Don't Get Soaked By Long-Term Pool Costs

In continuing a discussion about things I'd like to have in my dream home (including a secret room), an in-ground swimming pool tops the list. I've loved to swim and be near the water since I was a kid, and I've always thought that having a pool in my backyard would be the ultimate indulgence.

Thanks to the Wall Street Journal's thorough breakdown, however, I have a more realistic idea of pool costs. Reporter Brett Arends writes that most financial experts recommend setting aside a whopping $25,000 to $50,000 for an in-ground pool. And that's just the initial cost.

The price of ongoing maintenance is a crucial detail often overlooked by new pool owners. You may need to install a fence as a safety precaution, an addition that's being required by more and more cities.

You'll also need to buy supplies for ongoing pool maintenance, which, even if purchased at a discount outlet, can still add up into the several hundreds of dollars, if not more.

Another important factor? Your time. You'll need to budget several hours for cleaning and upkeep, a task that can become more time-consuming if you live in a heavily treed area. And pools, like most other household appliances or equipment, are subject to repairs for broken pumps, filters or other pieces that are crucial to the pool's cleanliness and functionality.

That being said, a swimming pool can still be a great option for many homes, especially if you live in a climate with consistent, warm summers in which you'll get more use out of your investment. Like any big purchase, however, buying and installing a pool certainly deserves a fair amount of planning, budgeting and forethought before you dive in (pun intended!)

What are your thoughts on swimming pools? Necessary luxury or wasteful expense? Let us know!

Photo by Houlihan Lawrence/Wall Street Journal

Katy Ryan | Comments () |

Larry

We would love if someone could scoop out our pool and take it to their back yard. Monthly expenses, not including electric or water average over $130, and it isn't used but when our daughter comes over. When we first moved in our 3 children enjoyed it and now they are no longer living in the homestead. 'tis expensive, but to fill it in with dirt as some have, or pump it dry would make any future sale of the home less. A catch 22.

Katy Ryan Schamberger

Larry, thanks for sharing your perspective. It's interesting that you mentioned filling in the pool or pumping it dry would decrease the value of your home--that point was more widely addressed in the story, and the writer concluded that a) pools don't add as much resale value as one would think and b) homeowners rarely recoup their pool investment after selling. Still, I agree with you that to have it filled in or dry would be a bigger deterrent than to leave it, but I'm sorry it doesn't get much use!

Allison

I think the climate is a big factor. I'm in Chicago and would never consider a pool unless I could afford the ultimate house with an indoor pool (and a retractable roof for when it is warm....guess I need to play the lottery!). If I was in a warm climate, I would love it, but those costs are a little scary.

Katy Ryan Schamberger

Climate is definitely a huge factor, Allison - I agree. I like your idea about a retractable roof :)