Should a Swimming Pool Cost as Much as a Car?
The sky is the limit when it comes to spending money on a swimming pool, so here are some important factors to consider
Summer is over, so if you’re thinking about building a pool to have ready for the next swimming season, now is the time to do it. The amount of money you can spend on a pool varies widely, depending on size, style, site and associated landscaping. Pools are rarely cheap, but (like a car) are quite often well worth the expense. Before you take the plunge, however, make sure you take the time to consider these questions.
Does the site suit an in-ground or above-ground pool?
In-ground pools are obviously more expensive, because there is excavation and waste removal required. However, they’re also a lot more popular as they can be easily integrated into the design of your backyard or outdoor area. But as this elegant example shows, above-ground pools can be beautiful if thought is put into the design.
View more above-ground pools
In-ground pools are obviously more expensive, because there is excavation and waste removal required. However, they’re also a lot more popular as they can be easily integrated into the design of your backyard or outdoor area. But as this elegant example shows, above-ground pools can be beautiful if thought is put into the design.
View more above-ground pools
What’s the difference between a pre-cast fibreglass shell or concrete sprayed on site?
A fibreglass shell is cheaper, but you are limited by the size and shapes that your pool company manufactures. A pool that’s concreted on site gives you complete design freedom.
A fibreglass shell is cheaper, but you are limited by the size and shapes that your pool company manufactures. A pool that’s concreted on site gives you complete design freedom.
Will the pool be tiled or pebblecreted?
If you’ve gone down the concrete pool route, you then need to decide whether the pool will be covered with mosaic tiles – giving you complete freedom in terms of colour and potential design – or lined in pebblecrete (the more cost-effective option that gives you a standard pebble finish, although coloured options are also available). Concrete pools can also be painted – which gives you an endless choice of colour options.
If you’ve gone down the concrete pool route, you then need to decide whether the pool will be covered with mosaic tiles – giving you complete freedom in terms of colour and potential design – or lined in pebblecrete (the more cost-effective option that gives you a standard pebble finish, although coloured options are also available). Concrete pools can also be painted – which gives you an endless choice of colour options.
Is decking or paving included?
Pools don’t just sit in the ground surrounded by grass – they need to have a pool surround which could be timber decking, stone, tiles or a concrete slab. Whatever the finish is, you need to find out if it’s included in the pool quote you’ve been given. The pool surround material will have a huge visual impact on your backyard, so consider your choices carefully and think about whether it can or should include built-in seating or sunbeds.
Designing a small-space pool
Pools don’t just sit in the ground surrounded by grass – they need to have a pool surround which could be timber decking, stone, tiles or a concrete slab. Whatever the finish is, you need to find out if it’s included in the pool quote you’ve been given. The pool surround material will have a huge visual impact on your backyard, so consider your choices carefully and think about whether it can or should include built-in seating or sunbeds.
Designing a small-space pool
What about the pool fence?
All pools in Australia are required by law to be surrounded by a child-safe fence – and for good reason. However, ‘fence’ is a pretty broad term – a gorgeous, frameless glass balustrade is more expensive than a standard metal pool fence. Glass balustrades start at around AU$550 per lineal metre. To fence three sides of a 10-metre-long pool, for example, could cost upwards of AU$12,000. Both budget and aesthetics need to be considered here.
All pools in Australia are required by law to be surrounded by a child-safe fence – and for good reason. However, ‘fence’ is a pretty broad term – a gorgeous, frameless glass balustrade is more expensive than a standard metal pool fence. Glass balustrades start at around AU$550 per lineal metre. To fence three sides of a 10-metre-long pool, for example, could cost upwards of AU$12,000. Both budget and aesthetics need to be considered here.
Will your pool be heated?
No matter how temperate the climate is that you live in, you’ll probably get more use from your pool if it’s heated – and if you live in Tasmania, it’s pretty
much non-negotiable. If you do decided to heat your pool, you need to consider whether it will be gas, electric or solar heated. Solar heating is the most cost-effective option, but no matter what type you go with, it’s best considered when you are building your pool, rather than trying to retrofit it later.
No matter how temperate the climate is that you live in, you’ll probably get more use from your pool if it’s heated – and if you live in Tasmania, it’s pretty
much non-negotiable. If you do decided to heat your pool, you need to consider whether it will be gas, electric or solar heated. Solar heating is the most cost-effective option, but no matter what type you go with, it’s best considered when you are building your pool, rather than trying to retrofit it later.
How should the pool be maintained?
Pools are not a set-and-forget proposition, they require regular maintenance to keep them looking good and staying safe. Before you dive into a pool purchase, talk to an independent pool maintenance service and ask about annual costs – there are things like power, chemicals and time to consider, as well as issues like tea leafing [micro rubber particles from solar pool systems] and black spotting [algae]. A regular monthly pool maintenance service can cost around AU$100 per month.
How to maintain your pool in winter
Pools are not a set-and-forget proposition, they require regular maintenance to keep them looking good and staying safe. Before you dive into a pool purchase, talk to an independent pool maintenance service and ask about annual costs – there are things like power, chemicals and time to consider, as well as issues like tea leafing [micro rubber particles from solar pool systems] and black spotting [algae]. A regular monthly pool maintenance service can cost around AU$100 per month.
How to maintain your pool in winter
So, is it still worth getting one?
Pools can be a great addition to a family home (they keep kids happy for hours), but they can be costly to both install and maintain, so make sure you consider it from every angle before taking the plunge.
TELL US
What style of pool do you prefer: tropical resort or clean and modern? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Browse a gallery of pools
Pools can be a great addition to a family home (they keep kids happy for hours), but they can be costly to both install and maintain, so make sure you consider it from every angle before taking the plunge.
TELL US
What style of pool do you prefer: tropical resort or clean and modern? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Browse a gallery of pools
Pool builders often get asked: “How much does a swimming pool cost?” And the answer is similar to the question of “How much does a car cost?” It all depends how much you want to spend and what type of pool you want. When planning a pool, it’s important to remember that there are a number of factors to consider before you start floating on your inflatable swan, mocktail in hand.