We were going back and forth on exactly what to do with our 1970's pool. Initially we were just…read moregoing to have the interior replaced, including the tile. We got pricing from Adams Pool and AquaGunite and they were both very close. After speaking with my friend about his experience with John, I decided to meet with him to discuss other options.
Let me start by saying, comparing Stonebridge to companies like Adams, Royal, AquaGunite, etc... is like comparing apples and oranges. They are not on the same level. Think of it like comparing a Ferrari to a Honda.
John had a vision for our pool and although it entailed much more work and money than we originally figured we ultimately ended up going with John for our project. John was clear in communicating pricing, time frames, sequence of work and would always answer the phone when I called. We ended up adding and deleting scope and John was 100% fair in his pricing for both additive and deductive change orders. Believe me, I scrutinized everything.... John provided very fair and honest pricing which is hard to come by these days.
The finish product is truly incredible. Stonework is flawless, pool design is off the charts, and the sheer power and performance of the equipment is unbelievable. The waterfalls, LED lighting, spa jets, spa fountain, in floor cleaning system, solar system, redundant in wall returns, travertine decking, and diving rocks are something I could have never imagined nor do I think any other pool builder I talked too could have imagined.
John also got through the Woodside Bldg Dept which is no easy task!
Now all this comes at a price so if you are looking for a bare bones, cheap pool installation / remodel contractor, John is not your guy. However, I feel like John's pricing is fair for the work he provides which again is above and beyond anything you will see from the big box competitors. Unmatched workmanship.
Here are some details of our project. We have a free form, 35,000 gallon pool with a separate spa that overflows into the pool behind boulder wall.
The scope of the project was a complete remodel which took about 7 months (majority was the stone work not the actual pool) to complete and included the following:
1) Demolition of existing spa, raised pool wall, and interior plaster, decking, piping, etc..
2) Installation of new spa at opposite end of pool. New spa included (4) new in floor cleaning heads, (6) upper jets on separate pump with dedicated booster pump, (4) lower jets on separate pump with dedicated booster pump, fountain on separate pump, and new LED lighting. The power of this spa is amazing. I have been to numerous spas/hotels and I have never experienced the type of power this spa has. Oh, I forgot to add that the spa is located 115' away from the equipment room. John's plumber Raphael did an incredible job with the plumbing and equipment installation. He usually needs 28' of wall space for the amount of equipment we had going in. We only had about 1/4 of that space for him to work in and he somehow did it. Pumps are on custom stands, etc.. Really impressive plumbing job.
3) Installation of boulders on 40 lineal feet section of pool. There were about (25) boulders that varied in size and shape. They smallest weighed about 1,500lbs and the largest was almost 10,000lbs. Within the boulders we have (3) separate waterfalls that are on a dedicated pump and return. John personally placed and arraigned the boulders and they look amazing. The waterfalls are classy and functional. It is a very natural look.
4) Installation of new raised pool wall (approx 80 lineal feet). This was a serious undertaking and John and his crew did not cut corners. They epoxied the rebar in to the existing pool beam both horizontally and vertically. Compared to the previous wall that was cinder block this thing is bomb proof. And needed to be since we added almost 50,000lbs of boulders on top of it.
5) Install pebble tech finish, solar, in floor passive heating/cleaning heads.
6) Installation of new 10' diameter beach entrance with built in umbrella stand and multiple in floor cleaning heads. This really gave the pool a unique look and tied the raised wall / stairs into the pool like never before.
7) Installation of roughly 2,000 square feet of travertine as well as 2-1/2" bull nose for entire pool coping. John told us all the benefits of Travertine and I must say that after using the pool the past few weeks, everyone is TRUE!!! It is very smooth to the touch yet not slippery at all when wet and stays unbelievably cool to the touch even after hours of sunlight beating down on it. Glad we listen to him...
8) Installation of travertine over the top of existing stairs - there were (13) steps that were about 10' wide each. This took considerable time as each step needed to be chiseled down to accommodate the new bull nose. It came out looking incredible and was worth the time and mone