Inground Pool Cost: A Backyard Level-Up

If you’ve always dreamed of having a pool in your backyard, this could be the year you begin exploring installation costs for your home. However, with an abundance of information available online, it can be overwhelming to know where to start your search.

To address some common questions about pool construction, we consulted John Kolacki from Cody Pools. With more than 20 years of pool experience, Kolacki has a wealth of knowledge and expertise about the pool building process, what homeowners should consider, and how it may impact your home’s value.

What’s the average cost of an inground pool?

Much like the diverse flavors of ice cream on a hot summer day, pool prices can vary significantly. Installation costs for a pool can fluctuate depending on:

• Pool type and materials
• Size and design complexity
• Soil type and what is needed for site preparation
• Market conditions, both locally and nationally

According to Kolacki, homeowners in Austin should plan to spend around $60,000 to install a new inground pool. For a more precise estimate, it is best to consult a local pool installation contractor for estimates that reflect your specific area and pool size.

And if you don’t have the funds on hand to cover the upfront costs for construction, it doesn’t have to be the end to your pool dreams. Luckily, there are financing options like home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, and homeowner express loans that help homeowners make these sort of improvements.

How much does it cost to maintain a pool?

Upfront costs aren’t the only thing to consider when budgeting for a pool. There are also annual maintenance costs to consider. HomeGuide suggests budgeting between $3,000 and $5,000 a year for upkeep.

Thankfully, these figures are decreasing as pool technology advances. According to Kolacki, “With today’s variable speed pumps and chemical reduction systems, the annual operational and maintenance costs of pool ownership can be under $1,000.”

How long does pool construction take?

After you’ve decided to proceed with your dream pool and secured financing, the excitement starts to build! But constructing a pool is a significant project that involves careful planning and execution.

By setting clear expectations from the start, like understanding timelines and costs, you can reduce frustrations and avoid delays. This approach keeps you organized and helps you enjoy the process of creating your perfect outdoor space.

Here’s a brief look at what you can expect from each step.

Phase 1: Design

The first phase of pool building is the design process. Here, you will work with your contractor to determine the pool’s size, shape, and features based on your budget, space, and preferences.

Depending on your neighborhood, you may also need to obtain approval from your homeowner association (HOA). “Most homeowner associations typically require at least 30 days to review your building plans,” explains Kolacki.

If you have an HOA, be sure to consult with them during the design phase to avoid hiccups down the road.

Phase 2: Permits

Before you start your new pool project, your builder will need to get the necessary residential permits from the city.

This process can add weeks—or even months—to your timeline. “If you’re pulling a permit through the City of Austin, expect it to take about four to five weeks to have it in hand,” Kolacki explains.

Phase 3: Construction

When it comes time to excavate and build, the complexity and size of your pool design will play a factor how long construction takes. Additionally, the unpredictable nature of Texas weather can play a significant role in the final timeline. “God bless us in Texas,” Kolacki sighs, “we need to figure out if it’s going to be winter one day or summer the next day.”

The more complex the project—and the more varied the weather—the longer this process can stretch out.

When you consider these factors, Kolacki estimates that the total duration for new pool construction can range from 45 business days to four months.

Hiring Additional Contractors for Backyard Improvements

A swimming pool might be the most substantial investment in your backyard, but is it the only investment you have in mind? If your vision for an outdoor space involves more than a few bags of mulch and a portable barbecue, it’s better to think about the bigger picture before you start making changes to your backyard.

When meeting with a client, Kolacki always begins the conversation by asking for their long-term vision for their home. “Sequencing events is important,” he explains. “We help people expand their thinking to get a good idea of what the ‘all-in’ price will be for their backyard.”

Here are just a few additional services you may also need to consider:

• Landscaping services: What kind of grass or flowers do you want to be around your pool?
• Installation of patios and decks: Do you need to remove or extend your existing deck?
• Outdoor structures: Would a pergola or an outdoor kitchen complete your new outdoor space?
• Masonry services: Are you considering adding new walkways or a fire pit to enhance your pool area?

Even if you have a strong vision for how all the pieces will fit together, these additional services may require you to change your approach. For this, Kolacki recommends finding a contractor who can help them land on a single, all-in price.

Will a pool add value to my home?

This is a big question that most prospective pool owners ask at some point.

If you’re considering putting your home back on the market in the next few years, you might be curious about a pool’s impact on your home’s value. However, pinpointing a precise answer to this question can be challenging.

Under the right circumstances, real estate studies have indicated that pools can boost a home’s value by as much as 7%.

But experts like Kolacki suggest families should view pools not merely as amenities on a listing but as lifestyle enhancers. Instead of fixating on return on investment, Kolacki emphasizes, “the best approach is to develop a strategy that also enhances your quality of life.”

If you’re set on treating your pool as a long-term investment, there are several crucial factors to consider:

Listing Price of Home

Pools can require thousands of dollars in annual maintenance costs, and not every home buyer wants to absorb the additional expense. The current value of your home can be an indicator of whether buyers would want to take on those costs.

While pools may have a major impact on the price of luxury homes, one study by Redfin noted that pools could be a liability for homes priced at $200,000 or below. In other words, if someone is in the market for a starter home or affordable rental property, maintenance costs may be a hard sell for their current budget.

Appeal of Location

A pool’s impact on home value largely depends on the local climate, buyer preferences, and neighborhood norms. In warm regions where outdoor living is popular, like Texas and Florida, a pool can be a major selling point and significantly increase a home’s value. However, in cooler climates or areas where pools are uncommon, the added maintenance and cost may deter buyers.

On the flip side, if most homes in a neighborhood have pools, not having one could hurt resale value.

Strength of the Real Estate Market

The value a pool adds to your home is also highly dependent on the housing market as a whole. A more competitive market often leads to more competitive returns.

Given the sustained growth of the Texas real estate market, Kolacki has watched many homeowners pay top dollar for access to a backyard pool. “Right now, most realtors I work with say if you find a house on the market with a swimming pool, you better show up with a check in your hand,” Kolacki explains.

The data supports this observation. In the Redfin study mentioned above, three Texas cities were listed among the Top 20 markets for backyard pools:

• In Austin, pools added an average value of $52,228.18 to a home.
• In Houston, pools added an average value of $35,736.25 to a home.
• In San Antonio, pools added an average value of $18,540.88 to a home.

While ROI is still dependent on many factors, Texans have favorable numbers on their side when building a pool.

Conclusion

Building an inground swimming pool is a great way to foster lasting memories in your own backyard. But whether it is right for your home depends on your unique situation.

For his parting words of wisdom, Kolacki gives one final piece of advice: Find a pool installer or contractor who can address your questions. “Our industry has a responsibility to encourage clients to consider important questions they might overlook,” he emphasizes. “There’s a wealth of valuable advice and experience to be shared.”