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The Daily Insight

Is it worth getting a pool

Author

Robert Spencer

Published Mar 11, 2026

A pool can increase not only your social worth but also the value of your home. However, the increase is probably not as much as you think. According to HouseLogic, there’s no real guarantee that you’ll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home’s value by 7%.

Is it worth it to get an inground pool?

1. Real Estate Value. Despite what you may have heard in the past, YES, an inground swimming pool does increase the value of your home. … A few years ago, the National Association of Realtors stated that on average, an inground swimming pool will increase a home’s value by 4–6%.

What are the cons of having a pool?

CONS: Swimming pools can be dangerous around children and those who don’t know how to swim. If you choose to own a swimming pool you should have the proper safety fencing, and door locks installed on your home. The homeowner can be held responsible for injuries caused in their pool by neighbors, or friends.

Why getting a pool is a bad idea?

Swimming pools are ridiculously expensive to put in and above ground pools are simply trashy. Maintenance costs are high — you need to pay to have a pump running for the whole season, pay for treatment chemicals, pay for the water that you will have to refill due to evaporation and back washing.

Why a pool is a good investment?

Pools keep you home, where you aren’t spending money. Pools may not usually have a 100 percent return on investment, but they also save you money – justifying pool financing. If you and your family are not going out for entertainment, you save on the costs.

Does a pool increase home value?

It won’t be easy since a swimming pool can actually make your home harder to sell. Many buyers consider it a liability rather than a luxury. Under the right circumstances, however, a pool could boost your home’s value by as much as 7%, Houselogic estimates.

Is it expensive to maintain a pool?

Pool Maintenance Cost The average cost to maintain a pool is $80 to $150 monthly or about $960 to $1,800 yearly. For a first-time pool cleaning service, expect to spend $150 to $350 on average. The annual cost to own a pool is $3,000 to $5,000, which includes maintenance, repairs, electricity, and water.

Is it a lot of work to have a pool?

… and Time-Consuming, Too. Do-it-yourselfers should remember that they may save on labor costs, but are still paying with their time. A pool owner can spend five to 10 hours a week maintaining a pool with skimming debris, making sure pool chemicals are in balance, and so on, according to a Money Crashers article.

How much do pools cost?

Type of CostAmountAverage Cost$35,000Highest Cost$55,000Lowest Cost$28,000

Are houses with pools more expensive?

The out-of-pocket costs that come with buying a home are already high, but purchasing a home with a pool is even more expensive. That’s because hiring a traditional home inspector to examine the pool won’t cut it. Most have limited knowledge and training, says Maria Zamora, a real-estate agent based in Addison, Texas.

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Do people want a house with a pool?

Buying a house with a pool comes with its fair share of perks. For one, pool owners have access to their private swimming pool to enjoy whenever they wish. Second, swimming can improve cardiovascular health, flexibility and overall physical well-being. It’s also been proven to boost mental health and quality of life.

Why are pools so expensive?

Usually, this event occurs after a demand or supply shock. In this case, the good is above ground pools. This has started happening because there are very low levels of these in stock now and there is a very high demand for them. … This situation has thus created a higher demand for above ground pools.

Can you just fill in a pool with dirt?

Option 1: Filling in a Pool (Partial Removal) Filling in a pool involves draining the pool, punching holes in the bottom, demolishing the top layer of the pool (18′ – 36′), placing the rubble in the bottom, filling in the pool with additional dirt and topsoil, and compacting the soil.

Why are pools so expensive 2021?

Due to covid factory slowdowns and unprecedented demand for pool and spa products, there are large shortages in chemicals, parts, and equipment. Hurricane Laura caused a fire at one of the main chlorine production plants taking out over 40% of the United States chlorine tablet production.

How much does it cost to fill a pool?

TypeAverage CostAbove Ground Pool Only$300 – $800Above Ground Pool + Deck$1,000 – $3,500Inground Partial Fill-In$2,000 – $10,300Inground Full Removal$4,300 – $16,400

How much does a 12x24 inground pool cost?

