Sticker shock, inground pools

[rennigade]

Im probably not the only one, but wife and my self have recently discussed a swimming pool. We started looking into inground pools, and we had no idea how expensive they actually cost. I was figured $20k-$25k...not even close. The cheaper/smaller ones are pushing $30k...and thats not including the fence. Most come with a small 3' sidewalk around the pool which is basically useless. Cheap fences are around $3k-$4k if you diy. It looks like the average is around $50k all in.

Does anyone here own a pool? How much did you spend? Any regrets?

We're probably going to put an above ground in next year, which is only $5k for the pool and pump/filter. Add a salt water filter, $600...and a deck that completely goes around it, probably trex decking. It will be diy so im estimating $8k for the deck...We'll be all in for less than $15k. I can't swallow the cost of an inground...especially being in PA where we can only use a pool for 3 good months. But they are pretty looking!

No matter how you spin it, pools are luxury items. They arent cheap. They do require work/upkeep...although "a lot of work" is completely subjective. Ive heard it both ways, pools are easy while others dread it. Will it add value to our home, nope! An inground wouldnt either. As a matter of fact, people often pass on homes with pools, unless you're in an area where pools are wanted or expected (southern states or higher end neighborhoods.)

[bjl584]

I have an above ground pool.
It was around $3000.
I installed it myself.

There was already a deck and sand pit there from an old pool that the former owner of the house had.
It isn't all that maintenance. Add chlorine, add shock, keep it swept, add water if it doesn't rain for awhile.

No idea on if it added value to the property.
Probably not, but that wasn't my reason for putting it in

[Fishindude77]

We had a pool for about 15 years while the kids were still at home. Used the heck out of it and really enjoyed it. Spent countless hours with kids, friends and their kids playing in pool, cooking out and partying around it, etc. If you have activity in the pool all the time, it keeps things stirred up, cleaner, and less chemicals needed.

The ground slopes rapidly away from our back side of house, so we put in a 24' above ground pool. Built a big multi-level deck with campfire pit on the house side of the pool, and since I don't like the look of above ground pools we built a 6' deck and rail all the way around the thing, plus closed in the sides clear down to ground level, it looked real nice. Back then I think we spent around $2500 for the pool and probably spent another $5,000 on the deck which I built myself with buddies. Would probably cost 50-100% more in today's dollars.

There is some upkeep required for sure. Electricity for pump running all the time, pumps go bad, liners last about 10 years, chemicals, winter covers last a few years, etc. A friend put it pretty well .... his words were, if you can afford to heat your house in these cold midwest winters, you can afford to maintain a pool all summer, costs are similar.

When the kids moved out, we also happened to have a cold summer where it didn't get used much, so we opted to just remove it. Tore the deck away around it, gave the pool to a coworker who came and dismantled it, bought a new liner and set up at their house. The multi level deck and fire pit adjacent the house remains and we now have a hot tub on the deck. Hot tub gets used all the time including winter.

If you have small kids and enjoy hanging out at home with friends, family and their kids, a swimming pool is a whole bunch of fun. I would recommend it, but think long term because your kids will be gone some day.

[rennigade]

The ground slopes rapidly away from our back side of house, so we put in a 24' above ground pool. Built a big multi-level deck with campfire pit on the house side of the pool, and since I don't like the look of above ground pools we built a 6' deck and rail all the way around the thing, plus closed in the sides clear down to ground level, it looked real nice. Back then I think we spent around $2500 for the pool and probably spent another $5,000 on the deck which I built myself with buddies. Would probably cost 50-100% more in today's dollars.

If you have small kids and enjoy hanging out at home with friends, family and their kids, a swimming pool is a whole bunch of fun. I would recommend it, but think long term because your kids will be gone some day.

Thats our plan. To put a deck the whole way around. We thought about lattice for the sides, and we may in the beginning, but we'll probably close it off completely. Trex is pricey so we'll see what the real cost is when we get a better figure on how much we need.

