Swimming Pool Wiring: How Much Does Electrical Hook-up Cost?

What does it cost to wire a swimming pool??

Every inground pool project comes with certain peripheral costs that need to be figured when calculating a budget.  In many cases, one such cost is electrical hook-up.  This article is a guide to provide inground pool shoppers with a "ball-park" idea of what to expect to spend to have an electrician wire all of the components of their pool.  Please keep in mind that swimming pool electrical hook-up cost may vary widely between regions.    

 

General Price Range

In the Virginia, Maryland, D.C. areas a standard electrical hook-up package for an inground pool will generally cost between $1,200 and $1,500.  This standard package would include:

• An electrical permit

• Labor and materials to wire standard pool components which include: pump, light, pump timer, and installing one gfci receptacle plug between 10'-20' from the pool.

• Bonding all necessary components

• Insuring all necessary inspections pass

 

Criteria of a "Standard Installation"

Most electricians consider an installation to be "standard" when:

• The equipment (pump and filter system) is located at the house and therefore does not require any trenching between the house and the pool equipment.
• The house has a standard crawlspace foundation.
• The house panel box has room for the additional breakers needed for the pool equipment.

 

Factors that will affect cost:

Obviously, there are many pool projects that do not fall within the parameters of a standard electrical hook-up package.  Here is a list of additional factors that will affect the electrical hook-up cost.

 

Filter system location

Locating the pool equipment away from the house adds cost for two primary reasons.  First, because the electrician now has to dig a trench across the yard from the house to the equipment and this trench has to be inspected by local building officials to verify that it is at proper depth.  Second, because it's a longer run from the panel box in the house to the equipment the amount of labor and material increases proportionately.

Additional Cost:  $500-$1,000

 

Pool Equipment

As I stated earlier a standard hook-up normally includes wiring the pump, pump timer, light, and a receptacle.  Each additional piece of pool equipment that needs to be wired will add some cost to the bottom line.  Here's a list of pool options and a general price to wire them.

• Salt Chlorine Generator:                  $150

• Heat Pump:                                   $500-$750

• Fuel Burning Heater:                       $300-$500

• Hot Tub                                        $500-$1,000

• Automatic Cover                             $500-$750

 

Basement or Concrete Slab Foundation

A finished basement or concrete slab foundation requires the electrician to run his wire out of the house at the location of the electrical panel box and trench around the entire perimeter of the house until he reaches the pool equipment.  In contrast, with a crawl space foundation (standard installation) the electrician can run the wire under the house and have the wire exit at the equipment location.  This additional labor and materials will usually cost an additional $500-$1000.

 

Room in House Electrical Panel

If the house electrical panel is full there are two options:

The first option is to have the electrician install a sub-panel which will simply provide the breaker space needed to accommodate the pool equipment.  This approach assumes that the existing service to the house can handle the load placed on it by the new pool equipment.  This approach is basically a means of re-distributing the existing electrical service in your home and will normally cost an additional $250-$500

The second option is to contact the electrical company and get what's known as a service upgrade which will increase the amount of electricity provided to your house.  This normally takes the electrical provider three to six weeks to install and can cost from $750-$1500.

 

Well, there you have it:  a cost guide for wiring an inground pool.  Please feel free to share any questions or comments below and we'll be happy to respond.   

Monthly Electrical Costs to Run a Swimming Pool: What Should You Expect?

Potential swimming pool owners often times wonder how much they'll spend on a monthly basis for electrical/ power usage with their new swimming pool. Considering long term costs on a pool should certainly factor into one's purchasing decision, such a question makes quite a bit of sense.

Unfortunately, every pool is different in terms of how much electrical is used and therefore the monthly costs can vary significantly as well. So keep this in mind as you read the following, as these are General Guidelines.

2 Speed and Variable Speed Pump/Filter Systems (includes salt)

Pump manufacturers have become much more energy and cost conscious over the past 10 years or so, with most pool companies now making 2-speed and variable speed pumps a standard part of their basic installation. For example, at River Pools and Spas we include a 2-Speed Whisper Flow Pump by Pentair on all of our packages. In the majority of cases, pool owners will run this pump on low speed 24/7 during the summer, which is a very good idea because it allows for constant filtration and sanitation. Although the high speed is used at times, (especially when vacuuming) the pump is not running full-speed nearly as often.

Typical Monthly Cost on Electric Bill: $30-$50

1-Speed Pump (includes salt)

For whatever reason, and much to my dismay, there are still a decent amount of companies out there that are only installing 1-speed pumps on new pool installations. This leaves the homeowner with 2 choices: Run the pump on high speed 24/7, or have it on a timer, turning on and off at 8 hour (average) intervals. As you can imagine, both these options have their drawbacks.

