How Much Value Does a Pool Add to Your Home?

Pools tend to look like the epitome of luxury. Especially in hot, humid areas, they almost seem like a necessity to complete a home’s spacious backyard. 

But how much value does a pool add to your property? There are some realities to pool ownership that you may not consider, especially increased liability and maintenance costs. 

Installation Cost

The average cost of installing an in-ground pool is $35,516 to $65,067 according to Dan DiClerico, remodeling and home expert with HomeAdvisor. Additionally, a pool’s materials also change the price.

The initial cost of a concrete pool is $40,000 and a vinyl pool is $30,000. The most affordable pool material is fiberglass, which is only $28,250. The size of the pool also plays a large role in its cost.

Cost of Maintenance

Don’t forget that pools require a lot of maintenance to keep them clean and presentable. Homeowners will pay an average of $1,200 and $1,800 in upkeep. 

Breaking that cost down, cleaning and testing the water chemistry and then refilling the water costs between $150 and $300. The cost will be greater depending on how dirty your pool is. Winterizing the pool is similar in price. 

The lower end of pool maintenance means pool professionals will come and test the equipment, settings and the water’s pH. On the higher end, they’ll also brush down the surface, vacuum, skim the water and empty traps and baskets. 

Choosing to maintain the pool yourself is a large undertaking, which is why pool companies are so in demand. You will need: 

• Chlorine to neutralize bacteria
• Soda ash to control excess acid
• Muriatic acid to lower pH levels
• Test kit to gauge pH levels
• Replacement test kit solutions
• A pool skimmer
• A vacuum to pick up other items in the pool
• Filters, including replacements
• Pool cover
• Your time! 

Contact Wetworks Pool and Spa for full-service maintenance of your pool and save time and money! 

How Much Value Does a Pool Add to Your Home?

While you’re trying to decide, remember to hire an appraiser who will give you a non-biased opinion on if it will add value. 

The appraiser will do this by looking at comparable homes – homes with roughly the same square footage and within the same area – to come up with an approximate fair market value. 

The appraiser will also be able to let you know if building a pool makes sense for your area. Warm climates such as Florida or Hawaii would be more accommodating of a pool.

If you live in a high-end neighborhood where many of your neighbors have pools, it will make more sense to have one as well. If not, it might be harder to sell with the increased price. You also need a backyard large enough to accommodate a pool without making it seem dwarfed.

At most, your home’s value could increase up to 7% when it comes to selling. 

The Next Step

As you can see, there are many factors that go into play when considering how much value does a pool add to your home. While they look like a luxurious amenity, the costs required to install a maintain a pool need to be taken into account.

Want more help deciding what kind of pool to build in your yard? Contact us today to inquire about our extensive pool services.