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Scott

Here are reditions of my plans. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

It's hard to make suggestions on something so perfect. At first I didn't think you had enough of a seating area around the pool, but what I can tell from the drawing it looks like you'll be just fine. Please keep the updates and pics coming as your project progresses.

Thanks zuggy. I will post every step of this OB project and take many pictures along the way. Sorry, i forgot to list specs of pool:
20x40 rectangular pool
848 sq ft
132' perimeter
depth is 3.5-8.5 with a 5' baja step on shallow
raised bond beam in rear 18"
(3) pilasters with sheer decents raised 24"
6x8 raised (18") rectangular spa with 18" spill
grass up to the coping on two sides with pavillion on third side and raised beam on forth
3" suction and 2.5" return lines
deep heat return lines
Equipment: all Jandy
2 hp ePump
Stealth 2 hp pump
Flow Pro 2 hp pump
60 sf de filter
LXi 400k heater for spa
Aqua Pure system
RS8 PDA remote control
(2) pool lights and (1) spa light
2 hp blower

Personally, I would want the hot tub on the other side of the pool, closer to the patio/fireplace. If you're having a party/cookout/etc, the people can enjoy the hot tub and still be a part of the conversation happening on the patio.

Thanks for the comment Jason. We thought of that too. However, that would force us to put the shallow end with the 5' shelf on the other side. We would like to have the spa closer but thought it was more important to have the shelf and shallow end close to the covered structure.
Or the other alternative was to just move the spa and leave the pool as is. This wan't good either because it taked up 30-40% of the shelf.

I think it's okay the way it is. The people in the spa will probably have their own conversation. People who need to watch their small children by the steps can converse with those in the ramada.

Gorgeous either way!!!

That's one gorgeous pool!

If you have any lap swimmers, however, they might be disappointed. While you've got a reasonable length for swimming laps, the steps off the baja shelf make for awkward turns. Diagonal laps still put the swimmer having to contend with corners and a portion of the steps. Not impossible, but awkward and a disruption of swim stroke. And swimming just 20' across the width of the pool will get you dizzy with the constant turns!

If you have no lap swimmers, for exercise or recreation, this won't be an issue at all. I just know that my first pool was great for laps, 40' in length like yours and having steps and benches in corner areas, leaving the middle portions unencumbered for lap turns of any style. But the current pool that came with our "new" home has steps all across the shallow width which makes the pool not at all conducive to laps.

Good luck with the build.

It took me 4 weeks to get my plans approved through the city and all of my subs lined up through shotcrete. Excavation starts tomorrow. Hopefully no big rocks! I will take many photos and post.

They should finish excavation tomorrow. Lots of rocks. The hole looks HUGE!!!
Getting ready to dig.

I would think grass up to the coping would be a PIA with grass clippings falling in the pool. I would opt to have a 5ft border in concrete or pavers. Just my opinion. Keep the pics coming

Can you please tell me how the excavation looks. I have to pay them on Monday.

Steel took 2 days and plumbing took 3 days. Electricians will start and hopeully finish tomorrow. Inspection on Tuesday and gunite on Wednesday if all goes well.

The pool has been done for several months. I just need to find time to finish everything else.

Beautiful! What is your coping and what will you use for the pavers shown in the original renditions?

Very beautiful pool. Even without the rest of your poolscape complete, it still looks awesome.

I, also, wanna know what your coping is and what you used for plaster/pebble. Thanks and Congratulations.

Now get back to work. :-)

The coping was a poured in place concrete with the standard foam ogee being used. The Pebble is midnight blue mix of small and larger stones for a better finish. It was not Pebble Tec but one of the knock offs used here in Southern California. I will use 1 1/4" travertine pavers for all of the hardscape including the stepping stones. Thanks for your comments.