A Guide to YourPool Paradise

Are you ready?

So, you want to buy a pool?

Your pool-buying experience should be an exciting and great time for you. It is a long process, but it does not need to be stressful. This guide will help you turn your backyard into paradise. At the end of this guide you’ll know exactly what to expect when you start your pool-buying experience.

The reason to purchase a pool varies from person to person. It is important that you think long and hard about why you want to buy a pool for your backyard. The better you can explain how you will be using the pool, the easier it will be for a pool dealer to help find the best pool to fityour needs. The items below represent some of the most common reasons people purchase a pool. Check the boxes below that most align with your reason(s) for buying a pool:

I want to have a complete outdoor area to host my friends and family

I want a pool that will fit well in my relaxing and peaceful backyard

I want to switch up my exercise routine and want to add swimming to my workouts

I want to enjoy my pool during hot and sunny summer days

I want to enjoy the convenience of teaching my children how to swim in my backyard

Other:

Pool-Buying Guide

Does your plot plan show any setbacks or easements that have building restrictions?

YesNo

If yes, what are the requirements or considerations the builder should know about?

Does your home owner association have any limitations or requirements?

YesNo

If yes, what are the requirements or considerations the builder should know about?

Find the Size that is Right for You

Now that you know why you want to purchase a swimming pool let’s move on to determining the size pool that will fit in your backyard. To determine what your yard can handle you willneed to start by assessing your property. This is a great time to pull out your plot plan or surveyor location report. If you do not have a copy, you can get one at your local planning and building department. Some properties have certain rules and requirements that you must follow when you are making significant changes to your yard. Use the following questions to help you determine the right size pool for your backyard:

Pool-Buying Guide

Do you have an existing patio that you use for grilling and entertaining guests?

YesNo

If no, and you want a large patio, describe the type of entertainment and amenities you would like to include in your new pool area?

Do you need a large area of grass for your children and pets to run around?

YesNo

Do you have a playset or other existing structures that you want to keep?

YesNo

What are the usable dimensions of your backyard?

Width: Length:

Taking these items into consideration will help determine how much space you have in yourbackyard for a swimming pool. Your pool dealer will work with you to get more accuratemeasurements of your backyard, but having these questions answered in advance will help getyou swimming faster. Now on to the fun stuff, like determining what will make your backyardthe go-to spot for all your family and friends.

Pool-Buying Guide

A Pool Says a Lot about a Person

Admit it. You might be spending more time on Pinterest searching for your dream backyard than you probably should be, but who’s counting anyway. Depending on how you answered the first and second sections of this guide, you’ve probably got a good sense of how you’ll be using your pool and how big it will be. But what about your style?

It’s time to start dreaming a little bit. Now is the time to determine whether your swimmingpool will be giving a Caribbean beach vibe or a training area for the next 200m gold medalist. In addition to some healthy and realistic dreaming, there are many pool features you can add to capture your ambiance. Before we get into the features, take a moment to imagine how you spend the day in your new private backyard resort. Knowing what an ideal day will look like will help you give your dealer a clear picture of your aspirations and in the long run, determine where you want to invest a little more or a bit less:

Imagine your pool is installed and your using it on a regular basis. Describe an ideal day in your new pool:

Pool-Buying Guide

Below is a list of available fiberglass pools features along with some other accessories that you may consider adding to your pool project. Check the box that most applies to each feature:

Now that you have a real sense of the features you want to add to your pool and the type ofexperience that fits your style and the atmosphere you’re trying to create. This will help guidethe discussion with your pool dealer and make your backyard the next big thing on Pinterest.

Waterslide

Lounging/Tanning

Deep End Bench/Seating

Shallow End Bench/Seating

Water Fountains

Swim Jet System/Water Treadmill

Basketball and/ or Volleyball Equipment

Non-skid bottom

A Spa

Lighting

Perimeter or Inlaid Pool Tile

Diving Board

Automatic Safety Cover

Pool Heater

Salt System

Automation

Outdoor Kitchen

Fire Pit

Must Have Like to Have Don’t Need

Pool-Buying Guide

Everyone has a Pool Type

Inground pools can piece together everything in your backyard and help create your backyard into your own relaxing paradise. Think about what you expect from your new swimming pool and you will have a better idea of what pool type is best for you:

I want my pool to be durable

I want my pool to be resistant towards common maintenance issues, such as algae

I want to spend as little time as possible caring for my pool

I want my pool to require fewer chemicals and use less electricity

If all these points are important to you, a fiberglass swimming pool is the best way to go. Fiberglass pools use 25 to 30 percent less electricity, and chemical costs of fiberglass pools can be cut by almost 70 percent compared to vinyl or concrete pools. Vinyl and concrete pools may seem like a better choice initially, but they can cost you more money over time. Fiberglass pool surfaces help prevent algae growth, which means less cleaning time for you and more time to plan your backyard parties.