Average Monthly Cost: $75-$150

Heat Pumps

Heat Pumps, which use electric instead of gas or propane, are a relatively efficient way to heat (and also cool) a swimming pool. Although the size of a heat pump does make some difference, the biggest factor on its electrical consumption has to do with the pool's location/region and ambient temperature outside. So for the sake of creating some type of estimate, most heat pumps will add $75-$250 per month in electrical expenses, again depending on their usage.

Inground Hot Tubs

This is a tough one to answer considering there are many ways to build an inground hot tub. Notwithstanding, running an inground hot tub can often times consume as much if not more electrical than an inground pool, especially if it utilizes an electric heater.

Typical Monthly Power Consumption:  $75-$300

 

So there are some general guidelines for those of you looking for expected energy costs and consumption. Keep in mind also that I've listed monthly (not yearly) costs in this article because most pools in the United States are not open year-round.

Note*** If you're considering the purchase of an inground pool and live outside of the Va/Md/Wva area, receive a quote from our affiliate site here. If you live in the Va/Md area and would like to receive a pool quote from River Pools, please click here.

Marcus Sheridan

Questions? Comments? What have been your experiences? What are the numbers in your area? As always, we'd love to hear from you.

The Top 6 Hidden Costs of a Swimming Pool Project

I was on an appointment last night with a potential pool owner and was reminded of the important, as well as frustrating, theme of this article. To make a long story short, the homeowners had received a couple of quotes for their swimming pool and despite the fact that they obviously needed a small retaining wall on one side of their pool, none of the other companies had mentioned this relevant fact. And why had such an important element of the project been tossed aside? Simply put:

Because the homeowner had a very set and lower budget, and because ever dollar mattered in order to make the sale, the pool builders simply left it out knowing such an issue could be dealt with later.

Now this may sound harsh. It may also come across like the two companies that had already been out and quoted the homeowner were dishonest. Although I'm not going to say they were dishonest, they were certainly willing to overlook imperative parts to the project so as to win the bid.

This is a classic example of ‘hidden costs' for pool shoppers. After being in this business for about 10 years now I've seen examples of homeowners getting hit with such costs after the start of the project by their pool company many, many times. And although the occasional hidden cost is inevitable, most can and should be caught, or at least brought to light, beforehand.

So that's the purpose of this article. I want you, the homeowner, to be fully cognoscente of the potential extra expenses you're going to have with your swimming pool project. The whole idea here is that you can set a budget and won't have to go into a panic once the project has actually begun because something surprising has popped up. And if you already own a pool, then feel free to stop reading at any point. ;-)

Top 6 Hidden Costs of a Swimming Pool Project

Retaining Walls

You've already heard my story from last night, but such an experience happens to me at least once a month. If I had a dollar for every time a homeowner told me, ‘The pool guy said I may need a retaining wall after the project is done, but said we'll just have to wait and see', I'd be a rich man. Fact is, retaining walls can get pretty expensive. They also have extreme importance in terms of pool and decking stability as well as proper yard drainage. So if anyone says you may need a retaining, please do yourself a favor and get a set price on the wall before the project ever starts.

Extra Concrete

Like retaining walls, there are often times not nearly enough discussion about a pool's patio leading up to the project. And because most people get at least an extra 300-700 square feet of patio beyond their initial 3'-4' border, the cost of additional patio is usually the most expensive option to the pool. Although I do understand that some homeowners are going to get the minimal amount of patio up front so as to save money and at least be able to enjoy their swimming pool, they should still have a plan/design already in place (with help from the pool builder) showing the amount of additional patio footage they'll need in the future. Again, do not overlook or push aside this important element to learning the true cost of your swimming pool project.

Dirt Hauling

When an inground swimming pool is built, a significant amount of dirt comes out of the ground. And when I say significant, I mean a LOT. In fact, homeowners are usually shocked to see the actual amount when all is said and done. In some cases, the dirt that comes out of the hole can be spread out or dumped on the homeowner's yard or land. But as often is the case, the dirt will need to be hauled away. Hauling dirt, especially in the big cities, can be pretty expensive. Therefore, make sure you always know if dirt hauling is included in the cost of the project as I've literally seen cases where the homeowner was left with a big mound of muck in their backyard.....Yikes!

Landscaping

The process of putting in an inground swimming pool is a rather involved one, using quite a bit of heavy equipment to make the project a reality. Because of this, anywhere equipment comes in and out of the property so as to get to the pool area may be damaged. This means that any grass in this area will need to be seeded/replaced after the fact. In many cases, homeowners will just go ahead and sod in the area around the pool so as to get things looking back to normal right away.

