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Do Brits need to be swimming in cash to install a private pool?

Brits believe this summer will be record-breaking. The hottest day ever recorded in Britain happened more than a decade ago in August 2003 when temperatures hit 38.1 degrees Celsius1, and according to the bookmakers, all bets are on that 2015 will be the year that the record is beaten.

And what’s better than a dip in the pool after a sticky day in the office?

Residential swimming pools are relatively uncommon in the UK, especially when compared to our European and international neighbours, but more than 210,0002 Brits have installed a private pool, most of which can be found in countryside dwellings and houses on the outskirts of the big cities like London, Leeds and Glasgow.

Surprisingly, swimming pool installation isn’t too expensive, with above ground swimming pools setting homeowners back as little as £1,5003. Fully tiled or marbelite concrete swimming pools are at the higher tier of the market, starting from £45,000.

Once installed, not only can you enjoy long, sunny days in your pool, but you’re also likely to increase the value of your home.

Want to install a swimming pool in your home or garden? Here are some pointers to keep the costs low:

  • Choose eco-friendly equipmentFrom solar-heated pools, which use solar panels to keep the water warm, to moss-filtered pools that eliminate the need for chlorine, there are plenty of sustainable swimming pool options out there for customers. The initial outlay of an eco-pool may cost a little extra but could reduce your energy costs in the long run.
  • Be wary of ‘dig and drop’ swimming poolsSome swimming pools can be bought ready-plumbed, so all you’ll need to do is dig the hole and drop it in. Whilst this may reduce your initial set-up costs, do be careful with these DIY builds, and always ensure you get a professional plumber’s opinion to ensure the pool is installed correctly and safe to use. Without getting this second opinion, you could end up damaging your home’s plumbing system and having to fork out more cash several weeks or months down the line to fix the problem.
  • Think about building a swimming pool enclosureIf you’re installing an outdoor pool, creating a purpose-built enclosure for it could allow you to extend your swimming season by months, or all year round. Not only does this reduce your cost-per-use (you’ll be getting your money’s worth) but you may even find yourself taking more ‘staycations’, as you’ll be less inclined to splurge on a holiday every time you need a break by the pool.
  • If exercise is your aim…Larger pools generally cost more but you can fulfil your exercise requirements in a smaller pool to save on construction fees, build time and future running costs. Simply ask for a counter current to be fitted in your exercise pool, which will enable you to swim against the current for as long as you like without the need to turn end to end.

If you’re having a swimming pool installed this summer, do reserve an extra 10% of your budget to cover any unexpected eventualities. This is particularly poignant in regards to outdoor pools, as you never know what could be discovered beneath your garden during an excavation. For example, the underground could be immersed in tree roots that will need cutting – or you may just decide that you want more pool lights or a different design during the process.

In most cases, you won’t need to use this emergency money on your swimming pool installation, meaning that you can spend it on throwing your first pool party instead!


1 Daily Mail, 2015. Bet it’s going to be a scorcher! Flurry of wagers for weather records to be broken this summer as Britain prepares for temperatures of 24C tomorrow. [Online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3036660/Bet-s-going-scorcher-Flurry-wagers-weather-records-broken-summer-Britain-prepares-hottest-day-year-temperatures-set-soar-24C-Wednesday.html.
2 Daily Mail, 2009. Why you don’t need to be swimming in cash to install a pool at home. [Online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/property/article-1197150/Why-dont-need-swimming-cash-install-pool-home.html.
3 Compass Pools, 2015. Costs, prices and quotes of building a swimming pool in your garden. [Online] Available at: http://www.compass-pools.co.uk/faqs/cost-prices-quotes-of-building-a-swimming-pool/.
[All information sources accessed 25th June 2015].

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