Homebuyer weighs costs of house with pool
Q: I am considering purchasing a home with an in-ground swimming pool. I’m worried about the annual upkeep expense. I researched the cost for maintaining an in-ground pool, and it looks like I’ll spend between $7,000 to $9,000 annually.
I realize the internet is probably not the best way to ascertain this expense. I want to be smart about this, so I wonder if you could provide additional information, research or your own personal experience? Thank you.
A: We don’t own a pool (in-ground or otherwise) and live in Illinois, where as of this writing there is about 6 inches of snow covering our backyard.
While some of our neighbors have in-ground pools or indoor pools, they’re not as prevalent as in warmer climates. And different pools require different levels of maintenance.
So, the best thing to do is contact the owners of the home (or their agent) and ask.
Or if the homeowners are reticent to share that information, ask them which company they use to maintain their pool.
Once you get the name of the pool company, call and find out how much money the owners spend (roughly, as they may not want to be too specific) maintaining their pool. The pool company should have a good sense of what the annual costs are, but you should ask them what sort of expenses you’ll run into down the road. For example, if the pool is old and leaks, you may have to retile it at some point, which can be expensive.
In colder climates, pools are closed down for the
winter and it can be expensive to place them back in service for the summer. Sometimes these expenses can run in the thousands of dollars depending on the pool size and equipment. Once the pool is open and in use, you’ll have the frequent and ordinary
expenses of keeping the pool in good condition and the water clean and safe for swimming.
Don’t forget the cost of heating the pool. Some pool owners use solar panels to lower their heating costs, others simply pay whatever it takes to keep the pool at a toasty temperature. Others heat the pool only when needed, or not at all.
The cost of having a pool varies widely based on location, the type of energy you use to heat it, and the size, age, equipment, amenities and mechanicals. If the pool is surrounded by trees and plants that shed leaves and debris into the pool, it may need constant cleaning.
Finally, there’s the cost of insurance. You’ll need a homeowners policy that covers the pool and may want to consider a larger umbrella liability policy. You’re smart to think through the costs first, rather than diving straight into the deep end.
Ilyce Glink is the CEO of Best Money Moves and Samuel J. Tamkin is a real estate attorney. Contact them through the website ThinkGlink.com.