I'm an engineer with a PhD from Caltech, and I was a Civil Engineering professor, so I pay attention to construction details. Richard Tracy is an outstanding pool builder, and my backyard is very small. He helped me design the pool for my limited area, and the pool turned out beautiful with a pebble tec finish and lots of decorative porcelain tiles. He made the plumbing sub use all 45-degree angles which required more work, but makes the water flow better. He also used one of the oldest and most reputable gunite subs in Atlanta, which I didn't expect for such a small pool. He also did something else other pool builders do not do-- he buried the return pipes deep under the pool where they cannot freeze. Other pool builders I have used buried the return pipes next to the pool, less than 12" under the surface of the pool deck. It was also important to me that Richard's bottom-line price was the lowest bid I received. I was very happy with his work!