Why Are Pools So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)

 

Adding a swimming pool to your home can be a great way to make the home more enjoyable and more valuable.

The problem with swimming pools is that the initial costs and the ongoing maintenance costs are quite high.

If you are pricing out pools and want to know why they are so expensive, we have some reasons that will help clear this up for you.

As long as you are smart about the size and type of your pool, you may find that the long-term enjoyment you get from the pool will have been well worth the money spent.

Most people don’t complain about having a pool once they have it in place and they are enjoying all that it has to offer.

Here are ten reasons a swimming pool is going to cost you quite a bit of money.

 

Why Are Pools So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)

 

1. Luxury Item

 

Without a doubt, a swimming pool is a luxury item.

There is no way you are going to convince anyone that a swimming pool is something that your home absolutely needs.

Chances are you are putting a swimming pool in because you want one, you think it looks good, or you want to keep your kids entertained.

Each house has different characteristics that will make it stand out from others.

One of the things to consider is that if your pool has a swimming pool, it is going to be considered a luxury or specialty item.

The ability to have a pool likely requires quite a bit of discretionary income.

If you have this type of income, then you will have to pay quite a bit for a pool.

Many times, with luxury items, we see prices that are quite a bit higher.

This is because companies know that you must have a decent amount of money to even consider purchasing a swimming pool.

Once they know you have reached this certain threshold of income, the pricing all starts to go up.

For certain things like roofs or flooring, there are cheaper options to help homeowners who really have no choice but to make a replacement in their home.

With a swimming pool being something that is unique and different (and not necessary), almost all of the prices are going to be premium.

One of the best things to do here is to purchase a smaller above-ground pool.

Even though this is still considered to be a luxury, it is certainly looked at as something much more attainable than a large in-ground swimming pool will be.

 

2. Construction Process

 

Putting a pool in is expensive.

Whether you are putting in an in-ground swimming pool or an above-ground swimming pool, you must be prepared to pay a good amount of money for the pool’s construction.

If the pool is not correctly designed and constructed, it won’t last all that long.

Therefore, the construction process becomes an essential part of the process.

Most yards are not ready for a swimming pool, and there has to be some digging and excavating that has to be done.

For in-ground swimming pools, you will typically need to have a backhoe come into the yard and start making room for the pool.

Those pools with deep ends will require quite a bit of digging and construction.

Once the hole is in place, the actual pool needs to be built, and this will require even more work with construction equipment and large crews of people.

Although you may think about a swimming pool as being something simple and relatively straightforward in your yard, keep in mind that there is much more to it than that.

The construction process of a swimming pool is costly because of all the equipment involved.

When you put in an above-ground pool, the process is typically quite a bit easier.

However, very few people realize how much work is done to level the yard to put an above-ground pool in place.

Above-ground pools require quite a bit of leveling, or they will not function properly.

Water cannot flow through the filter and pump properly if there is an issue with the way that the water is flowing through the pool.

Keep this in mind if you want to avoid issues later on.

You cannot take any shortcuts during the construction process, and because of that, this is going to be more expensive.

 

3. Landscaping

 

A swimming pool is not complete without the proper landscaping around it.

Landscaping is going to help make the finished product look more presentable and complete.

A pool that has no landscaping around it will look a bit off.

Part of the reason that people love swimming pools is that they are going to bring a lovely focal point to the yard.

However, without this focal point, you are going to be disappointed with the overall look of your pool.

The problem with landscaping is that it is an ongoing cost.

If you are keeping up with the landscaping, there will be maintenance costs year after year.

Many times, if your pool is just open seasonally, you will have to place seasonal plants and flowers in a creative way.

In addition to the plants, flowers, and grasses, there are also hardscaping-type things that need to be included in a pool area.

Most pools will have decks, patios, or stone pavers around them.

When you get out of the pool, standing in the grass will likely quickly turn it into mud.

This means that having a proper border around the pool will really help you complete the finished look of the pool.

