Should I get a pool?

[Laurajean1014]

We live in CT on a quite and beautiful street with deed restrictions to only put in an in-ground pool. We live have a 4200 sq ft home on .75 acres of land. We have a large patio (about 800 sq. ft.) and a somewhat leveled back yard.

My dh wants to get one because our neighbors are weird and unkind. We and our son, have many friends, so we can have lots of people over. I have two dogs and no fence between mine and my neighbors homes.

Our son is 7 yo and loves to swim. However, we both work. And my husband, although he will not admit it, is very lazy when it comes to doing stuff at the house.

I think it maybe a great mistake. What do you all think?

Also, we have a country club less than a mile away. A pool membership is about $5000 a year with a $100 per month food assessment.

Pools are going for $25,000, then we need some type of fence or cover! Then there's the insurance and stuff. Also, it does not add value to the home (that's not our major concern). But why pay $30K for something that may not give you an investment back!

 

[KathyTX]

My dh wants to get one because our neighbors are weird and unkind.

I don't understand what your neighbors have to do with whether you should get a pool. ?

Do you WANT a pool?

I don't know about construction prices in your area, but in Texas $25,000 for an inground pool would be a pretty low budget. If you're living in a fancy country club neighborhood, this could actually LOWER the resale value of your home. Unless you're going with a "budget" pool, which will look "budget" in size and materials used, I'd bump up the price tag significantly.

You'll probably want to add the costs of fencing, decking, landscaping, and maintenance to your figures.

Then you ask why pay $30,000 for something that may not give you an investment back. Ummmm... it's only worthwhile if you want the pool for the enjoyment of it.

I don't see anything in your post about you wanting a pool...

 

[ez]

We have a pool, and while we really enjoy it, there is alot of work involved in maintaining it....I mean alot of work! Also we live in FL. so we get to use ours a good portion of the year. I don't know what to tell you, but being you are undecided, I would not rush into anything. Good luck in your decision.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by Laurajean1014

I think it maybe a great mistake. What do you all think?

Sounds like you are not ready for that kind of commitment or $$$.
My neighbors started their project last fall. In order to save money he is doing the landscaping around the pool himself. There is drain tile you may have to lay, sod to replace from your front yard to the back. They work on it ALL THE TIME. When it is done it will be gorgeous.
When all it said and done the cost is about $50,000 for them and their pool is not huge.
It is wonderful to have a pool but I think both of you have to be 100% together in the decision.
I swear it is like giving birth and having kids. Expensive, fun but alot of WORK.
I'd love a pool but we would lose most of our equity in our home so shoot...we can't do it.
Good Luck!

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

we have a pool and I love it.

but


it is a lot of work. you either have to do maintenance almost constantly or you have to hire someone to do it for you.

opening a pool at the beginning of the season and closing it at the end of the season are hard work. we hire someone to handle the cover and installation of the laddr and diving board, and the make sure the pump and heater are working, and to winterize everytihng at the end of the summer.

during the summer we have a Polaris running, which cleans the pool, but we still have to vacuum and empty the skimmer baskets, and change the filter earth, and test and adjust the chemistry.

the electric bill, especially when we're running the pump and the heater, can be an eyepopper.


it's a serious commitment of time and money. don't do it if you're ambivalent.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

We live in CT too. We bought a 27ft round above-ground pool 4 years ago. We paid $4,500 for it. Just remember you always want what you don't have.

Because of our cooler than normal Spring/Early Summer we didn't open the pool until the end of June. Since then, the kids have only been in it about 4 times. Living where we are if you do purchase a pool you should seriously consider getting a heater for it. Pool season in CT is only about 7 - 8 weeks. Also you have to remember it's another thing to take care of. I make poor DH do it . . .lol

 

[Melrosgirl]

If you really want one, go for it. Assuming you don't plan on moving within 10 years, don't worry about getting back your original investment.

We put a pool in last fall. in ground, concrete. When all was said and done it was around $50,000, including fencing and some of the landscaping. It's an ongoing project it seems, lol. Our pool is not huge, but isn't small (20 x 40).

Would I do it over again? Yes on the pool if I bought a house with one already. I would never construct a pool from scratch again. We had (are having) a nightmare situation with the builder (one of the largest in the country).

My big tip: Go with a local builder. One who has all the subcontractors, if any, in the same town. If not, it's a nightmare. No one remembers who is doing what. Guy 60 miles away can't 'make it because he is getting rain today even though your weather is perfect. It's nuts.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

It is a lot of work putting one in! Or a lot of money.
I will disagree with people a bit here. I don't find the ongoing maintanence a lot of work at all. The guy who designed our pool knew we both worked and said he would concentrate on easy maintanence and I think he succeeded. It takes a day to open or close the pool but during the summer I doubt I spend an hour a week doing maintanence.
We have a polaris for cleaning, it takes about 5 minutes to get that going. Changing the filter stuff takes about 15 minutes, every couple of weeks. Testing the chemicals takes about 10 minutes a week, we have an automatic chlorine feeder, that helps a lot. We don't ever have to skim or vaccum between the polaris and the jet design it stays crystal clear.

 

[Laurabearz]

We have an inground pool. Put it in 2 maybe 3 years ago. We love it. Every weekend we watch our neighbors pack up the mini vans and fight the traffic to drive to their summer homes, all we have to do is pull out the radio and throw some steaks on the grill for our weekend relaxation. Plus our house it the 'go to' house, each weekend we have lots of our friends hanging out and we have them so well trained, they bring us food and beer, do the cooking and even clean up, so it is even more resort like for us! LOL

We pay someone to open and close our pool, since one mistake in a pool closing could wash your investment away.... but I do all the regular maintenice. We too have a Polaris (380) named Spot. He does a good job keeping the bottom nice and clean. I did have some trouble this year getting the PH and alkilintity to level out, but nothing major.

Now we live in Chicagoland......... our season is short too, but we crank the 250,000 BTU heater up high in May and September and milk the pool for all it has! LOL

We are in our pool all the time...... all day Sat and Sun and a least 3 time during the week...... We love it.

If you think you will use the pool a lot..... then go for it. It is worth it.

 

[Patricia]

I couldn't agree more with the idea of "wanting " a pool. Ours went in last year and it's been a dream of mine forever. My kids like it but I LOVE it. It's not much work at all. I have a cleaning system with no vacuum at all, an automatic clorinator. It takes 1 minute to empty the skimmer basket. I really believe it was a wonderful decision for us, but if you don't want it, dont' do it. It's a large amount of money for a limited use year, but if you are enjoying your time in the pool when it's just your family, you will get your money's worth. I don't think you can rely on company alone to get the pool's value. The value for me is the amount of pleasure it brings me. You have to want to be in it all the time, not just when people are visiting. Good luck with your decision.

 

[faith]

That is a big decision since you live in a cold climate area. Also you said your deed calls for in ground pools only. We had an above ground pool for years when the kids were home, and we did enjoy it. However, now friends of ours are paying a ton of money to have their in ground pool filled in! They are moving due to health reasons, can't maintain the pool etc. The realtor said filling it in will actually make their house worth more even with the cost to fill it in. So...you asked if it would be a big mistake. I say yes.

 

[Kermit]

If you don't really want it, don't get it. I'd personally choose the country club, hands down. In fact, we're thinking about selling our house in the next few months and getting something a bit bigger, and one of the things on our list of things we have to have is no pool. I don't like the idea of always being scared that the kids might fall in the pool. It would give me nightmares. Plus, if you don't like your neighbors, you don't want to put a pool in if it might make them want to come over.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

perception is everything, Alex. we described the same chores, and I thought they were burdensome and you thought they were nothing at all.

 

[grinningghost]

I'm reading this thread with great interest, because we too, are trying to decide whether to buy a pool for next year. We would have to buy an above ground pool due to our financial situation, but we've looked at some very nice ones. I have always wanted a pool - we never had one when I was a kid either. I think it would be very well used, even in our short pool season. It's the maintenance that I'm wary of. But it seems that some people find it to be horrible and others think it's a piece of cake. I guess I'll keep a close eye on this thread.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I suppose.. I guess I was looking at the total time, which like I said, for me is easily less than an hour a week, if you want a pool that doesn't seem so bad to me. You did add vacuuming, which we never have to do and I know people tell me that takes a while.

 

[JOC]

Laurabearz,

Wow - - you have a very nice pool and deck! When we eventually settle down I told my husband I'd like to buy a house with a pool, if possible, and he's not opposed to the idea (even though he'd be doing all the maintenance on the pool!).

 

[JohnTBap]

When we grow up we want to get a pool with a nice waterfall. Although the sound of running water may mean that we have a lot of tinkle in the pool....

 

[Maleficent2]

The realtor said filling it in will actually make their house worth more even with the cost to fill it in.

Realtors are not always right!!!!!!!


if I were your friends I would either find another realtor or try and sell the house for what this realtor thinks the house is worth with the pool filled in (but not fill it in)first.


Go for the pool....when we move next a pool is a "have to have"on my list.



Mal

 

[Laurajean1014]

Laurabearz - your pool is beautiful! I prefer the non-corner kind, myself. I love the curves....

The cost for the construction and the pool itself is $25K - that does not include the heater, supplies, water to fill, fence, etc. It's the cost for a 40x20 in ground pool.

I think if your gonna do something, do it right. I would love a tiled design bottom (like a mermaid or Mickey or something that solidifies our family interests).

On another board, someone had a picture of a pool, two fountains and a hot tub. It was gorgous. I told my husband to price it out.

I asked my son "when you get older, will you have a pool at your home?" He said yes, 'cause it fun and everyone loves a pool.'

So, I'm checking out pools. But, I did tell my husband that it was necessary to add a hutch for all the pool supplies and stuff.

 

[faith]

Maleficent2...in response to your suggestion for our friends. It's too late. The pool is filled in and now they are seeding the lawn. Maybe I should have explained that they loved the pool for years when their kids were home. Now it had just become a ton of work. Filling in was awful. Everything had to be hand trucked in due to neighbor fences, shrubs etc. So everyone, keep all that in mind.