Pool Costs in Chicago Suburbs

[linicx]

I agree 100%. I agree the mandatory daily work like the pH water tests and skimming can become annoying after a while, but, it is part of the maintenance required for every pool. In the end there is nothing as inviting or quite as satisfying as the shimmering water in your own in ground pool.

Originally Posted by whakru

I have lived in two houses with in ground pools and I loved it. In fact I can't wait to buy my next house because I will get a pool again (my current house does not have one).

Having said that, there is a fair amount of work to keep a pool in good shape all season. You need to test it every day and add chemicals based on those results. While auto pool vacuums work on a lot of things they don't take care of all the floating things or even worse the creatures that get in there and need to get out. So you will have to manually vacuum about once a month and use the net daily to take care of the floaters. Lastly, when it stays hot for long periods of time you always run the risk of algae no matter how vigilant you are with the chemicals. If your pool is heated then that is an additional cost. At least you can do all the cleaning and stuff while you are outside!

I still think that it is worth all of the maintenance if you really love a pool. It gives your yard a resort feel and there are no crowds and no times that you are told you can't swim. I can't wait to have one again!

[chet everett]

... floating in some other sucker's pool is way better. Heck just 'cuase I worn folks about "freeloading neighbors" does not mean I'm not one ...

Don't worry, I always bring PLENTY of beer / wine / hors 'd ourves and I never MOD CUT

Originally Posted by linicx

I agree 100%. I agree the mandatory daily work like the pH water tests and skimming can become annoying after a while, but, it is part of the maintenance required for every pool. In the end there is nothing as inviting or quite as satisfying as the shimmering water in your own in ground pool.

[middle-aged mom]

The last pool I had was in NJ. All in, it ran about $1200/season. That was almost 10 years ago. We had the pool opened and closed by a professional pool maintenance company and handled the day to day on our own. It took us awhile to figure out the right chemical balance and we had the water professionally tested at a pool supply store weekly during the first year until we got the hang of it. Once we had it figured out, it took just minutes a day. (( We had an automatic pool cheaner machine whoich for unknown reasons, pool owners name like a family member. The worst part was checking the filter each morning for frogs, field mice and so on.

Electricity and gas were the greatest incremental expenses.

Homeowner insurance in NJ is off the charts expensive, with or without a pool, due to fraud.

That pool with attached hot tub, paved decking and fencing cost us about $55K in 1998. Pools are common in NJ because the season is longer and almost expected at certain price points. In Chicagoland, it's rare for anyone to recover the cost of pool installation, especially in this market. It often becomes a gift to the buyers. The trick is to find a home you want that has a pool that has been well maintained.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by whakru

I have lived in two houses with in ground pools and I loved it. In fact I can't wait to buy my next house because I will get a pool again (my current house does not have one).

Having said that, there is a fair amount of work to keep a pool in good shape all season. You need to test it every day and add chemicals based on those results. While auto pool vacuums work on a lot of things they don't take care of all the floating things or even worse the creatures that get in there and need to get out. So you will have to manually vacuum about once a month and use the net daily to take care of the floaters. Lastly, when it stays hot for long periods of time you always run the risk of algae no matter how vigilant you are with the chemicals. If your pool is heated then that is an additional cost. At least you can do all the cleaning and stuff while you are outside!

I still think that it is worth all of the maintenance if you really love a pool. It gives your yard a resort feel and there are no crowds and no times that you are told you can't swim. I can't wait to have one again!

I soooo agree. We have 6 months on/6 months off and I am married to my pool boy ,so no problemo.
I can not tell you how often I float around on a hot Sunday with a margareta and thank the heavans.
Its little time to check the chemical balance. Our neighbors with brand new pools opted for salt water.
Say its easier. We are very popular with friends/relatives around july 4th but thru the years have tapered down being "suckers" to free loaders (talking to the likes of you chet) A pool, hot sun, music, cocktails and NO free loaders is summer to me. Well worth every penny.

And YES to Middle age mom,, those frogs/salamanders in the baskets (early morn job) are the WORST.YUUUCK