Summer is coming.
If you have been thinking about buying a pool, now is the time.
Imagine yourself, your friends, and your family spending your summer lying by the pool. When the sun gets a little too hot, you dip your feet in the water to cool down.
Maybe you have a poolside bar to take your pool party to the next level. Whatever your dream pool scenario, the right builder can make it your reality.
Buying a pool isn’t an easy decision and there are a lot of factors to consider before taking the plunge. Keep reading for more information about the process of buying a pool.
Things You Should Know Before Buying a Pool
If you are thinking about buying a pool, it’s important to be aware of all of the pros and cons of pool ownership. Let’s start by taking a look at what you need to know before you start the pool buying process.
Pools Are a Lot of Work
Pools require regular maintenance and cleaning. You’ll need to make sure you are using the proper chemicals and you’ll have to clean the surface of the pool.
This will take time and effort. If you don’t keep up with the regular maintenance you pool needs, the PH levels in your pool will become imbalanced.
This will lead to the growth of algae and bacteria that can harm the health of those who use the pool.
If you don’t want to perform the maintenance yourself, you can always hire a professional pool company. They usually have to service the pool several times a week and can cost anywhere from $50 to $150 per week.
Improved Health and Happiness
Owning a pool might be a lot of work, but it also comes with a lot of perks.
For one, owning a pool means you have access to your own private pool to use whenever you want. Pools have been shown to improve the health and happiness of their owners.
For one, they tend to increase your physical health. Swimming is a great way to improve your physical and mental health. It’s a low impact form of exercise that people of any age group can do.
Owning a pool is also a great way to improve your social life. If you have children, they will love having birthday parties with their friends at the pool.
Adults will experience increased social benefits as well from pool parties of their own.
Increased Utilities
Owning and buying a pool will cause an increase in your utility bills.
It is not uncommon to pay up to $300 dollars a year to operate your pool’s pump, which is responsible for controlling your pool’s filtration system.
When buying a new pool, you will be responsible for filling the pool, which can cost between $60-$120, according to HomeAdvisor.
You May Need to Install a Fence
Depending on where you live, you may be required to install a fence or gate around the perimeter of your property to keep strangers, especially kids, from entering your property and drowning in your pool.
Check with your specific town for zoning rules before building a pool.
Safety With Children
Drowning is a leading cause of death for children and having a pool increases that risk.
Fortunately, if you take the necessary precautions, you can prevent accidents from happening in your pool. Easy ways to do this include installing a fence, installing locks on the doors leading to the pool, setting pool rules, and making sure your children learn to swim at a young age.
Special Insurance
If you are buying a pool, you will probably need to increase your liability insurance coverage.
Pools are a high risk for insurers so your premium will be higher. Double check your policy before installing a diving board or slide.
Many homeowner’s insurance policies exclude coverage for pools with diving boards and water slides because they are associated with a higher risk of injury and more expensive medical bills.
Home Value
Before buying a pool, you should consider whether it will increase or decrease your home value.
If you live somewhere warm, like Florida or Southern California, having a pool can increase the value of your home. Many home buyers in these types of locations rank pools as one of their most highly desired features.
On the other hand, if you live in a cold weather climate where you aren’t likely to get much use out of the pool, having a pool might actually make it harder to sell your house. Home buyers who live in cold weather climates usually view pools as more of a hassle and a hazard than a desired feature.
Consider Your Space
When considering buying a pool, make sure you have enough room.
If you have a small property, you might not really have enough room for a pool. The pool and its deck will take up a considerable amount of outdoor space.
What you might not have realized, however, is that accessories for the pool can take up a lot of space too. You will need somewhere to store pool equipment like skimmers, vacuums, cleaning supplies, towels, and floats.
As long as you have enough space, a pool is well worth the effort.
Buying a Pool
When it’s time to get ready to build your pool, there are more things to consider before getting an estimate.
Make Sure Everyone is on the Same Page
The decision to buy a pool should not be taken lightly and it’s important to make sure all parties that are involved are on the same page.
Making sure that everyone agrees a pool is a good decision is the first step in working to decide what your priorities are with regard to purchasing and installing the pool.
You shouldn’t rely on your builder to convince a member of your family that buying a pool is the right move. Your builder’s job is to help those who are committed to buying a pool choose the right type of pool and other options related to the process.
Determine Your Priorities
Once you have decided to buy a pool, you also need to decide what your pool ownership priorities are.
Each pool owner has their own goals in mind. For some, ease of maintenance is the most important consideration. On the other hand, some are more focused on the aesthetics of the pool and how it can enhance the look of their entire property.
For many, the pool is designed to serve a specific purpose. Most buyers prioritize the quality of their pool warranty.
Decide what you are looking for and what your priorities are before reaching out to builders.
You’ll also want to consider the type of pool you want. There are three different types of pools, each with their own pros and cons.
Pools are commonly constructed from concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl liner. Research these types of pools to decide what type is best suited to your needs.
Determine Your Budget
Securing funding to finance a pool is the responsibility of the buyer, not the builder.
It’s important to secure financing ahead of time before signing any contracts with the builder. It will be a waste of everyone’s time if you begin the process without confirming that you can afford the purchase.
Times have changed and there is no guarantee that you will be granted a home equity loan. Pools are expensive and it’s important to figure out what you can afford and how you will pay ahead of time.
What Are You Looking for in a Builder?
The type of builder you choose depends on your priorities.
Some pool buyers are interested in being involved in the pool building process from start to finish. On the other hand, some buyers just want to be notified when the pool is ready to be used.
Price versus quality is another factor to consider. Some buyers are looking to build a pool for as cheap as possible, while some are looking for quality and workmanship.
Before you even have a builder come to your home, ask them the necessary questions to determine if they meet your qualifications. Keep in mind that going with a cheaper builder could mean sacrificing quality.
Contacting a Builder
Once you have decided that buying a pool is the right move for you and your family and reviewed the information provided above, the next step is contacting a builder.
Remember to ask specific questions to determine whether the builder is right for you. A good builder will work with you to help you design the pool of your dreams.
Contact us today to get started.
