As a homeowner planning on having a swimming pool installed, you need to be aware of potential extra expenses you may have during and after the building of your pool. The idea is to prevent unpleasant surprises from popping up after the project has actually begun.
In order for you to be able to budget accordingly, here are 6 hidden costs of installing a swimming pool that may or may not apply to your project.
Retaining Walls
A retaining wall is often needed to ensure pool and decking stability as well as proper yard drainage. Otherwise, rain water running off of a slope will end up in the pool, along with all the dirt and debris it carries. Sometimes a retaining wall is needed to keep the pool in place.
Extra Concrete
Most people get at least an extra 300-700 square feet of patio beyond the initial 3-4-foot border. The cost of this extra patio can be a very expensive part of installing a pool. Some homeowners will get the minimal amount of patio initially, in order to save money but, with the help of your builder, you should have a plan in place showing the amount of additional patio footage you’ll need in the future.
Dirt Disposal
When you’re building an inground pool, a lot of dirt comes out of the ground. In some cases this dirt can be spread out or dumped somewhere on the homeowner’s property but often the dirt needs to be hauled away and that can get expensive. Make sure you know if this cost is included in the cost of the project before you begin.
Damage to Landscaping
Because quite a lot of heavy equipment is used to build a swimming pool, grass and other landscaping will probably be damaged where the equipment goes in and out of the yard and will need to be replaced.
If the driveway is the main entrance to the backyard, be aware that there’s a chance that it will be damaged during the building of your pool. This is especially true if the driveway has been built too thin.
Electrical Costs
Some pool builders include the electrical work for the project in their package, while others treat it as a separate cost. Electrical costs can vary significantly depending on the number of items the homeowners are getting that require power. Be sure you have a clear understanding of what the cost will be for the electrical work before work on the pool begins.
Fencing
Most pools are required to have fences around them as a safety measure. If your yard is not currently fenced, make sure to include the cost of fencing in your pool budget at the same time as you’re planning your pool and patio.