You've heard time and time again that a swimming pool is an investment — but how much value does a pool add to a house? When you add up the costs of construction, installation and pool maintenance over time, it can be hard to look past all of those zeros and appreciate how much value you'll get back in the long run. In this article, we'll break down the main costs and weigh them against the long-term value of a swimming pool to help you decide if a pool makes dollars and sense for your project.

How Much Value do you get From a Pool?

Like any serious purchase, it’s essential to look at the long-term value a pool will provide before taking the leap and adding one to your home. Here are the three most important ways swimming pools create value for homeowners and builders over time.

How Much Value Does a Pool add to a House?

If you've checked out our blog article, Does a pool really add value to my home? you know that investing in a pool makes serious financial sense. According to HouseLogic, it can increase the value of a home by up to 7% in the right real estate climate. With more and more homeowners choosing to add a pool to their property, it’s also become somewhat of an expectation amongst buyers — especially in the premium market. 

By the same token, homeowners are opting for larger houses on smaller blocks, so it’s important to make the most of your precious outdoor square footage. Fortunately, Plungies come in a range of sizes that will suit almost any block and are built with slimmer side walls to maximise swimming space. In terms of increasing property value, adding a swimming pool is therefore a no-brainer. It’ll help boost your resale value and maximise your space on a smaller block — what more could you ask for?

Create a Lifestyle Property

Darryl Kerrigan said it best — a man's home is his castle — and this couldn't be more true since COVID-19. After spending so much time at home, people are investing more money in making their home a sanctuary, and a backyard swimming pool is a perfect way to do that. So many great memories are made around a pool, whether it's spending a lazy Sunday afternoon lounging in the sun or teaching your kids to swim for the first time. It’s also a fun way to stay active in the comfort of your own backyard. 

In this way, a pool will elevate your property to a lifestyle property — a home that improves your day-to-day quality of life. While the monetary value of a swimming pool is compelling in itself, we believe the lifestyle value is even greater. After all, family time and happy memories are absolutely priceless. 

Easy Pool Installation is Good for Business

If you're a builder looking to provide exceptional service to your clients, this part's for you. Our pre-cast pools and pre-engineered specifications mean that installation is a breeze as a home builder. You’ll be able to deliver a premium backyard swimming pool in days rather than months and that level of service is obviously going to be good for business. As the builder you know the site best, so you’ll be aware of any challenges that could impact installation. Along with our clear engineering instructions, this should allow for quick and smooth installation that will send customer satisfaction through the roof. 

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How Much Does a Swimming Pool Cost?

We know that budget is a key consideration of any construction project, so let’s talk money! Here are some of the main costs that you’ll need to consider as a prospective pool owner.

Cost of Installing a Pool

Although we don't handle installation, we've done everything we can to simplify the process so your Plungie won't need a specialist pool builder to settle into its new home. We’ve made it so easy, you can Bring Your Own Builder (BYOB) or even install as an owner-builder. You will need to factor in the price of initial site costs including council fees and excavation, however. 

Another necessary cost of pool installations that’s often overlooked is crane hire. A crane is required to lift the pool shell straight from the delivery truck and onto the concrete base slab footing in your chosen space. 

Again, we've made this as simple as possible with our Plungie Lifting Diagrams that provide detailed lifting instructions for each of our models. This means that crane companies nationwide can provide you with a quote for crane hire before you even place an order — that’s what we call proactive!

How Much Does it Cost to Maintain a Pool in Australia?

After the initial costs of installation, homeowners should consider the cost of pool maintenance. Plungie's Smart ECO equipment package makes water sanitation a breeze, so we'd recommend investing in one of these systems to keep your pool (and the people who use it) healthy. Purchasing a robotic pool cleaner from a reliable pool product supplier is also a good idea to keep the interior of your pool pristine and free from debris. 

Powering your pool equipment, LED lights and heater isn't free, so it’s important to keep energy costs in mind. Every Plungie can use an electric heat pump, gas heating or solar heating if you want to take advantage of renewable energy to keep costs down. Concrete is also a great insulator, so a Plungie pool will retain heat longer and help you save on your energy bill.

Is a Pool Worth it? 

We’ve covered a lot of ground today, so let’s recap. Does the long-term value of a swimming pool outweigh the costs? In our opinion, yes! They’ll increase the value of your home and improve your quality of life. Plus, can you really put a price on hearing your kids’ laughter as they play and swim? To us, those moments are priceless. If you’re ready to experience the value of a backyard swimming pool for yourself, download a Plungie brochure today!