All good builders box in their skimmers 24x24x24 and tie in a rebar saddle.
The digger forms it and the steel guy ties it into the mat of the pool.
I'm certain his competitors do the same too.

If you have questions about being an owner/builder post them here. There are some great builders and very knowledgeable pool owners on this forum.

Good advice is just a question away.

See ya,
Kelly

Mike,
I do hope you met with PB prior to making your decision to OB.

This is a good forum for getting advise for free.

Wasting a local pool builders time for personal gain is really no better then stealing. (this isnt directed at you, just info for the public)

just-a-pb. I am still not sold on OB. If I had more confidence in the PB salemen that came to my house, I would have hired them. I did a lot of research on this site and asked them some good questions. I knew both of them were BSing me. Someone like that will never get my business. Also, their "design" was not very impressive. I will be hiring an architect and not using their plans. It was never my intention to use their plans!!!

If Kelly were in my area, I would hire him in a heatbeat!