The Cost of Owning a Swimming Pool

According to Statista, a market research portal, this year, the swimming pool construction industry has generated over 9 billion US dollars. It has employed over 48,986 workers and its profit has grown by 3.8% over five years. Clearly, the number of people who want to own a pool continues to grow.

Admit it. You’ve imagined having a sparkling swimming pool beside your dream house. However, apart from the upfront cost of building a swimming pool, there are other expenses you need to be aware of. Whether you plan on constructing an indoor or outdoor pool, you should be ready to take on a great responsibility. So, in this post, we are going to discuss some of the expenses of owning a swimming pool.

Clearances and Permits

Aside from the actual construction costs, you need to shell out for clearances and permits. There are contractors who include such expenses in their fees. However, there are some who try to keep their quotes low by excluding this information. So, even before you start shoveling, you will have to spend a portion of your budget tackling red tape.

Electricity, Heating, and Water

When you live in an area with a four-season climate, you need to consider heating and electricity costs as part of your operating expenses. Moreover, you need to ensure that the pool area has proper lighting in the evening. Aside from that, you must have outlets for water pumps, electric grills, and chlorine filters.

You can expect to spend around $1,800 to $3,000 annually in electricity, repairs, and water. The cost of operating a pump alone can amount to $300 a year. The pricing varies depending on the type of pump you have. There are variable-speed pumps that can render a lower horsepower, reducing energy consumption and operating costs. On the other hand, older pump models run intermittently at a higher horsepower, consuming more energy and racking up operating costs.

A standard pool with around 15,000 to 30,000-gallon capacity can cost around $60 to $120 of city water. After filling the pool, you can expect to pay $0.004 per gallon at an average when you add water due to evaporation or during opening.

Insurance Premiums

It is worth noting that getting an umbrella insurance policy is not sufficient to cover your swimming pool. There are even insurance companies that do not want to cover properties with pools.  You will notice that many insurance companies require homeowners to construct their pool according to local safety standards before coming up with a policy. Annually, expect to spend a slightly more on your insurance policy for your pool.

Maintenance

Many pool owners hire a person to maintain their pool. The services usually include the following:

  1. Skimming twigs and leaves
  2. Adjusting the chemical levels
  3. Servicing the pumps
  4. Keeping the filters in good condition
  5. General repairs

Of course, this list does not include specialized maintenance services. Hiring a professional cleaner can cost you around a hundred dollars month. That said, you can choose to do it instead of hiring someone else.  With so many DIY information out there it is not as difficult as one may think.

For the initial cleaning, expect to spend around $100 to $375. However, you need to shell out on regular cleanings and other maintenance services on a weekly, monthly, and seasonal basis. Keep in mind that filter replacement, repairs, and utilities can cost around $400 at an average. For pool opening and closing, you’ll spend around $300 to $600.

Accessories

You need to consider the additional costs brought about by landscaping and retaining walls. You also have to add accessories like cabanas, diving boards, and huts to the expenses. These are extra costs that you need to consider when creating a padding around your budget.

Winterization Costs

During the winter season, you need to close your swimming pool to prevent frost damage. It is worth noting that frozen water can damage the pipes, filters, tiles, and other components of the pool. So, to prolong the life of your swimming pool, you need to spend money on winterization services which can cost around $150 to $300 per season. In general, the fee includes the following:

  1. Lowering the water levels
  2. Shocking the water
  3. Cleaning
  4. Closing and storing the filter elements
  5. Installing the cover
  6. Backwashing the filter
  7. Clearing the water lines

Usually, it takes one or two visits for a professional to complete the service. Keep in mind that they need to shock the water several days before the closing date.

You can also research different pool building techniques that allow you to save on maintenance costs. For instance, consider opting for a fiberglass swimming pool. After all, they can last a lifetime, allowing you to avoid repairing cracks and spending money on other structural maintenance. On the other hand, you can install a retractable pool enclosure. This way, you can prevent leaves and twigs from flying towards the water.  

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