[Russ_Boston]

VK - I don't think Florida S&P could have paid for a better ad. I'll definitely keep this in mind when i get my TV home with a pool.

Thanks!

[graciegirl]

Hey guys and girls? Can you get a birdcage without a pool? My kitty would love it, and my husband aka Sweetie, is not into pools. I would love what a birdcage has to offer. Will the vatican :cop: down there allow a birdcage without a pool? I thought I had seen a picture of a birdcage over a hot tub. I have seen three trillion pictures of TV homes in and out and my disk is full. (the one in my head). What is the answer? Could GracieGirl have a birdcage? :bigthumbsup:

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Hey guys and girls? Can you get a birdcage without a pool? My kitty would love it, and my husband aka Sweetie, is not into pools. I would love what a birdcage has to offer. Will the vatican :cop: down there allow a birdcage without a pool? I thought I had seen a picture of a birdcage over a hot tub. I have seen three trillion pictures of TV homes in and out and my disk is full. (the one in my head). What is the answer? Could GracieGirl have a birdcage? :bigthumbsup:

Yes you can. As long as you have the property and get the Architectural committee's approval. There are many extended lanais without pools.

[Sidney Lanier]

I've seen many more birdcages without pools than with. For myself, the last thing I'd want to take on is pool maintenance. With whatever drawbacks there are to the public pools, I still much prefer knowing that i don't have to maintain them but rather just swim and enjoy!

[Russ_Boston]

As mentioned I think that everyone OVER estimates the amount of work that is required to maintain a pool. It can't average out to more than 10 min. per day after the initial scrub down. Many days there is nothing to do regarding maintenace. If you get one of those robot vacuums the time goes down considerably. Or as mentioned just contract with a pool company and sit back and enjoy.

Now cost is anther thing. The initial price and the price to heat during the winter can be substantial depending on how you do it (search other threads for info on this). So if you don't want a pool for cost reasons then don't but i wouldn't not do it just based on time spent.

[wmarsh]

My wife and I are looking at purchasing early next year and are back and forth on a pool vs a spa vs pool/spa.

I had a pool when we lived in Dallas 20 years ago and it was fun, but I grew very tired very fast taking care of it, the heat in Dallas simply ate chlorine (my pool was regularly 90 Deg F during the summer months). that and they were to small to swim in (I was an alternate on the '68 Olympic Water Polo team -- my God that was a long time ago, so when I want to swim I need a pool bigger than one that is two strokes, turn, two strokes, turn....

does anyone have an idea of costs for a really nice spa sans pool?

Also, we've heard of the new 'swim spas' any experience with those would be appreciated.

Thanks

Bill & Carolyn

[funnygirl]

We have Florida Pool and Spa do all of our pool maintance and we pay 68.00 a month. It's worry free. We just enjoy the pool.

[pili]

Speaking of pools, how expensive is it to heat in the winter? I definetely want a pool and I'm sold after reading Big Kahuna's explanation as to how easy the upkeeep is. The amount charged by Florida Spa and Pool sounds very reasonable. That said, we don't want to pay an arm and a leg for keeping the pool heated. I don't like cold water so I know I need a heated pool. Thanks everyone.

Pili 8)

[billethkid]

If you are getting ready to but, my suggestion is to buy the house and get the largest bird cage the property will handle. Have the pool done as an aftermarket install and you will save $$$$$.

FL Spa & Pool did ours.....perfect to our specifications...excellent after sale and after construction service and we have them maintain it for us year around. It is a large pool and spa and runs a little over $20 per week.

We elected to have a gas heater and solar both installed. We keep the pool around 83 during the winter months....sounds low but let me tell you when the air temp is below 70 it feels pretty good. The heaters are set for 83 and the solar system at 92. Sunny days during the so called winter months take the pool above the 80+ numbers.

The heater doesn't come on until late November or even in December. Then needed during January and February. Our gas bill runs about $100 to $150 per month higher when the sun doesn't shine. Averaged out over the year......not any more expensive than utilities bills way North of here.

As pointed out in other posts...the ambiance, the enjoyment, the increased value....all justify a pool in my opinion.

Of course we are outdoor nuts and spend most of our time out there.

BTK

[nanci2539]

so Bill, your suggestion is to put the pool in yourself? How much money do you think one saves doing it this way and how long does it take to have one put in, a normal to good size pool?

[billethkid]

nanci2539....no...not do it yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :dontknow:
Aftermarket means other pool companies (not TV) AFTER you own the home. I said I used Florida Spa and Pool to do all of mine......you will save money by having it done AFTER the closing and not by TV.
By the way TV usually uses the same pool contactors, hence you immediately eliminate one level of profitability by having it done AFTER.

Good luck.

BTK