Pool Insurance: Are You Prepared For An Additional Bill
Swimming pools come with a set of inherent risks and potential liabilities. Therefore, its important to make sure you have proper insurance coverage before building one or purchasing a house with a backyard pool. To keep yourself, your pool guests and your property protected, discuss your pool with your homeowners insurance representative.
After adding a pool to your coverage, youll likely see an increase in your insurance premium. However, it may be possible to reduce your insurance costs by taking extra safety precautions to decrease the likelihood of accidents.
These factors may influence your pool insurance:
- Type of pool
- Safety features including covers, non-slip surfaces, fences, lighting and signage
- Home location
Pool Material Installation Cost
The installation of your pool material ranges from $5,000 to $20,000. This wide range is due to the many types and installations available. Vinyl installation is usually fairly inexpensive. Fiberglass shells are frequently set in concrete, which cause the installation cost to vary by shell size. Concrete pools can be created in several ways, each with labor costs. The cost of installing the pool varies based on the pool material and type.
Additional Costs You May Need To Cover
The following are important considerations that need to be researched and discussed with your potential contractor, as they can also affect pricing of a new pool:
Municipal construction permit: Some areas may have special zoning or geographical permit requirements, so check with your applicable municipality then discuss with your pool company, who will obtain the permits, advises Marc Luff of Betz Pools.
Fencing: Most municipalities require pools to be surrounded by locked fencing for safety. If you have existing fencing, it may need to be partially removed and rebuilt upon pool completion, along with grass replaced or walkways redone, which can both get damaged by excavation access to your site.
Location: If your property has sloping land or other issues, special design considerations may be required. Difficult access can add to the cost as well.
Excavation concerns: Some sites may require tree trimming or even removal to allow for the installation. Others may have rocky land under the surfaceor lie below the water table, which homeowner Mara Rubinoff discovered only when her pool was being installed. She recalls: They had to dig extra deep and fill it with material to prevent future problems. In addition, she says, we have a tight backyard so the dig took a week. There are costs you dont think of, like electrical, gas and the diggers.
Utilities: Do you need to move sewer or electrical lines? This requires planning and possibly permits in advance.
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Diy Vs Hiring A Pool Builder
A DIY inground pool project could save you $6,000 to $10,000 on an inground fiberglass pool project that would have cost& $40,000 to $55,000 with a professional pool company.
With all of the expertise required to install a new pool and ensure good soil drainage, land grading, and excavation, the long-term results of a DIY pool install might not be worth it if you dont do everything correctly, despite the price reduction on the install.
Unexpected costs can be added on if you hire someone to excavate and your soil is too rocky for them to complete the job for the given estimate and if the soil isnt backfilled correctly, the additional pressure on the pool during heavy rains can cause it to crack and leak.
An additional factor is that the pool warranty might be nonexistent if its not installed by a professional, because you cant give any proof that you have followed all the manufacturers protocol during installation.
Get free home improvement estimates on HomeGuide from trusted pool companies:
Swimming Pool Prices Based On Type
$20,000 – $55,000: Concrete/Gunite and Custom Pools
$15,000 – $25,000: Fiberglass Pools
$1,500 – $5,000: Vinyl-lined Pools
The nationwide average is about $50 per square foot, which can be dramatically altered depending upon the location, the type of pool, and the customization added to a pool.
A traditional in-ground swimming pool is often the most expensive part of a new landscape, but it is also the pinnacle of amenity. Estimates show that adding a pool to your homesite can increase its overall value from 7% to 15% if it is well built and attractive. However, pools that are constructed with alternative methods to traditional gunite can, in the future, present a liability.
Swimming pools are consistent in their construction costs. The causes of variability are the many options possible for increasing their visual appeal or diversity. Your family and lifestyle will dictate what options are important to you personally and whether the cost for these upgrades is within your budget.
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Concrete Footing For Screen Enclosure
Screen enclosures typically require an 8 by 8 concrete footing to anchor and support the weight of the enclosure properly. Installing footings costs $4 to $6 per linear foot. Small enclosures may only require a 4 nominal slab. A contractor will determine the foundation and footing requirements.
- Existing concrete pool decks often already have a footing that can support an enclosure.
- Existing paver patios require a footing to be poured under the pavers before building an enclosure.
Swimming Pool Construction Cost Per Square Foot
A new swimming pool can have a very wide range of costs per square foot. The average cost for an in-ground pool ranges from $150 to $250 a square foot, depending on the material, type, shape, and finish. These costs include the full construction, including the deck and finishing work. The following sections break down the various components for understanding the costs.
