Browse Forums Pools & Spas Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 21Sep 22, 2010 2:42 pm Considering its 12m - probably isnt too bad of a price... I guess just comes back to fibre glass, concrete and what you want to spend - Ceramic... interesting, I have never heard of it! Good luck, be interested to know when you decide what you for go! Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 22Sep 22, 2010 3:26 pm If I go with Compass I'll be getting a custom made Fast Lane Pool - most likely 8metres. They said the price probably wouldn't reduce as they have to custom build but I'll try and get the price down since the pool is smaller... I did a quick google on ceramic pool and it seems to be a Compass Pools only thing??? Below is a link I found: http://www.compasscentre.com.au/ConcretePools.php Also found this: ________________________________ The top of the range Compass fibreglass swimming pools have an exclusive ceramic core, composed of hollow ceramic spheres called microcells. Compass ceramic fibreglass pool technology provides the following advantages over other fibreglass pools: Tougher: Improved impact resistance made ceramic composite pools even tougher Stronger: Panel stiffness increased without reducing the inherent and unique ability of a composite pool to cope with ground movement and expansive soil conditions. Consistency: Production quality and consistency improved with the ceramic core. Easier to heat: The performances of pool heating systems are greatly enhanced. _______________________________ It adds another $5000 to the price which isn't cheap so would be interested to hear anyones thoughts on this. Also, I just phone Maax Spas to get a quote on the Dual Zone 8 Swim Spa (8 metres) which I talked about earlier in this thread. They said they only order these if you live in a particular area - bit strange I thought. They've got my details and are going to call me back. But I doubt these will be under 25,000 in price....lap pool could be the go!!!!!!!!! Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 23Sep 22, 2010 4:33 pm Hi Agent, We went through the same research a few months back - I wanted a pool that I could do laps in for fitness. At one stage I had convinced myself that a 20-25m pool would be perfect....then the reality of costs, maintenance & land size hit home! My conclusions for what they are worth: - having a pool is probably just a huge time & money sink....but what the hey we're going to do it regardless ..although articles like this give me cause to pause: http://www.theage.com.au/money/investing/better-to-think-than-to-swim-20100922-15m6g.html - swim spas seem to be pretty useless despite the marketing from ex-olympic swimmers. I haven't swam in one personally but everyone who has, says it is not comfortable & difficult to stay in the correct spot. Swimming into a bunch of bubbles doesn't sound like fun. - however, lap pools are really only useful if they are 18-20m long, otherwise you will spend all day doing flip turns. 8-10m isn't ideal for doing laps at all. I found two viable alternatives: - one is the Swimex system which looks incredible, but also has a pricetag to match: $100K! If we win lotto before building next year I'd love one of these. http://www.swimex.com - the other system is the one we will most likely use: A Fastlane Machine (nothing to do with the Compass Fast Lane). They have pools as well, but are a modular system with a liner (yuck!). The machines seem like a much better idea than spa jets. The water flow is wider, deeper & much smoother. Admittedly they are about $8k, but I think (hope) they will give a proper swimming/training experience. http://www.endlesspools.com/fastlane/index.html http://endlesspoolsaustralia.com.au/main/page_products_fastlane.html Hope this helps & doesn't cause you more choice angst! Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 24Sep 22, 2010 6:07 pm check out this one 7m http://www.miamipools.com.au/poolshapes-vanessa.php concrete has 1 advantage over fibreglass. any shape, size or depth. Fibreglass has many advantages 1. Warranty 2. Instilation Time 3. Estimated Chemical Usage Surface does not alter water's chemical balance. Substantially fewer chemicals used on fibreglass pool. Plaster reacts with water to raise pH levels. Uses substantially more acid & chlorine to counterbalance this. 4. Surface Texture Fibreglass is Smooth, non-abrasive to skin or swim suits, walking and seating areas are textured for slip resistance. 5. Algae Penetration Algae sweeps off with wall brush. Algae grows and is harbored in pores of gunite. Acid baths and scrubbing required to remove algae. 6. Major Renovation never required on fibreglass but needed apx every 7 years on a concrete pool 7. Quality Control fibreglass is Manufctured in environmentally controlled factory under stringent quality control standards. 8 fibreglass can cope with ground movement . concrete will crack hope this helps Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 25Sep 22, 2010 9:29 pm Thanks Suprok and Wheeliworks! Suprok - wow, SwimEx looks cool...but for 100K it oughta be!!!! I also had a look at the FastLane component...for 8K it's probably going to blow our budget out and I don't really like the look of it (from a 'looks' perspective). Just looks a bit too bulky for my liking...but I'm sure it does a great job!! Wheeliworks - Yeah we're definitely leaning towards Fibreglass because of most of your dot points. There was a few on that list I wasn't aware of so thanks for posting this. We only have one 'design' for our pool (a rectangular lap pool) so we really don't need to go concrete. Also that Miami pool you sent me is a bit too wide for our block. We really want nothing over 3m. I notice Miami also had lap pools but the smallest