Swimming Pool Cost

29 Nov Swimming Pool Cost

The Real Cost of Owning a Swimming Pool

From U.S. News Money

The upfront costs of installing an inground swimming pool are just the beginning, according to this post from U.S. News Money.  While the average upfront cost for the installation of the pool proper is around $40,000, the associated costs of landscaping, maintenance, and insurance have to be considered when installing a swimming pool.  

Here is an excerpt from the post:

As summer approaches, perhaps you’re daydreaming about putting in a swimming pool or buying a property with a backyard pool. That way you can take a dip and cool off in your own pool whenever the mood strikes, never mind piling the kids in the car on a hot summer day or jockeying for space at a community pool.

But before you dive in (pun intended), consider these financial implications of a swimming pool.

Upfront cost. If you’re planning to install a pool, be prepared to open your wallet. PK Data reports that the average cost of a residential in-ground swimming pool was $39,084 last year. Don’t expect to recoup all of that money when you sell your house in the future, cautions Sabine H. Schoenberg, a home improvement expert and founder of SabinesHome.com. “It’s not something that’s value-enhancing to a lot of people,” she says. “Just as there are people with positive feelings towards pools, there are those with negative feelings. I would never put a pool in as a speculative builder.”

If you decide to move forward with a pool installation, Schoenberg suggests thinking carefully about the placement of the pool in your yard. “If it’s in one faraway corner, people aren’t going to use the pool,” she says. “You need to look at the natural daylight as it travels around the house. I don’t think it’s a good idea to put a pool into a dark, shadowy place.” She also suggests finding an installer who offers a five-year warranty, not just a one-year warranty.

Also investigate your town or municipality’s regulations around pools. “Each town will have its own definition of a ‘pool,’ often based on its size and water depth,” says Loretta Worters, spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry organization that provides insurance information to the public. “If the pool you are planning to buy meets the definition, then you must comply with local safety standards and building codes. This may include installing a fence of a certain size, locks, decks and pool safety equipment.”