5 Ways to Make Your Swimming Pool Project More Affordable
Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Thu, Feb 25, 2010 @ 09:14 AM
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