For above-ground pools, costs are much lower per square foot – around $35 to $40 a square foot. Costs can also vary depending on the material, decking, shape, and type.
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Labor Cost To Install Saltwater Pool
The labor cost of a saltwater pool installation runs from $8,000 to $30,000. The lowest price doesnt include the excavation, but it does include all installation work. Excavation costs about $9.22 per cubic yard to a 6-foot depth, so it would cost about $920 to dig a hole big enough for a 15 x 20 pool and $1,230 for a 20 x 30 pool. The highest cost is usually all-inclusive and includes the patio, fencing, plumbing, and electrical work.
Above-ground pool salt systems are much easier to set up, and can sometimes be installed in less than an hour, or have it installed professionally for $300 $500.
Can You Put An Inground Pool In A Small Backyard
Is your backyard super tiny?Is it more of a courtyard than a backyard?If you are dreaming of getting an inground pool but think your backyard is too small, you’ve come to the right place.
We manufacture fiberglass swimming pools for families across the country and personally install those pools for customers in our area. People tell us every day that they don’t think an inground pool will fit in their backyard, but they’re often surprised to learn that they too can have a decent sized pool.In this article, we’re answering all of your questions about building a swimming pool in a small backyard to give you a better idea of whether an inground pool is a realistic option for you. Let’s dive in.
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Extra Costs To Consider
The main reason there is such a wide variation in pool costs is because there are so many extra expenses aside from the pool itself. When creating your budget, be sure to take these essentials into account:
Yard prep
Not every backyard is pool-ready. If your lawn has big drops or rises that require leveling or the construction of walls, the costs can be as high as $7,500 to $12,000. If youre unsure whether your yard can accommodate a pool, or how much time and expense will be required to prep for excavation, speak with a pool builder to get their professional opinion.
Pool decking
The pool decking is the area surrounding the pool itself. Most pool owners use this space for sunbathing, relaxing, and entertaining. Its important that the deck has enough room for any furniture you want to use around the pool, such as lounge chairs, tables, umbrellas, and a grill or outdoor kitchen. It should also be a safe, non-slip material.
The average pool deck size ranges from 600 to 700 square feet. Aquamarine Pools breaks down the approximate costs for the common types of decking materials:
- Basic concrete: $10 per square foot
- Colored concrete: $11.50 per square foot
- Stamped concrete: $16 per square foot
- Travertine/natural stone: $24 per square feet
Miguelez estimates that the pool deck can start at around $2,000 and go all the way up to $10,000 or higher, depending on size, design, and materials.
Pool cover
Safety barriers
Hot tub combo
Heater
Waterfall
Diving Board
Slide
Landscaping
How To Pick The Right Swimming Pool For Your Property
While there are many different types of pools you can have installed on your property, the two most popular options for home swimming pools are:
- Aboveground
- In-ground
The most important factor to consider before choosing a swimming pool for your home is space. Make sure that your backyard is able to accommodate the type of swimming pool you want to buy.
Should you choose to install an in-ground pool, make sure the hole you dig during installation doesnt interfere with the groundwater source in your backyard.
Additionally, if you decide to go with an aboveground pool and want to add a deck around it, you should check with your local government to get specifics on the laws in your area pertaining to deck installation.
No matter what you decide, make sure you meet with an installation professional to discuss your options based on space, city regulations and price points.
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Design: Top Swimming Pool Shapes
Swimming pools come in many shapes and configurations. Your pools shape and style are dictated by a few things. The first is the material. Vinyl and concrete can be formed into nearly any configuration. This includes custom designs that may follow any number of shapes. Fiberglass pools are often limited by the manufacturer. They may have a set number of shapes and sizes to choose from because each shell is made in a mold.
When it comes to custom designs, the sky is the limit in terms of what you can do. However, there are also many popular pool shapes that you can find nearly anywhere:
Cost Of Running A Pool
Every pool has costs related to running it, whether this is the cost of adding water, chemicals, filtering, pumping, or heating.
The average cost of running a pool, including opening, closing, maintenance, electricity, chemicals, and repair costs vary depending on the location, whether you do the work or hire it out, and the pool type. Expect to pay around $3,500 for the combined costs each year you run the pool. Larger pools may cost closer to $5,000 per year. Smaller pools that require less maintenance or use saltwater, solar heaters, or solar covers may have ongoing costs closer to $1,200 a year.
