Swimming pool option with a new home?
 

Hi all, does anyone know if it is an option for build your own Designer homes, and how much it costs to add on a swimming pool and a birdcage (similar in size and features to how the villages builds them on their spec courtyard villas for the few that include pools)? Would also appreciate thoughts on how that price compares to hiring a contractor after the purchase for a pool and birdcage for anyone who might know. Thanks in advance!

Problem is at build they will only build stock pool or A or B. We needed custom due to lot.T&D at build Quote was for 11x24 rectangle. We saved over $75,000, for better equipment (we have not only heated but chilled options for summer) with a family owned company that has been in business 60 years. Bonus everyone who worked on my pool had been with the company more than 30 years. Three quotes T&D, Premier, Fiesta.

The fourth gen was at our site one Saturday 9yo watching the dig, explaining the process that day, grandpa and dad proud of his customer interaction. Bonus everyone spoke English no interpreter or manager needed. One of the owners was on site everyday. When I have an issue Mom calls son and at my door to diagnose the problem. We used Fiesta Pools. Our pool matches the angle of our yard so steps are at 12’ angle out to 18’ and 29’ in length.

Does not sound like you have spoken to a Village realtor who would explain to you can do either and they would provide a cost at your sit down spec meeting for pool build (which they did with us). Either way, you’re looking at $50 to $100K plus depending on the build.

My wife and I completed our design appointment in mid-November. We met with T&D pools. They have several pool options from which to choose. If my memory is still sound, I’d guess as many as 15 with a spa and another 20(?) without. There are a variety of shapes too. We chose a Pompano right which is a kidney-shaped pool with a spa. It’s 14’x24’ with a depth of 5’ (10,500 gallons). That pool added 157K to the price tag.

Hope this helps.

They should be arrested for charging $157,000 to build a little pool like that. Is it lined with gold leaf?


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Hey, I’m sure that another company might have charged less for a similar design. Now I have a new home with a pool that we ‘designed’ ourselves. Also, a different builder might have charged less for a similar home. Choosing to live in The Villages means you must give up some options. Still, we’re happy with the choices. Construction began in mid-December with a closing date by the 3d week of March.

If you are carrying a mortgage on the house that pool cost is a lot more.

Wow! They sure have raised their prices. We built in early 2021. Our pool is 32x9. Three waterfalls with lights. Birdcage about 55x15. Full outdoor kitchen with island and a full sized sink. All of that was right at $100k.

Thanks for bringing up such a good point, calculating the additional $150,000 of interest…We paid cash for our aftermarket pool, from first shovel to swim 8 weeks.

Only reason I'm replying is to give OP a price comparison. Blue Moon is installing our 16x32 pool for $130k. 140,000 BTU heater/chiller ($8k), $35k for bird cage with 20/20 screen and privacy panels. $24k for the 600 sqft of decking. Starting in late February and finishing late May.

I have noticed that a number of you who are putting in new pools are getting heater/ chillers installed. That is an excellent idea! I have been in the Villages for close to 12 years and I love to swim in the neighborhood pools. I stopped going in the summer because the water was so hot, well over 90 degrees. Most of the summer the pool water is uncomfortably hot. The Villages can install these heater/ chiller heat pumps when they need to replace the old heater only heat pumps. Acquisition cost is not much more and operation costs are low.

The new build spec homes with T&D pools, are being installed without a heater. At least the last 9 houses we looked had a pad to accommodate, but only filter, no heater. Great way for builders to save money, and if owner is new to pools, they won’t notice the lack of equipment until close, and find very quickly, 60 degrees is a little chilly to swim in December.

Unless you are cold blooded, a chiller is NOT needed for a pool here in the Summer.

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We have solar only on our pool. The temperature is usually 80 degrees November December January. In the summer I turn it lower and my pool rarely goes over 87. We have been here 7 years. T and d pool.