If a driveway is the main entrance to the backyard, keep in mind there is a chance it driveway will sustain damage during the project. This is especially true in cases where the driveway, be it concrete or asphalt, was built too thin. In such cases, damage due to the weight of the equipment is basically inevitable. In fact, there have been many, many jobs where we have told homeowners that they needed to understand that their driveway was likely going to get very damaged due to the fact that it was obviously poorly constructed. Although such a conversation is never a fun one, it is critically necessary because we believe the only way to paint a picture when it comes to pool planning is by painting a realistic and honest one. At least this way, all parties know fully what to expect.

Electrical

Some pool builders included the electrical hook-up to the project in their standard package, and others treat it as a separate invoice. I have no problem with either, but in our case we always handle it separately. The reason for this is simple. The extent of an electrical job with a pool is based on how many items the homeowner is getting with their project that require power. For example, a pump, salt chorine generator, light, automatic cover, hot tub, and heat pump all require additional power when doing a pool's electrical. So depending on these factors, as well as additional outlets or lighting in the pool area, electrical costs can vary significantly. So just as with all the other categories we've discussed, make sure you have a clear cost for the electrical hook-up before the project starts.

Fencing

Just about every pool in the world is required to have a fence around it in some way, shape, or form. Unfortunately, I've seen many instances where the homeowner didn't even think about the fencing component of the project until the swimming pool was completely finished. Such an order of operations is not a good idea and should be taken care of at the same time the swimming pool and patio are planned.

So there are my top 6 hidden expenses of a swimming pool project. I hope this article helps you to be more prepared when you're ready to buy your swimming pool and if you having any questions, comments, or additions to the article; please don't hesitate to leave your thoughts below.

If you're considering the purchase of an inground pool and live outside of the Va/Md/Wva area, receive a quote from our affiliate site here. If you live in the Va/Md area and would like to receive a pool quote from River Pools, please click here.

Marcus Sheridan

Image courtesy of TruShu

 

5 Ways to Buy an Inground Swimming Pool for Less than $30,000 in 2010

5 Ways to Buy an Inground Fiberglass Swimming Pool for Less than $30,000 in 2010

As I've spoken of in recent articles, swimming pool financing can be difficult to come by these days for those persons serious about swimming pool ownership. The reason for this is quite simple. Since the economy sputtered in late 2008, home values have gone done drastically, meaning that many people who had equity at one time to borrow against (for such items as a swimming pool) now find themselves without the ability to apply for a second mortgage or home equity line.

For these persons, often times the only answer to swimming pool ownership is via an unsecured loan, or some other type of ‘home improvement' style loan. The problem with unsecured swimming pool loans that we have noticed in 2010 is the fact that most financial institutions do not lend more than $30,000. And as many people are well aware, purchasing a fiberglass swimming pool, with concrete patio and electrical hook up, is almost always going to cost more than $30,000.

So the question is-What's a person to do that has a 30k budget but wants a fiberglass pool? Understanding that this is a dilemma for many of our customers, we at River Pools have set up packages this year to accommodate this type of consumer. And in my discussions with pool builders across the country facing this very same issue, I know many that are offering similar packages. But if you are the shopping for an inground pool and 30k is your maximum budget, I'd suggest you consider the following:

1. Pool Size: I've mentioned this in other articles about pool sizes, but keep in mind that when it comes down to it, swimming pools are wonderful fun whether they are 25' long or 35' long. This is also why most people, with a 30k budget, need to choose a pool that is less than 30' long.

2. Minimal Patio: Patio can always be added later to a swimming pool. I've had many cases where my company has poured 3' of concrete around a pool and then a year or two down the road the homeowner added additional pavers. When adding additional patio after the fact, pavers are a great option and because of their flexible design capabilities, can be continually added upon over time.

3. Minimize Options: When a consumer wants to minimize their expenses, certain options that can be added later should be the first ones to go. As I discussed in my recent ‘5 Ways to Make Your Swimming Pool Purchase More Affordable' article, heaters and security covers can be added later very easily and will save thousands of dollars in up-front initial costs.

4. Homeowner Does Fencing: In just about every place one goes in the world, inground swimming pools are required to have fences due to safety precautions. This being said, fences can be somewhat expensive installed. For example, our average pool customer at River Pools will spend 5-6k on a fence, with powder-coated aluminum being the most common choice. Because fences are not terribly difficult to install, I've suggested to many, many homeowners over the years that they consider buying and installing their own fence. By so doing, most people only end up spending 2-3k in materials, which can be a big help when trying to stick with a tight budget.

5. Dirt Hauling: Although this doesn't apply to many jobs, hauling dirt from a job can be expensive, costing the homeowner anywhere from $500-$2000 depending on the amount of dirt as well as other variables. Obviously, if the dirt can stay on the property this is better off for everyone. But in cases where it must be hauled away, it's a great idea to find someone local who might want it or even be willing to take it away for you. I've seen homeowners save hundreds and hundreds in hauling fees simply because they took the time to look around.

