Buying an In-ground Pool

When you think of having your own pool, usually, a big, fully tiled concrete in-ground pool is the first thing that pops into your head. You figure it would be extremely expensive and, most of the time, you would be right! However, there are different shapes and sizes you can choose from and they vary in price, so you should be able to find one to suit your budget!

Tips on Purchasing the Right In-ground Pool for You

When it comes to choosing the right in-ground pool, there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration. These include:

•    The Size and Shape Of Your Yard

The first thing you need to assess is just how big your yard is and how big you want your pool. Obviously, if you only have a small yard, you will not be able to have a huge swimming pool! So, measure the size of your yard and decide how much of it you want the pool to cover. You can perhaps have a bigger pool if you change its shape from rectangle to a curvy shape? It is all about figuring out what size and shape would suit your yard best.

•    Budget

Obviously, your budget is going to be one of the main deciding factors in which in-ground pool you actually choose. You may have a huge yard with space for a fairly large in-ground pool, but if you do not have the budget, the size of your yard is irrelevant. So just how much can you expect to pay for an in-ground pool?

Generally prices do vary from pool to pool, but a rough guide includes:

A) For an 16×32 pool, you can expect to pay anything from $14,000 - $27,000
B) For an 18×36 pool, you can expect to pay from $16,000 - $31,000
C) For a 20×40 pool, you can expect to pay $18,000 - $35,000

Overall, the price varies depending upon what you want the pool made out of and how large you want the it to be.

•    The Materials

Just what do you want the pool to be made from? The cheapest pools tend to be made from Steel with Vinyl lining. Other materials include Polymer, Cement or Block walls and Gunite. Obviously, there will be advantages and disadvantages to all materials and it is better to speak to a professional in order to choose the right one for you.

Generally, buying an in-ground pool does take a lot of consideration and money, so you really need to do your research beforehand and see what fits into your budget and what shape would go better in your yard. It is always better to have at least $14,000 for a decent pool, but, as mentioned, prices do vary from pool to pool.

Pros of Owning Chlorine Free Swimming Pool

When you have your own personal pool in your backyard, you can just take a nice cold dip whenever the sun gives off its hottest and highest temperature. The minute you’re sweating and feel sticky, you can just grab your towel and your swimsuit from inside the house and dive right into your pool.

Pools are necessities especially in places that often have humid atmosphere, like Florida. If you’ve been to Florida and had seen the movie “The Birdcage,” you would understand why people walk in swimming trunks and bathing suits. The heat alone is hard to bear when you tread the feet-burning concrete in shirts and pants.

Now if you live in a warm state and you have a pool in your backyard, dipping your whole body in the cool water is a great way to get through the warm weather. A swimming pool is way better than taking a shower, even if it is a cold one.

Also, it’s not really known by most people but having your own personal pool allows you to do water exercises. People with back injuries can actually resort to their pool as a place where they can do water exercises. Water supports the back and has minimum impact. Swimming every day, even if it is only for an hour, is also a great exercise that would tone your body.

What is the difference of a chlorinated pool to a chlorine-free swimming pool? Well, for one, the chlorinated pool would not give people much benefits when they conduct their water exercises in it.

If one of your reasons for having a private pool in your residence is so that you can do water exercises, then it is better that you get a chlorine-free swimming pool. It not only has good effects in an individual’s health, it is also healthy for the environment. Installing your own chlorine-free swimming pool is worth it.

Even if your pool is above-ground, fiberglass or in-ground, if it is chlorine-free, then it will still give the owner the same benefits. The only difference is in terms of construction

The above-ground pools have steel frames that include a plastic liner. They are very expensive, usually about $1500. Fiberglass are constructed in the factory then delivered to your backyard with the use of the crane. A hole is dug in your yard and then some deck structure is there to hold it. Lastly, the in-ground cement pool is the most expensive out of the three because its general price is $25,000. The materials are tile and cement but it takes a long period of time to build.

After deciding what kind of pool, the next step is to let it be either chlorinated or chlorine-free.

Chlorine is a toxic chemical which the skin easily absorbs. Interesting enough, the human body absorbs more chlorine than water. Studies show that a child can absorb a maximum ten times of contamination in a swimming pool because of chlorine.

