You don't need luck; you've got Kelly!!!! Can't wait to see some pics!
Joanne

Joanne - Thanks!!! The pictures are coming, but may suffer a rain delay - expecting 1 to 2 inches of rain today (with a chance of up to 4). Sure hope the paint we put on the grass is waterproof.

sharoncbrn - we started with 5 pb's (1 National, 1 Regional, and 3 local (greater Houston area). We told each what we were looking for, but gave ample leeway for the PB's creativity to show through - and to merge the best ideas into a final design. We knocked two PBs out after the first round, one because of ridiculous price and the other (Blue Haven) just never got their act together. I asked the final three pbs to tweak their bids to get a fair comparison, and they came back reaasonably close. In the end, we went with the guy we felt most comfortable with (right in the middle of the prices). I especially like Kelly's involvement in the entire process - we will see him a lot, while the others were clearly sales designers. Actually amazed at how fast things can go. We're just 5 weeks from our first pb contact, including design, financing, HOA approval and permitting so it can get a little crazy, but you'll have fun too. Good luck with your pool.

Just some lines on the ground, approved by the inspector this morning. Confused by the two colors? Ran out of blue marking paint due to my being picky! Not shown is the sunshelf near the house adjacent to the spa. We'll frame everything in new decking (680 sq ft) with rainbow pea gravel trimmed in flagstone, with two decorative flagstone inlays. (Better pictures once the action starts - I promise) Rains coming so will probably dig on Friday, steel on Saturday, Gunite by Tuesday.

Kelly built our pool...here is the link to our build.

Here is a link that might be useful: Husky Pool

Thanks Travis - Your pool looks great. I remember looking at the link when we were just starting to think about our pool, and seeing all the comments amount the neatness of the plumbing, the appearance of the deck/PebbleSheen finish, and of course the "Star." I haven't talked to Kelly about it yet, but would love to put in some really special "Art" too. Any other tips or suggestions to share while we are just getting started?

Probably can't say a whole lot that you probably haven't already read here on the forums. Love the Pebble Tec and the sub that applied it. We had a couple of rust spots appear...they came out and fixed the spots without hesitation. I would say just to be around as much as you can during the build. Despite all of my planning, there were plenty of questions along the way where we had to make some pretty quick decisions. Looking forward to watching your progress...post lots of pictures! :0)

The rain is gone. Saturday morning at 8AM everything started. Open up the fence, walk the layout with Kelly and the excavation crew, then the first shovel. I never believed they would get all the way through digging AND steel in ONE DAY!
Supervisors on the job, keeping an eye on everything!

The first shovel:

Looks like a pool?

Steel workers were amazing - don't blink or you'll miss something

Finally, at 5 pm, jsuat after 9 hours, we are done for the day. Almost ready for next inspection - just need drains in place.

Gunite set for Tuesday - picking tiles and stones with Kelly tomorrow!

Thanks for picking my organization for your new pool!!!
Hopefully we can avoid the sour weather which accompanies our change in seasons and keep the momentum full speed ahead.
Yesterday was AWESOME, the men were excited about some new work and the brisk weather with clear skies made it a great day to work outdoors. Digging and steeling a pool in one day isn't out of the norm, but knocking it out in 9 hours was pretty dog-gone sweet. In the heat of summer it would have taken 10 to 12 hours.
If the weather stays in our favor we should have a productive week.
I've got to run to the shop and load/deliver scaffolding lumber to a large project's cabana and should be back by mid-day. I look forward to seeing you guys at the shop around noon.
Call me on my cell when your on your way. If I don't answer keep coming, this job is at a ranch about an hour from here where I don't any cell phone signal.

See ya,
Kelly

Pool Build Pics - Day 3

Kelly and crew came out today in the pouring rain to put in the drains and rough plumbing - at least a couple of inches of rain and more than a foot of water in the "deep end" before they pumped it out. They plumbed the spa, and passed inspection all ahead of gunite for tomorrow. We felt so bad for them in the cold, wind and rain, but they were in great spirits. We grilled some chicken and stuff to give something warm to eat while joking about the weather. Gunite crew expected 6:30 AM tomorrow - amazing!

