[skarra]

Has anyone kept track of what it costs to maintain a swimming pool and is willing to share those costs (weekly, monthly, annual - whatever)?

I'm interested in both cost of doing it yourself (chemicals, test kits, your time, heating if required) and contracting it out for someone else to do it on a regular basis (I presume weekly).

I'm trying to understand the economics of owning your own pool vs using one of the community pools of which costs are already covered by the community fees.

Thank you for any feedback.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by skarra

Has anyone kept track of what it costs to maintain a swimming pool and is willing to share those costs (weekly, monthly, annual - whatever)?

I'm interested in both cost of doing it yourself (chemicals, test kits, your time, heating if required) and contracting it out for someone else to do it on a regular basis (I presume weekly).

I'm trying to understand the economics of owning your own pool vs using one of the community pools of which costs are already covered by the community fees.

Thank you for any feedback.

We have a pool and pay $115 per month for weekly maintenance including chemicals. We had the pool put in 7 years ago and the additional electric costs were minimal. We put in the pool for a # of reasons. Privacy, quiet and swimming after sundown. There are a couple of pools on the north side that have evening hours. The rest of the pools close at dusk. Another reason for our own pool is that I like float and relax on a raft. Rafts are not permitted in any of the pools.
Honestly, I would not live here without my own pool.

[Chi-Town]

There is no way to justify the economics of your own pool. You have a pool for the enjoyment, and the costs are justifiable because of it. Not for everyone but pool owners usually would not have it any other way.

[rjn5656]

I don't look at the costs. I just enjoy my pool when I want to. Small price to pay for my indulgence.

[PoolBrews]

Electric costs for the pool itself are minimal - for me, it amounted to ~$10/month on my bill. Make sure that the pump they provide is a variable speed pump and not a single or two speed pump. Your pool will filter just fine at a much lower RPM. The pump (other than a heater, if you get one) is the single biggest electrical user in the pool system. When run at 40%, it uses 90%-95% less energy than when run at 100%.

If you add a heat pump (I highly suggest you do), it will add on about $30/month during peak cold months and less during warmer months (and of course $0 during summer months). This pricing is for a 7K gallon pool.

With regards to maintenance, I do it myself. It's very easy, and ongoing chemical costs are minimal, maybe around $10/month. Check out a site called Trouble Free Pool (TFP). Tons of advice concerning any aspect of pools - equipment, builders, maintenance, etc. Their free online "Pool School" is 10 times better than the few minutes your pool builder gives you, and tells you exactly what to check, how, and what to add when needed.

Here are some of my Do's and Don'ts when looking at a pool.

Do's and Don'ts
Do: Replace dual drains with Channel Drain
Do: Install handrail at build time
Do: Get a robot to clean pool and sidewalls (Buy on your own after install)
Do: Get a salt water pool. It's much easier to maintain, uses far less chemicals, and is considerably cheaper in the long run
Do: Ensure salt cell is rated for minimum 2x pool size (mine is 5x). Cell will last far longer as it only has to run at 10% or so.
Do: Get a heat pump if you want to swim year round.
Do: If you decide to heat, get the largest heat pump available (140K). Larger heaters are more efficient and heat faster.
Do: Get a water line run near equipment pad
Do: Get autofill/drain (an absolute MUST here in Florida)
Do: Get full automation. You can dramatically reduce electric costs with automation.
Do: Make sure pump is Variable Speed
Do: Go with a larger filter (300-400 sq ft)
Don't: Install suction return line. It's just in the way, and the robot mentioned above is far superior to cleaning.
Don't: Get in-floor cleaning. Expensive upgrade, long term maintenance costs, and won't clean better than the $700 robot.
Don't: Get solar expecting it to keep your pool at mid to high 80's during fall and winter months. You'll still need a heat pump.
Don't: Give builder final payment until pool is operational (If you can get builder to agree - most won't).

Hope this helps!

[champion6]

Originally Posted by skarra

Has anyone kept track of what it costs to maintain a swimming pool and is willing to share those costs (weekly, monthly, annual - whatever)?

I'm interested in both cost of doing it yourself (chemicals, test kits, your time, heating if required) and contracting it out for someone else to do it on a regular basis (I presume weekly).

I'm trying to understand the economics of owning your own pool vs using one of the community pools of which costs are already covered by the community fees.

Thank you for any feedback.

Here ya go -- the good, the bad, the ugly.

[kkingston57]

Had a pool for 15 years. Usual maintenance costs were around $100 -$125 a month. Had to replace pump motor every 3 years(around $300). Pool was 13k gallons. Had a screen enlcosure and cost to re screen was 5k. Depending on conditions, they can last 10 years. Look into salt water pool. Chlorine costs have almost doubled in past year. Had a pool sweep/vacuum. They are good for about 3 years and cost $400+/-. Did not have heater. We lived in S. Florida. Too cold for us November-April.

