Owning a swimming pool is a dream that most homeowners share. It is a major investment decision where you can’t afford to go wrong. It requires some serious groundwork before you take the plunge and zero in on a pool. There are countless considerations to make. After all, you can’t simply decide on a pool by looking at a pretty picture on Pinterest. There are questions to consider like do you want the pool to be concrete, fibreglass, or vinyl? How much can you afford? What are the maintenance costs like over the years?
In this blog, we give you beneficial tips and tricks that you may want to consider before getting your dream pool installed in your backyard. Let’s dive in straight!
1. Chalk Out the Budget
A swimming pool project involves plenty of variables, from the pool’s construction and installation costs to ongoing costs and more. So, the first aspect you should think about before buying a pool is deciding on a budget. After you decide how much you are willing to spend, you can look at the pool options available within that budget.
Your pool builder can work in close collaboration with you to understand your pool requirements and suggest the best fit accordingly. Remember to account for any added extras when you make your budget. It’s prudent to consider long-term expenditure in your budget to give you a fair idea of how much your pool will cost over the years.
2. Know Why You Want A Pool
Stop and analyze why you do wish to install a swimming pool? Is it for entertainment? To host regular pool parties? For relaxation? For kids? Or, for fitness? Whatever it may be, answering these questions can help you decide what pool might be best suited for you. The intended goal of your swimming pool will also have an influence on its style, shape, and size.
For instance, if you want a pool for fitness, a lap pool can be ideal for you. Or, if the idea is to use the pool for relaxation, a swim spa or a plunge pool might be a great pool option.
3. Determine the Maintenance Costs
It is pivotal that you factor in the ongoing costs of owning a pool. For example, every 10 to 15 years, you need to resurface a concrete pool which comes to $10,000 on average. If you look at vinyl liner pools, they require replacements every 5 to 10 years which may cost $4,000 on average. Whereas, fibreglass pools don’t require replacement or resurfacing over the lifespan of the pool. This is the reason they are increasingly becoming the preferred choice of homeowners.
4. Keep Margin for Additional Costs
As mentioned earlier, apart from the upfront costs, you must account for any additional expenses that may not be excluded from your quote. Water features, landscaping, heating, easy maintenance features, paving and more can be included for an additional cost. You can ask them to be included in your quote so you get a fair idea of the amount you will be spending. Let your pool builder inform you about the options available so you can finalize the features you want for your sparkling home pool.
5. Decide When You Want to Install the Pool
The obvious choice that comes to mind for installing a pool is in summer so you can dive right in and enjoy a refreshing swim. However, summers are peak times for the pool industry and it may not be possible to have the pool installed right when you want it. Conversely, in winters, the pool industry is less busy and you can also hope to get great deals and discounts at this time. Installing your pools in winter can save you a lot of money.
6. Decide the Location of Your Pool
Often, some homeowners decide to install a pool at a spot in the backyard where it is the easiest and least expensive to install. However, this is not the right approach. While deciding on the location of your pool, check if the chosen spot is shady and has a lot of trees. If that’s the case, you will have to shell out more money for heating the water in the pool. Not to forget, the leaves will fall into the pool and create a mess more often, also disrupting your pool’s chemical levels.
7. Build A Vision of The Look You Want
Make sure your pool designer fully understands the look you are aiming for with your pool installation. It must tie cohesively to the overall vibe of your house and harmoniously sync with the backyard surroundings. Whether you are following some pool ideas you found on the net or have some customized features in your mind, the trick is to balance the desired features against your budgetary requirements.
8. Decide Which Type of Pool to Install
There are three main types of swimming pools that are popular amongst homeowners. They include fibreglass pools, vinyl liner pools, and concrete pools. Selecting the right type of pool for your house can save you a lot of money over the years. fibreglass pools have been climbing the charts as they are virtually nonporous, which makes them bacteria and algae-resistant. They are the least time-consuming to install and are highly cost-effective.
9. Check the Warranties
The significance of a warranty cannot be over-stressed. Whenever you think of getting a pool installed, make sure it comes with a strong warranty. Most notable pool companies offer lifetime warranties to their customers on pools and their construction. This can take the stress away from your mind as you know in case of any unforeseen event, your pool is covered.
10. Choosing the Best Pool Builder
The Internet has made it easier to choose the right pool builder for yourself based on your budget, location, and needs. But at the same time, scores of online pool builders to choose from can sometimes leave you confused. Make sure you pick a licensed and insured pool builder who has a proven track record for success.
You can visit their website, read reviews and feedbacks of past customers, the average time of completing a project, and more. If you end up hiring someone who is not qualified for the job, it can drive up your expenses considerably and leave you unsatisfied with a shoddy pool installation.
Key Takeaways
Installing a pool in your home is a big decision – one that needs careful consideration of all the factors involved. Right from determining your budget and deciding the type of pool to picking the right pool builder, every factor plays a key role in ensuring you have the dream pool installation.
We, at Swimming Pools Brisbane, are leaders in the pool industry with 15 years of experience in manufacturing and installing high-quality Fibreglass Swimming Pools for thousands of happy customers. If you are considering the installation of a swimming pool in your backyard, get in touch with our friendly team. We would be more than happy to walk you through the process, understand your needs and offer the best pool solutions to you.