A Guide to Your
Pool Paradise
Pool-Buying Guide
Are you ready?
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.
So, you want to buy a pool?
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 fit
your 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
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 will
need 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:
Does your plot plan show any setbacks or easements that have building restrictions?
Yes
No
If yes, what are the requirements or considerations the builder should know about?
Does your home owner association have any limitations or requirements?
Yes
No
If yes, what are the requirements or considerations the builder should know about?
Pool-Buying Guide
Do you have an existing patio that you use for grilling and entertaining guests?
Yes
No
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?
Yes
No
Do you have a playset or other existing structures that you want to keep?
Yes
No
What are the usable dimensions of your backyard?
Width:
Length:
Taking these items into consideration will help determine how much space you have in your
backyard for a swimming pool. Your pool dealer will work with you to get more accurate
measurements of your backyard, but having these questions answered in advance will help get
you swimming faster. Now on to the fun stuff, like determining what will make your backyard
the 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 swimming
pool 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:
Must Have
Like to Have
Don’t Need
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
Now that you have a real sense of the features you want to add to your pool and the type of
experience that fits your style and the atmosphere you’re trying to create. This will help guide
the discussion with your pool dealer and make your backyard the next big thing on Pinterest.
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.
Fiberglass vs. Vinyl liner vs. Concrete comparison
An Honest Comparison
Desired Qualities
of 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
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.
Pool-Buying Guide
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.
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.