Yes, it is a relatively large pool with a decent amount of space for the cage and decking around the pool. The cage basically measures 50 X 30 with the pool itself being about 30 X 14 (kind of kidney shaped). We also have 3 waterfalls, 3 air jets and a fountain. It has a decent size "beach" area as you walk in for the little ones. I also have probably one of the only pools in TV with no rails! The cost also included solar heating system (fantastic by the way - keeps it 85 or above almost every day so far since Feb 2nd).

Put in by All Seasons pools - if anyone wants to see it just send me a PM. They have a great referral system.

It depends on the size of the pool plus the size of the birdcage.
We've been given lowball estimates of $20,000 for a pool and $15,000 for a two story birdcage......but again, that was just via email to one of the pool guys who does The Villages.......$35,000 seemed low for a total.

But we were really surprised at the low price for a two story birdcage..........and I was even more surprised a week or so ago when I read on TOTV that insurance companies do NOT cover the screens in the birdcage (if a tornado blows through)????

Again, I'll bet $50,000 is probably for a very very nice set up of pool and birdcage. I think we were given a low figure; then once one gets into actually ordering, the price always rises.

As far as the higher electric bills, Florida is way cheaper than up north's electric bills......and at least there are no oil heating bills down there.

One would also save money on gasoline by having the pool on your own property..........plus as an earlier poster said, the snacks, pool stuff, etc. are all handy. If one person wants to go in for a while, the others can stay outdoors by the pool or in the pool. If babies or children need a NAP, the bedroom is right off the pool.........plus bathrooms.

It's the beauty of it plus the convenience of it.

The pools in TV are not hard to maintain. I just printed out all the info on the salt system....for my husband to read. We like to think ahead and plan ahead; it's too much to decide all at once.....when the time comes.

OH, post a picture. I want to see it. Sounds wonderful. I personally have an electric heater but I would imagine with all that sun down there the solar might be good. My mom has solar and she has so many problems with it

It sounds like whoever gave you the estimates gave base prices (presumptive) and did not include all things that need to be added like electrical, lights, decos, GEM colors, handrails, water features, pump, lights automation and a bunch of misc. fees. Also keep in mind that you can expect solar fees (if you chose to add that separately) in the upper 4G area.

Our T&D pool (installation in progress) has a quote of 20G for the pool, 8G for the screened enclosure and 6.3G for decking for a total of $34.300. That pretty much matches the 35G figure you were quoted. However, when you addon the additional costs like mentioned above, our estimate came out to $42,000 then $41,000 following a 2G discount. You may find this is why the quote seems low. If you pool and enclosure is considerably smaller that Russ or my pool, the the quote might be all inclusive.

Now our pool, enclosure and features are all slightly less than what Russ described about his concrete pond and that probably explains why his figures are about 9G higher than mine are.

As I mentioned, our pool is in progress. Yesterday they put down the texture on our deck in the AM then painted it in the PM. Next will be either the finishing work on the inside of the pool or the installation of the birdcage. I've included a few pics here of the work in progress of our installation.

The solar cost will be definitely under $4000 for that size pool

I can tell that you will enjoy many happy days in that pool. It is coming along great. A lot of work for sure.......but worth it in the long run.
Thank you so much for sharing the pics. I saved the name of the company, etc. We both enjoyed seeing the photos.

The ROI is very quick with a pool on solar.

On my prior post I stated that solar could be in the upper $4000 range. I didn't look it up first and my statement was incorrect. Taken directly from my executed proposal, my total cost is $4155. Perhaps that's a price increase since the above figure was obtained or there are less panels. Ours will have 8. Jack's solar required no down payment on the SunStar system from us and the amount is due upon completion.

I had a pool in S. Fla. but was then 25 years younger. I loved floating around in a lounge chair with a drink in the holder or hooking my feet to the side of the pool and watching football on TV. Every time we left for vacation our neighbor asked us if they could have their kids birthday party in our pool. No way would I want that liability. Ours seemed to get a leak once or twice a year. Chemicals were expensive back then and the electric was up there also. I enjoyed it but wouldn't want another. I preferr going to the neighborhood pool, socializing with friends, then go home and leave the work and expenses to TV.

What size is your pool?

The pool size is 14'W x 28'L and the depth ranges from 3.5' to 4.5'. We're also having a ceremic dolphin installed in the middle of the floor of the pool (shown below) directly in front of the waterfall. However, if the dolphin starts nibbling on our toes, she's getting kick out of the pool! :D

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...K8KCuAUeV3RS0I

We have 7 panels and it was $3900. Jack's just great.

Gotta watch out for those creatures! Love the color of your tiles and cool deck.

DandyGirl, what you see in the pictures is not the deck color. The pics were taken before the deck was texturized and painted and what you see in the pics I posted is raw concrete. Here's a sample of the deck color (Moonlight Mist) after painting. When I first saw it on the deck it looked like it was white and thought they made a mistake, but they didn't! I thought it would be more blue than it is. I wonder if they going to charge us extra for the lovebugs that lie dead on the deck? There has to be dozens of them. :eek:

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...QSygfV4uWiZyIO

Ah Ha! We're on T&D's schedule and hopefully they will be starting soon. We chose Pina Colada for the deck. Maybe a prediction for days and drinks to come?!