extend pool cage area (how much, new house, neighborhood)

[sunshinewi]

Several of the houses we like during our house hunting are a little skimpy on the area surrounding the pool. I would like enough room to sit and catch the sun on the far side of the pool but many homes have barely enough room to walk.
Any suggestions?
Dh suggested extended the cage and having an additional concrete or paver area added. Anyone ever done that? Is that outrageously expensive?
I thought of making a searing area outside of the cage, but I don't see this anywhere and I assume there is a reason for the cage. We have visited 30+ times in all seasons and haven't had any problems with bugs or mosquitos (try sitting outside in wi...yikes)but I'm sure the insects are here somewhere.
My DH really likes this house with a small area surrounding the pool. What do other people do?

[chiluvr1228]

You have a couple of choices: continue to look for the house that you want with the larger lanai area, get quotes from contractors to find out how much it will cost to do what you want to the house your DH likes or build a new house.

[sunshinewi]

Unfortunately houses like this are selling so fast that getting a quote from a contractor would be out of the question. Every house we really liked has been on the market for about 7 days.

[rikoshaprl]

Bugs are not much of an issue during the winter months. If you are a sun worshipper being outside the screened enclosure will get you more sun. The screens block maybe about 25% of the suns rays. In the rainy season it is a different story, especially approaching dusk.

[SeaRay35]

Something to think of the pool cage blocks a lot of the sun rays and breeze, some people actually have a separate uncaged area for sun bathing.

[Restrain]

Some of these homes, especially in PUDs, have very restricted rear areas, unable to expand the cages due to setbacks, etc.

A pool cage on a standard pool runs $5-8K. You can figure $3-5K for an extension depending on size, etc. however this doesn't mean that you can do this.

If you want to make an offer on a home, write a contingency into the contract with a 10 day time frame that you can verify that you can add onto the pool area.

[CindyRoos]

Originally Posted by sunshinewi

Several of the houses we like during our house hunting are a little skimpy on the area surrounding the pool. I would like enough room to sit and catch the sun on the far side of the pool but many homes have barely enough room to walk.
Any suggestions?
Dh suggested extended the cage and having an additional concrete or paver area added. Anyone ever done that? Is that outrageously expensive?
I thought of making a searing area outside of the cage, but I don't see this anywhere and I assume there is a reason for the cage. We have visited 30+ times in all seasons and haven't had any problems with bugs or mosquitos (try sitting outside in wi...yikes)but I'm sure the insects are here somewhere.
My DH really likes this house with a small area surrounding the pool. What do other people do?

We are looking too and hate that the pool area with cage is such a tight area!
What part of WI are you in now?

[sunshinewi]

Cindy, We are in central wi, near Stevens point area. Looking right now is a pain. Very few homes coming on the market. I wonder if we have to wait until January for things to pick up?
Restrain, Would a PUD be a regular neighborhood or a gated community? Thanks for the response, learning something new every day. Things are very different than what we are used to.

[Restrain]

PUD or HOA. Often gated, with amenities. Planned Unit Developments.

[DCSjersey]

We are considering extending our caged area with a 14x20 foot extension. Without getting any quotes I'm thinking $3,000. to $5,000. for the pad, cage & pavers. Strictly ball-parking it.