Swimming Pool Costs?

Hi -

We are looking at houses with swimming pools and I've always heard that expenses are high. Can anyone fill me in on expenses they've had with their own swimming pools? Was the expense worth the benefit?

I personally think that a pool is worth it in Arizona. It makes the summers so much more enjoyable. Basically for costs, you need chlorine and acid every month. You tend to use more chemicals in the summer. It also will raise your electricity a bit. We just built a pool last year and I think our electricity bill went up about 20 a month. I am estimating here but....

I have a question that I never even though about before.

I am looking at three houses west of Phoenix. Only 1 has a pool. It is inground. (I prefer one of the homes w/out the pool, but will probably end up putting in a pool.)

My question is, if the pool can be inground, then why are houses built on a slab instead of over a crawlspace?

2nd question, what is the cost of insurance for having a pool?

Appreciate your feedback.

My question is, if the pool can be inground, then why are houses built on a slab instead of over a crawlspace?

I don't see the correlation. What does an inground pool have to do with a house being built on a slab vs. having a crawl space?

Think I should have said grade level.

I would want part of my crawlspace in the ground, instead of starting at grade level. My current crawl is 8', all of it above ground, makes the house look funny & way too high.

I have yet to look at a house that wasn't built on a slab. I want a crawl space, need someplace to store my junk. I don't figure I'll have much of a yard, and if I have to put in a pool, I can't have outbuildings in the way.

Thanks for your time.

Ahh.. I see. If you want a house with a crawlspace here, you'll probably have to find something built in the 1920s.

But if you can find a house without vaulted ceilings, then the attic is a good place to store junk.

I have the same questions about pool costs...

Insurance costs?

Annual or monthly chemical/upkeep costs?

Utility costs?

Realizing it depends on the size of the pool.

I don't live in Arizona, but I had a pool in my last house, so I can offer my two cents worth. Our pool was above ground, so I'm not sure about inground pools. If you are the type of person who can commit time to maintaining the pool it is DEFINATELY worth it. Pool supplies run about $150 for your startup chemicals and $75 for your close up (provided this is done in Arizona ???) chemicals per year, and about 10-15 dollars a month for maintenance. Wal Mart is the place to buy pool supplies. The chemicals are top quality, and much less expensive than a pool supply store. If you use the 6 month algeacide rather than the monthly algeacide, you save on costs there also. The only drawback to a pool is that it must be maintained daily, including checking PH, Clorination, etc. It takes about 10 minutes a day to do this. It also must be "shocked" with Chlorine once a week religiously or you could mess up the chemical balance. In a nut shell, I'd say go for the pool. As long as you have some time to maintain it, it is absolutely worth it.

One thing I didn't mention is that if something goes wrong with the pool, housecalls for repairs are expensive, but hopefully with preventative maintenance that won't be an issue.

AZSNOWSTORM & brian thinnes:

I am about to built a pool and spa for my house. I called my home insurance to check what the cost of insurance or if my rate will increase after I built the pool...The insurance said no increase in the house insurance as long as the pool is not attach to the house...you may want to check with your insurance too? but they (or the city) will require that you have safety locks and gates though...

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