Few things in the world can make a property look and feel better and become more valuable and expensive as a swimming pool can. Since the earliest days of human civilizations, people have been dreaming about having their own little corner of joy where they can dip in and relax, maybe even swim a little bit. Having such a place in one’s back yard comes at a cost, and it always has. It seems that some things stay luxurious no matter how much we advance as a society.
Although much more accessible and common these days, swimming pools in the houses of average, regular people still do not come cheap. Sure, it does not have to come down to a lot especially if you include careful planning and a clear strategy of no overspending. However, the pool itself is only the centerpiece when it comes to the final cost. There are numerous hidden costs that rarely anyone talks about, and they really should.
If you have been wondering about what a swimming pool may cost in your home, and what are some of the crucial factors that affect the price, you are in the right place. In this article, we will determine the most important hidden costs of building a swimming pool on your property. This greatly depends on where you are, and for those of you located in Oahu, make sure to visit www.swimmingpoolcontractorsoahu.com to learn more.
1. Retaining Walls
The need for a retaining wall, or a few of them, greatly depends on the kind of yard you have and the type of pool you want. Basically, these walls serve to keep the pool and the surrounding decks stable, as well as to ensure that the whole yard drains well. The pool contractors usually say that you might need one well before the project starts, and chances are you will need it. It would be smart to determine the price then and there so as not to overpay once everything is set and done. You can also ask the pool guy about the walls and check if he believes you would need one and how big.
Retaining walls can get pretty costly depending on the landscape and the material needed. Pisa stone walls are the most common, and they are anywhere between $40 and $65 per 12” width and height, while armor stone is $120 to $160 per linear foot, 18” in height. Finally, poured concrete is the least expensive at around $70 per linear foot at 18” tall. Depending on the wall, you may require steps as well, which range anywhere between $650 and $850 per step.
2. Extra Concrete
Speaking of extra concrete and/or stone, your property may require a considerable amount of it and not just for the wall or the pool. In order to build a pool, first, a bunch of dirt has to be taken out of the ground. This always comes down to a truly fascinating amount of dirt as people are often amazed at the piles that are made. However, the hole is not the only thing that needs filling, since the surrounding patio also has to be well-made and look good.
Most people get an average of 500 feet of extra square feet as nobody is really satisfied with just a few inches to border the pool. A good plan and a well-made design can help you here greatly. Show the pool builders how much extra space you want and they should be able to calculate the additional cost of concrete. This is an important piece of any pool, as you will spend most of the time out of the pool in this concrete area.
3. Hauling the Dirt
Remember the unreal amounts of dirt we mentioned? Well, somebody has to take it out of your property when the hole is dug out. In some cases when the circumstances allow it, the dirt can be spread out evenly around the pool, on the remaining property. This way it can refresh the land and somewhat improve plant life. However, the most often case is that the excess dirt has to be hauled away, which tends to be expensive especially if you live in a bigger city.
Remember to ask if the cost of taking away the dirt from your yard is included in the cost of the entire project. If you forget about it, you will be met with a significant hidden cost at the end of the whole ordeal, which is not a fun way to start life with a brand new pool right next to your home. Removing tree stumps and large rocks from the land can also cost extra with some contractors.
4. Landscaping
After the swimming pool is done, most homeowners also decide to redecorate their gardens and yards a little bit. However, they forget how expensive landscaping can get. First of all, since there has been so much digging and clearing on the lawn and the entire land for that matter, you will surely have to seed and replace the grass and other plants.
Anything and everything that had to be removed from the dedicated pool area needs a new place and depending on how much garden furniture and other elements and plants you have, the final touches can truly hurt your wallet. It is important to be realistic and honest here if you want to stay within your limits. Therefore, talk to your family and decide together what the best course of action would be for your new back yard.
5. New Fences and Gates
If you had to remove some of your fencing, you will need to tend to it once the pool is established. Here however we do not mean the old fences, but the new ones that would protect your pool and make a clear boundary between it and the rest of the yard. Many homeowners overlook this aspect and calculate the final cost without it. Any pool has to have some kind of a fence or a gate around it, especially, if your property lacks these elements in the first place. Thinking about them after everything is over is a bad way to spend money, so make sure to include this in your initial idea of the perfect swimming pool for your home.
