You may be interested in getting a pool in your backyard, but how much does it cost to build a pool? According to HomeAdvisor, the cost ranges from $16,441 to $44,198, with the national average at $29,638. Inground pools can range from $36,750 to $66,500, and above-ground pools can run from $700 to $3,600.
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%.
The cost to install an inground pool is $35,000 on average and can range from $28,000 to $55,000 and sometimes upwards of $65,000 for special customizations and extra features. An added hot tub, for example, will cost $6,000 to $15,000 and pool lighting will be another $700 to $1,800.
12x24 Inground Pool Cost
The cost for this size, on average, will be between $26,000 and $38,000, depending on the type of material used. Materials and their average associated costs are as follows: Concrete, $38,000. Fiberglass, $34,000.
The installation of a Compass Pool will only take a week or two, but we find most households then spend around three to six months completing their landscaping. The good news is that your pool is ready to use as soon as it's installed, so you are free to change and tweak your landscaping at your leisure.
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.
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.
The average pool can take 12-24 hours to fill and that is only if you have a few hoses chugging away. When your family is chomping at the bit to dive in, that may as well be an eternity. Forget this plan if you are using well water, you will burn up your pump or leave your home without water for days.
Pros of Saltwater Pools
There's less chlorine and less of the heavy chemical scent and content. They're gentler on the skin, with less irritation to the eyes, hair and swimsuits. The water has a softer, silkier feel to it compared to chlorine water. They have lower maintenance costs than chlorine pools.
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.
In-ground concrete swimming pools are usually durable installations that last for decades. However, gunite, shotcrete, or concrete walls may develop cracks over time. Small shrinkage cracks aren't a problem, but if the cracks grow large enough to insert a dime, the shell might be compromised.
The cost of additional patio is usually the most expensive option to the pool because most people get at least 300–700 extra square feet of patio beyond their initial 3–4' border.
Since every backyard is sized differently, there is no hard rule that determines how big a pool should be. However, it's often recommended that a pool take up less than a third of your overall yard. For example, if your backyard is 1,800 square feet, you should aim for a pool that is 600 square feet or smaller.
A semi inground pool is exactly what it sounds like: a swimming pool that is partially installed in the ground and partially installed above ground. Usually, most of the pool is still inground, but part of the pool will be raised a few feet or more.
Semi-inground pools offer the best of both worlds. You'll find that a semi-ground swimming pool is significantly deeper than a regular above-ground pool, but doesn't cost nearly as much as a traditional in-ground pool.
Depending on the manufacturer, some semi inground pools can be saltwater. Due to the steel used in some, like the Stealth Pool, you cannot use salt water. Salt chlorine generators installed in Stealth Pools will void any manufacturers warranty due to its highly corrosive nature.
16 x 32 Rectangle (most popular)
Swimming pools that are in ground, completely or partially, must be enclosed by a fence. Above ground pool installations may need fencing, depending on water depth. (Check exact depth per your local code. It's usually a minimum of 18-24 inches.)
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.
A short video produced recently by the American Chemical Society answers the question, “Is it OK to Pee in the Ocean?” with a resounding “yes!” Ocean swimmers, relax, and know that your, eh, “contribution” is processed by the marine environment. Pool swimmers, you are not off the hook.