What does a pool cost? How much will it cost me to become a pool owner? What’s the best kind of pool and how much should I budget for? These are questions that we at Advanced Pools, Inc. in Memphis, Tennessee hear from our customers regularly.
Asking “what does a pool cost” is almost like asking a real estate agent, “how much does a house cost” or a car salesman, “how much does a car cost”? There are so many factors that go into the price of your swimming pool.
We urge our customers to put together a buget of what they can comfortably afford for the pool construction as well a for ongoing maintenance and to pay for the increase in utility bills. Once you have that in mind, talk with a pool contractor and let him know what you can afford and he can help you get the pool of your dreams.
What does a pool cost?
It’s difficult to answer with clarity how much a pool will cost, but you can determine a price structure by knowing that gunite pools are the most expensive, fiberglass the second most expensive and then vinyl liner. An above ground pool is the least expensive and if you have a very small budget that may be where you begin your pool ownership research. But “least expensive” doesn’t mean that it won’t cost you thousands of dollars to become a pool owner.
Where you live will impact pricing based on cost of labor and materials and in the ease — or difficulty — of excavation to install the pool.
Have a base idea of your budget in mind and if you have enough in the budget you can add on accessories. Consider upgrading to more energy efficient pool equipment before you install a diving board, slide or sun shelves. Energy efficient equipment will save you thousands over the life of the pool ownership.
Features such as hot tubs, waterfalls, fountains, fire features and outdoor living space that rivals your indoor living space can certainly add to the bottom line costs of your pool but you may have that in the budget. Don’t forget to leave some space in the budget for a pool deck, many new pool owners don’t consider that and eventually wish they had a deck because you will spend more time around the water than in it.
As mentioned, ask us about the potential price for increases in utlity bills. You may also need to budget for an increase in your homeowner’s insurance so keep that in mind.
It is routine to have to install a swimming pool safety fence as part of the pool construction project and that needs to be part of the process, not an afterthought. Adding additional safety measures makes sense for many pool owners and also adds to peace of mind when it comes to pool ownership. Talk with your pool contractor to understand the types and costs of other pool safety equipment.
If you’ve been budgeting for your pool project and are ready to take the plunge this year, give us a call and let’s get started on your dream pool!