Pool-Buying Guide

There is Value in the Numbers

Figuring out how much money you can and want to spend on a swimming pool can seem challenging. You are probably purchasing a swimming pool for the first time, and you probably have no idea how much a swimming pool is going to cost you.

A basic inground pool can cost anywhere from $25,000-$55,000 for an inground installation and equipment package. A basic pool installation package normally includes full installation, delivery, standard pool filtration, maintenance and cleaning equipment. Every pool builder packages their swimming pools differently, and this will make a difference in the costs for you.

Two factors that will impact the cost of your pool are the size and the type. The size of a pool is proportional to the cost. Just think, the larger the pool, the larger the cost to you. Larger pools will cost more to heat, maintain, and filtrate which all impact your long-term maintenance costs.

There are three types of inground swimming pools; vinyl liner pools, concrete pools, and fiberglass pools. It may seem hard to believe but all types vary in details.

Vinyl liner pools can run from $25,000-$45,000. Vinyl liner pools are the least expensive of the options, but all vinyl liners will need to be replaced over time, which means more maintenance costs for you.

Concrete pools can cost you $40,000 or more. They require washing and painting services on a routine basis, making them the most expensive option in initial costs and long-term costs. It is also important to keep in mind that pool costs do vary by market and geographic region. For instance, concrete pools in some regions can be very comparable to fiberglass pools in price and sometimes even slightly less.

Fiberglass pools can cost from $28,000-$50,000. They may be more expensive, but the good news is that fiberglass pools use fewer chemicals due to their smooth non-porous surface finish that prevents the growth of algae, meaning little long-term maintenance costs for you.

Pool-Buying Guide

The chart below is an honest comparison of fiberglass, vinyl liner and concrete pools and how each type of pool fulfills each desired quality of a inground pool.

As you can see, all three types of inground pools vary in almost every detail. The one thing you should always remember is that when you purchase a fiberglass pool, you will be guaranteed to have a pool that is far more durable and efficient than other pool types.

Desired Qualitiesof Inground Pools

Fiberglass Vinyl Liner Concrete

Low Maintenance

Speed of Installation

Low Chemical Usage

Smoothness of Finish

Durability

Low Lifetime Cost of Ownership

Energy Efficiency

Attractive and Elegant Look

Beauty of Interior Finish

Factory Controlled Quality

Number of Available Features

Resale Value

Compatibility with Salt Systems

Low Initial Cost

Customizable Shape and Size

Pool-Buying Guide

Fiberglass vs. Vinyl liner vs. Concrete comparison An Honest Comparison

Your Pool Dealer will be There for You

If you have successfully made it to this section of this guide, you know that buying a swimming pool is a significant investment. Because of this, choosing a pool dealer is an important decision.

Choosing the right dealer will make your pool-buying process a stress-free experience and you will find yourself swimming laps in no time.

Take comfort in the fact that you now know about all the details you should consider when beginning the pool-buying process. Because of this, you have the answers to the questions that a pool dealer will ask you. You know exactly what you are expecting when it comes to your new pool. If a pool dealer doesn’t seem to have the right answers and doesn’t seem like they are following your plans for your dream swimming pool, then they are not the right pool dealer for you. A good pool dealer should work with what you want, not what they want from working with you.

Pool-Buying Guide

You and Your Pool Deserve the Best Pool Manufacturer

A pool manufacturer is equally as important as the pool dealer. You should be confident in your pool dealer, as well as your pool manufacturer. You know the type and style of pool that your backyard and your budget can handle. Your trusting pool dealer will help you choose a pool manufacturer that fits your needs in both areas. Make sure you do your research about the manufacturers that your pool dealer recommends to you and choose the one that specializes in both the pool type and style that interest you. Ask all the questions you need to ask that will help you get a better idea of that pool manufacturer’s reputation. Working with a pool manufacturer that has a positive reputation in the industry will alleviate a lot of headaches for you.

Your pool is a big deal, so make sure you go with a manufacturer that is upfront and honest about their warranty. Go with a manufacturer that carries a warranty that is easy to understand and doesn’t make you worried about how your pool will be protected. If you do not have a good feeling about a warranty from a pool manufacturer, it is not a good idea to go with that manufacturer. Keep all these details in mind, and your pool-buying experience will turn out the way you expect it to.

Pool-Buying Guide

Believe It or Not, You are Ready to Start Buying

Factors such as understanding how you plan on using your pool, determining the size of the pool that your backyard can handle, finding your style and pool type, along with determining your budget and what to spot with the right dealer and manufacturer can be what sets your pool buying experience apart. We hope this guide has prepared you for the process of what to expect and how you can get your weekend started early.