Things to Consider Before Building a Swimming Pool

You’ve made the decision to build a pool in your backyard for your family.

Now what? 

First, what type of pool are you considering (vinyl liner, concrete, both)?  There are pro’s and con’s to all types of pools.  The decision typically comes down to budget.

Listed below are the various types of pools with some of the pros and cons of each.

Vinyl Liner Pro’s:

·         Vinyl liner pools tend to be less expensive.

·         You can purchase a larger pool for the amount of money.

Vinyl Liner Con’s:

·    The life of a vinyl liner is roughly about 8-12 years.  This depends on how well you care for your pool.  We receive many questions about vinyl liner replacement costs.  The price is based on the size and shape of the pool you install.  The larger the pool, the more expensive the replacement will be.

Concrete Pro’s:

·    Concrete pools look more natural and can be customized to your vision.  Because concrete pools are priced based on square footage, we can design your pool to meet your needs and fulfill your vision. 

·    Concrete pools have longer warranties.  If you go with the pebble interior, most brands offer you a 15 year warranty on the interior.  That’s HUGE!

Concrete Con’s:

·     Concrete pools are more expensive. 

·     Some people are concerned with the texture of the concrete pools.  When kids swim for hours, the texture of the bottom may be rough on their feet.

Second, you should consider where you would like the pool to be located. When considering location, there are some things you should keep in mind.

·       Is your home on sewer or septic? If you are on septic you need to know the location of your tank and the field. Septic drawings can be obtained from your local Environmental Health office.  Any septic that falls in your desired pool location will need to be moved, which is a cost to consider.

Third, now is the time to decide on what size pool you desire.

Some say “bigger is better” others say small is more manageable and costs less.

The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) once stated that 40 square feet of pool surface per swimmer and 100 square foot per diver was adequate. 

Another factor to consider is if you will be adding a diving board or jump rock.  If you desire these items, then your pool must comply with the diving specifications. 

We have found that pools between 500-550 square feet are the most popular.

You may find your budget will determine what size pool you purchase. No matter what size, your family will enjoy their time together and the many healthy benefits of owning a swimming pool.

Fourth, your next consideration is the shape. You may want a simple rectangle or a freeform pool. Keep in mind your yard shape and the percentage of impervious surface may dictate what shape and size you can have. Impervious area is calculated based on how much of your property is covered by structure.  The percentage allowed differs from county to county.

Fifth, your final choice in your new pool decision is quite possibly the most important, the pool builder.

Everybody’s eye is on the bottom line these days but remember the cost of maintaining, repairing and the life expectancy of all pools is directly proportional to the manufacturing and installation cost. “You get what you pay for.”

You want to look for someone who has all the necessary licenses and insurance, a company who has been around for a while and will stand behind their work. You want a company that has a good rating with the BBB and other online rating sites (i.e. Kudzu.com)

Hilltop Pools and Spas, Inc. has been in business for over 36 years, with the same name, same location and same family owned business. Check us out at www.kudzu.com and see what customers say and you’ll see why we have a 5-star rating on Kudzu and an A+ BBB rating.

Happy Swimming!

The Staff of Hilltop Pools and Spas, Inc.

770-471-3889