POOLS

Swimming Pools
Is a swimming pool actually worth the money?

In terms of both dollar value and recreational activity a pool is always worth the money and not just in Summer but all year round. And with the modern advances of fibre-glass the costs have come right down to where every homeowner can afford a swimming pool with very appealing finance offers from as low as 2.9% APR..

WIll it add value to my home?

Real Estate agents will tell you an in-ground pool will add approximately 5 – 8% straight away so a $300,000 home with a new in-ground pool is now worth between $315,000 – $324,000 – this of course will raise every year with the value of your home.

But it’s only good for Summer months

Not at all – solar water heaters can extend the life of your pool from May – August to March to November and with a built in hot tub you can use it all year round.

What about the kids?
Kids love pools as much if not more than adults and if your kids are like mine, they are up and in the pool from early morning to bedtime. But because we can’t watch them for every second of every day you must be more careful than ever before. Make sure your pool is situated outside the kitchen window so you can see them when cooking or cleaning. Make sure you have a fence around the pool which can lock and not be easily climbed over. Ensure proper safety equipment such as life buoys and grab poles. Your contractor will have a catalog of safety equipment for you to look at.

Friends and family?
A pool with a built in hot tub can be a Godsend for friends and family all year round. Talk to your contractor about having 2 seperate heaters so you don’t have to heat the whole pool just to warm the hot tub.

What about my water and electricity bill?
On average swimming pools can add approx $100-$150 per Summer month of use to your water and electricity bills.

What about Winter months?
During Winter your pump will still be on cleaning and maintaining your pool but the hot sun will not be evaporating your water so you will save money there. Remember too you can always save even more money by installing solar.

Will my existing solar run my new pool?
If you currently have solar when you built your pool you may want to check with your original solar contractor. 99.9% of solar contractors will provide you with enough panels to run what you need to run at the time of installation. If you did not tell the contractor you were planning a pool, you may need another 3 – 6 panels to run and heat your new pool. This is a very easy fix and can be a simple extension of your current solar set-up and again you can claim your 26% ITC on t he new additions too.

I can’t have solar on my house because of shading issues on my roof.
That’s a pity because solar will save you lots of money but it doesn't have to be a problem. You can opt for a DC system that does not use the grid and can be installed relatively cheap by the pool or on top of a shaded area such as a patio cover or pergola.

Why DC solar?
AC (Alternative Current) is converted to electricity for the home via an inverter and the utility grid. DC (Direct Current) does not need an inverter and does not go through the grid either. Instead the energy goes directly from the solar panel array to your pool pump bypassing the grid.

When posting your project, include pictures of the space on which you want your pool, Describe the terrain, is it grass, concrete, dirt. Add the size of the pool you want and the shape. Add some pictures you’ve seen online or upload photos of pools you’ve seen and loved. You may also add links to what you've seen online.

Do you want a rock pool or water features?

Maybe you want a swim-up bar and high stools in the water?

Do you want a slide for kids?

And what about lighting?

Some people prefer to sketch out their yard and pool on a sheet of paper, just take a picture of the sketch and simply upload it!

And if like me, you are not blessed with drawing skills just make sure to add plenty of description. Also include your address in order for your contractor to view your home on google maps and give you a more detailed bid. Your contractor will be able to look at the size of your space and may have some ideas of his/her own. Your contractor will also look at access for machinery and might be able to look at the geology in your area.

Something you may want to think about is including your budget. Make a video of your space and talk over – “This is my yard, I have $10,000 to spend – what can you do for me? Contractors will appreciate your honesty and will work with you and maybe able to help wih finance options to increase your reach. 

Hiring anyone to carry work in your home can be daunting. Letting strangers into your home is even more scary. While many homeowners may go into detail about pricing and materials and quality of work – they rarely ask their contractor for their license details and never ask about their possible criminal background or if their staff are felons.

For your peace of mind, all contractors featured on 23HourBids.com have been background checked for your safety and security. Don't let anyone into your home without the 23HourBids.com seal of safety and security.

Watch this short video below to see how we protect you, your family and your belongings.