topnurse

Hi All! I am a first-time spa buyer and it is dizzying! The spa is for my husband and I, no kids, will go in the backyard, and we don't expect to entertain, so I have looked at 7 ft spas, and want one with a lounge seat. I have seen a few of the real small spas but they seem so much less in hydrotherapy than I would want (though the price is so much better!). So far, I have looked at Sundance and Jacuzzi (one dealer) and Catalina Spas (another dealer). I am not aware of any others in my area yet (perhaps Caldera or Cal Spa? I need to do more research to see who else is local for us - we live in southern California but not in LA or San Diego, both of which are 50-100 miles away) My question is: Does anyone have any comments, good and bad, about Catalina Spas? Any suggestions/comments are welcome. I have been watching this forum on and off for a while and have learned much from you all! Thanks, Topnurse

Hi Burgos! I think I have seen the material you used (not sure....I've seen so many they start to all get hazy in my memory!) - is it a "quartzite"? I would love to see the pic you mentioned you'd post - the more pics I see of others' projects, the better. It's tough to look at a palette of stone on a lot and imagine it around your pool and spa! Thanks, topnurse temecula Thanks for the post, pool boy but.....granite? Won't I need a second (or a third now) on my house to afford it? I would have thought granite would be expensive. Is granite often used for coping and pool applications? Have you seen it used? And? Just tryiong to get educated here! Thanks, Topnurse Temecula

..... We did everything you're supposed to do when hiring a pool company, we did so much research into everything it was crazy. But in the end we still made a bad decision. Go figure. I can't say it enough, be extremely cautious in every part of the decision making! I feel like such an idiot now for going with these people. ....... Hey, Luv, you did the leg work, like you said. There are no guarantees. BBB can be a help, but it's only as good as the public is good at reporting. I haven't signed my contract yet - I'm trying to be diligent and work out all beforehand but you never know. I am being crazy-researcher as well! What an experience, huh? Hopefully, you'll get completed soon and will enjoy your pool and it will become a distant memory. Needless to say, hold back that last $$$ until every single last detail, problem, concern, etc. is 100% fini! Oh, by the way, you will be making a report to BBB when all is said and done, right??????? Best of luck, Topnurse

I'm thinking about the coping....I've been advised by several "experts" to use "quartzite" if I go the "flagstone" look as opposed to other materials (such as sandstone) for durability. Questions: In looking at the different types of quartzite, they seem to have a washed-out look. I realize that it will look richer when wet but that is only a small part of the time. Any quartzite selections out there that look less so? I am aware that you can use a sealant but would rather not since I'm told it is not cheap and has to be redone about yearly. If you have used a flagstone, do you find this "uneven" edging physically uncomfortable, particularly in the spa? It just looks like it might be rough. I love candilevered look but in my area I have been advised to only do it if it has "joints", which, to me, spoils the whole look you would be trying to achieve with this type of thing. Anyone have any thoughts on the "jointed" candilevered coping and beyond? Any other copings that you may have used and like, why or why not? Thanks for your time, Topnurse Temecula,CA

Hi All: Anyone have any experience with Universal Rock Pools, out of Corona, CA owned by Daniel Clark (not to be confused with Universal Pools and Spas out of San Bernardino, et al., a few similar names that have awful reputation)? CSLB#735872 I really like his work, he has a good BBB rating, still waiting for his bid but I thought I would ask - never can have too much info going in to this, right? Thansk! topnurse temecula, ca

It's really looking great! How exciting it must be, especially for the kids. I also think it's fantastic that you've devoted a web site to document your progress. Great job! I checked your builders' website - some very impressive pools. Too bad I'm in Southern California! :)Nothing's beter than a good referral. I also checked out your initial drawing. Tell us....what is the perimeter of the pool? The spa size? The pool depth? When do you anticipate completion? Please continue to keep us updated on your experience - and share any details that might help the next guy (or gal). Again, thanks. topnurse Temecula, CA

Thanks, Rolexor, for responding - I did PM so check your inbox. Hello Everyone! To elaborate a little from my initial post: We have a small yard with a slope...would like a simple, modest (could be read as "not willing to spend every dime we have"! ) pool/spa, maybe a 80-90 perimeter free-form. No great need for rocks, fountains, etc. but we do like the sound of water feature and would like top somehow incorporate that if it were an affordable option. We have no kids, just want a place to relax and enjoy the day, maybe have a few friends over now and then. We're trying to keep costs down -otherwise, we won't be able to do it. So, fancy coping, lighting, flatwork, etc. is out - but, of course, we would like it to be clean and modern looking and equipment must be good - don't want to go cheap on that and just buy a bunch of headaches. Also need to get feedback on pebble - is it worth the money? And gunite v. shotcrete. And salt system. And I'm sure more will come up as we go. I know we can't have it all but we'd like to try and see what we can get. If we go for upgrades, etc, want it to be for things that are priority, not just bells and whistles. Although, I guess everyone's "priorities" do vary, right? I'm just trying to stay in reality! Haven't had any bids yet - just two companies have come out so far - Pacific Coast Pools and California Pools. Someone suggested Paradise Pools so I guess I may give them a call. Also, I looked very thoroughly on Better Business Bureau site and that helped me at least narrow down the list. I only looked at BBB members locally, found them in Temecula, Murrieta, Winchester, Stevenson Ranch,Corona..... Local companies I found were PCC Pools (AA Rating), Premier (A Rating), Universal Rock Pools, Corona (AAA Rating), West Coast (A Rating), and SC Landscape (AAA Rating). I don't know BBB politics at all so can only hope that they are reliable? Well, thanks for any thoughts you may have. A few years ago we met with a guy (name?) who suggested we do it ourselves (he may have called it like "owner-builder" or something) - he would do the design and permits (?) and help us through the process but we would do the subbing. I can't recall what his fee would have been. We were so new to the area that we just couldn't even think of it at the time. Also, had never heard of this mode of pool building and it kind of intimidated us. We appreciate any help, thoughts, feedback, experiences, etc. anyone may have had or are currently going through. Good luck to you all! Thanks, topnurse

Hi All! We live in Southern California and I have virtually never heard of using fiberglass. Any thoughts on why that would be? Is it a weather thing? Benefits v. any issues of using fiberglass in general? Anyone have any info, please share. We're getting ready to build and trying to find out all we can. Thanks, Topnurse Temecula, CA

We are attempting to build a modest inground pool here in Southern California. We went through this process almost 4 years ago when we first moved here but were so overwhelmed and generally confused with all the details and info that we gave up and moved on. Well, we're gonna give it one more try! I would appreciate any referrals for pool builders/pool companies and would especially appreciate feedback on who to avoid! I know this may be sensitive to some to comment about but, hey! isn't that the puirpose of a forum? To share info! Seriously, any help would be appreciated. If you feel more comfortable, please pm if you don't want to go public. Thanks so much for your thoughts. I'm sure I'll have more qestuions to follow. Oh, here's one I've been thinking about: pebble-bottom or ? Is this just a matter of aesthetics? Thanks again!

I am in Southern California and am beginning the bidding process for the second time - did this almost 4 years ago when we first bought this home but was so overwhelmed and confused (not to mention sticker-shocked) that we gave up and moved on. Now we want to try again. A company that is coming over tomorrow uses only shotcrete. Please! Does any one have experience or knowledge of this material and the use of shotcrete v. gunite? Thanks for your help! I'm sure I'll have a few dozen more questions to follow. So glad I found this forum - maybe we can make it all the way this time!