Having a swimming pool in your backyard to lounge in during hot weather is something most homeowners love. However, constructing a swimming pool is not one of those simple do-it-yourself projects that many homeowners are tempted to engage in. Constructing even a small pool requires professional expertise. The complexity of choosing the right site, assessing the general terrain, and other physical factors mean that only certified professionals like those at Bella-Aqua Pools and Spas can undertake such projects.
The average cost of constructing a swimming pool can range anywhere from $20 000 and $70 000. As with most home projects, several factors will determine how much an individual will pay.
The above cost is for an in-ground swimming pool—the permanent kind that requires digging a hole in the ground before installing the necessary feature to complete it. While above-ground pools are becoming a thing, they’re far less expensive to install than in-ground ones. As such, the costs mentioned henceforth will be those associated with in-ground pools.
Types of Swimming Pools
The materials used for an in-ground swimming pool will greatly influence its cost of installation. It all comes down to preference. For instance, if you want a pool that mimics ocean water with a seemingly blue hue, you may want to have a material that simulates such color to be installed.
The following are the types of swimming pools based on the material used to line their interior surfaces;
i)Concrete: This is a mixture of gravel, sand, cement, and water in specific proportions. Concrete, when dried, becomes hard. This provides a suitable surface for swimming pools. Gunite is a form of concrete that is used as an alternative to line pool interiors. Before applying the concrete, a steel web is placed onto the pool surface. This ensures that the concrete becomes durable. It takes about four weeks for such concrete to dry completely. A homeowner can expect to pay between $35 000 and $ 65 000 for a concrete pool.
ii) Fiberglass: Fiberglass is a durable material created from polyester resin and numerous glass threads. When used to line the interior of a swimming pool, it gives a light blue appearance with pearly, white streaks. Fiberglass pools are very durable, being able to last for more than 100 years. As such, they tend to be expensive. Expect to pay between $30 000 and $60 000 to have them installed although this cost could go much higher.
iii) Vinyl:Vinyl-lined pools cost between $40 000 and $60 000 to install. With maintenance costs of about $1500 a year, it is relatively cheaper to maintain compared to a fiberglass pool. Unlike the fiberglass pool that can last for over a century, the vinyl used to line pools needs replacement every 10 years or so.
What Influences the Cost of Installing a Pool?
Aside from the material used to line the interior of the pool, several other factors will ultimately determine how much a homeowner pays for a swimming pool installation. These include;
1)Weather and Climate
People that live in hot regions tend to pay less for swimming pool installation. A major reason for this is that in such regions there are plenty of swimming pool contractors, meaning there’s a competition that drives down costs. It is estimated that people in hot regions can pay about 20 percent less than the asking price for pool installation in moderate or cold regions.
Weather is also crucial. Installing a swimming pool is easier on sunny days than during the rainy season because of less disruption. As such, asking a pool contractor to work during the rainy season might cost more.
2) Size
Size is a no-brainer; the bigger the pool size, the more expensive it will be to install. This is not only because of the number of materials needed but also the cost of labor involved. Other crucial aspects of size may include local regulations and the disposal of the ensuing debris. Some jurisdictions charge residents to install a swimming pool beyond a certain size.
3) Terrain
The flat terrain is generally better for pool installation. This is because there won’t be much need for leveling the ground, an expensive undertaking involving hours of strenuous labor. Even for flat terrains, the ground surface also matters. A ground surface that’s made of rocks will cost more as the rocks have to be broken up to enable the digging of the pool pit.
Ultimately, setting up a swimming pool means having significant funds budgeted for this endeavor.