Kelly and son working on the spa

houstonmac, congrats on your new build and the progress that you are making! looks like it will be an awesome pool! we are about 3 weeks behind you in our progress but looking forward for the dig to begin. keep those pictures coming!

Lots of activity yesterday (Tuesday 10/27) and today. Gunite crew spent the day, and worked under the lights at night to finish. Very impressed. Now it looks like a pool. Equipment installed and plumbing just about complete - ahead of the next big rainstorm due in tomorrow. At least I won't have to water the gunite tomorrow (at 5:30 AM before I go to work). Everything is going like clockwork - I hope I don't jinx us - we may have a pool in just three more weeks (then scrub, the salt 35 days later....) Just want to jump into the spa

How fun, reminds me of the excitement we had just 3 months ago.

I think it rained about everyday here except after they sprayed the gunite. That week was just hot and dry so I had to water the darn thing a million times. I got so sick at looking at a ugly gray pool.

looking good houston mac, looking good!

i bet it's great feeling to see the guinite and it actually looks like a pool!

ajones - you're absolutely right - it is amazing to look in the backyard and see an "almost pool" where there was just grass 5 or 6 days ago. If anything, the shape is even nicer than we envisioned - especially the spa, which looks enormous - may be slightly larger the the 9x7 we had drawn.

Paradigmdawg - It was great to stand in the pool for the very first time - even if it was just to water the gunite at 5:30 in the morning. The novelty of watering the spa has worn off quickly and I'm ready to move onto the Pebblesheen stage asap. The good news is that we are in the middle of a heavy downpour (actually a flash flood warning)so no watering for a couple days.

Electrical moved to Saturday and will see the rock/tile guys sometime next week. I didn't know if we could make our construction schedule, but Kelly and his crews are working some real magic! Very, very pleased!

Looks like the weekend will be nice. Maybe they can get some work done for you.

Day 8 - Electrician was out today and connected the lights, pumps, control panel and antenna for the PDA. I guess we are in that phase where work is still going on, but its really hard to see the changes (so no pictures today). Still watering the gunite at least twice a day - want the structure to be really strong ahead of the massive grotto waterfall rock installation. Kelly says that the tile and rock/flagstone (coping) folks will be out Tuesday or Wednesday - we should have a lot to show then.

Just curious - any ideas on how long the gunite needs to cure before the optimal application of PebbleSheen? Also, what surface prep is needed before the PS is applied? We have some large rough spots sticking up at least an inch on the gunite floor in some corners. Thanks!!!

"what surface prep is needed before the PS is applied? We have some large rough spots sticking up at least an inch on the gunite floor in some corners."

The Pebble Tec guys used a straight-edged shovel and some elbow grease to scape off the high spots. They also used a hand held jack hammer to chip away the excess gunite around the light fixtures.

Good luck with your pool. I love the layout!

Pool looks great, I love the shape. We are in the process of interviewing builders and your pool is very similar in shape, size, materials to what we have in our drawings. Can't wait to see more pics as you post them.

Thanks everyone (and good luck with your pool amy_texas - please post pics of your build - we really enjoy seeing these!!!) We are in that slow phase right now - just watering the gunite, and watering and watering... But things should turn around tomorrow, hopefully. The rock and tile crew may start tomorrow - flagstone coping, 3 weeping rock ledges, and a small grotto waterfall. Cannot wait to see them lift that massive stone. Only hiccup so far is that we found out today that our 1st choice tile is not in stock. We'll start back up with the pics and let you know about the tile choice (we're doing something different) tomorrow!

Ok - I lied, no pics tonight. But the coping guys were here and cut and layed out the flagstone. Very nice light color Oklahoma stone with a touch of tan, except for about three large pieces that are almost black - one right in front where you first walk into the spa. These pieces look out of place around the pool - can anyone tell me if acid washing of such dark pieces is standard procedure? Will the washed stones still look natural? Really hope it turns out to be nothing. Thanks!

Way overdue on pics. Things were slow for awhile as gunite was curing. But then everything started happening so quickly. Had to change tile on the fly as our choice was not in stock - pretty common complaint on the forum, but found a nice colorful Buenas 244 from Master Tile. Then came the rock work with an absolutely amazing grotto. Deck passed inspection and was poured all in one day. Now everything is ready for the Blue Granite PebbleSheen scheduled for Tuesday. Really could not be more pleased. Here are some pics of what really looks like a pool!

