Angie's List: Tips For Building A Pool

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - It cools you off during the hot days of summer and can serve as the go-to-spot for family fun, but a pool can be a lot of work, too.

Angie's List has some tips for what you should know about pools before taking the plunge.

Homeowner Shannon McCollom added a pool to her backyard last fall.

"We decided to have a pool installed because our kids love to swim, and we felt like it was a good thing we could do as a family and we have a lot of land so we felt like it was a good use of our backyard," McCollom said.

A pool can provide hours of entertainment, but it's also a costly project that you should research thoroughly.

In-ground pools for example can cost between $20,000 and $70,000. So ask yourself, what will it cost, and what will I get out of it?'

"In the heat of the summer, a pool might sound like a fantastic idea, but the reality is unless you are the only house in your neighborhood that doesn't have a pool you should skip it. Pools tend to scare off potential buyers of your house and you usually only get about 50 cents on the dollar return on investment," Angie Hicks from Angie's List said.

Not to mention, building that perfect pool and keeping it that way depends a lot on who you hire.

Installing a pool can be a lengthy project, sometimes taking a month or more to build.

"This is sort of like open heart surgery on your backyard. So, it's going to be messy. We can try to contain the mess as best as possible, but you are going to have dump trucks, there's going to be a lot of dirt moved around," pool builder Bill Lambert said.

You should also factor in maintenance. Regular tasks include vacuuming the pool floor, balancing chemicals and checking the pump.

Weekly care plus opening and closing a pool can run about $2,000.

"Remember, a pool is going to be with you for a long time so you want a find a reputable pool company who is going to stand behind their project. You want to know what kind of warranty is going to be on the pool. And remember, this is a project that can take a long time, especially given that you might hit some rainy days during installation. You want to have a well laid out plan to make sure you hit your deadlines," Hicks said.

Angie's List also said that you should contact your local building department and/or homeowner's association for a complete list of rules, regulations and required permits before you start construction on your pool.

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