The cool refreshing look of water on a hot summer’s day can make any homeowner wish they had a pool in their backyard, but is a swimming pool right for your property? Making the decision about whether a pool is right or not for your property is more complicated than buying an inflatable bed with a cup holder.
There is a lot of work and money that goes into owning a pool, and here are a few things to consider before calling in the excavating team.
Is Your Yard Big Enough For A Pool?
While there are some small properties that can benefit from a pool, usually if the pool is going to take up more than 30% of the total yard space, installation can have a negative effect on your home’s value. You might also want to consider what other things you could use your yard space for, or may want to in the future, before going ahead.
Are You Prepared For The Work & The Cost?
Pools can be fun, but they are also a lot of work and can be costly to maintain.
Besides installation costs, pools require considerable and consistent cleaning. There are a lot of additional products and tools to required to maintain them, and, depending on where you live, you may only get a few months of enjoyment from them each year.
How Will A Pool Affect Your Home’s Value?
Depending on where you live, the size of your property, and the existing value of your home, a pool can either be an asset to your property’s value or a considerable liability.
Large homes in warmer cities like Auckland tend to increase in value with the addition of a pool, but doing a bit of research about the market in your particular suburb can help make this decision a little easier, and will give you all the facts.
Don’t forget to factor in the costs of Council permits and swimming pool fencing so as to be compliant with the Council’s requirements. Also, be careful with your budget for a pool, and try to keep the relative value of your home in perspective so that you don’t end up overcapitalising your property.
In general, if you are looking to install a pool because it will likely give you and your family a great amount of enjoyment, considerations such as the size of your yard and the effect it will have on your property value may not be too important.
But like any decision you make about your home, it is always a good idea to know all the facts before making any decisions.