Have you always dreamed of owning a swimming pool? What’s prevented you from taking the, ahem, plunge? If you’re curious about what it takes to become a swimming pool owner and how you can even get the process started, here are some of the steps you need to take to move toward pool ownership.
There are some questions you will want to ask yourself before you start asking a potential swimming pool contractor questions about the project. It is a major commitment in cash, time for maintenance and upkeep and you’ll be giving up yard space in return for a swimming pool which will become the hot spot for fun, exercise and entertainment.
Get Ready To Become A Swimming Pool Owner
Living in a hot area of the country is certainly a major factor for wanting a swimming pool. Consider that if you live in Arizona, you will be able to use your pool many more months of the year than, say, if you live in Alaska! When it’s hot outside and you want to get out and exercise or spend time with the family a swimmng pool is the ideal place.
Here are a few questions to ask:
- Do you want a swimming pool?
- Do you want a hot tub or spa?
- Do you have space to devote to a swimming pool?
- Do you need a full size pool or will a lap pool suffice?
- How will you pay for the pool?
- What kind of accessories or add-ons will you have for your pool?
- How will you keep the pool clean and the water clear? Do it yourself or hire a professional?
When you invest in a swimmingpool you are adding to the value of your home as well as enhancing your lifestyle.
Why do you want a swimming pool?
- Entertaining
- Exercise
- Recreation/family fun
As you well know, not all swimming pools are created, or built, equally. Now you’re at the part where you need to decide:
- What size pool you want
- What shape pool you want
- What construction materials you want
- What is your budget
- What are your personal tastes when it comes to pool design
After you’ve researched, gone online, looked at your pool contractor’s completed projects you can begin the forward moment on making your pool dreams a reality.
Here are a couple items to consider.
- Do you want a vanishing edge pool? Does your yard lend itself to this style?
- Do you want an indoor pool?
- Full-sized or a lap pool?
Does your home sit on a small village or city lot? Does the word “acres” figure into the size of your lot? Regardless of the lot size, there is a swimming pool for every lot. If you have a large lot, you can choose a larger pool, a smaller lot, a smaller pool. Even if you have an oddly sized lot, you can have a pool constructed that will follow your lot lines (you will be looking at a gunite pool to follow unique lot lines).
Here are questions to ask yourself:
- What size lot do you have
- What is its shape?
- Are there any unique logistics to accessibility?
Once the pool has been constructed, who will do the cleaning and maintenance? Sure, it is a do-it-yourself project, but you need to weigh how much free time you have available and how much of that free time you want to devote to pool maintenance. Also, ask for quotes on pool maintenance and compare that to how much it will cost you in materials and your time and you may find it’s less expensive to hire a professional.
If you find you are gung-ho about moving forward, then talk with a pool contractor as soon as possible to begin the process. If you’re on the fence, you will want to take some more time, do some more research and soul-searching before you make the investment in a project that you’re not 100% sold on.