Pools

There are a few things more luxurious than walking outside to enjoy your own personal outdoor oasis in the comfort of your backyard. A custom pool was once considered an elite extravagance, but now pool ownership has become more commonplace and even more affordable throughout the years, allowing many homeowners to invest in a pool. However, there are still some costs to consider before taking the plunge as a pool owner.

Read on to learn more about a few of the common additional costs associated with pool ownership to give yourself a better understanding of what you can expect. 

1. Insurance. Insurance covers two important aspects of pool ownership: damage coverage and liability coverage. As a homeowner, you’ll likely already have homeowner’s insurance to help cover such instances, but you should expect adding a pool will increase the cost of your annual premiums. Pools do pose a drowning risk, as well as other potential accidents even if you do follow every safety precaution and coverage for that is a decent added expense. 

2. Utilities & Taxes. It’s no surprise that pool ownership costs money, but homeowners often forget that utilities and taxes are an ongoing cost. While there’s no way to predict just how much your utility bills will increase, you can expect to budget between $500 and $2,000 a year. You can also expect your property taxes to increase, as well, due to a pool adding value to your home. 

3. Additional Safety Features & Covers. Many people forget to factor this cost into their pool design project, but some of these features can even be required by insurance policies or local regulations. They can include items like fences, gates, pool covers, and alarms to keep children and pets safe. Accidents happen within seconds, and in an effort to keep your pool safe, these are additional financial investments are worth their weight in gold. 

While fences, gates and alarms are usually a one-time purchase, you can expect to spend a little more on the pool cover as your years of ownership pass. If it requires a pump during the off-season, there may be maintenance costs involved, as well as other covers that require maintenance or even replacement over time. 

4. Pool Heaters. Pool heaters aren’t just for colder climates. Some people invest in a pool heater because they enjoy warmer water or even if their pool is located in a shady part of their yard. Whatever your reason, pool heaters cost money and will increase your monthly energy costs, as well as require a hearty initial investment. 

5. Outdoor Living Space. Although these costs are not essential, the truth is that once the pool is installed and changes the look of the whole backyard, homeowners often want to tweak the surrounding landscape to further enhance the outdoor living aesthetic. And don’t forget your outdoor living space as a whole. From outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and fireplaces, to high-quality patio furniture and seating areas, there are many ways to create a gorgeous at-home resort that will require an additional financial investment. 

6. Regular Pool Maintenance. While homeowners understand pool ownership requires regular pool maintenance, they may not take into account just how much. A well-kept pool needs regular maintenance and repairs. This can include cleaning services, chemical treatments, keeping the filtration system in top working order, and repairs to the pool deck, tiles, or infrastructure over time. It’s also important to remember that equipment may need to be replaced, as well. Whether you decide to take care of the maintenance yourself or hire professionals to do it for you, it will be an ongoing cost needed to keep your pool healthy.

Contact your Local pool Builder

Despite the costs associated with pool ownership, it is still one of the best ways to relax and make memories with family and friends. With advances in technology and automation, owning a pool is an affordable option that many may not have considered before. By having solid budgeting and planning in place to make sure there are no surprises, owning a pool can easily be within your reach. Contact your local reputable pool builder to learn more about pool ownership or to schedule your design consultation today.