TAKE THE PLUNGE
Are you planning a pool this summer? Here’s what you need to know before making a splash
Everything you need to know to decide whether to install a pool – just in time for summer
The humble backyard
swimming pool has long been considered a dream addition to the suburban block. Our obsession with pools hasn’t abated over the years – in fact, according to Joe Romeo, managing director of Melbourne Pools (melbpools.com.au), pools are more popular than ever.
“People entertain so much now with alfresco-style living, and everyone wants to have their friends over for a barbecue and to enjoy a swim in the pool,” says Joe. “In the past, I would tell people they wouldn’t lose money by putting in a pool if it was chosen correctly, but now they can actually add value to your home.”
Of course, installing a pool is a lot more detailed than selecting a favourite from your Pinterest page, so here are some guidelines to get your pool build in the right lane.
choose your style
Swimming pools can be grouped broadly into two categories – concrete and ibreglass. Brisbane-based builder Ryan McDonald (ryanmcdonaldbuilding.com.au) reckons that 95 per cent of his clients decide to install a concrete pool.
While some request a fully tiled interior, this is a substantially more expensive option. “Most people choose a pebblecrete bottom that you spray on, which is about $20,000 cheaper than full tiling,” says Ryan. Tiles just at the waterline are another common choice.
A small proportion of people decide on a ibreglass pool, especially if soil is an issue. “Fibreglass pools are more suited to a heavy black soil or a moving clay soil, as the ibreglass will move with the ground while a concrete pool may crack,” says Ryan.
It’s important to also choose a style. Do you want a 25-metre lap pool with seating at one end so the kids can play? Or perhaps, if space is tight, an on-trend plunge pool?
money matters
Nothing dashes dreams of elaborate lagoon-shaped pools and intricate tiling quite like a budget. The good news is there is a wide variety of pool styles in all price brackets.
A ibreglass pool, including the installation, coping tiles around the rim, concrete surround and fencing, will set you back around $40,000, according to Ryan. A concrete pool with a pebblecrete interior and a high-quality glass fence — the most popular variety — will cost from roughly $65,000 for a standard 7m x 4m pool.
Some more elaborate pools can cost up to $200,000 to install. But before you splurge on such a top-shelf version, think about re-sale value. “If you install a very expensive pool in a house that isn’t suited to the luxury buyer, you run the risk of overcapitalising,” says Joe.
site considerations
Some suburban blocks are more suited to excavation than others. “If you can get a big machine into the block, it can be easier, but with some blocks you can only get a little machine into the site due to tricky access,” says Ryan.
A sloping block can also add to site costs, due to the extra engineering and retaining walls. Ryan McDonald estimates a 20 25 per cent premium on the excavation costs of sloping blocks. “The excavation cost is sometimes listed as provisional within the costings because you don’t know if you are going to hit hard rock,” he says.
A site easement – the term for a section of land registered on your property title that gives someone else the right to use the land – can also cause headaches. “If you’re buying a block of land,” says Joe Romeo, “check if there are any easements on it irst, as this can reduce the section of the block where a pool can be built.”
landscaping looks
It’s a smart idea to leave plenty of room around your swimming pool, as it means you can landscape it properly and set aside ample space for daybeds and deckchairs.
Landscape designer Sam Timms from Harrison’s Landscaping in Sydney (harrisonslandscaping.com.au) has noticed that pool sizes are getting smaller and the outdoor entertaining areas that surround them are expanding.
“People are bringing the entertaining area closer to the pool by having larger lounging concourses and cabanas that incorporate outdoor kitchens,” says Sam.
He recommends creating shade through large plants such as Dypsis lutescens golden cane palm, as well as with a mix of umbrellas, pergolas and retractable shade canopies. “Do your research and avoid plants that are susceptible to chlorine burn, are deciduous or have invasive roots,” says Sam. On his projects, he commonly uses
Senecio serpens blue chalk sticks as groundcover, Trachelospermum jasminoides star jasmine as a climber, Agave attenuata foxtail agave as a succulent and Westringia fruticosa coastal rosemary as a hardy shrub.
safety first
Last, but definitely not least, we come to the issue of child safety. Each state and territory has strict pool fencing laws and it’s imperative to ensure that your pool builder is compliant. “In Queensland, for example, it has to be a 1.2m-high pool fence with no footholds to climb over,” says Ryan.
Remember, too, that a pool won’t happen overnight. Permits can take six weeks to be rubber-stamped by council and the actual installation can take between three weeks and three months. “And a concrete pool needs to cure for 28 days after installation before anyone can use it,” adds Joe.
Finally, check the person you’re working with is properly licenced. Ask for a couple of references, too, just to be safe.