So there are five suggestions that may help you purchase an inground swimming pool for less than $30,000 in 2010. Although there are other means of saving money, the key is that people who don't have enough equity in their homes simply don't give up on the idea of swimming pool ownership. I've had many customers that have received 30k unsecured loans already this year and I'm sure these types of loans will be an important part of financing in the swimming pool industry for at least 2 or 3 more years until the housing market has time to recover.

 

Marcus Sheridan, PoolSchool

5 Ways to Make Your Swimming Pool Project More Affordable

Ok, so rumor has it that the economy is currently not as strong as it was this time five years ago....And although I have not officially confirmed this rumor, I'll just assume that it's true, at least for the duration of this article ;-) .....

But seriously, just about every pool shopper has a budget. As a pool guy, I get this. And that's what this article is all about. After having personally assisted over 500 people in their inground pool purchase, the concept of meeting a budget but also being happy with one's decisions can be a fine balance. To meet this balance, I have listed 5 suggestions here to save money with your swimming pool purchase.

1.       Wait on the Heater: The most common option I've seen homeowners add over the years after having bought their pool is a heater. Adding a heater after having owned the swimming pool a season or more can be a great idea because pool owners can get a true gauge on just how much they need a heater, as well as what type of heater will suite them best. For example, most of our heater customers get heat pumps instead of a gas or propane heater. But  come in two options: With and without chillers. (A chiller is a component that will cool the water as well) After having owned a pool for a period of time, most people can determine which one of the two types of heat pumps is the better fit for their needs. Also, because heat pumps cost 4k or more, such a wait can save quite a bit of money initially.

2.       Add More Patio Later: In most cases, the most expensive option of a swimming pool project is the patio. This is why, when someone is on a very strict budget, getting only 3' of a concrete apron initially and then adding additional patio later is a great idea. When adding patio later, pavers tend to be the best option as they integrate well with older patio structures and offer unlimited flexibility.

3.       Size Isn't Everything: I've seen this over and over again. People (Dads in most cases) can get so caught up in the size of the pool that they end up not being able to afford the swimming pool at all. Such logic makes little sense considering most parents are getting the pool for their kids, and as we all know, children will use a swimming pool for hours upon hours no matter what size it is.

4.       Plumb for the Slide or Water Feature: Just like adding a heater later, slides and water features are easy to add to a pool down the road as long as the plumbing for these units is done during the pool's construction. Adding such options makes a lot of sense for those persons on a budget because a slide alone will usually cost 2k or higher installed. Same with certain water features. But having the forethought to install simple plumbing at the beginning of the project, pool owners can save thousands initially while enjoying the water feature or slide they always dreamed of down the road.

5.       Install the Cover at the End of the Season: This mainly applies to persons who purchase security covers (the ones that look like a trampoline). Because many people have their pool installed during the first part of the year, it makes sense in some cases to wait until the end of the season to have their security cover installed, as there is no use for the cover during the summer months. Considering that most security style covers cost over 1k installed, this expense can be delayed 3-7 months in most cases.

Although there are many more ways to make your pool project more affordable and budget friendly, this article hopefully has given you some helpful pointers in the right direction. To close, I want to reiterate one other point that I've made in other blog posts regarding pools, wants, and budgets-

‘Which would your children prefer-To enjoy a simplistic pool in the back yard or a dream pool that's in your head?'

 

As always, happy swimming in 2010 and don't forget to enter your email on the top of this page to receive future articles just like this one.

Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Marcus Sheridan, PoolSchool

Do It Yourself Pools: A Case For and Against

By Jim Spiess

I often get asked buy pool shoppers, "Can I put that pool in myself?" Answering this question can be a slippery slope, but the short answer is ‘yes'.

But the real question is do you want to put the pool in yourself? There are several reasons that homeowners want to put in their own pools. For some it is the challenge and the reward with knowing that they have accomplished such a task. For others, it is the fact that they want to save money. And then there are those who are in the construction business or have friends that are in the construction business that can ‘help' with the process.

Is it easy?

It is a common belief that putting in a fiberglass pool is easy and anyone can do it. This has some truth to it, but there is also a reason why you've likely heard of fiberglass pool installation disasters. Like anything that's ‘easy' to build, there are many, many mistakes that can be made. If a fiberglass pool was so easy to install there would be many more factory direct fiberglass pool companies. The truth is there are very few factory direct fiberglass pool companies and the ones that do exist are often viewed by many industry experts as a lower-quality product.

To go factory direct or not?

Almost any fiberglass pool manufacturer will sell the consumer a fiberglass pool if they do not have a dealer in the area, but there is a reason that over 95% fiberglass pool consumers have a professional install their pool. There is also a reason that most fiberglass pool manufactures want dealers installing their pools-- it comes with the fact that they will not have to worry so much about the warranty of the pool when it is installed professionally.

