Swimming pools and spas make beautiful additions to almost any home. And they are a very popular home improvement option. But there are lots of hidden costs associated with pools and spas, and you would do well to learn about them beforehand. Here are some things to keep in mind before you install that big beautiful spa and pool that you have been dreaming about.
Of course, everyone knows that swimming pools are expensive to install. And they don’t always add enough value to your home to recover the investment that is made in their installation. To find out for sure, ask some realtors in your area whether you can expect to get your money back or not when you sell your home. If you get enough opinions, you should get a pretty clear idea on the matter.
But even if you can afford a swimming pool and perhaps even a hot tub or spa, installing it is only the beginning of the costs you will incur. A pool and spa is one of those home improvements that will need constant maintenance and attention. So decide in advance whether you have the time and the inclination to maintain it as you should. If you decide that it is going to take too much of your time personally, then you will need to pay an outside service a monthly fee to take care of it for you. Very often the services cost in the neighborhood of $75 — $100 per month. There is almost no other home improvement option that will continue to cost that much to maintain after it is installed. So be sure that the maintenance costs will fit into your monthly budget before you even begin.
The other major considerations with regard to swimming pools and spas are the energy costs to support them. Obviously, the swimming pool pump will take a considerable amount of electricity to operate each day. Many swimming pool owners find that their electric bill increases by as much as $100 to $150 per month. But that is not all!
If you also decide to heat your pool, that is usually done by natural gas. Or if you install a spa or hot tub in your pool, it will also require natural gas for heating. This will be another monthly energy cost to add to the overall expense of running your pool. Many pool and spa owners say that their natural gas bill is doubled just by heating just the spa alone.
On top of all of that, keep in mind that you will have to replace water that evaporates out of the pool from time to time, especially during the summer months. If you happen to live in an area where temperatures get very high, you may have to replace several gallons a week. So be sure to factor in this cost in your monthly swimming pool maintenance budget too.
As you can see, just installing the pool and/or spa is only the beginning. None of this discussion is meant to discourage you from this kind of home improvement, but it is very important that you understand all of the costs that are involved in not only installing the pool but also maintaining it as well.
Some folks think they can install their own inground swimming pool, but our recommendation is that this is one of those projects where it’s best to get a professional involved instead. We hope that the information we have covered will help you be more prepared and informed about the true costs of owning a swimming pool and spa.