**New pool pics (Fountain Pics added 8/15!) **
06-05-2006, 09:14 AM
#41
^ 
Definitely not a sultan. Thanks for the comment 
I actually need to get new pics, but since we decided to re-do the fountain thing mentioned above this weekend, it's still a work in progress. Hopefully I'll have it done next weekend.
Definitely not a sultan. Thanks for the comment I actually need to get new pics, but since we decided to re-do the fountain thing mentioned above this weekend, it's still a work in progress. Hopefully I'll have it done next weekend.
@ sultan
07-03-2006, 01:10 PM
#45
Senior Moderator
The Sultan of Charlotte 
JB, I think part of the mystique is due to that us people up here in the Northeast equate a house like that to be very expensive, while the fact of the matter is, you get ALOT more bang for the buck down south...
One of my sister's girlfriend just bought a house (new construction) similiar to mine in size down in NC for about 1/2 of what they are going for up here...
But we're discussed that already
JB, I think part of the mystique is due to that us people up here in the Northeast equate a house like that to be very expensive, while the fact of the matter is, you get ALOT more bang for the buck down south...
One of my sister's girlfriend just bought a house (new construction) similiar to mine in size down in NC for about 1/2 of what they are going for up here...
But we're discussed that already
07-03-2006, 02:25 PM
#47
Originally Posted by GreenMonster
JB, I think part of the mystique is due to that us people up here in the Northeast equate a house like that to be very expensive, while the fact of the matter is, you get ALOT more bang for the buck down south...
As for the pool and yard. We got a killer deal on that... and doing our own landscaping saved us probably $10k. We saved $16k on the pool by negotiating, plus prices have gone up about $5k-$7k in the last few months, so to do our backyard again would be $75k.
So to recreate everything as is now, total would be about $700k give or take $10k. Cheap by northeast standards, hell yeah, but not cheap by any means. As I mentioned above, if we were looking to move in late 2005 or 2006 instead of March 2005 when we closed, we would not be moving here b/c the deals are disappearing with these kinds of houses.
Now, you can still get large houses in the area (3000+ sq ft) for $300k or so, but they're more cookie cutter (less details, very little or no brick/stone, 2 car front load garages, 1/4 to 1/3 acre lots, and so on). Don't get me wrong, most of them are very nice, but they aren't the style we were looking for when we moved... so we got VERY lucky with our timing. We also know that we could never afford this in the northeast, but that's why we moved, change of lifestyle
.
07-07-2006, 10:09 AM
#52
^ Thanks 
We're hoping to actually have them hooked up next weekend. We have an electrician coming to wire the lights for the columns... and his partner also does plumbing, so hopefully after July 16th everything we'll almost be done. All that will be left if the low voltage accent lighting and that's it for the big stuff!
This weekend we'll be wrapping up the lattice and fountians, so we're really heading into the home stretch
.
We're hoping to actually have them hooked up next weekend. We have an electrician coming to wire the lights for the columns... and his partner also does plumbing, so hopefully after July 16th everything we'll almost be done. All that will be left if the low voltage accent lighting and that's it for the big stuff!
This weekend we'll be wrapping up the lattice and fountians, so we're really heading into the home stretch
.
Last edited by juniorbean; 07-07-2006 at 10:17 AM.
07-10-2006, 10:19 AM
#53
Some new pics from this weekend... Fountains (not picture) should be done this week 
.
Lattice completed (just need to stain the cap):
Some new plants my wife planted around the urn:
Entrance (still no grass till fall, but the rest is basically done):
New bed between deck steps and pool entrance (well, roses were planted a couple months ago, but annuals, bush, and mulch are new):
.Lattice completed (just need to stain the cap):
Some new plants my wife planted around the urn:
Entrance (still no grass till fall, but the rest is basically done):
New bed between deck steps and pool entrance (well, roses were planted a couple months ago, but annuals, bush, and mulch are new):
our pools is messed up... 
the floor is full of green....
07-12-2006, 01:30 PM
#57
^
SWG. It was free, so why not . And we love it, as does everyone else who comes swimming in our pool. Not smelling like chlorine and not having that chlorine feeling on your skin and in your hair is really nice...
Electric bill went up about $100/mo.
SWG. It was free, so why not
. And we love it, as does everyone else who comes swimming in our pool. Not smelling like chlorine and not having that chlorine feeling on your skin and in your hair is really nice...Electric bill went up about $100/mo.
07-12-2006, 02:58 PM
#58
Racer
Join Date: Feb 2005
Age: 48
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Junior.
I to am looking to go SWG, but since it will be additional, and our Pool Builder is giving us 1 year of chemical free w/ chlorine setup. We'll just test and see if its something we want. Then if I hate it, I'll then convert to SWG starting next spring time startup. Can't wait to get my pool on in.
Yours looking great BTW!!
I to am looking to go SWG, but since it will be additional, and our Pool Builder is giving us 1 year of chemical free w/ chlorine setup. We'll just test and see if its something we want. Then if I hate it, I'll then convert to SWG starting next spring time startup. Can't wait to get my pool on in.
