The Facts:

• Pool details: 10′ x 20′ (5′ deep) heated salt water pool with stone coping edge and Brazilian IPE wood deck no automatic cover
• Total Cost: $63,000 (Pool: $40,200 + Deck: $22,800)
• Palm trees: $2,600
• Power Bill went up about $50 per month
• Gas Bill went up, obviously, during the times I’ve used the heater but I cannot put a number to it.
• Pool service averages about: $270 / month (cleaning, vacuuming, chemicals and salt)
• Time: 16 month (2/26/16 to 6/30/17). Could have been quicker if I didn’t wait 8 months to decide to go through the NPU process. About 6 months once getting permitted and deck construction.
• Overall I am extremely happy with adding a pool to my home for my family ‘s enjoyment. It is an a large investment that you may or may not be able to get back if you sold your home.

The system is different from a traditional pool because it has a central filtration system and molded concrete “bowl” with a thick membrane. Supposedly their systems is more energy efficient.

Started this project when I decided that I was going to make East Lake my permanent home. When I bought the house I made sure the back yard was big enough if I ever wanted to add a pool.

I decided to “pool” (pun intended) the trigger and began to call pool companies to get a quote. Unfortunately, most of them did not want work or quote because I was located in City of Atlanta / Dekalb County. The only company that would do the job was Ronald Knelson with Desjoaux Pools, they have a nice show room in Alpharetta.

One of the challenges was that I needed a special exemption (Desjoyaux said variance but that was not correct) because the pool was going to be to the side of the [back] of the house instead of directly behind the house. The rules are you need a “structure”, 4 walls and a roof, between the street and your “recreational structure”. But the work around is to acquire a Special Exemption. Desjoyauux would prepare the paperwork but I would have to do the leg work. If the pool was to be build directly behind the house I would not have needed a special exemption.

The other hurdle was the Deck, I did not include a concrete deck because I was concerned with the City’s standard of permeable surface (allowing rain water to filter into the ground) was going to be a problem. So I decided to go with a wood deck. The problem is I already have a deck that is constructed from Brazilian wood, which is more expensive. In an effort to keep continuity I was forced to use the same material to surround the pool. I could have gone with grass, which looks great, but I didn’t want to deal with the expense and hassle of maintenance. Finding a deck contractor was very hard because they get busy and coordinating them and the pool was a challenge.

Received the quote on 02/26/16 but started the Application for Board of Zoning Adjustment Variances & Special Exemption (link) process on 10/5/16 basically scheduling a hearing with the NPU. I decided to strengthen my case by getting permission from my neighbors and my neighborhood association even though they held no bearing on the NPU boards decision but it was good to have their consent.

On 11/15/16 I received approval from the NPU, Desjoyaux was able to proceed with the permitting process but was not able to start until January 27, 2017 and completed the project on June 30, 2017.

They were very professional and began work. They had some delays due to rain but they began excavating. This is the only hiccup, they did not haul away enough dirt so they had to come back later so the deck had enough spacer ventilation. As mentioned earlier, it was hard to get a deck contractor to work with the timeline but all in all we were able to get it done.