one is 12m which is too long...not sure if they offer custom made ones under 12metres??? Have had a nice long chat with the missus this afternoon and we've decided to give the swim spa the flick. So lap pool it is. The quote we received from Leisure Pools (approx 25K) included excavation and paving around the pool. (Compass Pools was 28K for the same thing). This was their standard package so obviously we're looking at more for lighting, water features, solar heating etc. We HATE paving so we're now looking at different tiling for around the pool. I LOVE the look of decking but I want something low maintenance and I can't really see myself looking after the decking. Since I've been getting such good advice from you lovely folk I might as well continue - any suggestions for this? I like the look of this (it's called XStone): http://www.refin-ceramic-tiles.com/shar ... one-07.jpg Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 26Sep 23, 2010 7:02 am stone looks great ! I like the look of this myself... I wonder what the cost is per sqm Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 27Sep 23, 2010 7:42 am I'm not even sure if this X-Stone is available in Australia - will have to do some phoning around. If it's not available hopefully there is something similiar. We have charcoal tiles in our alfresco area and these pool tiles will be adjoining these. Not really sure what would go with charcoal... Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 28Sep 24, 2010 8:51 am I think you are right - I did a quick serach and couldnt find a Australian supplier. We have choosen Himalayan sandstone to date.. Quote for 19 linel m = $2K we would like to have this in our outdoor room also so it flows through... but depending on the cost we may need to go with something similar colour but not as expensive Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 29Sep 24, 2010 10:55 am I just found out Resin XStone is available here. I'm in Brisbane and my supplier is Tile City at Stafford. Not sure about other states... We're also considering granite for around the pool. Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 30Sep 24, 2010 11:00 am Great - if you look into the price - please post. Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 31Feb 28, 2011 10:04 pm Interesting topic and I think there will always be rivalry with concrete pool to fibreglass pool. And ceramic has been around for a long while but not all companies deal in this product. Compass Pools I believe have a good reputation and are the only company to offer alifetime warranty on the ceramic shells, I guess that's why you pay extra. I do believe it is a ceramic coating ontop of a fibreglass shell. But Agent... I want to know if you have had the pool installed and which way did you end up going....Concrete or fibreglass.... and or Lap Pool or Swim Spa?? I have the same issue and problem Agent as you did meaning side yard, not a back yard.... So I myself can only get a lap pool at side of my property. I am choosing a 9metre lap ceramic Compass Pool with 2.80 wide ( my width from house to boundary only being 4.40metres wide, and just in process of council approval, fingers crossed) If not I will have to go a 6metre x 2.5 metre. My cost for the 9mtre length and 2.80 wide is costing my $32,000 that includes power,filling the pool with water, installation and excavation, handover, 3 LED lights, provisions for Solar heating ($1000) and provision for infloor cleaning ($1000). So I am finding it surprising when some one said $28,000 for 12 metre length Lap Pool from Compass but they did say it was only fibreglass, not ceramic. Another $5000 ontop for ceramic for 12metre. If I took in a 12 metre pool, I would have no yard left for my dog to poop on grass. So I quaestion my value for money??? Am I getting a good price for mine... I think so..... average... I was thinking about self install, becoming an owner builder and do a self install...... apparently friends say it's not hard..... My price does not include the council inspections and dirt removal......fencing or capping around the pool. Cant wait.... install is about Sept/October 2011.....ready for next summer. My only issue is how to finance this option, done a big no, no and sign contract, left 5% deposit but have not a clue how I am gonna get the dough to finance it. Pay of the credit card in the meantime and put a pool on credit card or take out a personal loan inwhich banks are getting tight with money handouts for these type of things. Credit card will be my best option at the moment. Don't really want to add it onto mortgage. Will only need to finance for $20- $25k. Would be interested in knowing how you got on, even though this forum was a while ago. Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 32Mar 01, 2011 8:48 am Hi dingdong! Yes, it indeed seems like we are in a similiar predicament. We haven't got anything installed yet but we paid the deposit this week! We are going with a fibreglass lap pool from Leisure Pools. I'm guessing the pool you're talking about is the 'Fast Lane' from Compass? We were also looking at this one, along with the X-Trainer Slimline and Vogue Slimline from Compass. We received a quote from Compass pools for the X-Trainer Slimline and they quoted us 28,000. This included everything you mentioned except for Solar Heating provisions and Infloor Cleaning provisions. However, this price also included a water feature as well. In the end we went with Leisure Pools for a few reasons. Firstly, from all the dealings we've had so far, Leisure have been the most professional (in terms of answering questions, site assessments, website etc.) We have chosen the 'Harmony' from Leisure pools and have gone with the 7m version which is 7m x 2.9m. We liked this pool