How $$ for a pool?

MrsMillerTime · July 2011

My parents are considering a pool for themselves & their grandkid(s) to enjoy. How much does it cost to have a pool installed? I realize the cost can vary depending on size of the pool & landscaping, but they're looking for a ballpark figure.

What other costs are associated with a pool installation/maintenance?

Feel free to drop me an email if you would rather not post here.

mrsmillertime at gmail

jml5q · July 2011

i think the cost will also greatly depend on their location. if i'm remembering correctly they aren't in austin? austin has lots of hard limestone (especially NW austin) that will make construction much more expensive than areas without the hard rock.

i've never really researched this in depth, but i think i've heard around $30-50K for an in ground pool.

mcgee · July 2011

My mother and sister both have pools, and they have said that it's about $1000 a year to maintain, as they have someone come out at the beginning of the summer to open the pool and again in the fall to close it, plus the regular tests, chemicals, equipment, etc.

I looked into having a pool installed, although I didn't get as far as actual quotes from someone who came out to our house because it's not something we can afford right now anyway. I recall the rough estimates being about $25K and up, depending on size, shape, features, etc.

MrsMillerTime · July 2011

jml5q:
i think the cost will also greatly depend on their location. if i'm remembering correctly they aren't in austin? austin has lots of hard limestone (especially NW austin) that will make construction much more expensive than areas without the hard rock.

They're considering a move to Austin so it would be a NNW Austin installation.

jml5q · July 2011

MrsMillerTime:
jml5q:

i think the cost will also greatly depend on their location. if i'm remembering correctly they aren't in austin? austin has lots of hard limestone (especially NW austin) that will make construction much more expensive than areas without the hard rock.

They're considering a move to Austin so it would be a NNW Austin installation.

ah. well if they are home shopping, it would probably be way more cost effective for them to buy a home with a pool already installed than to have one installed. Because i also think that the price you pay for the pool doesn't increase the value of your home nearly as much as you'll pay to build it. but yeah, NNW i'd think they'd at least be looking at $30K min.

joyco · July 2011

We looked into having a pool (still looking, actually. heh) in the backyard and it's about $40K to dig the damn hole (stupid rocks) and put in the pool. We're trying to decide between cement (concrete?) and fiberglass. Definitely DO NOT let them get a pool with a liner (my SIL had one and it ripped all the time).

molliedb · July 2011

my inlaws are building a house in gtown and the pool was over $50k to add to the overall plans. i agree if they buy a house with a pool already existing they may get a better deal.

mrs.wildman · July 2011

Pools are $30+ to install based on sized and what the ground is composed of. In NW Austin you're prob looking at $50+ as the ground is likely to be stone. Pools generally do not add much value to a home in terms of ROI $$, but they ARE added perks (or turn-offs to some people) when they're searching. It's definitely more cost effective to just find a house with a pre-existing pool if they don't even have a house yet.

brideonjuly8 · July 2011

My parents put in a play pool (no deep end) about 18 years ago and it was $20,000+. I would say at least $30,000 nowadays.

I would LOVE to put in a pool when my kids are teens.

el_twirpo · July 2011

our friends just put in a pool last year, and it was $30K-ish. also keep in mind the cost of permits and getting a gas line installed (if doing a heated spa or pool), electrical work, etc. water costs will go up. maintenance is manageable if they're willing to keep it clean, test the water and keep up with it. it only gets expensive if left neglected for the winter season and then having to drain, scrub, refill and re-shock the water.

Ricola · July 2011

We have an in ground pool that is about 15000 gallons. It was there already when we bought the house, so I can't tell you about the installation costs. We had a pool company take care of it for the first 2 months and learn from the what to do and now maintain it ourselves (it was $40 a week with the company plus chemicals!). It takes about an hour a week. I would estimate the total cost for chemicals, water tests, tools (like a leafsucker-basket-thingy for example) and extra electricity and water at about $600 - 800 a year. It is SO worth it!

2bmrslove · July 2011

I agree with everyone else, have them buy a house with a pool.

MrsMillerTime · July 2011

jml5q:
well if they are home shopping, it would probably be way more cost effective for them to buy a home with a pool already installed than to have one installed.

This is definitely their preference. But they want to know how much it would cost to install one in the event they find a house w/o one so they can factor that in when determining if it is "worth it."

AustinMimi · July 2011

Ricola:
We have an in ground pool that is about 15000 gallons. It was there already when we bought the house, so I can't tell you about the installation costs. We had a pool company take care of it for the first 2 months and learn from the what to do and now maintain it ourselves (it was $40 a week with the company plus chemicals!). It takes about an hour a week. I would estimate the total cost for chemicals, water tests, tools (like a leafsucker-basket-thingy for example) and extra electricity and water at about $600 - 800 a year. It is SO worth it!

Ditto this, but the estimate for us is higher than $800 a year for chemicals and maintenance that we do ourselves. To give you an idea, our house is under 2K square feet and we currently pay about $500 a month in water / electricity when the pool is in use. It's summer, so of course it will be more b/c of more A/C being used inside, but the pool is open from about April to October. I love having a pool, though. It really is awesome in the summer.

misjenn · July 2011

MrsMillerTime:
My parents are considering a pool for themselves & their grandkid(s) to enjoy. How much does it cost to have a pool installed? I realize the cost can vary depending on size of the pool & landscaping, but they're looking for a ballpark figure.
What other costs are associated with a pool installation/maintenance?
Feel free to drop me an email if you would rather not post here.
mrsmillertime at gmail

Our cost about $25K (this was 10 years ago and we got a 40% discount because of building the house and using a referral) and then an additional $100/month for chemicals and upkeep. In central Texas it is more expensive because the under ground is pure limestone.

misjenn · July 2011

MrsRosie:
AustinMimi:

Ricola:
We have an in ground pool that is about 15000 gallons. It was there already when we bought the house, so I can't tell you about the installation costs. We had a pool company take care of it for the first 2 months and learn from the what to do and now maintain it ourselves (it was $40 a week with the company plus chemicals!). It takes about an hour a week. I would estimate the total cost for chemicals, water tests, tools (like a leafsucker-basket-thingy for example) and extra electricity and water at about $600 - 800 a year. It is SO worth it!

Ditto this, but the estimate for us is higher than $800 a year for chemicals and maintenance that we do ourselves. To give you an idea, our house is under 2K square feet and we currently pay about $500 a month in water / electricity when the pool is in use. It's summer, so of course it will be more b/c of more A/C being used inside, but the pool is open from about April to October. I love having a pool, though. It really is awesome in the summer.

Same for us, although I know ours has more to do with the A/C than the pool. We had someone taking care of our pool for a couple of months, but he basically underbid the job and quit on us because apparently our pool was more work than he told us it would cost. Ugh, yeah, I'm bitter. If we had the time to actually get a bunch of bids, I'm convinced we would probably save money on chemicals by having a professional take care of it. We have just been totally swamped and it takes a lot of time to be home, get bids, check their references, etc when we both work full time.

I do most of the chemical-checking and balancing for our pool becuase DH simply will not keep up with it. When we bought our house, DH swore up and down that he wanted the pool. Now he curses it multiple times a week and threatens to fill it in. My biggest piece of advice, obviously, would be to make sure they can afford to have someone take care of it for them. Especially as they get older.

My best friends husband has a pool company that maintains our pool if you would like his number I'd be happy to give it to you.

Orzapalooza · July 2011

We are in SW austin, I have been looking into building one over the upcoming winter. In our neighborhood people have spent 30-60k as far as I have heard. I want one sooo bad, cant stand this heat!

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