A pool is an impressive feature of a home, but it can also be the most difficult and expensive to maintain. When it comes time to decide between DIY pool care and using a professional pool cleaning service, consider such tasks as maintaining the filter, surface skimming and chemical testing.
Resale Value
A pool can increase not only your social worth but also the value of your home. However, the increase is probably not as much as you think. According to HouseLogic, there's no real guarantee that you'll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home's value by 7%.
A fiberglass pool is not prone to growing algae, which is one of the main reasons why this pool is easier to maintain. Anyone who is looking for a pool that doesn't require a lot of maintenance may want to consider going with a fiberglass pool.
Owning a pool does involve some effort, as well as ongoing expenses. But in most cases — and with the right mindset and knowledge — pool ownership can be a rewarding experience that brings joy and creates family memories for years to come.
The average cost to maintain a pool is $80 to $150 monthly or about $960 to $1,800 yearly. For a first-time pool cleaning service, expect to spend $150 to $350 on average. The annual cost to own a pool is $3,000 to $5,000, which includes maintenance, repairs, electricity, and water.
Maintenance. A typical pool cleaner would cost you about $100 per visit, every four to six weeks plus $200 each year for extra chemicals required. That's a total of $1400 each year.
Your cost will depend on things like the size of your pool, where your water is coming from, and whether you're filling it all the way or just topping it off. In total, most homeowners spend between $60 and $1,250 to fill an average-sized swimming pool with water.
Chlorine pools are more traditional and are also cheaper than most saltwater pools. However, they can be more difficult to maintain over time. Because there is no generator making chlorine, you will need to add chlorine into the pool on your own.
Pools with vinyl liners will last more than 20 years, as long as you replace your liner every 6-12 years. Concrete pools have exceptional longevity, but you need to resurface the concrete every 10 years or so. Fiberglass pools have the longest lifespans of any in-ground pool, often easily surpassing 30 years.
Fiberglass pools need the least maintenance, and they cost the least ($3,750 over 10 years).
It's recommended having a depth fewer than six feet to meet most pool needs. For a family of six to eight people, an 18 foot by 36-foot pool is recommended. This should be sufficient to avoid crowding and allow for the playing of games. Rectangle shaped pools look best for this size.
The construction process of a swimming pool is costly because of all the equipment involved. When you put in an above-ground pool, the process is typically quite a bit easier. However, very few people realize how much work is done to level the yard to put an above-ground pool in place.
An above-ground pool is, by far, the least expensive option for a pool. Kids love them, and built-in fencing and locking gate options make them safe. The main disadvantage of an above-ground pool is that it generally adds no value to your home.
Most pool projects take, on average, between 8 and 12 weeks, depending on the scope of the project. But many factors can affect your pool building timeline, including the time of year you plan to build among other things.
Can You Build Your Own DIY Pool? The short answer to this question is yes. If you wanted to, you could dig a big hole in your backyard and, with a little effort, turn it into a swimming pool.
Keep in mind that this does not include space for water features, a spa, slides, or extra patio work around the pool. If your backyard space is smaller than 1,200 square feet, you may still be able to get an inground pool, but it likely will not be bigger than 12 feet by 24 feet.
The Incredible Stealth Semi-Inground Pool
The Stealth Semi-Inground Pool can be sunken partially or it can be almost entirely submerged into the ground. This makes it perfect for backyards with a slope and it all it takes is some simple decking or stonework to completely hide the walls of the pool.
1. Have the water trucked in. It fills up the pool quicker and costs the same amount if using your hose. When you use your hose you have to pay sewer fees.
The fastest way to fill a big pool is by using a water delivery service, or a city fire hydrant. Note that using city fire hydrants to fill your swimming pool requires special permission from your local fire department, and rules differ from state to state.
Filling your pool with dirt is the fastest and most affordable way to get rid of a pool because there's no need to remove your concrete or metal shell. This saves on both labor and hauling costs. However, filling a pool with dirt is still a delicate process that requires careful preparation, drainage, and demolition.