buying pool - What should I know/ask for? (Page 2)

those were going to be my two suggestions. 

My husband is a pool tech--I posed your questions to him:

3 feet is a bit too shallow--go with about 3.5' it will be more fun (seriously, thats what he said!)

As for the extra pump, will you be adding a pool sweep? I asked him what type would be best, and he said "difficult answer, what is the landscaping around the pool?" Once he knows that, he can tell you if you would need it.

sundek--it is easier than installing flagstone. so not a bad idea. 

The price sounds decent--as long as the work being done is good--if you can, check Angie's list or ask around, if you have a local pool store, you can ask there.

His main idea was that with pool design and installation, simpler is better overall, for both ease of use/maintenance, and money-wise.

As for filtration, a cartridge filter would be the best choice--as long as you buy QUALITY--this goes for pumps too--don't skimp on the important stuff like that--you buy well now and less costs in repair/replacement in the long run. 

If you are going to have a pool service to take care of cleaning or chemicals, check with them as to maintenance of the hardware--my husband usually has to do the regular service of filters/pumps for his customers--and then at least they don't have to worry about it.

I hope I didn't give you too much more to worry about! If you have any more questions post 'em up--I'll let you know what he says.

It's a concern here, so I just thought I would mention...  We have calichi here that if encountered, can sky rocket the price of an inground pool.  A pool that size would coust 75k to 100k in that case.

peanut butter and Athenas? 

but you prob already asked ... and know

She won't be 5ft for long.  Wait, have you ever seen a kid in a pool?  They're not just standing there, they're bobbing up and down off the bottom. 5 year olds do ok in the 3.5 foot area. I don't see shoulder obstruction as a biggie for a 5-footer. 

That said, if it's still a must-have, talk to your pool guy. Tell him you'd like to have more play room, or more shallow. Especially with concrete, there's plenty of ability to tailor the bottom contour of the pool. You could start at 3, gently go to 3.5, then gradually get it down to whatever depth there is. Get a profile that balances whatever ya think. 

The two angles I was coming from were 1) volume of water in the pool. 6ft isn't deep, and neither is 3ft, and will be a bear to keep cool in the summer, 2) liability - all you need is one of your minions, or minions boyfriends to bounce their head off the bottom because they just didn't know it wasn't 6', which is non-standard. Especially if there's a diving board or slide or any tomfoolery of sorts. 

As a side note.....  If you are considering a diving board or slide, be sure to check with your insurance company.  A few of the carriers I write through here in FL say it is a big No No.  I would also give your agent a call to find out about any requirements for safety.