Cost of new pools have gone out of sight and we can not blame shipping problems in West Coast ports. Pool cost is mostly labor concrete and steel(re-bar)

Enjoy.

[PoolBrews]

Originally Posted by champion6

Here ya go -- the good, the bad, the ugly.

Wow. I've owned a pool for nearly 40 years in 3 states. My costs were never close to the costs you list. It was higher when I had a regular chlorine pool vs my last two being saltwater (with a chlorine generator). My saltwater pools were exceedingly cheap to maintain.

Most of the chemicals you list are not chemicals I would ever put in my pool. Pool store chemicals are just the basic chemicals listed below with additives so they can upcharge the product. Most of these additives are not good for your pool. The only chemicals you need on a consistent basis are:
* Salt (if you have a saltwater pool)
* Liquid chlorine (only used if you have to shock - I only shocked my pool once last year)
* Cyanuric Acid (CYA also called Stabilizer - helps keep chlorine in water)
* Muriatic Acid (lowers pH)
* Borax (rarely used - raises pH)

On a yearly basis I go through:
* (1) 40lb bag of Salt
* (4 - 8) gallons of liquid chlorine
* (1) 25lb bag of Cyanuric Acid
* (5) gallons of Muriatic Acid
* (?) Borax... I haven't used up the 3 lb box I bought 3 years ago

[PoolBrews]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

Had a pool for 15 years. Usual maintenance costs were around $100 -$125 a month. Had to replace pump motor every 3 years(around $300). Pool was 13k gallons. Had a screen enlcosure and cost to re screen was 5k. Depending on conditions, they can last 10 years. Look into salt water pool. Chlorine costs have almost doubled in past year. Had a pool sweep/vacuum. They are good for about 3 years and cost $400+/-. Did not have heater. We lived in S. Florida. Too cold for us November-April.

Cost of new pools have gone out of sight and we can not blame shipping problems in West Coast ports. Pool cost is mostly labor concrete and steel(re-bar)

Enjoy.

Just so you don't get scared... there are always horror stories out there.

My first pool in MI was 42,000 gallons. I used chlorine tablets. Monthly cost was around $75 month (I've learned a lot since then!). I had to replace the heater and pump once in 18 years of use.

My 2nd pool was in GA - 20,000 gallons. I switched to a salt system (SWG). Monthly cost was around $25/month. I had to replace the pump after 9 years.

My new pool here is only 7,000 gallons. I now use the TFP (Trouble Free Pool) system and don't go to pool stores. Cost is $10/month for chemicals. Only 3 years in, so no equipment issues

I'm a firm believer in taking care of your own pool. The pool services only check the pool once a week, so they have to add more chemicals than necessary to ensure the pool stays clear until their next visit... then they have to add more to counteract what they added last time if they got it wrong. I check my pool every 3 days, and usually have to add muriatic acid weekly, cya monthly, salt every 3 months... and that's it.

[skarra]

THANK YOU everyone for your feedback. Much appreciated.

[l2ridehd]

You are not getting all costs. I budget $5000 a year so far have never exceeded that amount. I use a pool service. I have solar and gas heater. That covers everything including water, electric, gas, pool service, solar panel replacement, pool motor, the occasional lighting taking out the control board, the lanai resurface every 5 or 6 years, the screen replacements, and any other cost. About every 12 years you need to replace the tile grout and get a refurbish of the inside sides and bottom what ever material was used. I have that coming up in a few more years and hopefully have enough residual in the 5K annual to cover that. It will be close.

But after 10 years I still believe my 5K covers everything and it is still worth it.

[milling73]

Can anyone give approximate complete installation cost of small pool (around 10,000 gal) ?
Thank you!!

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by skarra

Has anyone kept track of what it costs to maintain a swimming pool and is willing to share those costs (weekly, monthly, annual - whatever)?

I'm interested in both cost of doing it yourself (chemicals, test kits, your time, heating if required) and contracting it out for someone else to do it on a regular basis (I presume weekly).

I'm trying to understand the economics of owning your own pool vs using one of the community pools of which costs are already covered by the community fees.

Thank you for any feedback.

Do a search on here. There are a number of threads on Pools.

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by champion6

Here ya go -- the good, the bad, the ugly.

This pdf. was outstanding. I used to do my own pool, and this mirrors my maintenance schedule, but I never really tracked it. ( did not want to know).
Ownership of a pool is like owning a boat. Theres no economic justification.If you divide the cost of fuel, maintenance ,depreciation, storage, those 2 fish you catch can cost you hundreds per pound.

[TedfromGA]

Previous threads have talked about operational/maintenance costs. What about additional costs for: home insurance, and property tax increase?