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I've been in the pool business for like 12 years or so, maybe more.
It took me until last summer with the begging and pleading of my wife and kids to finally build a pool. I know better
Quote:
Originally Posted by nyc-li
We're getting one this summer. Is it really that terrible?!?
For a guy that works on them 70+ hours a week 8 months a year...
Then has to come home and do it all again...
YES!
Honestly, a pool is great to have if you have the time and patience to maintain it. Or the dough to hire a company to maintain it.
Some people just don't realize what they're getting into as far as taking care of a pool, which doesn't always stop at the end of the summer.
Sometimes things happen to the pool over the winter too.
It's a big responsibility, a pool is not for everyone.
I grew up with a pool. I loved it as a kid, have some great memories. I intend on installing one down the line. Nothing beats a nice backyard with pavers, a BBQ and an in ground pool. To those that say it may be a negative, just some food for thought. In-laws recently sold their house (which had an inground pool). I believe one couple commented that they didn’t want a pool (they were older with no kids) the other younger couples that were looking at the house ate it right up. Granted it was the middle of July and the pool looked great, but I think it was icing on the cake. Its a personal choice but I don’t see it as a deterrent. For everyone person that doesnt like it, I would be willing to gamble that there are 2 that wouldnt mind a nice inground pool.
I grew up with a pool. I loved it as a kid, have some great memories. I intend on installing one down the line. Nothing beats a nice backyard with pavers, a BBQ and an in ground pool. To those that say it may be a negative, just some food for thought. In-laws recently sold their house (which had an inground pool). I believe one couple commented that they didn’t want a pool (they were older with no kids) the other younger couples that were looking at the house ate it right up. Granted it was the middle of July and the pool looked great, but I think it was icing on the cake. Its a personal choice but I don’t see it as a deterrent. For everyone person that doesnt like it, I would be willing to gamble that there are 2 that wouldnt mind a nice inground pool.
I grew up with a pool. It was fun while I was a kid, but as I grew old enough to maintain it, it became my job. Testing, chemicals, vacuuming, backwashing the filter...I grew to loathe the pool.
My SIL has an inground -- no one uses it.
My MIL & FIL had their pool filled in -- no one used it.
My husband wanted a pool -- I asked him how much more he wants to pay in taxes, and asked what the point is installing something that is a liability year round and only usable for a few months?
For me there's nothing worse than covering one's backyard with pavers, cutting down the shade trees and having a giant hole in the earth full of water to have to keep pets and critters out. But that's just me. If it pleases someone else -- more power to them!
Hotkarl: we are currently looking at a home in a high-end area with an inground pool built in 1960. What should we be looking for concerning the condition of the pool shell and also the mechanicals? Is this something that the home inspection will cover as well??? (I never had a pool so I am ignorant to these things). Thanks
Hotkarl: we are currently looking at a home in a high-end area with an inground pool built in 1960. What should we be looking for concerning the condition of the pool shell and also the mechanicals? Is this something that the home inspection will cover as well??? (I never had a pool so I am ignorant to these things). Thanks
Pools usually are not covered by a home inspection. You would have to hire a pool company to do the inspection, I strongly suggest you have someone look at the pool and make sure it's in good shape. If you don't know what to look for it could cost you a small fortune to correct any problems. Being that the weather is getting nice now, you should ask that the homeowner have the pool opened and up and running, if they refuse I would be a little suspicious. This has happened many times where the homeowner is trying to hide some sort of issue, in that case you need to have escrow held just to be sure everything is ok. Sometimes the homeowner is just plain old cheap and doesn't feel like dealing with the expense and upkeep of the pool when they know they are selling. I'm telling you from my years in the business, don't believe it when they tell you everything is fine with the pool. I've had people buy a home with a pool and have to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars in repairs and/or renovations. The best line is "everything was good last summer".
Feel free to send me a PM for more info.
I think people overthink pool ownership. It's not hard, and costs me $200 per season in chemicals to maintain. If you pick an appropriate site (NO trees) and learn some simple concepts (The filter has to have water in it to actually work) it's really no big deal.
Don't forget to figure in for landscaping (fence, privacy hedges) as well as cost of maintenance and how much your taxes will increase once the pool is in.
Add another $30 grand to do all the surrounding work.
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That's about right!
