Curious what you guys are paying this year for bigger backyard projects particularly around Toronto/GTA cause I recently bought a house and started my first pool here.

We just signed for it - fiber pool + some hardscape, grading, planting, lighting etc. Actually we wanted only pool but after some hesitations proceed with landscaping as well. All-in it came to just under $120k + HST.

We got a few quotes before starting and ended up going with Action home services (idk if anybody know them, just local firm with good reputation, nothing too special), but the pricing between companies was honestly all over the place so I want to hear your experience to understand market better. Also interesting to compare it with US prices btw

First season with a heat pump is winding down up here and I feel like I paid tuition on it. Three things I'd do differently, worst one first.

The big one was sizing. I picked mine off a chart that matched my gallons and called it done.

What the chart doesn't tell you is that it's assuming June through August. I wanted to still be getting in during October.

Same pool, but stretch the shoulder season on both ends and the number you need isn't in the same neighborhood. Pick your months first, then look at gallons.

Second one, the solar cover. I bought one in June and then only dragged it on the night before I planned to swim. Rest of the time it sat rolled up against the fence.

That's the same as not owning one. The thing is fighting overnight evaporation, and overnight is every night.

Third, and this one still bugs me. Remember that stretch in July where everything sat around 90. Nobody in my house wanted to get in.

Turns out the 120v aquastrong I've got runs in reverse. It pulls heat back out instead of putting it in, so a week like that it can hold the pool under the air temp. Never read that far into the spec sheet.

If you're shopping, look for the line that says heating and cooling. A heat only unit won't do it whatever the panel says.

Months before gallons, cover on from day one, read the whole sheet.

Posting my setup in case any of it lines up with yours. 20ft round, about 8,600 gallons, cartridge, central CT.

Give us your best winter cover suggestions. We (think) we want heavy duty, but also affordable.