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How To Determine If Your Backyard Will Fit A Pool
So, lets help you start by getting a rough measurement of the total area the pool can be installed. Here is how you can turn your property survey into a rough guide to figure out the space you have available:
- Step 1 Find your property survey and make a copy for taking notes
- Step 2 Using a highlighter, highlight the left and right side easements as indicated on your survey
- Step 3 Using a highlighter, highlight the rear setback / easement line as indicated on your survey
- Step 4 Mark your setback / easement line as it is shown from the back fence, usually 8 in most cases from the back fence towards the house, mark this line with paint, flags or a stake.
- Step 5 Measure from the edge of your home foundation 4ft out towards the back fence and place another stake, flag, or yard paint at the 4ft mark
Now you can really get an idea of the space available from the very edge of your home foundation to the back fence / easement line. Next you will need to measure this distance between the 2 points you have set. Once you have this measurement you will need to subtract 2ft .
Note: Pools should never be installed less than 4ft away from the home foundation. This could cause, depending on the depth of the pool, the pool structure to interfere with the 45 degree bearing slope of the foundation of your home. Not to mention if the pool were any closer there would be little room to safely walk between the house and the pool.
Hiring A Pool Enclosure Company
Although small kit enclosures can be built yourself, most enclosures require hiring an experienced contractor to install. Professionals have access to a wider selection of materials at better prices, have the right equipment, have insurance, comply with all building codes, and offer a warranty.
Before hiring a professional pool enclosure company, be sure to:
- Get at least three estimates to compare.
- Ask for recommendations from family, friends, and neighbors.
- Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide, Google, and the Better Business Bureau .
- Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for longer than five years.
- Ask for a clear written warranty.
- Ask for past references of pool enclosures they have installed.
- Look for contractors with APSP CBP certification.
- Ask for a full itemized contract in writing in case of a dispute.
- Avoid making large payments upfront. Never pay in full or in cash, and come up with a payment schedule for work completed.
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What Is The Annual Cost Of A Salt Water Pool
If you hire a pool service company, the annual maintenance cost of a salt water pool is about $970 to $1,700 per year and $300 or more to open or close the pool. The average price of electricity, depending on where you live, will be from $780 to $1,200 a year. The pump must run continually to produce chlorine. Replacement parts and repair can run from $250 to $1,500.
How Much Does Inground Pool Resurfacing Cost
A concrete pool should last 10 to 15 years before it needs to be resurfaced, at which point you will be spending in the region of $10,000 to $13,000 depending on size and the type of finish on the pool, and potentially as much as a total of $20,000 if replacing the tile at the waterline at the same time.
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Building An Outdoor Living Room To Go With Your Pool
If you want your pool to be the centrepiece of an outdoor living oasis, you may want extras like fire pits or tables, a cabana, a roof or other covering for your patio area, an outdoor kitchen space or a bar. These items arent included in standard new pool price packages and their costs can differ greatly among pool contractors.
Steel Plumbing Electrical 1 To 2 Weeks
After the pool is dug, its time to lay the steel, route the electrical and plumbing, and make sure the underworkings of your pool are set up for maximum reliability. There are a lot of things to build around such as your systems, lighting, water features, spas and any other backyard amenities. This process usually takes about 2 weeks depending on the size and complexity of your swimming pool.
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A Pool Can Increase Insurance Costs
A basic homeowners insurance policy typically covers a pool structure without requiring a separate rider, but you should increase your liability from the standard amount.
It costs about $30 a year to bump coverage from $100,000 to $500,000. Many underwriters require you to fence in the pool so children cant wander in unsupervised.
In some areas, adding a pool may increase your annual property taxes, but it wont necessarily add to your homes selling price. For that reason, try to keep your total building cost between 10% and 15% of what you paid for your house, lest you invest too much in an amenity that wont pay you back.
Salt Water Pool Heater
Inground salt water pool heaters cost between $550 to over $10,000, with most pool owners spending from $2,200 to $3,500, and another $400 to $500 for installation. What drives the difference in heater prices for pool heaters is how much water you need to heat, and what the rise in temperature is from the average coldest temperature to the desired water temperature. A heater for an above-ground salt water pool costs from $50 to $200.
- Electric tankless water heaters are suitable for small pools that dont need for the temperature to rise too much, and these generally start between $500 and $600.
- Larger and more powerful electric pool water heaters average between $1,500 and $3,500, while the similar gas-powered pool water heaters fall between $800 and $2,500.
- Electric pump water heaters cost anywhere from $2,500 to$10,000 and these work in hotter climates and transfer the heat in the air to the water in the pool, and they do so very economically.
- A salt water pool heater for your inground pool will cost $50 to $250 per month in electrical costs.
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