You pay a premium going with T&D but the peace of mind was worth it. We tried to get a quote from Blue Moon but they said they couldn’t build our custom design. Our pool is 12’x32’ with two half moon bump out seats half way down the length and at one end a half moon shape with cascading water bowls on either side that change colors with the pool lights. Small summer kitchen has an under counter icemaker. I highly recommend if you are going to throw parties at your house. You’ll always have enough ice in the hot summers. All appliances are top line outdoor rated. Important for that hot compressor outside at 95 degrees in the shade. We had top choice Pebble Tec put in the interior of the pool. Also highly recommend the in ground storage compartment for a solar pool blanket. It’s called Clear Deck. It spools under ground when not in use so you don’t see the pool blanket. We use it every day November to April to maintain the heat in the pool. You only lose about 4 degrees at night so you save on electricity (heat pump). We keep our pool at 85 in the winter and our electricity is $150 extra on average Dec-March.Worth every penny to use year round. We don’t need to heat the pool during hottest summer months. It stays at 85-87 in summer I heated but our pool faces North so no chiller needed. Our deck is Cool Deck that is a 3 fleck multi color that blends with house color and always cool to your feet in the hottest of days. Pool edge coping is travertine tile. Cage is 27x55 with 20/20 screen to keep out no seeums with a special engineered view design with less vertical posts (if you have a view). Price tag 3 years ago $175K. You get what you pay for with T&D. Top line work built in 4 months.

Using a pool above 80 degrees in the summer is not going to happen. At that point, a pool is useless. In my humble opinion. A chiller is mandatory.

swimming pool
 

We used weisman pools. They were excellent. Bill our salesman came to our home like 3 days after we called, he took pictures and asked us what features we wanted, He came back about 3 days later with his computer. He had put our home on the computer with the pool and features even had the water running. We loved it, better than t&d paper drawing. we signed up
and 7months later we were swimming. The cost was 82,000 in 2020. We have spa one water fall, solar and gas heat, screen cage, bottom cleaning system. remember everything is extra.

We really appreciate people’s responses. We are looking at pool options and the information shared is very helpful. Thank you!

Based on my looking, the new builds that have a pool added $115-$150k to the cost.

At this very moment Blue Moon is doing the shotcrete on our pool build. We got estimates from T&D, Premier Pools and Blue Moon. We wanted to go with T&D but they were $60,000 higher and Premier was $30,000 higher than the Blue Moon quote. I've heard great things about T&D and Premier but I have five neighbors that have used Blue Moon and they were happy so I'm confident in my decision. They may take a month longer than T&D but for $60,000 cheaper I can wait until the end of March to swim.

Absolutely! We stopped using the Villages pools after our first summer here when we found out the pool water was as hot as a pot of water simmering on the stove. Not refreshing at all! Unfortunately, we found out after we bought and closed escrow or we would’ve bought a pool sized lot. We don’t swim in winter because it’s just not something we did in SoCal where we moved from, so it feels weird to us. Swimming was a summer activity, and we find no pleasure in it during winter. Our swim window here is short. Just May and June only before the water’s too hot. Chillers in the pools would be heavenly.

here's something to hold on to for any furture, NEVER have options like that done by the builder, you may think it costs less because it's "within the phase" but it's not - this not only includes pool and screen in, but also kitchen upgrades etc. get it built as plain as you can and go from there without the builder.

I looked into adding a chiller. I have hybrid solar/ gas heat. In the summer, I run the filter after the sun sets, the water pumps up over the darkened roof thru the solar panels, the heat dissipates, and runs back to the pool, and the daytime water temp maintains about 84. We find that on a 90+ day, 82-84 is quite nice

After reading all of these comments and costs, our decision to get a SPA (8ft by 8ft) looks like a bargain, we heat it during the winter to 102 degrees and I turn off the heat in the spring, and it typically settles at 80 to 85 degrees, so I can cool off when the feels like is 105 degrees. Yes, it is not swimming, but it is VERY relaxing and very helpful messaging sore muscles with all of the jets.

The water temps in public uncovered pools will always be hotter than pools in birdcages.

Your pool today would be close to $225k. A simple 10x28 no frills pool with T&D is $ 145k ( family quoted 2 weeks ago)

We use liquid solar blanket. 11,500 gallons, 50-60 night temp we drop 2 degrees. 35-45 we drop 4 degrees, but sun quickly bring back to temp within a few hours. During Jan/Feb we use 6-10KwH per day to heat 84 degrees for family, otherwise I keep at 79-80 during winter. Not a fan of warm water to swim

Having had two past homes with pools, my advice is not to purchase one. Remember to also think about the weekly pool services you'll probably want to hire also.
Use the pools at the rec centers and invest the money instead. You'll enjoy it even more.

And will save you $ on mortgage & taxes, just like changing out carpet & low end countertops after your build if one can take the inconvenience

Or do it yourself, better service, $20 ish a month for chemicals. And a robot that cleans walls floors, and says “please enjoy your pool” today’s pools aren’t that hard to take care of. Plus I don’t have to listen to everyone conversation of what ails they today. Read in peace floating in my pool, drinking whatever I choose in total peace and quiet.