Yours looking great BTW!!
07-12-2006, 03:07 PM
#59
Yeah, all of the builders were charging extra except one... so we went back to each of the other companies we were interviewing and told them that we could get the SWG for free... so they each threw it in with their bid. Worked out well for us . I grew up with a chlorine pool (parents had one) and the SWG blows it away. Besides for the things I mentioned above, the maintenence has been so easy. If I need to add chlorine I hit a button on the control panel, if the chlorine is to high, I hit another button on the panel. That's it... easy as that.
Good luck with the pool and take pics . Remember construcion sucks, but the process is worth it
. I grew up with a chlorine pool (parents had one) and the SWG blows it away. Besides for the things I mentioned above, the maintenence has been so easy. If I need to add chlorine I hit a button on the control panel, if the chlorine is to high, I hit another button on the panel. That's it... easy as that.Good luck with the pool and take pics
. Remember construcion sucks, but the process is worth it
07-12-2006, 04:37 PM
#60
Team Owner
SWG? 
07-12-2006, 05:19 PM
#61
^ Salt-Water Generator. Basically you pour salt into the pool (special salt of course) and the generator makes chlorine with the salt content. They poured 5 50 pound bags at startup. Now that it's up an running I have to keep an eye on the salt level, but from most people I have spoken to, you only need to add one bag of salt per year. So that's it.. the only maintanence as far as that goes is adding one bag per year, and adjusting the chlorine level on the control panel by simply pressing up for more or down for less.
Very easy, and the water feels much better then regular chlorine pools. It doesn't even taste like there are chemicals in the pool. We love it.
Very easy, and the water feels much better then regular chlorine pools. It doesn't even taste like there are chemicals in the pool. We love it.
07-12-2006, 09:46 PM
#63
Senior Moderator
Wow...very impressive, JB!
I wish my backyard was BIG enough to even fit a pool. The deck already takes up 25% of it and no, my deck is not big either.
I wish my backyard was BIG enough to even fit a pool. The deck already takes up 25% of it and no, my deck is not big either.
07-13-2006, 04:50 PM
#68
Senior Moderator
Lookin Great. On the home stretch now!. Still cant wait for the ZINE pool party
07-13-2006, 05:24 PM
#69
^ Well, the pool pretty much has an open door policy. Our neighbors will just call up and see if they can come over, which is a yes. (Actually one of my neighbor's called and they'll be here for 7pm ) Our only rule is no pool use when we're not home, which, so far, has been obeyed (locking the gates helps to keep people out).
But we already had a Memorial Day party with 30 people, 4th of July weekend party with about 20, and other random pool parties with anywhere from 10-25 people. Just come on down
) Our only rule is no pool use when we're not home, which, so far, has been obeyed (locking the gates helps to keep people out).But we already had a Memorial Day party with 30 people, 4th of July weekend party with about 20, and other random pool parties with anywhere from 10-25 people. Just come on down
08-15-2006, 10:58 AM
#70
Sorry to bump a dead topic, but I kept promising pics of the fountains we were working on, and finally took some recently. It was a little cloudy out, so the lighting isn't the best, but you can get the idea. At this point I'd say the fountains are 97% complete. We still need to bury the power wires and re-mulch around the basin so it is more flush with the ground, but you can get the idea. It's a little hard to see in the pics b/c the water blends with the rocks, but the fountains bubble up from the middle, then trickle over the sides into the basin. I'll have to get a zoomed in shot of the top of the urns showing the water.
You can also see the lights on the top of the columns which were installed several weeks ago in the last shot. Once I figure out how to use my camera on Manual mode I'll take a night shot with the pool light and the lights on the columns. It looks sick at night....
Anyway, some quick shots of the fountain we installed below.... Enjoy!
Head-on view... fountains off:
Head-on view... fountains on:
View from the rear gate... fountains on:
You can also see the lights on the top of the columns which were installed several weeks ago in the last shot. Once I figure out how to use my camera on Manual mode I'll take a night shot with the pool light and the lights on the columns. It looks sick at night....
Anyway, some quick shots of the fountain we installed below.... Enjoy!
Head-on view... fountains off:
Head-on view... fountains on:
View from the rear gate... fountains on:
08-15-2006, 12:07 PM
#72
^ Yup, the lions are setup on either side of the pool and are water features that are hooked into the pool system. Those haven't been hooked up yet b/c we need to build a base to allow for more room under them for the connections.
The pics above are fountains that we built in the yard around the pool near the pergola and rear gate. These are self contained fountains with their own pumps and add to the atmosphere around the pool rather then the pool itself.
You can see the lions in the picture below. The fountains are not in the picture, but they would be slightly further left of the view the pic shows....
The pics above are fountains that we built in the yard around the pool near the pergola and rear gate. These are self contained fountains with their own pumps and add to the atmosphere around the pool rather then the pool itself.
You can see the lions in the picture below. The fountains are not in the picture, but they would be slightly further left of the view the pic shows....
