The idea of having an in-ground pool excites many homeowners. You’ll have a place to cool down during the hot summers and go for a swim in complete privacy.
While there’s no denying the personal benefits, the cost to install an in-ground pool in Canada can be surprisingly hight. In addition, you’ll need to factor in the ongoing expenses to keep your pool safe and functional year after year. Piscina
Price ranges reflect averages sourced from sites like Moneysense[1], Simplypools.ca[2] and Reddit[3]. Your in-ground pool installation costs may vary.
When you start researching inground pool costs, you’ll quickly realize that the ranges in quotes can be quite drastic depending on your desires, location, and other factors. In addition, if you seek out quotes from multiple pool installers, you will likely get very different prices. When budgeting for a pool install, consider these factors that will affect your overall costs.
In most cases, you’ll need to hire a team of professionals to install your pool. That’s because the pros have the experience and knowledge to complete the job. As you can imagine, professional experience comes at a cost, but they’ll likely be able to complete the job quickly and effectively — and to a high standard of quality.
If you consider taking the do-it-yourself route, you may save money. That said, installing an inground pool is no small task. You’d need to excavate the pool site, install the pool, and landscape around it. This is not a one-person job, and it requires specialized equipment and skills, so you’ll likely still need to hire some contractors to help you complete the work.
Before you begin construction on your pool, you’re going to need to get permits. The rules for permits depend on your municipality, but you’ll typically need structural drawings of your property, pool dimensions, setbacks, enclosures and more. And if you live in a conservation area, you may need additional permission. Generally, your contractor or pool installer will help you obtain all the permits on your behalf. In most cases, the cost of the permits is included in their quote.
The type of pool you install has arguably the greatest impact on your budget. That said, each type of inground pool has its own pros and cons worth considering:
If you’re looking to keep your costs as low as possible, vinyl is your cheapest option. Vinyl-liner pools allow you to choose the shape, size and depth of your swimming area. It’s worth noting that vinyl pools have some upkeep costs to consider. You’ll need to replace the liner every seven to 12 years, which could set you back $3,000 to $7,000.
The mid-range cost option for inground pools is fibreglass. Fibreglass pools don’t cost much more than vinyl, but require the least amount of maintenance. However, fibreglass pools come pre-fabricated, which may limit your customization options in terms of size and shape. On a positive note, fibreglass pools are typically quicker to install than the other options.
For those looking for top quality, a concrete pool is the way to go. Unfortunately, getting the best product also comes with the highest price tag. In addition, concrete pools typically require the most maintenance of all inground pools. Despite their higher price tag, concrete pools are the most customizable and typically last the longest of any inground pool.
As you can imagine, the size and shape of your pool will also have an impact on your overall cost.
Another reason why the cost of installing a pool can add up quickly is the amenities. Although most amenities are optional, many homeowners will consider a few of them as they create their backyard oasis.
Installing an inground pool comes with a huge upfront cost, but you’ll also need to consider quite a few ongoing costs.
No matter what type you choose, installing an inground pool is expensive. However, if you find the costs to be a bit too high for your liking, there are many alternatives available.
Having an inground pool could potentially add value to your home. However, a professional appraiser will consider your pool as just one factor of many factors during the home appraisal. Conversely, a pool could potentially reduce the number of people interested in buying your home in the future, as potential homeowners may not want to deal with the maintenance or may be concerned about safety.
A vinyl-liner pool is the cheapest inground pool option.
Barry Choi is a freelance personal finance and travel expert. His website moneywehave.com is one of Canada's most trusted sites when it comes to all things related to money and…
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