Wow I like the tile and the Waterfall. Good job!

I have been in the garden pond and vinyl pool industry for over 28 years in both NC and Texas. I have worked as a designer in The Woodlands and know Kelly's operation. I can tell you that Kelly with Atlantis 'will do you Proud!' He is one of the builders that gives a doggone!

So as to not appear to be a secretive spammer! I openly admit without shame my link below!

Here is a link that might be useful: Magnolia Ponds

Your posts are welcome but the constant linking to your size should be left out.

You don't see the other builders doing it, do you? No.

Please refrain.

Thanks,

Scott

Some more pics for those members kind enough to follow our pool build. Almost done! Today was PebbleSheen application - Blue Granite, and it looks great (even before they come back to wash and polish). We ended up putting in another Kelly Simpson "Star" on our splash deck, and it fits with our combination "Texas/Tropical" theme! Hope to have pics full by the weekend - too bad it was 45 degrees in Houston this morning!

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Hi-

What is the approximate size of your sun shelf and what decking material/color did you use?

Thanks,

Todd

myredfiveo - the sun/splash shelf is probably 10 foot wide (at the widest point) and about 6 feet into the pool area. We wanted a larger than normal area to accomodate 2 lounge chairs (and a nice play area for our little one while we wait for her to learn to swim. Decking is mostly rainbow pea gravel, but with flagstone inlays (2) and a light colored Oklahoma flagstone border around the edge of the deck to dress it up. Of course our first choice would have been some kind of natural stone, but actually pleased with the look.

Hopefully get pebblesheen acid washed and polished today to start filling with water - pictures above are nice, but I can only imagine what it will look like with water and balanced chemistry!

houstonmac, that' looks fantastic. i know you and the family have to be VERY excited to get this completed. we are going with blue granite as well. love that water color when everything is where it needs to be! congratulations!

ajones - Thanks, we are very excited. In fact, we filled both pool and spa yesterday and it took every ounce of self-control not to jump in for a quick test drive (swim). It is amazing, especially because it looks so much like we envisioned. No pics today though, with Houston getting 2 to 4 inches of rain (AFTER I filled the pool). PB is still planning to tie in the water features and start circulation, lights etc.. this afternoon. Should have some nice pics for the weekend!

that has to be a fantastic feeling. can't wait to get to that point! some rain here today but not nearly as much as you've had down that direction. take some pics, would really like to see it filled up! thanks

Your pool looks fantastic! I can honestly say that if I had to do this all over again, Kelly would be first on my list to call.

Thanks to all for the great support. Came home from work today and saw the waterfall, weeping rocks and bubblers all working - we have a pool! Played with the remote trying out all of the light colors as soon as it got dark! Too bad it was still raining so I couldn't get the pictures, but we will this weekend - promise!

brew_ster Working with Kelly has been a lot of fun. He is truly one of a kind who makes a great product and loves what he does (second only to motorcycle racing)! But to be honest, we really don't want to think about doing this "all over again" quite yet!!!

More pics tomorrow!

Pool looks great. We are using Kelly for our pool as well. I would love to see pictures at night with the LED lights. We too are getting the color LED lights and want to make sure the pebbletec color that we choose isn't too dark for the color lights. We don't want to lose the effect of the color lights. Let me know how you think it looks with your blue granite.

amy_texas you will love the LED lights - my water is still a bit fuzzy and I have the Blue Granite pebble finish - and it looks great. I particularly like the dark blues and purples - seems to go well with our freeform, tropical themed pool. There is a bit of glare from the one LED that is directly visible from the house (but just slightly) - wish I had angled it slightly away from the house as I have seen on other posts. Sorry but pics will have to wait since we will be away for awhile (giving Kelly time to finish the flagstone around and in the decking and get the salt established).

Hope you have as much fun with your dig with Kelly as we did! Look forward to seeing the pics, but already know it will be great!

houstonmac - Any more photos with water? I'd love to see how your grotto turned out.