For many Australians, owning a home with a pool is living the dream and with the impact of climate change, that desire is turning into a need for owners who live in warmer, regional towns. We know that renovated properties hold their value - and there are few greater pleasures than finishing your work day with a quick dip in the privacy of your own pool - but how easy is it to install a pool and are they really worth the effort and investment?

Will you get a return on your investment from your pool? 

This is, perhaps, the most crucial question to ask yourself before you install a pool, but the truth is they are only a good investment if 1. You use them, and 2. You see some return on your investment. Understand that the overall cost of a pool is not simply about your initial financial outlay, there are also long-term financial obligations in terms of maintenance to consider. 

Obviously, the easiest route to owning a pool is to buy a house or property which already has one, so check out our hub of off-market properties for our listings with pools - frankly, the best way to access properties before they hit the market. But the downside of inheriting a pool is that, firstly, it may be tired and in need of some TLC, and secondly, you can't customise it to your needs.

So, where do you start?

You will quickly discover that swimming pools come in all shapes and sizes, and the biggest risk to installing your own is sticking to a budget. Extra costs for access difficulties, hitting rock or underground pipework, and extra landscaping are not uncommon with the construction process, so make an allowance for the unexpected.   

Good research and planning are key

Look at a pool installation from both a practical and cost perspective. Think about how much your family will benefit from the pool, make sure the pool is a worthwhile addition to your property, and if you are intending to sell in the near future, ask an agent if they believe it will be a good investment.

“We actually spend more time looking at our pools than we do swimming in them!” (Compass Pools)

To help you get on the right track, we've done some research for you and come up with nine important questions to ask yourself ahead of signing your pool contract:

1. Why do you want a pool? - Be aware that some buyers view a pool as a liability rather than an asset. Aside from the safety risks for young children, “One of the things that can potentially scare people off swimming pools is the thought of having to look after it on a daily basis…so it pays to think about the different things you can do to make your pool as “hands-free” as possible,” advises Compass Pools.
2. What approvals do you require? - Pool legislation varies from state to state, but you will need some sort of pool permit, a geotechnical survey and a site plan, and you may need your plans approved by your local council. Your pool must also comply with certain regulations, which, due to the recent increase in drowning deaths, are mostly centred around safety.
3. What is your budget? - Whenever people ask me what it costs to install a pool, the expression “How long is a piece of string” springs to mind. That’s because of the extensive options available and unforeseen costs that owners often encounter during the construction process. There may be additional excavation costs for hitting rock or pipework, you may need to build retaining walls or buy extra concrete, and landscaping costs like the charges to remove and dump your soil all add up. We had very narrow access on either side of our home, which increased our excavation costs and at the end of our pool installation, we had to replace the entire back lawn. We also forgot to factor into our budget the cost of a pool cover and a pool house to house our sanitation/filtration/cleaning systems. Lastly, never underestimate the cost of fencing - frameless glass finishes don't come cheap!
4. Where is the best place to locate your pool?– Your pool’s location is determined by a myriad of different factors, not just the position of the sun. The location of sewage lines, tree coverage, excavation costs and accessibility will all affect the final decision. 
5. What type of pool do you want? - Inground, above-ground? Concrete or fibreglass? The choices in terms of pool design are endless, so make sure you do your research properly so your pool meets your budget and expectations without too many unexpected costs.
6. What are your responsibilities in terms of safety? - For obvious reasons, fencing is the biggest concern and as such, there are detailed rules about access, fence height, bar width and how the door latch works. A more recent requirement is a CPR sign in the pool area.  
7. How much will it cost to maintain your pool? - Aside from keeping the chemicals of your pool water balanced and free of debris, concrete pools need resurfacing every fifteen years or so. You will also need to think about who tends to your pool when you go away. Compass Pools cites ongoing maintenance, electricity, and chemicals as the three cost centres when it comes to swimming pool ownership.
8. How can you make your pool sustainable? - Pool covers, solar heating, robotic cleaners, LED lights, using glass media for your sand filter, and topping up your pool with rainwater are all effective ways to help reduce energy, save water and minimise the use of chemicals in your pool.
9. Which is the right builder? – Ideally, friends will recommend a pool company or builder, but if not, make sure you get at least three quotes and that each builder quotes to the same specification. 

Pools are a major investment but, in general, they add value to a property

Construction costs are currently high - although there are ways around that - nevertheless, in general, a pool adds value to a property. That does depend on the property, because a family with young kids, for example, may be turned off by a pool that takes up the whole garden and downsizers may not want the maintenance, but if you are confident your lifestyle will benefit from one, there's no better way to fulfil the Aussie dream.

For free access to our stunning range of off-market properties with pools, sign up with us today. For a small fee, we offer additional support in the shape of our Buyer Assist service where our members can work with our highly-experienced Buyer's Advocates to secure their dream home.