Bella Blue Pools contractors share: The Costs Of Fiberglass Pool Ownership
The budget for your swimming pool project has been put together and you think you’ve thought of everything. The swimming pool contractors from Bella Blue Pools wonder if you’ve thought of the costs of pool ownership as they relate to ongoing maintenance, increases in home utility bills and cleaning and upkeep.
The Costs Of Pool Ownership
Make certain you budget for maintenance, upkeep, repairs and replacement of a liner or a pump or any of the other items that could “wear out” and need replacement or repair. The cost of pool construction isn’t the only item or cost associated with pool ownership.
What are some of the items to consider for the pool maintenance budget:
- Chemicals are necessary to keep your pool water clean and safe for swimming. If you do the cleaning yourself and purchase your own chemicals you may have to spend at least $200 for a season. You will need to purchase the chemicals and also have a place to store them. If you decide to use an automatic chlorine generator that uses salt as a cleaning agent instead of chlorine will cost you less money for the salt, but more up front for the equipment.
- Talk with a pool contractor and get an estimate on what the annual cost of a maintenance contract would be to leave the cleaning and maintenance to a professional.
- Expect an increase in your utility bills because of the running of the pool equipment. The amount may be difficult to pinpoint exactly, but your contractor can provide you some idea on what it might be and this will help you with your budget. Increases in the electric bill hinge on certain variables – the size of your pool, the cost of electricity where you live, when you run the pump and filter (it costs less to run equipment in the off hours — usually overnight) and how frequently you will run your pumps and filters.
- One of the biggest upfront expense, following the pool’s construction comes in the water you need to fill the pool the first time. You can have water trucked in and then can get an estimate on the price. If you fill it with a hose, you will want to check with the municipality in which you live to get an idea of what it will cost. Make sure you let them know the water will not be discharged and this could save you on a sewer cost — typically built into a water usage estimate. After the pool is filled the first time, it’s rare you will ever have to refill it again, but you will need to top it off occasionally to make up for evaporation or splashed out water. Use a cover to help slow the rate of evaporation.
- If you heat your swimming pool, factor that into the cost of operation. Again, using a swimming pool cover or a solar cover will help address the need to heat run a heater as often.
- A swimming pool cover should be considered a necessary piece of equipment. It will keep out dirt and debris, trap heated water, slow the rate of evaporation and if you buy a safety cover, can provide an additional layer of safety.
Weigh all of the costs of pool ownership when you’re making your plans to become a pool owner. A pool is an investment you are making in your home and in the fun and enjoyment you and your family have for decades to come.