After several years of discussing building a pool, we have finally decided now is the time.

We live in the Tampa, FL and have just started the process of getting some estimates from several of the local PBs.

Has anyone had any experience they would be willing to share with any of the following companies?

-Freestyle Pools
-Tampa Bay Pools
-Custom Pools and Remodeling

Also, any additional recommendations for quality companies to look into would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!

I got mostly positive but one negative comment from others about Curtis, the most recent being positive. They use Intellibrite line of products vice Hayward, and don't do Pebbletec, so that's something to consider. All workers are company employees, no sub-contractors, a big plus.

Landmark was the most expensive, can't remember much about these guys because they came into my bidding process late wheI decided I wanted a fourth bid and some other companies backed out.

Gulfstream would've been our second choice. They have sample pools up in Oldsmar so I was able to see their work and choices in the showroom.

We went with Sekas because he's a smaller local contractor (not the lowest bid, but they were all within 5%, not a big range) . The mason he uses had done some work on our house and we knew several people who had his pools and went to visit them. We're not done, but the only problem we've had so far is an issue with the plumbing subs that I'm sure will never happen again or they'll be fired. Our build is technically difficult and we're doing some other wacky stuff like putting in a large cistern to collect rainwater, so we like the flexibility of working with a smaller guy because we've made changes and had challenges along the way.

The only company that I've heard numerous bad comments on and zero recommendations is Posh Pools, so I didn't even call them.
Suncoast and Costanza (found them at home show at the Trop) both came out and took surveys and did the whole interview thing but backed out and said they couldn't do it or just never came back to me with a quote.
I had gotten quotes a couple of years ago before we were completely decided on he pool thing, and I found Pools by George to be an overwhelming sales pitch, obnoxious. Goff comes highly recommended in my neighborhood and has done several pools in here, but he totally didn't get what I told him and designed me a pool that didn't meet my wants at all. Precision Pools did the whole interview, measuring, survey thing and I could never get a quote from them.

Every appointment I had, I learned more and more, and refined the pool design and choices. So I often went back to the PB's to clarify and tweak the quotes. I asked for a breakdown of the packages so that I could pick and choose, and compare the quotes more accurately (I did the whole geeky spreadsheet thing with costs line by line).

I'm blogging much of this but you'll have to find the link off my "New Pool in St Pete" thread. It might give you things to think about, like I did (i.e. shotcrete vs gunite) which does affect your quotes.

Good luck!

Gulf stream was our second

I had no idea this initial sales process would be so time intensive. But I'm more than willing to put in the extra time now if helps reduce problems down the line. I've been somewhat surprised by the lack of professionalism of some of the companies I've contacted. One never even returned my initial call, another has consistantly been late in getting back with me, and so on. I would have thought that in a purchase this size at the very least the sales people would be conscientious.

I hear you on the spreadsheet thing ;) I did the same thing so I could see things in a way I felt I was actually comparing apples to apples.

i wish i used them, many happy pool owners in my neighborhood rave about his work.