We will have a small child shortly...which is another reason why we want one. I had one as a kid and used it all the time, and also have a lot of good memories from it.

[Fishindude77]

Thats our plan. To put a deck the whole way around. We thought about lattice for the sides, and we may in the beginning, but we'll probably close it off completely. Trex is pricey so we'll see what the real cost is when we get a better figure on how much we need.

We will have a small child shortly...which is another reason why we want one. I had one as a kid and used it all the time, and also have a lot of good memories from it.

Yea, I don't like looking at those ugly metal sides of the pool. Wouldn't recommend lattice; it's flimsy plus birds and rodents will get through it, sunlight gets through so weeds grow, etc. We did 1x6 treated boards, vertical clear down to the ground.
You can also make some access doors and use the space under pool side deck to hide the pump & filter, store floaties, the etc.

[Goldy1]

we have a 15 foot intex out of the box pool. Bought a better upgraded filter . It's amazing. Me and dh and the 2 kids play and I can't say relax with the kids lol but it's great. It's not big enough to invite other adults in. It's ours
I'm in Michigan. I would buy a better pool that I don't take down but we use it 3 glorious months only.
We had real pool at our old house prekids and went in it never. Kids are fun.

[Goldy1]

Underground pools are too much commitment for me. and my kids would probably lose interest if I bought an expensive pool. Lol. I think a pool would be great if you entertain a lot.

[cypher1]

A coworker buddy just told me he got a 12' above ground pool for his kids. He likes it, but said even for a small pool, it's a lot of maintenance. Almost daily he has to test the water for chlorination, pH levels, alkalinity, etc. Only allows his kids to use with adult supervision.

I'm no parent, but I just view pools as a liability even with a fence. Granted we're in MN, so in hotter states all year around i'm sure its great for re-sale. But not sure how marketable or if it really raises or decreases the potential sale. Otherwise I'll assume it falls back on the type of buyer.

[rennigade]

I'm no parent, but I just view pools as a liability even with a fence.

I would agree they are a liability. Im guessing house insurance would increase slightly. We would probably bump our umbrella insurance up from 1mil to 1.5mil.

[disneysteve]

I would agree they are a liability. Im guessing house insurance would increase slightly. We would probably bump our umbrella insurance up from 1mil to 1.5mil.

You should also secure any doors that lead directly from the house to the area where the pool is located. Those doors should be kept locked at all times and should have an alarm that sounds when they are opened. There have been many drownings of children who just walked out of the house and got into the pool without a parent noticing until it was too late.

[corn18]

We got a quote for an in ground pool in TX. Just the pool (rectangle, not big) was $40k. By the time we had it the way we wanted it, it was $90k. I had budgeted $50k. So we didn't get it.

[rennigade]

You should also secure any doors that lead directly from the house to the area where the pool is located. Those doors should be kept locked at all times and should have an alarm that sounds when they are opened. There have been many drownings of children who just walked out of the house and got into the pool without a parent noticing until it was too late.

Thats a good idea. I know they make pool alarms...but it seems like someone has to fall in the pool for them to be triggered. Doors leading outside would be another safety net for small kids.

[disneysteve]

Thats a good idea. I know they make pool alarms...but it seems like someone has to fall in the pool for them to be triggered. Doors leading outside would be another safety net for small kids.

And don’t forget about sliding patio doors and even pet doors that a child could crawl through.

[Singuy]

You have to get multiple quotes, mine was all over the place, from 80-160k. We found that houses with in ground pools sell quicker in FL and comes with a 35k premium (basic pool) vs houses without a pool. People likes to roll it into their mortgage. But yes it's not cheap but our kids love it.

[rennigade]

You have to get multiple quotes, mine was all over the place, from 80-160k. We found that houses with in ground pools sell quicker in FL and comes with a 35k premium (basic pool) vs houses without a pool. People likes to roll it into their mortgage. But yes it's not cheap but our kids love it.

I remember someone on here having an inground pool. Pool is gorgeous.