When you decide to build a pool in your back garden, it is an exciting time!
You will have an inbuilt exercise option, which is great in the summer, and this feature will also add several thousand dollars to the value of your home.
Of course, the planning stage is not all fun and games, and when it comes to having a pool installed, here are some of the things you need to consider.
Safety & Landscaping
When you share your home with younger children, the first thing you will want to think about is safety and landscaping when you are installing a pool.
You will need to research everything from non-slip surfaces for around the pool, as well as look into frameless glass railings, which can provide your kids with something to hold on to, without the issue of line-of-sight issues for cameras. Of course, you should also research pool covers and glass fencing for around the pool, which will protect children and any pets.
If you want to up the landscaping around your pool for a luxury vibe, then you will need to look into options that minimise debris, such as trees that don’t drop leaves or pollen, and low-shedding plants. This will reduce slip risks and will also reduce pressure on any pool filters.
Permits, Zoning & Regulations
When you start putting blueprints together, you should begin looking at local building codes and zoning laws. There may be restrictions on pool sizes, and there may also be mandatory safety features needed. As this pool is going to be a permanent feature of your garden, you will also likely need to get your hands on permits for excavation, as well as plumbing and electrical work for filters and heaters.
Site Selection & Layout
Where is the pool going to go? You will need to ensure that it is near enough to the house that you can oversee it, while also ensuring that there is space for privacy, filters, heaters, and so on.
If the ground in your garden is uneven, you may need to have a geotechnical survey to ensure that the ground will not shift once the pool is installed.
Utilities & Infrastructure
Of course, a pool is going to need a lot of utilities to run smoothly, so you will need to talk to electricians and plumbers to confirm that it will have access to your home’s water supply and electricity, both of which are essential for cleaning and running pumps and heaters. These professionals will also be needed to plan the plumbing lines, the wiring, and the gas lines if you are using a heater that is not solar-powered.
Budget & Long-Term Costs
As you may have guessed, this is not a cheap undertaking, and when planning a pool, you need to assess what your budget can cover. You need to factor in the excavation, rerouting of water, electricity, and even the cost of fencing and decking.
Also, you will need to factor in the ongoing expenses, such as chemicals, cleaning, pool insurance, and seasonal maintenance.
Long story short, building a pool is costly and can be stressful, but long-term, it can be a great asset to your kids, your family’s health, and, providing it is maintained, it can add a lot of money to the cost of your home, should you wish to sell it.
