[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by LuckyS

T&D is building ours now. The process has been seamless, no issues at all. Once they start, the job moves along quickly. Sure they are more expensive and you have to wait (no new sales appointments till January 2022) but the process so far has been excellent. I'm told they typically have 50 jobs going at once but as of now its closer to 100.

I cannot say enough good about how T&D does business. How they remove bushes and small trees first, and cover the roots with dirt and replant them later. How they tag and move power lines first. How they clean up the site and the street at the end of the day. How their designers are amazing and their knowledge of YOUR site is completely up to all codes. How the project manager drives by and checks the site every day, even Sunday. I could go on and on. They are an amazingly well run company.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by miharris

We are considering adding a pool to our house in Marsh Bend. Given the increased demand combined with the shortage of building materials, the process has been pretty slow and frustrating. I would be interested to hear about anyone's experience with either a pool installed recently and whether or not you would recommend that company, or are currently getting bids and have found a company that is reasonable and responsive.

Thanks!

We recently signed a contract with T&D to build our pool; said there are 100 pools in front of us but that we should have water in it by Christmas; I’m really not expecting it to be finished until spring next year.

[xlhig]

Originally Posted by mneumann02

We signed a contract with Fiesta Pools last March. We signed with them because of their price and reputation (recommended on this website). Construction to start next Feb., 2022. Yes, pool contractors are so busy they are charging high prices and postponed construction.

We had Fiesta install our pool. They did a great job. Highly recommended!

[chenault55]

Either alone or in addition to the pool put in a hot tub. You’ll find after a couple of years you will use (need) it more and more.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by Shapdaddy

T&D installed our pool. Tried Fiesta and Weisman. Very incompetent sales people. T&D, although more expensive, top notch."

Same here. Sales people at Fiesta and Wiseman were deadasses. Josh and Julia at T&D were fantastic to work with.

[capecoralbill]

It might be cheaper and quicker to move to a home that already has a pool,. Think about it, most villagers move 3 times.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by xlhig

We had Fiesta install our pool. They did a great job. Highly recommended!

Fiesta did a great job with our pool. It was installed 6 1/2 years ago and have not had any problems. Difference in time is so different. Signed a contract, excavation started the following week and we were swimming in 5 weeks!

[PoolBrews]

I would get at least 3 quotes from companies with high ratings. You will find that most folks here will say T&D... that is because T&D is local and is the contractor that The Villages uses. They do good work, but cost far more than other companies outside of the bubble. If you don't mind paying 25%-50% more, then T&D is fine. My pool was done by Premier Pools of Central Florida out of Winter Park and I couldn't be happier. My pool was $65K - T&D wanted $90K, and that was with older automation, an undersized filter, and an undersized salt water generator (SWG) cell.

When I asked them to meet the same hardware as Premier, I was looking at another $10K. This is why I say - get multiple quotes, then make sure they all have the same components. Things to check:

1) Verify filter size - the smaller the filter, the more often you will be cleaning it.
2) Look at pool automation. It will make your life easier, and will save on electricity over the long run.
3) Make sure you get auto fill/drain. Here in FL with the rain and sun we get you'll be constantly adding water or manually draining without it.
4) Make sure you get a variable speed pump. A VSP can save $20-$40 per month when run at 40%.
5) If going salt water (highly recommended), make sure the SWG cell is rated at least 2x the size of your pool.
6) Look at the included pool interior finish. Pebble finishes last far longer than plaster, and are more $$ accordingly.

I could probably add more, but that is a good start!

[DAVES]

I would think like most projects there is a best time to have it done.

From the posts it seems that they are backed up now. Unless there is some reason why you need it now, it is likely you will get better work and a lower price at a slower time.

