Like many, I have been scouring the forums for info prior to selecting a pool builder. The information has been very helpful, so I wll try to return the favor and provide some information about our experience so far, and will post ongoing updates during the build.

We live in a suburb of north Dallas, TX called Castle Hills (technically city of Lewisville).

We interviewed 4 builders: Tahitian Pools, Riverbend Sandler Pools, Gold Medal Pools and Southernwind pools. All of the people who came to our home to meet us from the 4 companies were very friendly and all seemed knowledgable about the process and aware of soil issues in our area of north Texas (high clay content). We presented a plan to each of basically what we wanted, which was created by our landscape designer. Despite providing a scalable plan to each, the end design provided by the 4 companies varies signficantly. Some made it smaller (without asking us), others changes the shape ("put my design stamp on it"), while 2 did not change it except for slightly moving it closer to the home to provide more walking room around the pool.

The bids came back somewhat staggered. None were near the same. In the end, we went with the 2nd most expensive bid, but the one we felt most comfortable with, which was Southernwind Pools. Gold Medal was the most expensive, by FAR, and they wanted to do some major overdigging for the pool that we just could not afford.

The reasons we chose Southernwind:

1. Friendly and knowledgable sales rep who prepared the plan as we asked. He really listened to what we wanted and provided guidance where needed.

2. Reputation of company, and warranty

3. Quality of pools constructed by company

4. Quality of equipment, etc provided as standard.

We started the whole process back in May 2012, and finally signed a contract in July, and after permitting and ARC approval things finally started Wed Aug 29.

Here are the specs on the pool:

Dimensions: 32'3" x 36'7"

Depth: 3 1/2' x 5 '

126' Perimeter/835sqft for pool

8' round raised spa with tiered spillover and 6 therapy jets, and air jets at calf height

#4 rebar on 8" ceneters throughout

Stonescapes interior in pool

Glass tile around waterline and throughout spa

Caramel lueders stone coping

Granbury stone on raised beam on back wall, around spa, and on 4 2'x2'x2' columns around the pool

700 sq feet of additional Pavestone pavers to match existing

Gunite: 8-10" thick walls and floors. 12-14" thick in transitions.- Shotscrete

2 sundecks each with 3 bubblers

6 total deck jets

2 18" stone scuppers on raised wing wall by spa

Pentair 100 Sq. Ft. D.E. filter with backwash valve.

Pentair Intelliflo vs+svrs filter pump. (2) 1 � hp booster pumps.

Pentair 400,000 BTU pool heater. (Pool and Spa only)

Pentair Easy Touch 8 computer control. (Wireless inc. w/ Spa)

Jandy never lube 2" X 2 1/2" three way valves.

(3) Intelli Brite LED pool light, (1) Intelli Brite LED spa light.

A&A Quikclean Max In Floor Cleaner.(LIFETIME WARRANTY ON ALL PLUMBING AND MOVING PARTS)

A&A Quikpure3 UV Ozone system.

Pentair salt system.(LIFETIME WARRANTY ON STONEWORK)

Maintenance equipment to include:

- (1) 8� � 16� telescoping pole

- Leaf net (drag type)

- 18" pool wall brush

- 4 in 1 Chemical test kit