Swimming pools are the ultimate fun-in-the-sun home furnishing, but many people don’t understand the costs of swimming pool ownership. It’s not as simple as paying the swimming pool price, and being done with the transaction. Swimming pool ownership requires a commitment of time, finances, and attention that many people are not prepared for, leaving them feeling like it’s a bad deal. With forewarning, however, you can be prepared for these hidden costs, making it easier to budget for and enjoy your own pool.
Price Vs. Cost
You may be confused about the difference between a swimming pool’s costs and its sales price. Remember when you were a kid looking forward to your first car? All you thought you had to do was save money, buy it, then you’d tool around town. The reality was buying the car was the first step, but once it was bought, rather than free money you had insurance, gas, oil, and other expenses you’d never considered. Buying a pool is much the same. Saving for (or financing) the initial purchase cost is the start of your journey. These costs are often overlooked, reducing the potential enjoyment people get from owning their own pool and leaving them feeling “ripped off”.
But It Adds Value To The House…
Yes and no. You should not buy a pool solely to increase your home’s value, because under most circumstances it won’t give you the same return as other home improvements. It will add value to your home, but if other homes in the neighborhood don’t have pools, it may not add full value as buyers will look at neighborhood comp prices and refuse to pay a higher price. Your real estate professional may be able to provide more guidance about how you can expect it to impact your home’s value. If you do have a pool, however, you will need to be ready should prospective buyers want to know information about the average swimming pool costs you pay.
One-Time Purchases
Like the swimming pool price, some expenses only need to be paid once, or they will at least allow several years of use before needing to be paid again. Unfortunately, these can be some of the big-ticket items of pool ownership. Financing may be available that allows you to spread payments out, but you’d want to talk to your vendor to find out your options.
- Swimming Pool Safety Covers – One of the most important swimming pool costs you can pay is one that gives you peace of mind. Safety pool covers are not the same as the floating pool covers that are just meant to keep out debris. Those are not safe, and can easily trap a person or animal who accidentally falls in, leading to a drowning event.
- Safety pool covers are anchored via rails to your pool’s edge. Made from tough material that avoids ripping or tearing, they do more than keep leaves out, they keep people out of your pool. Should someone stumble and fall on the pool’s surface, the cover acts as a physical barrier, separating them from the water and allowing them to crawl to safety.
Swimming Pool Safety Fence – Another form of barrier protection, a fence around your pool is always a good idea, and is actually required by some laws, codes, or HOA agreements. Pool safety fences are available to help protect adults, kids, and even pets from accessing a pool unsupervised. - Pool Fixtures – Diving boards, slides, and hoists are all available to make pool time fun for the whole family. You’ll not only want quality accessories, but professional installation, and a knowledgeable person who can explain how to safely operate, inspect, and maintain them.
These swimming pool costs can vary widely depending on the size of your pool, type of fence or cover, and specifications you need met. Call a trusted vendor for a quote, and talk to them about your specific needs and budget. The good news is that some of these big ticket swimming pool costs may help you save money later on while protecting you from tragedy and lawsuits.
Recurring Pool Expenses
The recurring expenses, more than the swimming pool price, are where much of the money tied up in owning your own pool come from .
- Insurance – Adding a pool frequently raises the cost of your umbrella policy. THe amount of increase depends on a variety of factors, but adding a safety cover or fence may give you a discount to offset this increase.
- Chemicals – Weekly and monthly pool maintenance is done to maintain water quality. While this doesn’t cost much financially, the time involved can add up fast, creating swimming pool costs of a different kind. For many pool owners the answer is hiring a professional to clean, monitor, and maintain their pool for the season. When time is money, spending money to save time can be a smart investment.
- Cleaning Accessories – If you decide to DIY your pool maintenance, you’ll need to gather not just the chemicals, but the accoutrements that keep your pool clean. This can include filters, vacuums, brushes, squeegees, and other items to keep dirt, debris, and algae at bay.
- Utilities – Some people remember to factor in the initial fill with their swimming pool price initially, but they often forget the constant refills needed as evaporation steals your pool water. You also need electricity for heating, lights, and running any automatic features lie filters, pool cover motors, etc.
Picking The Best For You
For many, this comes down to an analysis of whether these swimming pool costs are worth the convenience of a pool in their backyard or if they’d be better served by a membership to a public or private club pool. Owning a pool can absolutely bring you enjoyment, health, a sense of accomplishment, and give you a home you’re even more proud of, but only if you know beforehand exactly what you’re signing up for. If you need any help creating a safe, fun pool for your family, contact us today and one of our experts at Aqua-Safe Unlimited will help you create a beautiful space that prevents accidental drownings.