Because our body absorbs chlorine, 100 percent of the contaminants go straight into our bloodstream. Skin in our privates parts absorb the most chlorine. Besides, it is the one that is always underwater, therefore exposed most of the time to the pollutant.
Aside from chlorine in the pool, chlorine can also be found in organic compound such as leaves. These become carcinogenic trihalomethanes. Chloroform is also said to be a contaminated pollutant.

Look at your swimming pool like it is a large pond. When left alone, nature will take its course. In the French movie “Swimming Pool,” the pool was left alone for many months so eventually it sprouted scum on its tiles. Dried leaves were everywhere and fish and frogs already inhabited it. Nature transformed a human pool into animal pond.

Now, if you have a chlorine free pool, the best way is to put oxygen into water that is actually beneficial to anyone’s health as well as to the environment. This is done by selecting a water conditioner that contains the technical grade hydrogen peroxide that is required (35%). Hydrogen peroxide may be very harmful, burning the skin and blinding the eye, but when diluted, it provides oxygen to the water. Handle the solution with extreme care when the process is taking place.

The water conditioner is a little pipe that is connected to the pool water’s plumbing so there is a continuous cycle. In the pipe is a core built from metal adding the charge of electricity to the water while it passes through. Because of this, water becomes 400 times smaller making it silky and soft. No need to add water softening chemicals or salt.

Now that you have your chlorine-free pool, enjoy the healthy benefits you can get from it. You can also skinny dip if you want, all because it’s in your own backyard.

 

Whether your building an in-ground swimming pool or an above-ground pool, considering the cost should be foremost before going ahead to construct it. Your budget will determine which type of pool would be just right for you and your loved ones.

If you are planning to sell your house, a pool would definitely increase the re-sale value and add appeal to your home. Bankers and lenders are favorable to financing pool construction as they view it as improving homes, increasing their value for re-sale.

All in all, an in-ground pool is more expensive to construct than an above-ground pool. This is because building the pool involves installation, designing and constructing the pool. Filtration is also necessary for in-ground pools and is quite expensive. Regular maintenance and necessary equipment is also a big consideration.

If you are set on building that pool and you do not have the cash to begin construction, you can apply for long-term financing which allows you to stretch the paying period, thereby, making your monthly payment small enough to build that pool.

Pools with some patio and surrounded by safety fence, you are looking at more or less $20,000. More intricate designs will cost $40,000-$100,000+. On the average, a pool may cost as low as $10,000 to as high as $40,000, which depends wholly on its size, builder accessibility, and optional additional features. You can discuss these features with your constructor. It is better to have information before entering into an agreement with a contractor.

The cost all depends on the materials and extra features that you want to add. Landscaping would be nice to add more appeal to your new pool, together with lighting and fountains. You may also want to add water slides, tiling designs and vacuums. All these would determine the over-all cost of your pool.

When setting your budget for the pool, you should consider the following points. How much can you afford? Determine how big a pool can fit into your yard and the zoning restrictions in your area. Canvass for contractors and how long construction will take. Ask around also for insurance and the all-important safety guidelines of pool making.

For maintenance, it is important to know the cost of the following, chemicals for water treatment, budget for a pool man who could do regular cleaning for you if you don’t have the time to do it yourself and the updating of pool interior every 5-7 years or 10-15 years. Vinyl liners require replacement every 5-7 years while plaster finish on concrete requires 10-15 year intervals.

It is also good to consider costs for building permits. In-ground permits usually require a building permit fee of 1%of the total cost of the pool construction.

Once you have decided on your pool design and contractor and you are about to start construction, make sure that you stick to your budget. Your budget should also include maintenance in the future. Finally, you have to make sure that you really want it and you can afford it.

Now that you are ready for construction, this is the perfect time to go scouting for sales and bargains. There are many ways that you can cut down on the costs. Shopping off-season gives you the opportunity to buy some materials at a relatively lower cost than normal. Specialty pool stores seasonally offer bargains to increase their sales during off season. With your available budget, you can afford a better model.

Shopping off-season, like during winter, also gives you enough time to complete that pool just before summer starts.