So let's address the pros and the cons of a Do it yourself fiberglass pool. The first question and the most important question is do I still have a warranty? Often times, the answer is ‘no'. This is because if your pool has not been installed by a ‘trained factory installer' they will usually not honor any warranties. But this is understandable, as they do not know if you have installed everything properly and there are a number of things that can go wrong during an installation that could damage the pool.

How much money can I save if I install my fiberglass pool?

 This is a tough question to answer, but the answer is usually $5,000-$10,000. This is under the best of conditions, and by that I mean no mistakes are made and the hole is dug exactly. If you do too much of an over dig you will lose money on the stone and have to compensate with additional materials. There has been more than one occasion when I've seen homeowners waste over $1,000 in additional fill materials just offset improper excavation. Other expenses to keep in mind are: crane rentals, permits, backfill materials, patio materials, water for the pool, etc, which I'll talk more about later.

We have had people who started out with a do-it-yourself fiberglass pool that they bought from us and then hired us to come out and take it over because they realized the risk was not worth the savings. We have also had people who have bought factory direct fiberglass pools and had have us come out to fix the problems of their self install and the money saved was not only lost but they spent more than if they had just hired someone to begin with.

Homeowner Responsibilities

Not everyone can put in a pool, but some can and I have seen some nice jobs done by the homeowner. This is the exception, not the rule. Installing the pool means getting all the permits. This also means you are the general contractor. You will be responsible for any sub contractors having workman's compensation and if you do not 1099 them you could be responsible for any taxes and penalties that the IRS imposes on them if they do not claim it and get caught. You are also the first person in the line of fire for any lawsuits that may happen due to any type of injury that may happen with the use of your pool, even with an uninvited guest. I have seen people hurt on jobs and when it happens someone must pay the bills. As you can see, the Cons can far outweigh the Pros, so buyer beware.

Misleading Prices

I want to touch on one more thing about factory direct fiberglass pool companies. Many of these companies are not highly concerned as to how well your job goes, which is why they try to make a fiberglass pool seem like a cash and carry item. These same companies will post what appears to be low prices on their websites to entice you to either install the pool yourself or give you the option of them supplying you with a couple of their factory installers to come out and install your pool for just a couple thousand dollars. By the time you add up the cost of the excavator, crane, gravel, plumbing, concrete, and many other things that are needed for the project, you have likely not saved much money at all. Instead, you just managed to be fooled into buying a cheap pool at a high price. Sadly, I've recently seen some fiberglass companies that I thought were reputable manufacturers stooping to these types of selling practices, which is likely a result of difficult economic times. Notwithstanding, it's misleading and I don't like it.

Coping Disasters

The other big question mark for your pool project is the patio and coping (typically cantilever concrete, a topic we've spoken much about). This is what will make or break the look of your pool. There are still some companies out there that will try and convince you that pouring to the lip of the pool is fine.  I agree with such a statement if the pool's aesthetics are of no concern to you. But as we have mentioned here many times on this blog, the most common problem with fiberglass swimming pool installations is finding someone that can pour your cantilevered concrete without doing a terrible job. If I had a dollar for every do-it-yourself cantilever disaster we've seen, I'd be on a beach writing this article, and not in my office. So again, make sure you know how you're going to handle your patio and coping and don't just allow any ‘concrete Joe' to come in and take care of the most important aesthetic component of your swimming pool.

It is important that you do your research before you make that $30,000+ mistake. I know you may have seen factory direct pools on the internet for $12,000, but as I've stressed here, that number is just a part of the total expense. So be clear on your expenses. Get a list from the manufacturer and other pool builders as to what the entire project should cost. And talk to your friends that have had a pool installed, as they'll likely point out components of the project you might be missing or didn't account for. Good luck and may your pool purchase be fun and exciting.

Questions about self install pools? Please leave them below!

Photo credit

Above Ground Fiberglass Pools: Can and Should They Be Built?

Fiberglass Above Ground Pools

With the recent explosion of fiberglass pools in the swimming pool market throughout the world, I've been emailed a few times recently, and also asked by many of our local customers, whether or not such structures can be built above ground. Let me just start off saying a standard fiberglass pool is designed to be installed fully inground or partially above ground, but not for total on-ground installation without the support of backfill material.  When we speak in terms of a partial above ground installation this is normally where the shell is installed with up to 18 inches out of the ground with a framed deck installed at the level of the top of the pool.  A standard above ground pool is actually not a fiberglass shell at all, but is composed of a steel wall panel and supports.  However, fiberglass pools can be customized by manufacturers who will "beef up" the structure by adding more fiberglass and supports that allow more of the shell to be installed above ground.  But the real question is:  When is such an installation necessary?      
 
