HOT PROPERTY

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INSTALLING AN IN-GROUND POOL

If

you can envision yourself happily floating in your backyard pool or playing with the kids on hot summer days, here’s some things to investigate prior to pool installation:

1. Expense: Buying a pool doesn’t come cheap: According to Forbes Advisor, the average cost to install an in-ground pool is $35,000. Continued maintenance is also a cost factor.

2. Backyard suitability: Do you have enough room for the pool size you want? Can the builder’s trucks and machinery get easy access to your yard? Do you have the right soil consistency? Know before putting any deposits down.

3. Care: Keeping the water clean and safe is priority one. “Without proper maintenance, pathogens like Cryptosporidium and E. coli can grow,” says Sabeena Hickman, president and CEO of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.

“Poor water quality, such as low circulation, also creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, other pests, and the diseases they may carry.” Keeping the filter clean is also a weekly (or biweekly) chore.

4. Features: What does your dream pool look like? Possibilities include having a sloping pool entrance, a tanning ledge, a mosaic tile pattern, swim-up bar, wooden decking or a center island. You can also include features like waterfalls, fountains or even a water slide.

5. Material: Fiberglass, vinyl, or concrete?

Hickman says that which one you choose depends on budget, location, pool size, aesthetics, and how it will be used.

6. Safety: How can you keep a pool safe for children and pets? Hickman’s group suggests always having undistracted adult supervision at the pool and installing secure barriers like fencing, drain covers and alarms.

7. Privacy: Will it bother you if your neighbors can see your pool and its occupants? If the answer is yes, plan on using landscaping such as trees and shrubs to block the view. Fencing will work as well. You may want to consider also adding a shaded area nearby to get some sun relief.

8. Permitting: Some cities and towns require homeowners to get a permit before breaking ground. Licensed local builders will know what’s required in your area but you could also check with your municipality for details.

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An in-ground pool can increase a home’s value, but requires consideration and care.

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