Major Factor is Location
Average cost of owning a pool will depend on where you are located. Are you located in a windy area? Are you surrounded by lots of trees and plants? If this is your case then the cleaning maintenance will be higher for you. How hot does it get where you live? The hotter it is in your area the more water will evaporate, thus you will have to add water to your pool to maintain the water levels. And, this will lead to a higher water cost. What if you have to drain your pool and then fill it up? This will double your water bill in one month. Where I am located I am surrounded by trees and it gets windy so lots of debris gets into the pool. So, I have to constantly clean my pool, sometimes even twice a week. On summer days, it gets so hot that the water evaporates and I end up adding water to the pool. This adds to my water bill about an extra $20.00
Pool Usage
Now that you own a house with a pool, the pool care and the cost will depend on the usage of your pool. If you have young kids, they will always want to be in the pool. However, as they get older, they will tend to use the pool less and less. The more the pool is used the more you will have to add water to it and make sure that the water chemistry is in the right levels. For example, are the pH levels in the right range? How about your chlorine levels? You have to make sure that the water chemistry is at the proper levels so that it won’t affect your skin, the plaster, and the additional pool equipment. Weekly runs to your local pool store can cost you between $10.00-$50.00 weekly.
Also, you will need to purchase some cleaning equipment for your pool. Chances are that the previous owner won’t leave his cleaning equipment behind. You will have to buy a water hose that connects to a pool vacuum, a brush, and a net to capture all the floating trash. These items can add up to over $100.00, the good news is that these are a one time cost. You will only have to buy them again if they break.
Do You Have a Pool Guy?
If you are a first time pool owner, I suggest hiring a pool guy to do your pool care. A pool guy will run you between $115-$200 per month. Most pool guys will clean your pool once per week. I know that it is an additional cost that your realtor didn’t make you aware, but it is worth it in the beginning while you take the time on the side to learn about pool care and maintenance. There is a learning curve to learning about pool maintenance, it isn’t difficult but it can take time to master it. A good pool guy will clean your pool, and add chemicals for you. In addition, they will clean your filter at an extra cost, or provide repairs to your pool equipment if needed at an additional cost.
The Final Cost
The bottom line is that the cost of a pool can catch you off guard when you are a new pool owner. If you are a pool owner you have to keep in mind the weekly maintenance pool cost, the repairs when needed, the water chemistry, the cost of water usage, and the pool guy. All these can add up between $1000-$2500 annually depending on the size of your pool. Now that you are more informed, do you still want to buy a house with a pool?