[BumpaOompa]

Recently sought out quotes from Fiesta, Staycation, Advanced Construction, Wiseman and waiting on my appointment with T&D set-up 9 months ago. Stewart Bell from Fiesta was at the home in Nov 2020. promised a quote in 7 days. 3 weeks later I called him. Never returned my call. Another month later I called him. He said he was too busy and didn’t think we really wanted a pool??? He said he would put the quote together and have it to me in a week. That was almost 6 months ago. Dropped him from the list. Surprised Fiesta is still in business. I guess they don’t believe in fundamental common courtesy. Staycation responded quickly and was detailed. They are still in the running after I hear from T&D who is the last quote I am waiting for. Advanced Construction said i would have a quote in 2 weeks and it took them a month. They are still in the running. Wiseman stopped by in March. Promised a quote in 1-2 weeks. That was almost 3 months ago and still no quote. Wonder how responsive they would be on the job? Also, many neighbors have shared less than stellar experiences about Wiseman which typically includes them not showing up for months or ever after signing the contract. T&D is the last quote I am waiting for and am expecting it to be the high water mark (no pun intended) for price. Incidentally, since it is taking me 6 months or more to get quotes (mainly do to me doggidly having to beat the quotes out of providers) I am getting calls telling me the quotes will have to be adjusted upward due to raw material costs escalating. Not an optimal process when it takes 6 months to get a quote and prices are good for only 30 days. Losing battle. I agree with the earlier poster who says now is not the time to add a pool. For one thing I cannot get people to take my money and on the other hand no one is willing to show up if they do.

[Tdroels]

I am using Premier Pools of central Florida. Garrett Trefcer 407-718-0132 is the one we talked with and he did the contract. They are running a few weeks behind schedule but I must say partly due to me making changes. This is a large 18 x 37 foot pool with columns. We will be getting finished by the end of June. We have been 100% happy with contractors and employees from Premier and would use them again but hopefully this is the only pool we will install. You may come look and discuss if you like. 5868 Caulk Court. Thanks

[thevillager1988]

T&D started our pool project in November 2020 and finished right on time. It’s our first pool ever so we learned a lot. They did a great job, while educating us along the way. We are using T&D pool service and have experience similar to others who have replied. We may be shopping around some in the coming weeks.

[Villages Kahuna]

You’ll hear all kinds of horror stories about all the pool installers except one — T&D Pool and Spa (352) 748-3987. Because they’re so good you’ll have to wait a little longer to have them start construction, but once they start they complete the project on your pre-agreed schedule. Definitely go see Vera Martin for your design, she’s the best in the business. T&D’s price may be a bit higher, but they’re worth every penny. I think Vera is at their office near Colony Cottage Rec center.

Two tips…

— Be sure to get an auto-filler/overflow drainer.
— An outdoor salt water pool is a lot easier to keep maintained and in balance than a fresh water/chlorinated pool.

[prbradley]

We signed with Wiseman last June and are just about done. We’ve had irrigation issues from one of their subcontractors, but otherwise they are on top of it. Yes it is slow and there aren’t enough workers, but everything they do is great and the follow up is great. Our Supervisor is Chad and Dave does everything to be sure it is all running correctly. I highly recommend them.

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by ChicagoNative

We called Wiseman, T&D, and Advanced Construction for initial appointments last July. Advanced and Wiseman were 3 months out, T&D was 7 months out. Remember, this was just for estimates. From the initial dig to a finished pool was supposed to take about 4 months. In terms of customer service and responsiveness, I rate Wiseman 1, Advanced 2, and TD last. We heard such good things about TD, but with the pool business booming down here, they didn’t have to care, and they don’t, IMO.

We signed on with Wiseman on November 3 and after today we will have had the steel framing completed and be ready for the first county inspection.

There is an industry-wide shortage of everything in the supply chain, from raw materials to finished goods to the workers needed to do the labor. We just got notice from Wiseman that the filtering equipment may be delayed and we will likely not be swimming until Christmas or even later. For those keeping track, that is 13 months from contract. Add in your lead times just to get an appointment, and you can see that you should allow at least a year and a half for the process.

Frustrating? You bet, but I try to put things in perspective. Our country and world is still going through a pandemic. People have lost loved ones, livelihoods, and lives, and things still are not back to complete normal. A pool is a luxury item, and the sooner one realizes that the abundant patience of Job is required, the better. Also, treating the salesperson, office staff, project manager, and laborers with respect will help. It doesn’t mean you have to be a doormat, but you also don’t want to be “that guy”.

We had wiseman do our pool. Been 5 years, still love it. They did the best. Highly recommend them.