I've done OB twice - had really good experiences both times. I am in HouTX so I doubt we'll do lunch, and prices in TX are meaningless to you. I figure I saved about 20% between not having a builder and doing several jobs myself. Not dramatic savings - but I like doing it. That being said, I am happy to share my experience. Here are a few things off the top of my head...
1) Pay someone to design the pool/landscape. If you pay a landscape architect for the whole yard you can then do projects in stages.
2) Pay someone for layout, and have them there to check elevation when they excavate. Don't want to screw this up and have rain water flow into the pool.
3) You'd be surprised where you can save - I ordered Travertine Bullnose coping from Tampa FL, and including shipping it was about 1/2 $ from what they had locally.
4) Tell the subs you'll pay as soon as they are complete, and all of them will be there tomorrow at 7:30, even if tomorrow is a Sunday. If you pay in cash they will be there at 6:00.
5) It is not worth saving money by digging trenches yourself.
6) Build a really big equipment pad - the plumber and electrician will thank you.
7) Make sure your concrete/decking guy is good with drainage.

tfons1219-
Thank you. Those are great suggestions. I may come back to you for vendor info-- if it's ok?
When you say pay someone for the layout, I assume you don't mean the same firm that provides the engineering drawings? Would that make three different people/firms, ie designer, then eng. drawing firm/person for permit and structural, and also someone to oversee the actual physical layout prior to start (and also during?).. If so it makes sense to me. My buddy only paid for and used the eng detail drawing firm. He must have done the layout and basic design himself. He's moved or i'd ask him. Our backyard is pretty darn flat. But I'd prefer not to have water flow into it --Murphy's Law--thanks!!

To others in the Sacramento - Folsom area--
I am planning to use Neil Anderson for engineerign detail. My freind listed them and I saw a few good comments here about them. They need a design from me--it can be hand drawn, but as tfons1219 suggests above I am thinking that I should look into hiring a designer to help with that instead of a hand drawn design. does anyone have first hand experience with a designer--not super expensive?
Also does anyone know personaly someone I can pay to help with the layout during construction for elevation etc, as tfons1219 suggested?

Thanks again!!

hi again,
Does anyone knwo of a good designer in Sacramento area?

Send me an email .. 4fiddy@gmail.com I might be able to help you out.

gtone-
Thank you for the name. I'll contact him and let you know how it goes. Can you tell me how much it ran you --for his design then consulting? thanks!

hotinsac
Wow time does fly by, already on page 3. Sorry for the delay, I was looking through all my old reciepts to see what I had paid for the design work, I can not find the invoice. I think I paid $800.00 for the design and consultation.
Keep us posted.

grtone-
I met with Unique Designs today, nice guy you were right. He charges $1000 now to design and consult. Can I email you directly? I think you have to change your settings a bit. thanks-

Hello,
I'm resurrecting this post as we're looking at doing an owner builder pool in Folsom bery soon. Can I ask how your experience was and get details on who you used?
Thanks

Commenting on way old thread here, but it seem awfully rude to waste the PBs' time working up quotes for you when you know you are going to do an OB anyway. Especially the builders in this forum. They are regular people with families and stuff, I'm sure they'd rather be playing with their kids instead of wasting their time.

Just my opinion.

drheams ,

Even though most of us pool builders on here would prefer to see you use a professional we also would like to see a quaility pool built. I am sure I and others on here would be willing to guide you in your pool buld as best as we can. So just ask your questions and we will help.

Thanks,

David

Hi drheams-- sorry for the late reply. We got delayed last year. We're going to go forward now and I'm back to this link. Let me know please if you are getting quotes also and we can compare notes. I recently met with a local family that did an owner builder in Folsom and had a great experience.
-hotinsac (sacramento)

Does anyone have the name of the guy that works with owner builders in the Folsom/El Dorado hills Area of California? I have done an OB pool in Lodi & I'd like to do it again here in El Dorado Hills. We are ready to move on the project!

Hi Russell-

Im also looking to OB in the EDH area. Did you ever find anyone if so interested in possibly getting info.

Thanks,

tfons1219 do you have a list of subs for your build?

Anybody have a consultant they recommend in Folsom?