Last edited by juniorbean; 08-15-2006 at 12:10 PM.
08-16-2006, 07:12 AM
#73
Racer
Join Date: Feb 2005
Age: 48
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Juniorbean, Over-all how do you like the cement decking?
Do you plan to run sundeck or paint the deck yourself soon?
Reason why I ask is b/c I am ain debate if I should get landscape or sundeck since the pool builders did not hit any rock. So its a credit towards either sundeck or very, very nice landscaping.
Thanks 4 any feedback!!
** Also you running SWG (salt water generator) ?
Do you plan to run sundeck or paint the deck yourself soon?
Reason why I ask is b/c I am ain debate if I should get landscape or sundeck since the pool builders did not hit any rock. So its a credit towards either sundeck or very, very nice landscaping.
Thanks 4 any feedback!!
** Also you running SWG (salt water generator) ?
08-16-2006, 09:52 AM
#74
The concrete decking is doing fine for now. Down the road we may stain it and etch it... but for now the money is better spend elsewhere. It's been very hot here this summer and at no point was the concrete ever too hot to stand on. So, it's serving it's purpose as is so we won't be doing anything to it just yet.
As for the SWG, read my replies below your post from 7/12 about halfway up this page...
As for the SWG, read my replies below your post from 7/12 about halfway up this page...
08-17-2006, 06:41 PM
#75
Senior Moderator
bro, you did an amazing job. Plus sounds like you bought at a great time, did your own work here and there, saved a ton.... and now your place looks like a million bucks! 
08-18-2006, 07:33 AM
#76
Racer
Join Date: Feb 2005
Age: 48
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by juniorbean
The concrete decking is doing fine for now. Down the road we may stain it and etch it... but for now the money is better spend elsewhere. It's been very hot here this summer and at no point was the concrete ever too hot to stand on. So, it's serving it's purpose as is so we won't be doing anything to it just yet.
As for the SWG, read my replies below your post from 7/12 about halfway up this page...
As for the SWG, read my replies below your post from 7/12 about halfway up this page...
Thanks on your info on the SWG.
Reason why I ask you about the decking is b/c I am thinking the same.
Since our Pool Builder did not hit any rock, that fund may now go to either landscape or sundeck. I to am leaning towards the landscaping. God forgive if I choose sundeck, I probably be to lazy to get the landscaping done. Wife would not bo happy about that. lol. Your pool looks amazing.
08-18-2006, 08:50 AM
#77
Originally Posted by synth19
bro, you did an amazing job. Plus sounds like you bought at a great time, did your own work here and there, saved a ton.... and now your place looks like a million bucks!
My friends always break our chops b/c the same thing happened in NY. We got in a good pricing and got out right at the top of the cycle (after we left, larger more expensive units were only selling for a little more then we got for ours). Then down here we got in right before the Charlotte area really blew up. They all say that we need new sneakers b/c we keep stepping in shit. I'm a believer of the theory that a person makes his/her own luck, however, I have to admit, luck has to have something to do with it since it's happened twice.
But thanks for the kind words. We put a lot of time into the yard and were more or less working out there every weekend from Feb 25th through the end of June. I just can't wait to put the damn grass down so it can look like a finished yard instead of a construction area. It's almost time... so just a little more waiting.
Shift_it - good luck with your decision. We did 90% of the landscaping (planting) ourselves, and we still spent quite a bit on the other 10%. I'd say that unless you're willing to put at least 6+ weekends into the yard, pay someone to do it. I mean, we had a lot of projects from planting to the floating deck to the lattice, fountains, walkways, etc.... however, the planting alone took the most time. If I remember correctly we planted approximately 115 plants of varying sizes (from small annuals to bushes), and that does not even count the potted plants we have around the pool, some of which have up to 20 plants in them (like the urn). So that's a lot of digging, planting, trips to Lowe's for soil, fertilizer, mulch, and so on. Something to keep in mind to help make your decision
08-21-2006, 09:30 PM
#78
Senior Moderator
08-21-2006, 09:39 PM
#79
I love cars!
Originally Posted by juniorbean
Thanks again for the replies guys.
I must say it's nice to see everything come together. Especially everything in the backyard since we pretty much designed it all. And it's finally nice to be able to start enjoying it instead of being out there planting every weekend. The stain should dry by tomorrow so we can put our patio furniture back out and just start relaxing.
Oh, and the glazed pots I mentioned above... just picked them up this afternoon... so that will be tomorrow's project. More digging ahead (need to dig for the basin). If I don't pass out this weekend (gonna be in the 90's), I should have pics by Monday
I must say it's nice to see everything come together. Especially everything in the backyard since we pretty much designed it all. And it's finally nice to be able to start enjoying it instead of being out there planting every weekend. The stain should dry by tomorrow so we can put our patio furniture back out and just start relaxing.
Oh, and the glazed pots I mentioned above... just picked them up this afternoon... so that will be tomorrow's project. More digging ahead (need to dig for the basin). If I don't pass out this weekend (gonna be in the 90's), I should have pics by Monday