Some homeowners will find that having the landscaping and patio built around the pool will cost just as much money as the pool itself.

In fact, you can quickly turn a $15,000 pool project into a $65,000 pool project simply by choosing certain landscaping for around the pool area.

In the end, you will have to be careful and diligent about how much you plan to spend on the border of your pool.

The last thing you want is to find out you have run out of money when it comes time to put the landscaping around your pool.

 

4. Pool Chemicals

 

Once your pool is in place, it is going to take quite a few chemicals to keep the water crystal clear.

Not only is it important to keep water in the swimming pool looking good, but you must also ensure that the water in the pool is free of bacteria.

If you are new to the world of pool ownership, you will be shocked at how much a bucket of chlorine can cost.

In addition, this large, heavy bucket can quickly disappear.

If you have a large pool, you will go through hundreds of dollars worth of chlorine in a year.

Chlorine is just one of the many chemicals needed to keep a pool’s water perfect.

Every few days, you should be checking the pool chemicals to see if they are at the proper levels.

There are times that the chemicals will get way off, and you will need products like pH increaser or decreaser, stabilizer, algae out, and more.

These extra products are expensive, and they will only add to the overall costs of maintaining your pool.

Homeowners need to be careful where they store pool chemicals as well.

With the pool chemicals being as dangerous as they are, you must keep them in a temperature-controlled environment where young children and pets do not have access to them.

Dealing with pool chemicals is the least fun part of owning a pool.

Sometimes you will go into a pool store and come out having spent $300, and you’re not even sure how it happened.

When deciding to invest in a pool, make sure that you are considering the monthly costs as well as the initial costs.

When you put a pool in, the expenses do not end that day; they will continue for years.

 

5. Pool Pump/Filter

 

A pool pump and filtration system are expensive.

Whether you have an above-ground pool or an in-ground pool, you will have to make sure that the water in the pool stays clean.

The only way to do that is with the proper filtration.

Pool water needs to be moved and cleaned, and therefore, it has to go through the filter system.

If you do not have a pool pump or filter, your pool is going to essentially be a swamp in your backyard.

As you may have guessed, this equipment that keeps your pool clean is expensive.

If you have a problem with a filter or a pump, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in replacement costs.

For those who are purchasing a pool, the initial costs of these items are going to sometimes come as a surprise.

Be prepared to spend a few thousand dollars to get a great pool pump and filter system.

Although the money spent upfront may be difficult to deal with, you will want the more efficient, higher-performing pool equipment.

In the end, having the ability to keep your pool free of dirt and bacteria will help you enjoy the time that you have in the pool.

Essentially, there is no reason to put a pool in if you can’t enjoy it.

Looking for pool pumps that are energy efficient can be a smart idea.

Although you will have to pay a bit more money upfront, your operating costs are going to be quite a bit lower as you use the pool through the years.

 

6. Maintenance Expenses

 

Maintenance expenses are high when it comes to pools.

If you hire a pool company to come in and handle your pool maintenance, be prepared to pay close to as much as you pay for your lawn maintenance expenses.

Pool maintenance companies tend to charge a lot because most pool owners feel as though they are not capable of maintaining their own pool.

This is because pool maintenance requires a basic understanding of science, pool cleaning, plumbing, and even a bit of electricity.

Most of the time, you can quickly learn how to maintain your own pool.

However, if you are apprehensive about this process, make sure that you are budgeting a good amount of money to have someone do it for you.

In addition, if your pool is located under a tree and has leaves or any other type of debris that could fall into the pool, be prepared to vacuum your pool quite often.

Having to vacuum and clean the pool out takes a good amount of time.

If you are someone who is very busy, the process will likely become annoying.

Maintenance expenses for pools are high, and so are the running costs.

When you run the pool, it takes quite a bit of electricity to keep it running.

If something comes up and you must shock the pool, not only do you have to pay for shock treatment chemicals, but you will also need to have the filter run overnight to properly get the shock distributed throughout the pool.