Reasons People Want to Install Fiberglass Pools Above the Ground:
 
1.       The homeowner thinks this will be a less expensive method of construction.
The reality is that just because a fiberglass pool is built partially out of the ground or fully out of the ground, very little, if any, money will be saved. This is because the only savings would result from using less backfill material and the fact that concrete is not used for the patio.  These savings are usually offset, though, by the additional expense of framed decking which is usually close to double the cost of a concrete deck.  Many people think that because the pool is only partially in the ground and there is less excavating involved there will be a savings.  This is not case because the time saved on excavating is actually marginal.  Therefore, if you're attempting to save money by installing your fiberglass pool above ground, I'm here to be the bearer of bad news and say that you're likely misinformed.
 
2.       The homeowner is concerned about potential flooding in their yard (pool area) and want the pool above this potential flood plain.
There is no doubt that elevating a fiberglass pool in low-lying areas can certainly help if there is ever a flood that inundates the swimming pool. People often times think that if a fiberglass pool is covered by flood water it will pop out of the ground. The reality is that this is almost never the case IF the pool has a cantilevered concrete patio which serves as an anchor for the structure.  Rarely will a fiberglass pool float in such conditions. Rather, the pool water will become a mess and days will be required to return it to normal conditions. We have installed many pools in low lying areas and have found that pools elevated in this manner perform very well over time.
 
3.       The homeowner wants to have the level of the pool deck coming off a higher level (ie deck) of their house.
This can be one of the more tricky ways of installing a fiberglass pool. If the pool needs to be elevated more than 18 inches, and is done without backfill, the structure must be:
                    A.  Custom built from the manufacturer as discussed earlier, ESPECIALLY if it's a straight wall pool. Remember, any time a liquid-carrying vessel is curved, it's stronger. I often use the analogy of a water tower. No one has ever seen a square water tower because they don't build them that way, they are all round. This is also why your classical above ground pool is round versus square. Round pools are naturally much stronger, which is also why oval above ground pools need buttress supports on the sides to assist in the structural integrity of the pool.    
                   B.  Supported by an additional retaining wall around the shell that will allow the pool to have no more than 18 inches above grade.  For example, let's say the pool needs to be elevated 3 feet.  You would simply build a retaining wall around the perimeter of the pool 18 inches tall and leave the remaining 18 inches of the shell above grade.  This wall and exposed backfill material would then be covered by the framed deck.  This method performs well but can be a bit costly depending on the retaining wall material used. 
 
4.       The pool is built on a hillside and the homeowner wants to leave the downhill side exposed. This is actually a great idea as long as no part of the pool is more than 18 inches above grade as discussed previously and some method of erosion control is used on the downhill side to prevent washing out of the backfill material and hillside.  Some materials that might work would be mulch, stone, plantings, etc.
 
Finally, I suggest that if you are considering building your fiberglass pool above the ground, you should at least consider all methods of building the pool flush with the ground. In terms of creating your strongest fiberglass pool, nothing will beat a shell that's in the ground, with proper gravel backfill, and fortified with a cantilevered concrete bond beam.

Article written by Marcus Sheridan and Jason Hughes, www.PoolSchool.us

*Don't forget to subscribe to our blog in the upper right hand portion of this page**

Seasonal Savings and Swimming Pools: Is Fall/Winter or Spring the Best Time to Save on a Swimming Pool Installation?

Winter Pools Installations vs Spring Pool Installations: When is the best time to buy?

During this time of year, one of the questions I most often hear from customers is: "When is the best time to have my pool installed and get the best deal, Fall/Winter or Spring?"

Well the answer to this question, at least in most cases, is relatively simple. Also, with the economy in the state that it currently resides, the question is even more poignant than normal. The following is a case for each:

Advantages to Fall/Winter Inground Pool Installation:

• 1. Lowest Price: For a pool guy, staring at months of cold weather can be quite daunting, especially knowing that even though work might stop, the bills never do. This is why pricing is almost always lower during the fall and winter time periods.
• 2. Cost of Good Increases: With each New Year comes the annual ‘cost of goods' increase from suppliers. For example, before 2009 the prices we paid our fiberglass pool manufacturer for their shells had gone up every year. With the recession, prices, at least in most cases, went down in 2009, which is another reason why the Fall/Winter of 2009 will likely be a much better time to save money on your pool than the spring of 2010 will be. With inflation a likely occurrence next year, I expect cost of goods to once again shoot up and along with them, swimming pool prices.
• 3. Landscaping: September and October are great times in many areas of the country for planting grass. Because the installation of a swimming pool will always cause some damage to a yard, it will take some time to re-grow the grass/vegetation around the pool area. This is why it's typically better to give yourself 4-6 months for proper landscaping and vegetation growth versus 1-2 months in the spring.
• 4. Taxes: In many cases, the interest you spend financing your swimming pool can be used as a tax write-off at the end of the year.

