Owning a swimming pool can increase your home’s worth though it is also an unpredictable buy due to our British weather. It is prudent to do more research on the average cost of installing a pool in your home to determine if it’s worth the value it adds. This guide will offer you tips on saving money when installing a swimming pool.
Money-saving tips on pool installation
- Above ground or inground pool
When choosing the right kind of pool for your home, you should be aware of the predominant weather in your area. Places with cool temperatures mostly have an above-ground swimming pool, while the hotter areas have inground pools.
Additionally, above-ground pools are inexpensive as compared to an inground pool. Therefore, they are highly recommended if you’re working on a tight budget and still desire to own a pool in the backyard or porch. It arrives in a kit and takes a few days to install.
However, above-ground pools are not safe to dive in as the deepest is 52 inches deep, neither do they add any value to your property. The average cost of an above-ground pool ranges between £1,000 to £3,000.
- Temporary or permanent
It would be unreasonable to build an indoor pool if you plan to move out of your home. Inground pools are expensive to construct; price ranges between £25,000 up to £70,000 depending on your preference and approximately £9,750 for a complete demolition and ground filling.
Therefore, you should consider how long you desire to stay in that house and if the cost of installing the inground pool will generate a good return should you decide to sell the house.
Removing an above-ground pool is relatively cheap. It cost roughly £156. Since it’s easy to install, having it as a temporary structure will provide you with the service required until you no longer need it.
- Price hunt from multiple companies
If owning a swimming pool has been your most extended dream, it would be sensible to install one that is within your budget. Therefore, ensure you’ve done proper research on the available companies that install swimming pools to select the one that best suits your preferences.
Having information on multiple companies will ease your decision-making process. For example, you can select an installer based on customers’ reviews from their website, warranty services, maintenance costs, and other after-installation services. You can then rank the companies using this criterion to arrive at the best value for money options.
- Forgo the extras
It would be better to let go of features like an infinity edge, spa, bubbler and waterfall. These luxury features are not necessary, especially if you’re money-tight. They are an additional expense to cater for after having the pool installed. The annual price of pool maintenance is around £200. However, it will vary depending on the size of the pool and the additional features around it.
- Check the size
One of the first things that you should consider when installing a pool is its size. A large pool will consume more energy, water and chemicals than a small and functional one. In addition, you’ll need more materials to construct the pool. This will hike your budget.
For example, if your family consists of 6 people or less, consider constructing a 16 by 32ft rectangular shaped pool.
- Check the type of materials.
The materials that you choose for the construction of your pool will determine the overall price. It is recommended that you select materials that are good quality but less expensive, like vinyl. However, the downside of choosing vinyl is that you’ll have to do regular replacements as it is prone to punctures and damages.
- Maintain the pool by yourself
Swimming pools get dirty, whether in use or not. Therefore, you can save some money by cleaning the pool without the help of a professional. In addition, when you frequently check your pool while cleaning, it’s easy to detect a problem and solve it before it becomes a more sizeable and expensive issue.
The annual average cost of maintaining a pool ranges between £150 to £400, depending on your region. Again, when not in use, cover it up to prevent heat loss. It can cost you around £5 per day to £9,000 per year to heat your pool.
Choose a suitable location in your backyard
Installing a swimming pool under the shade of trees will prevent evaporation compared to one exposed to the sun. Although it will increase the need to clean because of the debris from falling leaves, you can avoid this by covering the pool.
Again, it’s recommended to have the pool closer to the house to reduce the cost associated with energy and water.
Money-saving tips on accessories and pool equipment
- Use a pool-solar cover
When buying materials for your new pool, consider purchasing a solar cover. It’s cheaper than electrical or propane covers. In addition, solar covers have various benefits. They include:
- It lowers your electricity/energy bills as it uses energy from the sun to heat your pool.
- It covers your pool. This prevents debris and other dirt from entering your pool during the day and traps the heat in your pool at night.
- It helps in regulating your pool’s evaporation rate. This prevents you from regularly filling your pool with water, thus saving water bills.
- It reduces contamination and the chemicals in the pool will not dilute too quickly, saving you money.
- Use LED pool lights
They are a great accessory as they’re appealing and improve the aesthetic look of your pool. In addition, it enables you to swim at night for extended hours and enhances safety while in the water. One small LED light is long enough to illuminate a 30-foot long pool. Moreover, it consumes less energy and has a long lifespan.
- Downgrade the pump
Contrary to popular belief that a powerful pump is better, it can cause more harm than good. A large pump pushes water through the filter at a high momentum and may not entirely remove the debris and contaminants in the water. In addition, it consumes a lot of energy, causing a spike in your electricity bill.
Downgrading the pump to a smaller one will help in trimming down the bills and since it will pump water through the filter at a slower rate, it will allow the debris and other contaminants to sift through.
- Choose a manual vacuum cleaner
Purchasing a manual vacuum cleaner for your pool may not feel as classy as buying the robot pool cleaners, but they get the work done. They efficiently clean your pool by getting rid of the algae and contaminants. It can cost as little as £17.
Ensure to store the vacuum cleaner in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to prolong the longevity of the cleaner. In addition, rinse it thoroughly to remove the chlorine to avoid build-up.
- Do everything at night
When night falls, the earth absorbs the sun’s rays, so there is more time to sanitise your pool. However, when you add chlorine during the day, it will be broken down too fast by the sun’s UV rays, thus requiring you to replenish it multiple times.
Most electrical companies set their rates highest during the peak hours, 7:00 to 19:00 hrs, so if you can run the pumps at night, there is a higher chance of evading the inflated electricity rates.
The tips mentioned above can help you save money on your swimming pool installation. Some may not appear like it, but they end up being useful in the long run.
