What To Consider When Planning Your Pool
A swimming pool in your backyard can be an oasis for the whole family to enjoy, but it is a real investment. That means there are a variety of different things to consider when planning your pool design.
From the budget of your construction to the ongoing costs of running a pool, a lot depends on what you want to achieve. The decisions you make can either decrease or increase the cost of your pool, so it’s worth spending some time to think about all aspects of your pool project before diving straight in.
For the full picture when it comes to planning how much to spend on your pool – and what to spend it on – here’s our guide for homeowners. We’ll break down the smart things to consider to help you get the backyard paradise for the right budget.
What to consider when planning your pool budget
Clearly, one of the biggest aspects of your pool budget planning will come down to exactly what you want your finished pool to look and feel like.
You can be flexible in how much a swimming post costs to build, especially with the following construction factors:
- Size – The bigger the budget, the bigger the pool, but small backyards can still benefit from the luxury of a smaller spa pool, lowering the cost.
- Style – A simple, no-frills geometric pool will cost less than an infinity pool to build.
- Extras – There are so many optional extras for pools these days and it’s all about what helps you get the most enjoyment from yours. The more fountains, waterfalls, or jets you have, the more budget you need to set aside.
These are the upfront aspects of your pool budget, with the other half an ongoing budget to consider. And remember, what you select from the above in the construction of your pool will have an impact on at least one of the next five points.
Pool chemical costs
Pool chemical costs are something you should factor into your ongoing budget, with the size of your pool impacting how much chlorine you’ll need. The larger and deeper the pool, the more you should set aside as you have to match your chemical quantities to water volumes. Most pool owners should anticipate spending anywhere from $20 to $50 for chemicals each month, a fairly small price to pay for the amount of use you’ll get out of a pristine pool.
You can, however, attempt to offset some of this cost by buying your chemicals in bulk and in the off-peak seasons when there may be sales to take advantage of. In addition to this, make sure you keep a cover on your pool in the off-peak season so that you don’t have to use lots of chemicals or cleaning products to get the pool ready again in spring.
Pool energy costs
Most modern pools today that are running with either one and a half or two HP motors will draw energy costs ranging from $60 to $80 per month. If your pool has a large or outdated motor, then you can expect to spend more every month on pool costs. In fact, you can save up to 90% on energy costs just by switching to a variable-speed pump. This pump allows you to alter the speed of the pump to control the water flow over long periods with lower energy consumption.
It’s vital that you keep these pumps running for long periods when you may not be using the pool as it helps to keep the water moving and filters out any bacteria. Stagnant water attracts algae and you’ll find it just gets more and more murky, making it costly to restore.
We’ll cover more on maintenance later, but regularly skimming your pool and emptying the baskets will help to reduce the strain in the system. This will help you lower the run time for the filter and pumping equipment.
Pool water costs
This expense will vary greatly, so definitely check the water rates in your area to get a clear idea of how much you can expect to spend. If you have a typical 12,000-gallon pool, you can usually expect to pay under $50 per month.
Covering your pool can help to prevent the evaporation of your pool water, saving you gallons of water every year — they’re also great for stopping debris from falling into your pool.
Another top tip is to make sure swimmers enjoying the pool only splash inwards, as games that splash water out of the pool will create additional cost when it comes to replacing it.
Finally, vigilance over leaks will help you to lower your water bills. Even the smallest leak can start to grow your water bills as time goes on, not to mention the damage it can cause around the outside of the pool on your property.
Pool maintenance costs
Pool maintenance is not something you can overlook if you want to protect your investment. You can attempt to take care of all the cleaning, chemical balancing, and general upkeep for your pool but that means you’ll spend less time actually enjoying it!
By outsourcing pool maintenance to a professional company like ours, you get peace of mind knowing your pool is always in top condition. At Riverbend Sandler, we offer professional pool maintenance to extend the life of your pool and keep it fresh for you and your family to make the most of.
If you plan on hiring a cleaning service, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $300 a month, with the average hovering around the $150 mark. While this is a cost to consider, it could be far more cost-effective in terms of both your time and money. Don’t forget, you’d need to invest in a pool vacuum and various other equipment if you wanted to carry out your own maintenance, something that can quickly add up.
Pool safety costs
High on your list of priorities should be making – and keeping – your pool safe for everyone to use. From fencing around the pool to protect children and keep animals out to special features, such as an alarm that lets you know if someone or something falls in the pool, it’s an additional cost but you can’t put a price on safety, especially when it comes to children.
The added value of a swimming pool
While these costs might seem to add up quickly, when you consider the amount of fun and relaxation you’ll get out of your new swimming pool, it’s definitely worth it. Whether you’re hosting family and friends, exercising, or simply unwinding at the end of the day, there are so many ways to enjoy your own private pool — it’s a great way to spend quality time together at home without having to spend additional money on activities outside of the home.
Owning a swimming pool is an investment in your health and well-being and will pay you back year after year in a better quality of life. Aside from this, it’s also a long-term investment in the value of your property, with homes that come with a pool being worth more when it comes time to move. People are often more attracted to properties that have a pool in place and will be willing to pay more for the luxury.
At Riverbend Sandler, we’re a leading Dallas pool builder, remodel, and service provider, serving Plano, Dallas, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Celina, Highland Park, Park City, University Park, Prosper, and surrounding areas. With over 30 years of experience, we’re an award-winning pool builder providing quality construction and excellent customer service.
With the mission of “Creating lifetime pools for lifetime customers”, we remain a family-run company dedicated to the ideals that only a personal commitment can uphold. Through award-winning design, high-tech construction processes, conscientious customer care, and ongoing support, we pride ourselves on keeping customers for life!
For more Dallas pool builder tips, see our Help & Advice section. Alternatively, if you need inspiration for your new swimming pool, take a look at our portfolio of recent projects — see what our pool design and construction team can do for you, and then call us to discuss your dream pool.
