Cost of building a pool? (Houston, Austin: real estate, houses, neighborhood)

[nina_online]

Anybody know what it costs to build a pool in Austin these days? I guess medium-sized.

Thanks!

[ScoPro]

About 10 years ago, my nephew built an average size negative edge pool with a spa on a steep hillside behind his house in Jonestown.

It cost him $45,000.

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by nina_online

Anybody know what it costs to build a pool in Austin these days? I guess medium-sized.

Thanks!

You should also consider the cost of upkeep and heat. It's not cheap.

[nina_online]

Thanks, y'all. Lately I am not receiving notifications on threads I originated.

I'd have to bear the cost of upkeep whether I bought a house that already had a pool or built my own. I'd like a pool, and there aren't many houses on the market in S Austin.

ScoPro, sounds like that hillside plus the spa may have made it more expensive; on the other hand that was 10 years ago - I had hear the cost had gone up a lot over the years but with the real estate and construction business being down in Austin I wondered if the cost is not quite as bad as it has been.

[someguyatx]

It depends how for you can go down before hitting rock, I know somebody who built one in Avery Ranch area few years ago for around $45K. In ground pool but elevated 2-3' in some areas based on slope of yard.

[Mrs.JT]

We priced pools, and we also spoke with our neighbors about theirs. For a decent, averaged sized pool with a hot tub and surrounding patio would be about 40K. That's pretty much the average our neighbors paid and the average price we were quoted.

[ScoPro]

Before selecting a pool builder, check out their reviews on Yelp.com

[tfresca]

I don't think there is a downturn in Austin. It's hard as hell to find a decent contractor.

[Exiled Texan]

Originally Posted by tfresca

I don't think there is a downturn in Austin. It's hard as hell to find a decent contractor.

Dell had a good bonus multiplier. Lots of Dellites with money to spend on home improvements. I'm not one of them, just know a few dozen. Can't swing a dead cat in Austin without hitting someone who works for Dell.

[dalparadise]

You will probably do better starting off-season -- October-February. Generally, the business slows down in those months and builders are more likely to offer specials to stay busier. Regardless, starting now might mean you're well into Fall before it's complete.

I started mine in early February 5-6 years ago and ended up finishing the first week of June. It wasn't that it took so long to build, but rather, I changed design elements a few times and permitting was complicated. Then, by the time I was ready to start digging, it was high season and crews were hard to come by.

Ask around your neighborhood for recommendations. Anyone who has built a pool has learned some things along the way. My tips:

1. Build-in a spa for true year-round enjoyment. 101-degree spa on a 40-degree night is the best. The spa justifies having a heater. I've heated the main pool only a couple of times in years (other than a slight warm-up for comfort in the Spring).

2. Go in with your eyes open. Your pool may return only 50% or less of its cost in increased value to your home.Buy it to enjoy and only if you plan to stay there for awhile. Otherwise, you might take a bath in it.

3. Build about twice as much patio as you think you need.

4. Learn about regulating your water chemistry with household bleach. Once you obtain true equilibrium, it's a snap. I mix in pucks from time-to-time to stabilize the water, but eventually, using pucks will lock up your water. I don't trust the sanitation abilities of salt water generators in Texas heat. Many swear by them, but I like to run a higher chlorine level than any salt water pool I've seen with my elevated CYA level, which I maintain to counter the Texas sun.

My experience was 95% great (Houston-area builder) but I've heard horror stories. Do your homework and enjoy. Having a pool is completely worth it.