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The pool’s style, shape and size, as well as your choice of decking, landscaping and maintenance, all affect the total cost. Here’s what to expect.
Mara Rubinoff and her partner bought their first home together knowing they would want an enjoyable space for their blended family to gather. Rubinoff’s partner had always wanted a backyard pool and, naturally, that became a part of their plan.
The family was swimming in the pool less than a year after putting down a deposit with their pool contractor. However, the process wasn’t all smooth sailing. “Originally, we budgeted $80,000, and they laughed at us,” Rubinoff says. “There are costs you don’t think of, [and] cheaper isn’t always better.”
If you’re interested in getting an inground pool, it’s important to know that there are many things outside of the pool itself that influence the total cost. There are numerous upfront choices to make regarding pool design, shape, size and pool decking, and each affects pricing, which can differ greatly from one contractor to the next. As with most major purchases, it’s best to shop around, do your homework and get detailed written estimates before signing a contract. This guide will help you through the process.
Most pool shoppers start by choosing one of the three most common pool materials: vinyl, fibreglass and concrete (also called shotcrete or gunite). Each type has pros and cons in terms of cost, construction and maintenance, which can also vary depending on the frequency of pool use, quality of upkeep, and quality of the pump, filtration and sanitation systems. Here are some average price ranges to help you make that initial decision:
| Vinyl-liner pool | Fibreglass pool | Concrete pool | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation cost | $60,000 to $100,000 | $70,000 to $120,000 | $100,000 to $250,000 |
| Installation time | A few weeks | One week | A few months |
| Seasonal maintenance cost | Up to $2,000, including $475 for chemicals | Up to $1,800, including $325 for chemicals | Up to $2,500, including $695 for chemicals |
| Long-term maintenance costs | • Replace vinyl liner every 8 to 10 years: $4,500 to $6,500 | • Repair cracks (as needed): $3,000 • Replace interior gel coating every 20 to 30 years: up to $15,000 | • Acid-wash pool every 3 to 5 years: $2,000 • Re-plaster pool surface every 10 to 12 years: $12,000 to $15,000 • Replace pool cleaner parts: $500 |
| Pros | • Lower initial cost • Easy upkeep • Customizable shape and size | • Lower maintenance and lifetime cost (most economical) | • Many shapes, sizes and designs available |
| Cons | • Higher lifetime cost • Some vinyl pools can’t accommodate salt water • Possible liner punctures or tears (e.g., from pets) • Liner warranties may be prorated • Less resale value | • Higher initial cost • Limited shapes, sizes and designs (no wider than 16′) • Repairs on coloured finishes may not match | • Most expensive to build • Requires more maintenance • Needs more chemicals and pump run time (using more electricity) for sanitation |
If you want your pool to be the centrepiece of an outdoor living oasis, you may want extras like fire pits, tables, a cabana, a roof or other covering for your patio area, an outdoor kitchen space or a bar. These items aren’t included in standard pool packages, and their costs can differ greatly among pool contractors.
The pool decking is the material that covers the ground around the pool. It’s sometimes referred to as landscaping, along with the trees, flowers or shrubs around your pool area, and it might be as expensive as the pool itself—maybe even more.
Marc Luff, co-owner of Betz Pools in Stouffville, Ont., notes that, on average, his firm charges $30 to $35 per square foot for premium interlocking stones, while imported natural stone can run about $40 to $50 per square foot. Flagstone laid on concrete is about $55 to $65 per square foot, and natural Canadian dimensional stone is $75 to $95 per square foot.
Decking prices vary among pool and landscaping companies, so these prices are only examples of what you might pay. You may be surprised that wood decks are the priciest option. That’s because wood on its own rots quickly from the pool water, and therefore needs poured concrete installed underneath. A wood deck made with cedar or low-end pressure-treated woods will set you back $50 per square foot, while premium woods and premium wood composites will run you $75 to $90 per square foot.
Water features like waterfalls and fountains create a zen atmosphere, but even a small one can add around $5,000 or more to your total cost, depending on the materials you choose.
Some pool packages include a certain number of lights in the pool, but more lights will cost extra (on average, around $1,500 each), as will replacement bulbs when needed—anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending on the type of bulb.
Greenery landscaping (trees, shrubs and flowers) is yet another way you can spend enormous amounts of money on your pool installation. (Note that the pool installation itself may obliterate your existing lawn or shrubbery.)
Define your budget for greenery landscaping after finalizing the costs of the pool and its decking, add-ons and fencing (if needed), then work with a professional to choose what’s best for your style and budget.
Tech has entered the pool world as well. Phone-accessible pool controls are available for an added cost, and Marcos Borges of BC Pools and Spas Ltd. in North Vancouver says automated pool covers are also popular, running on average from $15,000 to $20,000.
The following are important considerations that need to be researched and discussed with your potential contractor, as they can also affect the pricing of a new pool:
Most installation costs include the basic elements, equipment and machinery needed to operate and use your pool, but these parts don’t last forever and will require replacement over time.
The type of pool you have (vinyl, fibreglass or concrete) and the quality of materials used will determine how often the pool needs maintenance and repairs, how much work needs to be done, and how much money will go into it.
Fibreglass pools are the easiest and least expensive to maintain overall—they usually only need a new gel coating every 20 to 30 years—whereas concrete pools are the most difficult and costly—requiring acid washes every few years and re-plastering every decade or so. Vinyl pools lie somewhere in the middle, requiring a new liner near the decade mark.
When choosing a pool, make sure your budget accounts for the ongoing work and expenses over the life of the pool. “Taking care of your pool makes it less costly to maintain in the long run,” says Kara Redden of R&R Pools Ltd. in Timberlea, N.S. Here’s a rough idea of what pool equipment replacement costs can look like:
| Mechanical component | Average replacement price (installation not included) |
|---|---|
| Pump | $400 to $3,000 |
| Heater | • Natural gas: $1,600 to $6,000 • Propane: $1,800 to $5,500 • Solar: $200 to $2,000 • Electric: $500 to $1,500 • Heat pumps: $2,000 to $7,000 |
| Filters | • Cartridge: $500 to $2,500 • Sand: $300 to $1,500 |
| Sanitation system | • Salt: $1,000 to $3,000 • Ozonator: $1,000 to $3,500 • Ionizer: $500 to $1,500 • Chlorine/bromine feeder: $100 to $600 |
| Vacuum | $200 to $4,000 |
Lastly, it’s important to be realistic about the potential financial return of a pool. Although a pool’s exact return on investment varies from region to region, studies show that homes with pools are likely to sell for more money than similar properties without them. A national survey found that pools can raise a property’s value by an average of 7% to 10%, depending on location, condition and buyer preferences.
However, Borges cautions against expecting a home’s value to increase in line with the cost of the pool; it may not even increase at all. “Building a pool in your house should be done if your family is looking forward to having one and enjoying it,” Borges says, adding that none of his customers have ever regretted putting one in.
Many pool owners would agree that even though pools require a lot of work and expense, they are usually worth it for the fun summers spent in your own backyard, exercising, mingling and making memories.
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