Well I guess that’s one for cold blooded.

In the summer we chiller is set to 78. Like others prefer cooler water. Winter because keep pool on the cooler side after a swim getting out with 45 degree air temp isn’t jarring

We never were needy or had to keep up with jones. Now At my age I have no interest in pool even though I could have one. For the cost and up keep (100 to $200 month) if I get desire to get in pool for 15 minutes I just go to neighborhood pools. Which since I’ve been here about 4 times in 10 years. So l’ll keep 100K plus and spend it in another useless project. No I won’t cuss it took too long to accumulate it.:shrug:

I did have spa till it broke, cost more than it was worth to fix it, so I got rid of it. :oops:

Thank you for the great info. Was the total 130 or is it 130 + 35 + 24. Curious

$130k total cost.

In my experience, the only place pools are still semi-popular in FL, is The Villages. I've owned 2 other homes in FL and in both of them, the pool was a detriment to selling them. I was in the process of having one of them "filled in", before I sold it.

I have well over 100 friends who are snowbirds in FL, mostly Sarasota-Naples. Not a single one of them has a pool at their Florida home. It's a Villages' phenomena and only in The Villages do folks seem to be willing to pay $100K-$150K for a $50K-$70K pool.

15 years in Florida with a pool, I was in each pool, once. In my 5 years in The Villages, I have yet to see a person in a swimming pool. I'm sure it happens, but I've never seen it.

My Thoughts
 

In my experience and opinion I would say there are three types of people when it comes to pools.

1. Loves a pool and will pay to have it because it’s what they want and makes them happy.
2. People that don’t care about having there own or don’t go in the pool often so they don’t care about not having one.
3. People that can’t afford one , really really wish they had one so they lash out at those who have them !

Pools are no different then a high end sports car , expense motorcycles , traveling the world , jewelry , etc. All are terrible financial decisions but they are luxuries that if you can afford and they give you joy then so be it !

In regards to price I am a huge believer in you get what you pay for. If you are getting a product or service at a massive discount vs other competitors then odds are you are getting an inferior product or organization. (Ask yourself if that is true or not, we all know the answer) Pools are no different and in many case so much more dependent on quality.

I have been in the construction world for 32 years and the number pool disasters I have seen are numerous & usually crazy expensive for the owner. Most are due to inferior construction that honestly unless you are construction expert you would swear you got the same product someone else who paid more. It is never the case.

The value of purchasing your pool with T&D is the fact that not only will T&D be around and stand behind it so will the Developer. The absolute most critical thing in pool construction is that. If you research how many pool companies form and go out of business in Florida every year you would be shocked.

So, I am not telling anyone how to go or who to spend your money with, that is a personal choice. But there is a clear , unarguable, transparent benefit to T&D with this calculus. I have seen their pools constructed and they the highest quality, the people that run it are highly skilled and most importantly good people that have been part of the villages for a long time with a great reputation. Finally that reputation is not only theirs but it directly impacts the Villages reputation and that is worth a premium.

You missed the one reason many put in a pool. Those who are tired of waiting in line then wait another hour for a lane. They get those who are unhappy because you are swimming 2 miles. So one puts in either a swim lane, or a professional tether, to swim all the laps you want. TV probably has more lap swimmers than any mega gyms I belong to.

Before our pool was finished all 3 sports pools I swam at had the same 20- 30 swimmers every morning in line at 0630. No matter the temp, if the pool was open we swam. Same for every sports pool for all open swim slots

You left out a few ...

Like the folks who spent $100,000 for their pool and are ****ed they're only getting back 10¢-15¢ on the dollar when they sell.

& the ones that had no clue of the cost to insure, maintain & repair a pool.

& the ones who thought it sounded like a great idea after living in Montana for 40 years and then found out they hardly use the pool, except for the week the grandchildren come to visit.

In my entire life, I've never met a person who owned a home with a pool or who built a pool, who would do it a 2nd time.

I’m not sure I can agree with this claim. Before my wife and I opted to Personalize Our Dream Home in TV, we looked at pre-owned homes with pools. None were listed at a price less than the pool home that we’re building in Well Point. There must be some price appreciation in those pre-owned homes somewhere. If it’s not the pool, then it must be the plantation shutters or the landscaping!

Have to agree 1800sf designer originally built $499,000.=added aftermarket 14x30’ pool. Sell price 1.1 yep definitely the giant boulders and 3 palms :evil6: