Swimming Pool Opinions Please

[Halloweenqueen]

We have wanted to install an inground swimming pool for a few years now. We decided to move forward this spring and got quotes and recommendations. We picked our pool contractor and made our initial deposit.

We were told that they would start mid to late March. I got a phone call yesterday, postponing us until May 1st. No real excuse was given...I guess I was too surprised to ask more questions.

This delay caused my dh and I to have a big discussion about the pool last night. I'm starting to think it isn't a good decision. Luckily we are still at the stage that our deposit would be 100% refundable. I would have to act soon to stop our project.

I would love to hear from follow Disers and there pool installation experience. Was it a good decision? To you regret getting a pool?

I know I wouldn't think twice if we were in a warm climate, but we live in Washington State now. Our season would probably run from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

This is the 1st house we've owned that didn't have a pool, but the other pools were above ground pools, so not the big expense of an inground pool.

Where we live now, we have to have an inground pool. We've kicked it around a few times, but neither him nor I can justify the $40,000 + price tag for a 3 month swim season and thats if we have a good summer.

The kids would rather belong to the local pool club. Its alot cheaper than installing a pool and all their friends belong. And I really don't miss having a pool as much as I thought I would.

 

[dejr_8]

We have an in-ground pool and this will be our third summer.

Our installation was a nightmare both with the installer and warranty service on our control panel. You have to stay on top of them and make sure you hold back a good portion until you are happy.

We had 95% once the liner went in - big mistake. It took forever for them to finish after that.

But with all that we are glad we put it in.

 

[BKMETV]

We have an inground pool and a similar time period of usage (June - Sept)...my kids are 9 and 11. I have never regretted the money we invested. My kids spend most of the summer in the pool...it keeps them active. We have a public pool in town and swim team, as well as Lake Huron only 3 blocks away...but I know they would never swim as much if that pool wasn't there. Their friends also spend a lot of time here which I see as being an advantage as they get older...I'd rather have them in my pool than hanging around downtown getting into trouble.

We had no problems with the installation.

 

[AKL_Megs]

FWIW, think of resale if this isn't going to be your "forever" home.

We turned down looking at quite a few homes with inground pools, simply because we didn't want that upkeep.

There were two we looked at that had inground pools that had been on the market close to a year... They were willing to fill in the pool and do landscaping... They couldn't give the house away. We liked that house, but we were advised against it, as the yard would likely sink over the years.

 

[abdmom]

I wish I'd had a pool in my last house (in MN). We had a huge backyard (over an acre). My RE agent said we'd have a hard time selling it though. When we did put the house on the market, it sat and sat for months. The house across the street (with pool) sold in a few days. The people who bought the house across the street didn't even look at my house because of the lack of pool.

We're now moving to a development which has a community indoor pool. All the enjoyment and none of the upkeep.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Here is my thoughts based on the nightmare that went on in TX with Outback Design (and believe me the ripoffs they did back then were real)....We installed an inground however some people went with a company that was "cheaper" and "popular". Well some people ended up paying double because they were ripped off (not all but when the company closed it's doors it was trouble for people).

What happens when pools are built is that subcontractors come in and then the pool company is supposed to pay them. Guess what happens when your pool company spends your money and does not pay the subcontractors they hire to do the work?

Oh the subs come after YOU! So this is how you end up "paying double".

In other words this pool company may be in trouble and then they give you a false date just to get your deposit?

Maybe not but with the state of the economy and no explanation of the reason of the push back, does not look good.

Get your deposit back ASAP. The agreement you had with the pool company has been broken.

Let's put it this way....if they had said MAY in the beginning would you have gone with them? Also do some Googling to make sure they are not in trouble.

Maybe they are fine but I would certainly look into it since they sent up a red flag.

Yes, I am a cynic but when you are going to be handing over thousands of dollars to a company, you have got to cross your i's and dot your t's. Be a cynic and nit picky.

 

[Art 1]

I have a pool in a screened inclosure. I would never get one again. The dog jumps in for a swim a few times a week and that's it. I wouldn't get one.

 

[NotUrsula]

OP, since you are now having doubts, I would go ahead and pull your deposit. You can always start up the project again later, but it probably would not be wise to just let yourself getting pulled along by momentum just at this point.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

OP, since you are now having doubts, I would go ahead and pull your deposit. You can always start up the project again later, but it probably would not be wise to just let yourself getting pulled along by momentum just at this point.

Well that is the "thing" with building a pool. The sooner you get in the deposit, the sooner you get "in line" to get your pool in.

And believe me that is one of the selling points they push on you because it is true.

 

[tvguy]

So much for the recession if that many people are lined up for pools!

My wife grew up with a pool, when we got married she said she never wanted to live in a home with a pool again.
When my MIL died, it took us 3 months to sell her house with a pool. We had to fill it in to get rid of it. And even with a pool man coming every week, I was there every day skimming leaves out. How they got under the thermal cover I have no idea.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I left a message with the contractor. I want to talk to him about the delay. If I don't like what I hear I'm pulling the project.

I was burned by a building project before, so I'm very timid about anything house related. We were sued by subcontractors for exactly what a PP said. They even put a lien on our old house.

The quote has gone up a couple of times already since the initial estimate. "Oh, we forgot the electricial installation" and "Oops, you want US to get the building permits?" Those were the excuses.

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[MichelleVW]

I live in Texas and would love to have a pool. As soon as we can afford it, we're putting one in!

 

[momof3poohlovers]

The quote has gone up a couple of times already since the initial estimate. "Oh, we forgot the electricial installation" and "Oops, you want US to get the building permits?" Those were the excuses.

I think that these are major red flags and I would definitely ask for your deposit back. We live in CA and have an inground pool. We were lucky in that we didn't have any major problems with the company we used but my mom had major issues. The company she used started out with pushing the time to start back numerous times and then weren't paying the subs. It took about 18 months for them to complete the pool and get it working. The subs were eventually paid but now they won't warranty anything and there are several problems. Go with your gut! They are going to tell you what you want to hear. I have a bad feeling just from what you have posted.

 

[MrsPete]

Everyone I know who's put in a pool tells the same story you do: Getting it in is horrible. Promises of by this day . . . that date for certain . . . oh, absolutely by this third date.

The people I know who have them are pretty much split 50-50 on whether it's a love or hate thing. Personally, I think I'd love it, but we're not in our forever-house, so I wouldn't do it now. We have a decent little neighborhood pool 3 blocks away (open all summer, membership is only $300/year), so it'd be a poor investment in this house.

 

[rie'smom]

Several years ago we contracted to have a pool installed. Deposit paid, construction due to start Feb 12th. That date comes and goes. Week after week we're assured construction will begin the next week. Finally, the LAST week in May, the construction begins. The pool company subcontracted out the job. The installer chose to do a bunch of smaller installs because his markup on those was higher. We had originally said we were adding fountains and other add ons to the pool. Once the installer finsihed we said see yoiu later. he was ticked off because he said he made most of his money on the add ons. I told him if he had started construction even close to the supposed start date we'd have given him the work but he could forget it. Our daughter lived in the poo for the first 5 or so summers. Now she doesn't like the chlorine in her hair so I guess we'll convert to salt water.
OP, it's a hassle but to us it was worth it. If you have the slightest doubt though, cancel while you can. Later there is nothing to stop you if you decide it's wahat you really want.

 

[Pigeon]

I wouldn't do it unless I lived someplace like Arizona. And I wouldn't live someplace like Arizona, so I guess I wouldn't put in a pool.

In many areas of the country, you won't be close to getting your money back in resale, and it's a liability when you go to sell your house. Your insurance costs more.

We rented a house that had an inground pool and I was a nervous wreck worrying that one of the neighbor's kids would wander in, despite the alarmed fence. I'd never live in a house with a pool with kids.

My brother has one, and it seems like every year there's some major expense or some big delay in getting it usable. And we live in a place with a fairly short season, so I can't see the value.

We could join a swim club for the next hundred years for what it would take to install a pool. So, while I do like swimming, and I can see the appeal, I'd never do it.

 

[disneyelaine]

We have installed 3 pools in 2 different homes. Our first experience was not very good, many delays, things promised not done. Work started late with many excuses. BUT once completed, we enjoyed the pool. THAT pool place did not want to put in a underwater pool light for some reason and we let him talk us into not having one. Big mistake. After about 3 years we sold that house and moved.

2nd time we used a different company that we heard good things about. They kept their start date/finished on time and were very professional. Did the pool the way we wanted. Which was a small pool, not deep, pool slide (which kids never used for some reason).

Well after a couple summers, we realized we made a mistake and wanted a larger pool with a deep end/diving board/heater/and automatic cover. Call us crazy, but we had that pool "taken out" and now have what better suits our needs. I love swimming laps and use it way more now that it can be heated.
The kids grew and now they swim in it alot more since it is larger with a large deep end.

Make sure you understand your contract and what is/isn't included.

I hope to always have a pool. It is not alot of work really. And even less with the automatic cover. We close it nightly and that helps stop debris getting it.

 

[huey duey & luey]

We put a pool in 3 years ago. The installation was a headache and due to weather the concrete took forever. That being said we all LOVE it. I love being able to run into my house if I forget something, or throw dinner in the oven. I grew up belonging to a pool club and to me thats just too much of a hassle.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I wanted to thank everyone again for their ideas and give an update on our project.

I continued to have trouble communicating with the pool contractor. I eventually just sent an email stating that I was ending the project. It's been difficult struggle to get my deposit back, even though I was within the time period of the contract. They are supposed to cut me a check tomorrow.

I turned to the other company that we considered. I took the first offer to them and they matched it. We are now on course with this new contractor and should be breaking ground soon.

Thanks again!