Advantages to a Spring Inground Pool Installation:

• 1. Some Savings: Although prices are not as good as they were 4-6 months previous, one can usually find some excellent deals on inground pool installations the spring, especially during the Feb/March time frame.
• 2. Less time looking at the pool: Frankly, this is the only advantage I can honestly think of when debating over whether to have a Fall/Winter pool installation versus a spring installation. For some consumers, the thought of having to wait 4-7 months before they can use their pool after its completion is too much to bear. For others, the money saved makes the wait well worth it.

But for all of you who are contemplating a pool during these difficult economic times I can make you one promise:

Your risk will be rewarded with a ton of savings.

Good luck with your decision and as always, happy swimming!!

Marcus Sheridan

http://www.poolschool.us/

**To receive notice of any further articles, please enter your email address in the upper section of this page and don't hesitate to leave any comments/questions below.

How to Replace a Vinyl Liner Inground Pool with a Fiberglass Pool Insert

 

How to Replace a Vinyl Liner Inground Pool with a Fiberglass Pool

By Marcus Sheridan, http://www.poolschool.us/

The inground swimming pool market has changed quite a bit in the last 20 years. For example, there was a time in the 1980s and 90s that vinyl liner pools were the most popular inground pool choice in the Northeast part of the United States. With so many liner pools having been installed during this time, many of these same pool owners are now being confronted with a choice:

Should I continue to replace my vinyl liner(even though the structure of my pool is also starting to look really bad) or should I just get a fiberglass pool shell and insert it where the old pool was?

This is a question that we hear more and more of at River Pools and Spas. In fact, we have averaged at least 1-2 vinyl liner tear-out/fiberglass pool replacements over the last 7 years. But the main point to this blog is to help vinyl pool owners understand what is entailed when replacing an existing vinyl inground pool with a fiberglass insert.

Many pool owners have the misconception that the replacement of a vinyl liner with a fiberglass insert will be cheaper to install because the hole is already there. Such could not be further from reality though. This is because in order to properly install a new fiberglass pool in an existing vinyl structure, the entire old structure must be completely torn out. This means the liner, wall panels, vermiculite floor, etc need to be removed. Once this is accomplished, the hole must be brought up to the proper grade with gravel. This gravel (sand is also used by some builders) will be used to backfill the sides of the pool as well, which means the cost of additional gravel can get expensive, especially if the previous pool was wider than 16'.

In most cases, the old decking/patio area will have to be, or at least should be, removed as well. This stems from the fact that large equipment will be used to install the new pool and the pool itself should have at least 3' of concrete around it, which is connected to the fiberglass lip to form a structural bond beam. Also, with the way concrete and pavers age over time, it usually looks pretty silly to have a brand new fiberglass pool and concrete border connected to an aged existing patio.

So to make a long story short, for those of you who are looking to replace your liner pool with a fiberglass shell and think you're going to save money, I bring you the unfortunate news you most likely will not. In fact, I have found that the average tear-out costs are 3-7k more than a normal install. Notwithstanding these costs though, more and more homeowners are electing to replace their vinyl pool with a permanent fiberglass unit. For example, last year I had a customer in La Plata Maryland that had owned his liner inground pool for 20 years. He was getting ready to replace the liner for the 4^th time during that span and was frankly sick and tired of having to deal with it. Plus, his concrete patio was really showing its age. Therefore, this customer decided to bite the bullet and completely replace the old pool and patio with a new one, as he plans on being at his home for many years to come and wanted to make the best decision for the long term. And what were the end results? Well the customer was thrilled with his choice. In fact, of all the many vinyl liner pool replacements we've done at River Pools, we've never had one customer regret their decision, despite the higher costs.

View the following video to see a complete vinyl liner to fiberglass pool(Riviera 15'x34' model made by Leisure Pools) replacement performed by Signature Pools of Chicago.

How Much Can a Mistake Cost on a Swimming Pool Purchase?

 By Jim Spiess, www.riverpoolsandspas.com

 

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a swimming pool. First- Is the type of pool you will purchase, will it be an above ground pool, or an in ground pool? Let's look at above ground pools first.