better than the Fast Lane for a few reasons...the Harmony has a very decent size bench that runs the entire length of the pool which will be great for kids and for when plenty of people want to jump in for a swim. Plus I think the Harmony was slightly deeper as well. Overall the Fast Lane and Harmony both look like fantastic pools but the Harmony grabbed our attention just that little more. Leisure Pools are slightly more expensive but from all reports their professionalism is second to none. Even though they are slightly more expensive, they have a deal currently going which ended yesterday. You get $9000 worth of extras for free. So we get Harmony, installation, excavation, water, handover plus the following...upgrade to Platinum Hurlcon pump, sand filter and salt chlorinator, 2 LED lights, 3 metre waterfall, 3 pool visits including change of chemicals etc., H.Q.C.S Water system (sorry, can't remember exactly what this stands for, but apparently it aids for better flow of water), Dolphin robotic cleaner, upgrade to leisure "shimmer" finish and solar heating provisions. All this for just over 25,000. So even though Leisure Pools were more expensive we actually got a cheaper quote with their current promotion. We are very excited and can't wait for the pool to go ahead. They are quite busy at the moment and as excited as we are, we're in no rush so we're probably looking at another 3 months before installation begins. Let me know if you have any questions! Agent009 Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 33Mar 02, 2011 9:48 pm Hi agent.... Yes leisure pools look good and I had the Harmony in my mind as next choice. But I am down to the millimeter in measurements. As the compass Fast lane is 2.78 wide, which I know is only 2ml difference to the harmony. I guess it wouldn't hurt to get another quote coz your right about the wide edge along the length of the pool. But only comes in an 8metre.... Which is still ok... But I did con another 1 Metre out of compass to a nine metre for a little extra. We in no hurry either..... Thanks for your reply..... I may look into leisure pools alittle more.... But if I change I lose my 5% deposit.. Best of luck.... Actually just checked it's 12ml wider the harmony.... Over the fast lane.... It won't fit in my yard... Keep us informed on installation process. Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 34Mar 23, 2011 2:21 pm Hi Agent..... I don't know whether I told you I was doing owner builder on the Harmony 8 pool from leisure. Having known and read about Leisure Pools on my other forum.... have you considered doing an owner builder...... ? And Not Good Enough website. I was quoted the Harmony 8 $13,500 without extra's such as lights, fountain, fencing etc . At the moment looking for an installer to do the pool. But not just any pool installer. I got onto the spasa NSW web site and they have a list of builders on there. So does QLD. So I emailed and couple of pool installers today and waiting for a reply. Doing owner builder just have to do a course, and register a builders licence with Dept Fair Trading. Your staying with Leisure Pools arent you. It's just the installer you have to worry about, not the pool and equipment as such. Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 35Mar 23, 2011 3:44 pm Hey mate, Yes we are staying with Leisure Pools. I had a decent read on the Not Good Enough website and this was a few things there that concerned me....definitely around the builders. However it sounds like they are trying to rid the bad fruit so I'm hoping ill get a good builder. Also a lot of those people who had issues with leisure pools seemed to be based in NSW. I'm going through Yatala, QLD so hopefully I get a good one. I'm also planning on staying at home during installation so everything goes smoothly and correctly. I'm sure if a site called Good Enough existed, there would be plenty of good stories featuring leisure pools. That's not a bad price for the harmony. I briefly considered owner builder but I didn't want any stress during the build so I thought I'd just let leisure take care of this. Let me know how you go. When were you looking at installing? Ours isn't going ahead until September. I plan on creating a thread with Before and After shots so everyone can see how it looks. Keep me informed. Agent 009 Re: Inground Pool - swim spa or pool? 36Mar 24, 2011 5:39 am Yeah I was going to do before and after shots and hopefully video too, and post on forum. Somewhere in July-Oct..... I'm about to approach Council to see if they will allow this pool. Otherwise if they don't, don't know what I will do. Then if they say yay... I will lodge the Development Application (4 weeks), do a owner builders course ( 2 days) , register a licence with dept fair trading. Once I have done course and obtains a builders licence, then council give us a construction certificate. Once I know council will approve it and ask bank to lend me money/ or use credit card coz it's not a large amount. Then I will pay a deposit on pool, sign contract. The only thing I am not sure about is to pay a pool installer to install it ... or have my friend helping me out. His installed three fibrglass pools. and his friend is a pool installer, he does it for a living. So maybe I'll save some money there. There not working for free of course, but just on a daily rate. My only question will be "will I need a Crane?" coz we have side access and it's the side of where the pool will be going, but it's only 4.5 metres wide access so I am guessing I will. There another $500-$800 for crane. I am hoping to get away with $20k or under. We will have to see!!!! 3 3564 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 11763 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 13665 |