How to Budget for a Swimming Pool

When homeowners begin to plan out a budget for a swimming pool, they consider the pool construction costs, the chemical costs, as well as any maintenance company fees they may need to pay. What you may not expect to budget for when planning a swimming pool are these little items below:

Safety Features

The safety features that you should plan to have built with your pool go beyond simply having a lifesaver ring hanging on a hook.  You’ll need to have a sturdy professionally installed fence surrounding your pool with a self-locking gate.  You’ll need a high quality pool cover that will both help keep the water clean and keep anyone or anything from falling in (though some pool covers may be able to help you save on energy costs, like solar pool covers).

Decking Around the Pool

Decking around the pool is not only attractive, but most decking options offer non-slip surfaces, which make the area around the pool safer for everyone.

Home Insurance

One item that’s sure to go up if you purchase a pool is your home insurance costs.  Though typically not “bank breakingly: significant, it’s important that you plan accordingly so that you’re able to allocate enough in your budget towards that expense.

Your Time

Some homeowners compare owning a home to owning a pet:  it requires daily care.  Every day you’ll need to go out and check your pool’s chlorine levels, pH levels, and acidity levels.  You’ll also need to spend a considerable amount of time cleaning the pool and its components (or prepare to pay a pool maintenance company to come in and do it for you).

Pools Are Not Forever

Finally, no matter how gorgeous your pool is today, it won’t last forever. Many homeowners replace their pool every 10 to 30 years (depending on the type of pool, how well it was maintained, its geological location, etc.), so if you plan on staying in that same home for a long while and enjoy having a pool, plan to need to build a new one in a decade or two.

Shasta Pools is a Phoenix pool builder who provides a variety of services including swimming pool remodeling, commercial pool building, and pool service and repair. Since its establishment in 1967, Shasta has helped over 80,000 families realize their dream of pool ownership. By providing exceptional value, quality craftsmanship and superior customer service, the Shasta team continues to fulfill the corporate mission of astonishing and delighting their customers and exceeding expectations. You can learn more about Shasta Pools & Spas by visiting them online, or by connecting with them on Facebook or Twitter.