What is the real cost of a swimming pool?

[Nice Nice Baby!]

In the Southern California area a pool costs $100k at least for a simple one. In Phoenix it's about half that for a decent one. Honestly, it will cost you as much as you want it too. With landscaping, waterfall, and a putting area you are looking at $55k-$70k for quality, and size does matter(no play pool here).

[GirlinAZ]

I would add that there is a good chance that if you are buying an existing home there will already be a pool. So, you would only need to pay for the monthly costs. (Water and chemicals.) Knowing what I know now, I would definatley get a service. It costs nearly the same as doing it yourself as chemicals are expensive. In addition, you may have a higher water bill-although I think the water bills in AZ are pretty reasonable as we are subsidized by the government for transporting the water from the Colorado river. If you buy a home that doesn't have a pool, then you would discuss costs of building. Being in a buyer's market, I wouldn't consider paying for a pool if you are building. I would think it would be included as an incentive. If you want to be in town, you most likely are buying a preexisting home, which as mentioned before will most likely have its own pool. There are certainly homes without pools, but there are so many with not sure you would even consider a home without a pool if that is what you want to have. It is kind of like choosing the number of bedrooms, if you want a pool, you should only look at homes with pools. Have a good one!