busy, our project goes to the bottom of the priority list. Our last call into them for an update was about 4 weeks ago, and they haven't returned our call. After making several unsuccessful attempts to reach them we decided to give up on this project until we become full-time residents.

Good luck with your decision.

[Meddick]

The gas grill requires a vent hood simple install along with a in ground tank, again simple install.

Sink can be done, here's the issue the drain needs to connect to the sewer line, U don't want to rip up the slab, so my guess is the pipe needs to go around the perimeter of the house and hook up in front where you see a white cap.

The hot & cold water can be routed thru the attic or walls depends on the model U have.

Call 3 plumbers and get costs and ideas.....it can absolute be done.

I see folks paying upto and maybe over 20K to have the builder do it, it just don't cost that much look at it, add up $$$ the appliances the elec and plumbing you have to be able to get it done for $8-12K, but shop trades outside the villages for lower prices.

Remember all the contractors here think we R old and rich.........



If it takes 4 months to put a pool in they must be working part time a few days a week.

A gunite pool should take about 6 weeks.

Now if you really want something to consider look at Sun Pools fiberglass pools install time < 10 days, save about $10,000 ++++

Sun is the company that T&D uses when they install glass pools, less up keep no resurfacing ($6-7,000 in 5 years or so) or leaching of concrete junk in the pool for over a year.

Much easier to clean, comes in many colors & sizes, I have one and know several neighbors that went that route.

Jimbo,

I understand the part about running the pipe around the outside perimeter of the house. How would you get it from the lanai? I assume that a wet wall would be built against the side of the lanai. A short run would have to go from the wet wall out to go underground. Would you do this at baseboard level and have a short section visible outside at ground level or would it be feasible to cut a small section of the lanai slab out and patch it after running the drain pipe below floor level? This would mean (I think) cutting into the footer at the edge of the lanai (assuming the lanai has a footer).

Also, what is the size of the propane tank that would be installed? I guess the line to the tank could be run with the drain line.

Don

[Meddick]

I was going through some old posts and read something about not being allowed to install a summer kitchen if you were not also installing a pool. Anyone know anything about this?

Don

[jimbo2012]

cutting the slab is easy, wet saw takes 15 min, the lanai has no footer I believe,
the drain must be underground not above, the wet wall also have the sewer vent pipe.

Don't get sucked into putting a propane tank in the front, they can go in the back or far back on the side, the shorter propane line will save money, the ugly green cover in front kinda sucks too.

Not sure of sizes but 100 g should work, price the tanks and delivery by volume.

.

[jimbo2012]

.
I was going through some old posts and read something about not being allowed to install a summer kitchen if you were not also installing a pool. Anyone know anything about this?

Don

Can't be.

If you're spending a few dollars Y not hire an architect and do it right, don't depend on on some half ass contractor to sketch it on a napkin.

You can then take a set of plans and shop it to the contractors where they are all bidding on the same exact improvement.

Try Permitted Construction Plans for Aluminum Screen Enclosures, Sun Rooms, Lanai in The Villages by Bluewater Drafting. (http://bluewaterdrafting.com/the-villages.php) ask for Drew, nice guy charge me only $400 for lanai pool/spa expansion.

http://bluewaterdrafting.com/images/the-villages/Summer-Kitchen2.JPG


it can also be outside

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT1YcnQIzHsz214u3homt6wk4mESkMx3 GnvBUmJYJR0tyKW7Rfd

[batman911]

Jimbo,

I understand the part about running the pipe around the outside perimeter of the house. How would you get it from the lanai? I assume that a wet wall would be built against the side of the lanai. A short run would have to go from the wet wall out to go underground. Would you do this at baseboard level and have a short section visible outside at ground level or would it be feasible to cut a small section of the lanai slab out and patch it after running the drain pipe below floor level? This would mean (I think) cutting into the footer at the edge of the lanai (assuming the lanai has a footer).

Also, what is the size of the propane tank that would be installed? I guess the line to the tank could be run with the drain line.

Don

The size of the propane tank is up to you. We buried a 250 GL tank during new construction because we will use it for the spa heater, outside grill and kitchen range. Ours is buried on the side of the house near the lanai where the spa, grill and kitchen are located. The only thing visible is a green cover in the grass which 12 to 18 inches in diameter. Under this cover are the gages, valves and fill connection. Suburban is our propane supplier and they park on the street and run the hose to the tank fill connection. Suburban did an inspection on the entire system before they fill the tank the first time.