Do you love swimming or crave the luxury provided by owning a pool? Pools are a great place to relax, exercise, or suntan, but they are also a great expense and involve considerable maintenance through the year. Like many extensive home modifications, you should put time and thought into the decision of building a pool in your backyard.
- What purpose will my pool serve? Understanding what you want a pool for can greatly help you move forward regarding your decision to build a pool in your backyard. A pool built for exercise and sport will differ from a pool built for relaxation or entertaining. Carefully considering why you want a pool can also make you think critically about whether or not you need a pool, and examining your desires can put into perspective the following questions.
- Can I afford a pool? Building a pool in your backyard isn’t a simple, low-cost modification—and neither is it a one-time expense. Build a budget and a list of desired features, then consider if these features fit into your budget and are worth the cost and upkeep. Also, remember that a pool will continue to cost you money after you build it. Keeping the pool clean, filtered, and supplied will be a monthly consideration for the life of your pool.
- Can my backyard sustain a pool? A yard that is too small may not be suited for a pool. A yard with a high water table, sandy or rocky soil, and a myriad of other issues may drastically increase the cost of building a pool in your backyard due to navigating the extra difficulties during construction. Furthermore, a steeply sloped or hilly yard may make an above-ground pool problematic to build.
- How will a pool affect my home’s value and insurance? Building a pool in your backyard may impact your insurance, so you should contact your insurance company before construction for further information. Additionally, depending on where you live, a below-ground pool could either decrease or increase the value of your home. Pool construction is rarely a home improvement with an investment, and depending on where you live, it may make it harder or easier to sell if you need to move.
- What local safety codes do I need to know? Some localities require specific safety features built into pools during construction, such as fences with locking gates. You may want to add such features anyway for personal reassurance.
- How do I get building permits for the pool? Researching required building permits for your area is always a sound step because there are few areas that don’t have building permit requirements. Get the necessary permits from your local city hall to ensure your pool construction is legal and permitted.
- What kind of pool do I want? After you’ve considered the above questions, you probably know what kind of pool you want. Indoor or outdoor pool? Above ground or below ground? Round, rectangular, or square? Deep enough to dive off a diving board or just for light swimming? All these questions about pool type and more will impact your budget, safety concerns, building permits, and all the previously discussed questions you need to ask before building a pool in your backyard.
Now that you have asked and carefully considered these questions, you’re ready to for the next step in building a pool in your backyard! For more home improvement tips and advice, continue following the Ryan Robert Realtor blog, and for your real estate needs, give Ryan Roberts a call at 334-750-9872 or email him at [email protected]!
