Browse Forums Pools & Spas 1 Sep 13, 2010 9:06 am Hi, I'm new to this forum and I'm hoping someone can give me some good advice/feedback Basically, with summer approaching, we want to put in an inground pool in our backyard. Well, it actually classifies as the 'side' yard, which is next to our outdoor entertainment area. We haven't got a great deal of yard to work with so we were thinking of two options: - a small pool (perhaps a lap pool) - a swim spa The dimensions we are looking for would be approx. 6 metres x 2.5 metres (at the most). I guess I'm just looking for a bit of feedback for anyone who has a swim spa. Or from anyone who knows much about them. If we did go with the swim spa option, we would still want this to be INGROUND, so would still need excavation etc. A few questions I have: 1. What are swim spas like in general? We like the fact that they sort of double up as a spa and a pool. 2. We have a young child and I'm not sure if a swim spa would be as good for when he gets older - ie. is there enough space to splash around and have a swim? 3. What is the ongoing costs of a swim spa like - will these be less/more/same as a normal pool? 4. Will swim spa require a lot of ongoing maintenance? 5. Do swim spas go ok when making them inground - is there any additional risks when doing this? 6. What will be the cheapest - pool or swim spa? We're probably budgeting on 40K max and that includes pool, fencing and landscaping. Sorry, for all the questions. If anyone can answer any of these, or share any feedback in general, it would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!!! Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 2Sep 13, 2010 9:58 am "SPA.. SPA.. SPA" I know many people with both, those that have spas use it (even in winter), those with pools hardly do and complain about maintenance for something they don't use. I have a client who has (for the kids) a large pool, an in-ground trampoline and a mini golf putting course (I think the MGPC is more for dad) ..guess which one gets the least attention. ahh huh.. All spas and pools will require some maintenance, cleaning of filters, etc. ...if you rarely use it ...waste of your time and money. 40k should be ample for a spa, double it for a pool. Which ever one you decide on ..build an outside bathroom (toilet and shower), trust me, you won't regret it. Spas are smaller so heating is no real biggy on the budget, they're great at parties ..everyone gets in, with the swim jet ..great exercise, and the best feature of all ...."MASSAGE". Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 3Sep 13, 2010 11:47 am Thanks mate. Yeah we like that the Swim Spas offer Massage and also the "endless spa" feature where you can swim on the spot. I still think a small lap pool would be better for kids when they get older though...not sure if a Swim Spa is good for going under water etc. Would the price difference between a Swim Spa (I think these sell for around 25K) and a lap pool (say 6x2metres) be huge? Don't really have the space or budget for an outside bathroom... If anyone has feedback on Swim Spas it would be great. Cheers!!!! Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 4Sep 14, 2010 9:02 am Anyone? lol The more the wife and I discuss it, the more certain we'll go with the lap pool. I think the Swim Spa would be more maintenance with chemicals etc. and not really sure if it's suitable for kids to put their heads under water etc. But still don't know.... Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 5Sep 14, 2010 7:55 pm we have friends with a swim spa. They have grownup children who visit only. He does triathlons, long cycle races and runs so uses it as part of his training. The only thing they are not happy about is that they located the pumps for the swim sections training/jet stream around the corner of a nearby garden shed to reduce the noise level when it was turned on and this has resulted in a swim jet that is not very strong and so can't be used for the purpose for which it was intended. The spa section works well. The pool section is big enough to cool off in. Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 6Sep 20, 2010 1:04 pm Ok...well I've spent the last week researching as much on lap pools vs swim spas as I possibly could. I've also done some proper measurements of the yard so I know exactly what size pool I'm looking at. I'm after a pool 7metres in length MINIMUM and 10metres in length MAXIMUM. 8metres would probably be ideal but I'm using this range to start with. I'm looking for a width around the 2.5metre mark. I like the look of the Fast Lane pool from Compass Pool. Unfortunately the dimensions are 12.3m by 2.3m which is just a bit too long for us. I've rang Compass pools to see if this pool can be tailored to a smaller length and they said they would call me back. That was Friday afternoon and haven't heard anything... The only swim spa I can find that is close to these dimensions is the new MAAX Dual Zone Swim Spa.....see link below. http://www.maaxspa.com.au/files/brochur ... 208%20.pdf Remember, I'm only considering a swim spa if it can be installed inground (so it looks like a lap pool). This particular swim spa seems to meet everything I'm after except I don't think it will be cheap (haven't enquired about prices yet). Also, the depth (1.25metres) is a bit on the small side and I haven't seen these in real life yet so I'm not sure how the 'Dual Zone' looks. The Dual Zone may look brilliant when inground, or it may look cheap....hard to tell from just looking at a picture. I'm also still uncertain on the pricing of a swim spa vs lap pool when it comes to HEATING. I'm not sure which one uses the most electricity etc. to heat up - does anyone know this???? So I'm still uncertain on my decision. I do NOT want a swim spa under 7metres so I think this MAAX one is my only option. I've performed a lot of googling but most swim spa are around the 5metre mark which is too small. Based on this, I think a lap pool looks the most likely at this stage. Based on my pool dimensions, is it best to go with a pre-constructed pool (ie. Compass Pools or someone similiar), or to get a pool made specifically for my yard? It doesn't really matter whether it's fibreglass or concrete - I've done a lot of reading and they both have their pros/cons and I'll probably go with the cheapest (ie. fibreglass). My budget for a pool, landscaping and fencing is $40K.... Can anyone suggest some builders/suppliers I should speak to. I'm located in Ipswich (south of Brisbane). Thanks!! Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 7Sep 20, 2010 1:17 pm Hi Agent 009, I'm having similar discussions with the wife as you. We have pretty much decided on an Aquazone Swim spa, which has the spa separate at one end and what I call a plunge pool next to it. They have 3 options, 1 doesn't have any swim jets (this is what we have chosen) and the other 2 have either 4 or 8 swim jets(something like that). I don't want the added expense and all the pumps that goes with the swim jets, so we are having a swim pole which you attach a velcro waist band to your self and off you go (if it ever gets used). Pool appx 22K, just waiting on installation costs. Building the Henley Ascot 483: Handover 1/4 Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 8Sep 20, 2010 2:29 pm Thanks Rob! Just had a look at the AquaZone series....looks pretty good! For our requirements, I probably would prefer something with another few metres in length, but I'll definitely have a look at this one! You say 22K for the Aquazone with no swim jets...did you get any quotes for the ones with 4 and 8 jets? 22K isn't a bad price though...it'll be interesting to compare prices with the MAAX one. Also, are you putting yours inground? I have no idea what the cost of excavation is. So much research to do lol... I also found the Get Fit series which is found at the Infinity Mega Store, Springwood QLD. The biggest one in the series is 8metres and starts at 23K. The Get Fit series only seems to be available at this store so not sure how good the product is. Website below: http://www.infinitymegastore.com/category.php?id=1 I also just had a voicemail from Compass Pools who said they can custom make the Fast Lane lap pool at either 8 or 10metres in length! Will also look at this...I guess it all comes down to price. If anyone can shed further info on Compass Pools (in particular Fast Lane model) or can recommend any other builders/suppliers for my area please let me know. Thanks! Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 9Sep 20, 2010 3:49 pm Hi, Not sure what you decided to go with but to give you indication we are getting a Inground lap pool (my preference over a spa anyday)... 2.5 x 7.5 = $20K Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 10Sep 20, 2010 3:54 pm Thanks pottsville - wow, that's a fantastic price! Didn't think a lap pool would be available for that price. Would you mind to share which company you went with? And were you happy with the end product? Thanks!!! Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 11Sep 21, 2010 2:58 pm Hi Hope you got my reply to your PM... We have not had it installed as yet as we need to do after handover Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 14Sep 22, 2010 8:19 am Thanks Pottsville! I meant concrete, not cement lol. That makes your price even more impressive because everything I've read points to concrete being more expensive... Anyway, we're largely considering these two pools (see links below). Does anyone have any feedback regarding these pools? Please - good or bad!!!! http://www.leisurepools.com.au/Harmony.aspx http://www.compasspools.com.au/lap-pools.html Thanks!!!! Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 15Sep 22, 2010 9:03 am Hi again.. I assume you are going with fibreglass... I am happy that we seem to be getting a good deal on our pool - when i first started getting the quotes I was so overwhelmed with it all.. so i know how you feel its confusing! I like the look of both the pools you are looking at - The compass pool I like the best but then the Harmoney is just as nice... depends on the price difference between the two Im off to obtain fence pool quotes! Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 16Sep 22, 2010 9:16 am Received a 'rough' estimate for the Harmony (from Leisure Pools) for mid 20's over the phone. Haven't received a price on the Fast Lane (Compass Pools) as of yet. Oh, and we don't really care whether we go Fibreglass or Concrete... Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 17Sep 22, 2010 10:34 am I would give the Company I PM'd you a call as they could service your area - i didnt realise you were in QLD. I have a whole lot of other companys too that I reserach if that helps...? Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 19Sep 22, 2010 1:46 pm When i was obtaining quotes, fiberglass person said fiberglass is better and concrete person said concrete... so i dont know maybe its personal preference..... my friend in the industry says concrete so thats what i am running with... as i mentioned we only got our pool to shell as the friend is finishing it off for us Below is who i contacted (all reinforced concrete) I contacted the following on my search Banora Pools - www.banorapools.com.au 7.5mx2.5m = $22,000.00 Ubeaut Pools - ubeautpools@aapt.net.au 7mx3m = $22,000.00 Burleigh Pools - www.burleighpools.com.au - 7mx3m= $22,390.00 Northern Rivers Pools - nrps@optusnet.com.au 7mx3m = $22,000.00 Tranquil Pools and Landscapes -info@tranquilpools.com.au - 7mx3m = $25,000.00 Hope this helps - Good Luck Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 20Sep 22, 2010 2:33 pm Thanks very much - gives me some food for thought Just thought I'd let you know I heard back from Compass Pools regarding their Fast Lane Pool. It's 12m x 2.5m. They priced the pool and fall installation (with standard inclusions) for 28,000. This was for Fibreglass. They priced exactly the same deal but CERAMIC for 32,000. The one in the picture I provided (compass pools URL) is ceramic. So now I've got something else to think about...ceramic vs fibreglass vs concrete. Does anyone know much about ceramic? Is this just placed on top of the fibreglass or is the entire pool made out of this? Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 3554 Hi everyone, Looking for some advise. We are about to build an above ground pool in our backyard. There is a private sewer line running under the pool at 1.6m… 0 11731 Hi, I'm new to this forum so I hope I'm doing this post correctly. Please advise if it's not. I've just bought my place. The inground pool has a marble lining that has… 0 13657 |