Take the plunge Pools for every garden and budget
DREAMING OF SUMMER DAYS SPENT LAZING BY YOUR VERY OWN POOL? KNOW YOUR OPTIONS FOR EVERY BUDGET WITH OUR BUYERS’ GUIDE
Poolside barbecues, early-morning swims and late-night dips: having a swimming pool in your backyard is the very definition of the great Australian dream. But pools are also one of the most expensive investments you’ll make as a homeowner, so it’s vital to do your research first. “Most people don’t understand how much a good-quality pool costs,” says principal architect and managing director Will Marcus of Argo. “Every backyard is different, and there are so many factors at play.” Turn over for everything you need to know before you buy. >
POOLSIDE PREP
Before you start ringing around for quotes, think carefully about what you need from a pool. Do you want a resort-style backyard for staycations, a focal point for entertaining or a water feature to admire? “Size and location are also important factors,” says pool industry consultant Veda Dante. If you have kids, she recommends checking they can be supervised from indoor or outdoor entertaining areas, and that there’s adequate space for required fencing. Finally, take note of site considerations, such as underground sewers, drainage systems and utility pipes, as these will all impact the cost.
“As well as the cost of the pool itself, there’s a long list of stuff every pool owner needs to budget for,” says Will Marcus of design firm
Argo. “This includes council fees, pool safety fencing and gates, plumbing, a stormwater drainage system, retaining walls or an embankment treatment, electrical works for your filtration, and concourses and paths around the pool.” Depending on your backyard, you may also need the site levelled around the pool and, if you need rock excavation, there’ll be extra costs for bulk earth removal. Long-term, you’ll be paying more monthly for water and electricity, so make sure you factor in those costs. To avoid financial stress, Will says adding 20 per cent to your budget should cover unexpected bills.
BUDGET: $15,000-$30,000
If you don’t have much cash to splash and feel comfortable doing some DIY, seek out a fibreglass pool manufacturer that offers DIY kits. “These pre-made pools are made from fibreglass-reinforced plastic and you can choose from different shapes, sizes and colours,” says Veda. “When manufactured properly, they are low maintenance and generally use less chemicals than other in-ground pools.” Before your pool is delivered by semi-trailer and crane (you will need to organise these, or pay extra), you’ll need to dig a hole to accommodate it. Once that is done, other jobs on the to-do list include fitting a filtration system, connecting the plumbing and installing the coping or decking (you could use a friend or local builder to help with all, or part, of the installation). Another great budget option is a pre-cast concrete plunge pool. “There are lots of prefabricated concrete options coming onto the market that significantly reduce installation costs and time by enabling you to ‘select, install and swim’,” says Veda. These pools are compact
(think 4.6m x 2.5m), so they’re perfect for small backyards. >
“SMART TECHNOLOGY MEANS TODAY’S SWIMMING POOLS cost ARE less EASIER TO LOOK AFTER, TO RUN AND ARE HEALTHIER TO SWIM IN” ~ VEDA DANTE, POOL INDUSTRY CONSULTANT
MID-RANGE: $30,000-$40,000
As your budget increases, so do your options. “For $30,000-$40,000, you’re looking at a pool with 400mm wide stone tile coping in fibreglass or sprayed concrete, surrounded by brick paving on a sand or cement base, or tiles on a concrete slab,” says Will Marcus of design firm Argo. “For this price, you usually get some automatic equipment like a pump, filter and an automatic chlorinator with manual pool-cleaning equipment.” Whichever you choose, both fibreglass and concrete come with pros and cons: fibreglass costs about 20 per cent less to install, and the ongoing costs are lower due to less maintenance, chemicals and energy consumption, but since they’re pre-made, they’re limited in terms of design and colour. At the other end of the spectrum, concrete pools (right) offer infinite possibilities in size, shape, depth and location, however, these bespoke options come at a price. “Unlike fibreglass, you can add custom additions such as a ‘pebblecrete’ interior with a waterline mosaic tile band, LED underwater lights, and underwater ledges and steps to concrete pools,” says Will.
“KEEPING THE KIDS ENTERTAINED, staying COOLING fit OFF ON A HOT DAY, AND HEALTHY - THERE ARE MYRIAD REASONS WHY OWNING A POOL REMAINS AN INTEGRAL PART OF AUSTRALIAN CULTURE” ~ VEDA DANTE, POOL INDUSTRY CONSULTANT
LUXURY: $50,000-$60,000
Top of the range equals all the tricks and features. “For around $60,000 you’ll get a sprayed concrete pool with a ceramic or stone tile coping, LED underwater lights, two or three underwater ledges or steps, and a granolithic-style interior, which usually includes glass beads with a waterline mosaic tile or glass tile band,” says Will. Some packages may also include pool heating and a thermal blanket, and you’ll usually get fully automatic equipment, too, at this price. If you want a connected spa (pictured), factor in another $20,000, plus about $5000 for solar heating or $8000 for an electric heat pump. As well as more design options, a bigger budget further means access to smart technology that will make your pool easier to look after, cheaper to run and healthier to swim in. “Today’s automation means you can create self-sufficient swimming pools that effectively monitor, clean, chlorinate and maintain themselves, and you can control these smart systems from anywhere in the world via the internet,” says pool industry consultant Vera Dante. >
WATER WISE
Routine pool care not only safeguards swimmers, it also helps to reduce water use – an essential consideration.
“Pool maintenance usually includes testing and balancing the water, scooping debris out of the pool, emptying the skimmer basket, brushing the walls, vacuuming the floor, cleaning the filter and cleaning the salt cell,” says executive officer Rick Graham of Swimart. Rick recommends making use of Waterco Glass Pearls, a new generation of filter media that needs less water for backwashing, which is crucial during water restrictions.
Evaporation is one of the biggest contributors to dropping water levels in swimming pools, so invest in a cover – either a physical one (try Clark Rubber to cater for a custom size or shape) or a chemical product such as AquaSaver that you simply add to water. Lowering the temperature of the water will also reduce evaporation, while keeping the pool’s water level down just a little will put a stop to water loss caused by splashing.