How much will our above ground pool cost, and if it is an expensive pool does that guarantee quality and durability? Just because an above ground pool is expensive does not guarantee anything, for that matter most of your more expensive above ground pools are generally cheap pools that will cost you upwards to ten thousand dollars, and only last a few years. Beware of companies that advertise on television and show a beautiful pool with a ridiculously low price. If it looks too be true it probably is. These companies will do the same with magazine ads, only to do a bait and switch when they show up. There are many good above ground pools out there, Artesian Pools and Strong Pools make great pools, but beware of the riser pool made by Strong Pools, because it has its issues. These two manufactures have a difference of about one thousand dollars in their price; both have great warranties, and will not only last for many years of enjoyment, but will keep their look over the years. How many times have you seen an above ground pool get put up in the neighborhood and a year or two later they look twenty years old? An Artesian 24 foot round pool should cost you in the neighborhood of five thousand dollars with installation, the Strong Pool would be about one thousand more. How much can you lose on an above ground pool purchase? Up to ten thousand dollars if you make a bad choice. It is not a good idea to purchase an aluminum deck for an above ground pool. I recommend a wood deck or a composite deck, which is much more attractive, more durable, and will probably cost less too.

Now let's take a look at inground pools. Here we have really five types of pools to choose from: There is the natural pool which is filtered with plants and can even have fish in them, with a structure that is basically a vinyl liner pool. Initial cost can vary upon plants, type of fish, and stone work, but will generally run around thirty thousand. This is a great pool if you are more interested in a pond than a pool. Personally, I would not spend much on it because vinyl liners have a limited life to them, and it can be a mess to replace the liner on a large pond with vegetation, rocks, and fish. The cost is not that cheap because of the designing, planting, installation, and more, and your loss could be up to ten thousand after replacing liner and surroundings.

Second we have the vinyl liner pool. Its initial pool cost is around $25,000, and it falls into the category of a temporary pool. Liners today generally last between five to ten years, depending on how your pool was installed. If the pool did not have an over-dig and was put in exactly to specifications than that will increase the life of the liner. The problem is a lot of vinyl liner pool companies put the pools in fast and do a slight over-dig to make sure they do not get wrinkles in the liner. This causes the vinyl liner to get stretched and it has now had years taken off the life of the liner. Also, if the pool is put in out of square, it will shorten the life of the liner. We have people who call us to replace the vinyl liner in their pool, and they want to give us the spec sheet for the liner that came with the pool. We never go by that. We have to  measure the pool ourselves and it has not once come up to the measurements on the spec sheet of the customer. Replacing a vinyl liner will cost you between four thousand to six thousand dollars with water. This is also what will bring the value of your home down when you go to sell it. The problem with swimming pools and home sales is that three red flags come up when someone sees a pool. 1. How much maintenance is the pool going to take? 2. How much will it cost me to run that pool each year? 3. What are my future expenses on that pool? With vinyl, you have fairly high maintenance, more cost in chemicals with the pool, and future expenses. Home value can even go down ten to twenty thousand.

Third we have gunite pools or concrete pools. This is a permanent pool, which is high maintenance, high chemical cost, and elevated electrical costs. This pool will have to be resurfaced on average every 10 years, and that can cost from ten to fifteen thousand dollars depending on the type of surface. The price of gunite pools depends on the size and scope of the work, although there are large companies out there that are selling them very cheap because of the economy. My feelings on this is if you have thousands of pools that you have put in and you kept your customers happy then you should not have to cut your cost on your pools so drastically. Most reputable gunite company's pools range around thirty five to fifty thousand dollars. I would beware of the companies that are offering the same pool for ten thousand less. These pools can bring the value of your home down too, usually less than a vinyl pool, around five to ten thousand dollars. Your loss can be as much as twenty five thousand if resurfaced twice during your ownership.

Fourth we have the fiberglass pool wall with a concrete bottom. Initial cost around twenty to twenty five thousand. This pool is still a high maintenance pool due to the concrete bottom, and a lot of times I have seen these pools put in and the bottom painted with a waterproof paint, this can lead to disaster. The life of these pools is determined by the installer, but the bottom of the pool will need resurfacing at a cost of around five thousand dollars. The pool tends to look cheap and will take away from the value of your home, around five to ten thousand dollars. Your loss is around ten to fifteen thousand dollars.

Last we have fiberglass pools. There initial cost is around thirty five to fifty thousand dollars, around the same as a good reputable concrete pool installer. Maintenance is low, operation cost is low, and future cost is very low. Adds value to your home because of all the above. Your gain is extra money when you sell your home, and years of enjoyment without all the work and headaches. But going with the wrong manufacturer, or picking the wrong company, because you are basing your decision on price can cost you more than you save. For instance the pool you have chosen appears to be the same, but the cost difference between the two companies is around five thousand. Well, you could end up the loser when the concrete does not turn out right or the pool was installed improperly, etc. There are many things that could go wrong that will cost you more than the five thousand you saved. Maybe you picked the wrong manufacturer and save five to ten thousand and then find out that you really lost around twenty five thousand and now have a non functioning pool in your backyard. Pool choices are tough decisions, you are spending a lot of money, the last thing you want to do is make a mistake that will cost you even more. For more information on fiberglass pool cost go to http://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/ or http://www.poolschool.us/