12×24 Inground Pool Cost A 12-foot by 24-foot pool is considered medium-sized, and is suitable for swimming laps. The cost for this size, on average, will be between $26,000 and $38,000, depending on the type of material used.

How often should you replace pool water?

Generally, pool water needs to be replaced once every five to seven years. This should be done during mild weather so that your pool surface is not at risk from strong sunlight and heat. Your pool maintenance company can recommend when it is time to drain your pool.

How often does a pool guy need to come?

You may be paying for weekly service but the guy is coming every other week, or even every three weeks. Since pool guys usually come when you’re at work, you have very little way of verifying if and when they’re there. 7. Saltwater pools don’t take care of themselves.

How much does a pool cost in electricity?

How much does a pool cost to run? The average swimming pool will cost between $660 and $1,000 to run annually – consuming between 2,000 and 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.

How long does it take to build a pool?

On Average, How Long Does It Take to Build a Pool? Luckily, you may still have time to enjoy your pool this summer! Although many variables impact installation time, the average for a backyard pool is about six to 12 weeks.

What adds the most value to a home?

  • Kitchen Improvements. If adding value to your home is the goal, the kitchen is likely the place to start. …
  • Bathrooms Improvements. Updated bathrooms are key for adding value to your home. …
  • Lighting Improvements. …
  • Energy Efficiency Improvements. …
  • Curb Appeal Improvements.

How much do pools cost to build?

The average cost of building such a pool along with water filtration system is Rs 1400-3500 per square feet of the floor area. The price will vary based on size, features and accessories you choose to have for your pool. For a small pool (24ft x12ft) for your backyard, it will cost around Rs 10-16 Lakh.

Is it cheaper to build a pool in the winter?

Is it cheaper to build a pool in the winter? Yes, it’s often cheaper to build a pool in the winter because most people book their pool construction for the spring and summer months. Because of this, many pool builders are likely to offer discounts throughout the off-season.

Is a salt pool better than chlorine?

Lower chlorine levels make saltwater pools gentler on skin and eyes. … Chlorine levels in saltwater pools are enough to disinfect, but not enough to fade expensive swimwear and gear. Because of the natural chlorine, saltwater pools require fewer chemicals (and less attention) compared to chlorinated pools.

What is a good size swimming pool?

For a family of 8 people, a pool size of 18 by 36 feet is adequate. Even if you all decide to swim at the same time, there will be enough space for everyone. A rectangular shape is the best choice for this size of the pool. If there are six or less in your family, a pool size of 16 by 32 feet will be sufficient.

How much time does it take to maintain a pool?

The following tasks need to be done regularly to maintain your swimming pool or spa. HomeAdvisor estimates that these tasks require four to eight hours per week. You can hire a pool company to help, which typically costs between $75 and $100 per hour, or you can do it all yourself.

Are above ground pools worth?

An above-ground pool is, by far, the least-expensive option for a pool. Kids love them, and built-in fencing and locking gate options make them safe as long as an adult monitors them. The main disadvantage of an above-ground pool is that it generally adds no value to your home.

How much does a pool house cost?

Average Cost$114,000High Cost$180,000+Low Cost$26,630

How much value do pools add?

How much value does a pool add to a home? The experts are a split on how much a pool can contribute to a home’s value. One HouseLogic study suggests an increase of 7 percent, at most, under ideal conditions, while HGTV reports that the average inground pool can up your property’s value by 5 to 8 percent.

What should I look for when buying a house with a pool?

  1. Safety features that meet local requirements. …
  2. Physical conditions of the pool structure, interior, and materials—and the deck. …
  3. Equipment. …
  4. Other features and accessories.

Will the price of pools go down?

Don’t assume prices will fall: Historically, they don’t. Aside from sales and special offices, the prices of swimming pool installation rise over time, as they do with every other product.