It is tempting to buy that new trendy model items on display. However, these would really add to your expenses. Why not select a model with a similar design but has only the basics, you will definitely save up on this.

Don’t scrimp on the safety features your pool will need, like pool barriers, automatic locks and alarms. They could mean the life of a loved one. Choose good-quality brands that may cost more but is sure worth the price.

Spending on that dream pool is a big decision to make. Weigh the pros and cons of your decisions. If you want it all that much, then go for it! After all, it would add value and beauty to your home. Be ready, though, for the expenses that come with it, it is not cheap but definitely is worth it all!!

I finally came upon something to blog about:  Solar Pool Heating.  Well, ok, I have known about this for a while.  I also have had this swimming pool blog and pool directory for a while–actually the pool directory for 5 years or more.  I thought that I would sell advertising, but I found that in too many pool companies just didn't get it.  I even gave away some pages on my site!  I am not a sales person so that was probably the problem.

Then I created this blog just to share about things like chlorine free pools and promote pool companies and pool financing companies I can personally trust.  I threw a few google ads on here just to make a few bucks.  But why I never thought of blogging solar pool heaters is beyond me.  Maybe, to be honest, because I haven't given it much thought.  Just today I found this company that seems to have a lot to offer.  They even have a Solar Hot Water Bible.  Anyway, it's worth checking if you have an interest in these things or are considering purchsing a solar heater for your pool.  You can find the info here:

Sick of your Cold Pool? Swim year round affordably Pro Solar pool heater installations
Solar Hot Water Bible: Do-It-Yourselfers & Contractors - Learn from the solar water heaters industry leader

Since the recent housing crisis, home construction has slowed down.  But has pool construction slowed down?  Many think that it has.  We suspect that folks who own existing swimming pools and want to remodel will be a business that might not be effected.  But I am no expert.  I just know a lot of folks in the pool construction business.  And some of them are suffering, and some are not suffering.

We can only hope that the crisis that people find themselves in will not last too long, not just the home owners, but the construction businesses as well.

This post is open for comments.  No spam please!

Technorati Tags: swimming pool construction, swimming pools, swimming pool loans, water, housing crisis, home construction crisis, pool builder, pool financing

Why chose a mortgage broker over a bank for your pool financing?  I am not an expert, but this is my personal experience when I worked for a pool company for many years. 

First of all, a mortgage broker will normally be working for you.  Also, normally with a mortgage broker you will get a fixed rate, not to be confused with a bank loan variable rate.  As I said, I am not an expert, but I did learn about these things.

Also, if you are using a mortgage broker for your pool loan, then you are better off going with one that specializes in swimming pool loans, as there are many nuances involved with the pool construction process.

We used only one pool finance company when our customers did not have their own financing. 

In the Swim of Things

How to avoid the enviro nasties that lurk in pools

By Carmela Federico

This is an excellent article and must read for anyone who owns a swimming pool and still uses chlorine. =>

Swimming Pool Tips

Swimming Pool Remodeling from Natural Springs Pools.  Call Paul at 813-933-9500
 Pool Remodeling
  Tell him you heard about him at my blog.

Financing my swimming pool might be a concern for you, but don't let it be.  Unless you already have an equity line of credit, financing your pool should be normally taken out of the hands of banks, and bank  equity credit lines.    Finding a trusted Mortgage Broker who will work for you is the way to go.  The main goal will be to find you the best pool financing package.

You can check with Lyon Financial and if you are lucky that your states is one of the many states they service, then I can highly suggest you check them before deciding.  They are of highest integrity. 

Click => Financing My Pool

Today's featured Swimming Pool Contractor & Builder is Natural Springs Pools.   This family owned business of 28 years has gained and maintained an impeccable reputation.  If you are building a pool in Tampa Bay, Pasco County, Odessa and neighboring areas, you need to check with them before you decide.

I will admit I am a little prejudice because I worked for them for 7 years.  But, this is why I know that you can trust them, and that the owners take personal care to be sure you are satisfied.  And they build some of the most beautiful pools you will ever see.  And they don't mince on the quality like other pool builders will do.

Check out their extensive swimming pool picture gallery and see for for yourself =>    Natural Springs Pool Contractor & Builder