To Build or Not to Build? The Costs and Joys of Pool Ownership

People enjoy owning swimming pools for many reasons, Among them:

• Comfort: In many parts of the country, summer heat drives people indoors. A dunk in the pool may be one of the few ways homeowners can enjoy the outdoors during the hottest part of the year.

• Relaxation: There’s something about relaxing by the pool, or floating in the pool, that many people find alluring. It’s like being on vacation without leaving home.

• Family time: Swimming is a family activity that can be enjoyed by all ages. On a beautiful sunny day, there’s no better reason to put down the cell phone or game controller and jump in the pool.

• Entertainment: If you enjoy entertaining, a swimming pool is a natural draw. A pool party is a great excuse for a get-together.

• Exercise: Swimming is a terrific aerobic workout and low-impact way to exercise. Pool exercises can be adapted, depending on a person’s age and fitness level.

As fun as it is to own a swimming pool, there’s also a fair amount of expense and upkeep involved. As a homeowner, you need to consider whether you can afford to build and maintain a pool – and whether you’re up to the continual upkeep involved.

Pools demand time, attention and some additional investment for upkeep.

Running your pool’s filter and heater will increase your electric bill, although it’s difficult to determine by exactly how much. Try talking to other pool owners in your neighborhood to get a sense of pool utility costs in your area.

You’ll also need to add chlorine regularly to keep the water sparkling and sanitary. Over the course of the swim season, your pool may need occasional additional treatments like clarifier, pH balancer, shock and algaecide. Along with water testing, this is all part of regular pool maintenance.

Additional pool accessories like leaf skimmers, brushes and vacuums will help keep your pool at its best.

And of course, how can you enjoy your swimming pool without owning at least a few pool floats, loungers and water toys?

In addition, you may want to hire someone to open and close your pool for the season. Typical costs for these services vary, but you can expect to pay a pool cleaning professional at least a few hundred dollars.

Pools also affect the cost of your homeowner’s insurance. Your policyholder will likely require additional insurance to cover potential damage to the pool or injuries to anyone who uses it.

No matter how badly you want a pool, try to take the emotion out of the decision. Think of a swimming pool installation as you would any other home improvement.

Before building a pool, Forbes recommends calculating:

• How long you plan to live in the house

• How often the pool will be used

• Your maximum budget

Also, be realistic about your desire and ability to maintain the pool. Pools require cleaning and water chemical maintenance a few times a week during peak swim season, plus special pool opening and closing care.

So, does adding a backyard pool make financial sense? The ultimate answer is, it depends.

On average, real estate experts say inground swimming pools increase a home’s sale price by around 7%. For a $400,000 house, that’s $28,000 - well below the estimated average cost to build a pool.

However, value can be affected by other factors. In some parts of the U.S., for instance, buyers expect a home to have a swimming pool, so a home without one may not sell as quickly.

You’ll experience the highest return on your investment from a pool and pool area that are attractive and well maintained. Bonus if you have enough yard left over for gardens, entertaining and play areas.

Adding a pool may not increase your home’s value, but there are many reasons why becoming a pool owner still could be the right decision for you. The enjoyment you’ll receive from your backyard swimming pool may be worth the expense. Your family might prefer “staycations” by the pool to the hassle and headaches involved with travel. A pool may be your preferred form of exercise, eliminating the cost of a gym membership.

If you’re psyched to become a pool owner, congratulations! Having a swimming pool can enhance your quality of life and increase your satisfaction with your home.

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