Talk of The Villages Florida - Swimming pool option with a new home?

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- - Swimming pool option with a new home? (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/swimming-pool-option-new-home-355446/)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWarriors (Post 2397271)

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

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocksnap (Post 2397289)

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Villager2be (Post 2397073)

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!

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWarriors (Post 2397271)

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ptmcbriz (Post 2397277)

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by midiwiz (Post 2397404)

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoisR (Post 2397557)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocksnap (Post 2397289)

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.

Well I guess that’s one for cold blooded.