Maintenance expenses are a part of the overall pool puzzle that has to be considered and accounted for.

 

7. Supply And Demand

 

Swimming pools have become more and more popular in the last few years.

People are spending more time at home and away from public pools.

This is causing an increase in the demand for swimming pools and a decrease in the supply.

Those who are finding that they want a pool may have a hard time locating one.

If you are looking for a tremendous in-ground swimming pool, it may be a little easier than the above-ground pool.

People who were looking for a relatively cheap and fun way to enjoy their yard were happy to put in an above-ground pool.

The above-ground pool is a much smaller scale project than the in-ground pool, but this does not mean that it comes without any hassle.

You will have to spend quite a bit of time making sure that you find the right pool for your home, and that can prove to be harder than it was in the past.

The supply and demand issue is something that has been going on for many years.

Finding a great product when everyone else in the world is looking for the same thing will cost you more money.

It costs more money today to put a swimming pool in than it did two years ago.

For those who want the pool, the price is worth it.

Those who are borderline about this being a good investment or not will have a hard time putting out enough money to purchase this expensive home addition.

 

8. Increase In Home Value

 

If you put a nice pool in your home, you can expect to pay quite a bit of money for it.

The pool is going to help to increase the value of your home.

Of course, you must ensure that all permits are filed and that the pool is properly done.

This is the only way to ensure that it will be worth the extra money in the end.

Most of the time, people are going to love to have a pool at their house, and they will pay a bit more money to be able to secure a home that has the pool.

If you are looking for something that has room for a pool, you will likely be pleasantly surprised to see a pool is almost done.

Pools add so much entertainment to a home that people find it to be a really nice option to have.

If you are putting a pool in, be sure that you do it for your own benefit and not solely for the increase in home value.

However, one of the perks that are often not talked about is the fact that your home value should go up after putting a pool in.

 

9. Fencing & Safety

 

When you put a pool in, you are going to need an additional inspection to make sure the pool is ready for you and your guests to enjoy.

For most areas of the country, one of the rules and regulations that is almost always in place is that all pools will need a fence around them.

If you don’t have a fence around your pool, you could be subject to fines and issues related to this.

The idea with a fence is that you will need to ensure that your family is protected as well as the families of neighboring property owners.

As a homeowner with a pool, your biggest nightmare is for there to be an accident related to pool safety.

Putting in a swimming pool fence is one of the best ways to help avoid injuries and accidents.

Of course, the fact that you have no real choice about the fencing and safety is going to increase the pricing of this part of the project.

Sometimes being stuck in a situation like this where you have no way around it means that you can expect to pay thousands of dollars whether you like it or not.

Fencing and safety make pools expensive, but there is really nothing that can be done to get around the idea.

 

10. Custom Designs And Add-Ons

 

Last but certainly not least, pools go from expensive to very expensive when you look at custom designs and add-ons.

Some homeowners will look for certain custom designs that end up significantly increasing the price that you pay for a swimming pool.

These things can be different shapes, diving boards, slides, and more.

Pools can have lights, tables, umbrellas, or even a hot tub combined with the pool.

There are so many different ways that a swimming pool can be created and put together that you will have to make quite a few decisions as you go through this process.

Some of the sprayers or fountain planters are going to be very tempting, but they are going to impact the price you pay for the pool.

Be prepared to put quite a bit of money into custom designs and add-ons for your pool.

Just when you think you have uncovered all possible expenses, chances are you will find something else that stands out and needs your attention financially.

Swimming pools are an excellent addition to a home.

When you are in the middle of the summer, and the temperatures outside are near 100 degrees, there is no question that swimming in the pool is going to be your only reprieve.

Although the pricing is high, there are ways to take on some of the work yourself and help to keep pricing down.

In addition, some solar panels are being introduced to help power things like the pool pump or heaters.

This is a great alternative to help keep overall costs down.