Before You Buy A House With A Swimming Pool, Consider These 8 Maintenance And Insurance Costs That Might Surprise You

A sparkling blue pool in the backyard photo can make a house feel like a permanent vacation. The listing never shows the Tuesday morning when the pump quits, or the insurance renewal that arrives with a new line on it.

White house with a wooden extension and a backyard swimming pool

Before you fall in love with the deck chairs, it pays to look at what the money side really looks like. Kiplinger put together a list of 10 things to know before buying a house with a pool, and The Motley Fool’s Ascent has its own price tags. Here are eight of the costs that stand out, each with its source named.

The Weekly Cleaning Bill Alone Can Add Up To Real Money

Kiplinger reports that pools are typically cleaned weekly when in use, and the water has to be tested for pH. Professional weekly service runs $115 to $353, with a $234 national average, according to HomeAdvisor figures cited by Kiplinger.

Pool season depends on where you live. Kiplinger notes it runs roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day around Washington, D.C., while pools in Florida and Arizona run year-round.

Add It All Up And Owning A Pool Can Cost $3,000 To $5,000 A Year

The Motley Fool’s Ascent cites HomeGuide estimates of $960 to $1,800 per year for maintenance such as chlorine and cleanings. When water and electricity are included, the Fool puts the average yearly cost of owning a pool at $3,000 to $5,000.

That is a number worth putting next to your monthly budget before you make an offer, not after you move in.

A Small Leak Or A Torn Liner Is Where The Surprise Bills Start

Kiplinger lists vinyl liner repairs at $1,000 to $6,000, citing HomeServe. Finding a slow leak costs $100 to $500, and the average plumbing leak repair is $704.

Frank Lesh of Home Sweet Home Inspection Company advises buyers to ask sellers about past repairs. A seller who remembers every one of them is a seller worth listening to.

The Safety Fence Is Not Optional, And It Is Not Cheap

Kiplinger, citing the Consumer Product Safety Commission, reports that nearly 379 children under 15 drown in backyard pools each year, and about 75 percent of them are under 5. The CPSC also recommends door alarms, according to the same report.

Fencing costs $15 to $40 per linear foot, per HomeAdvisor figures in Kiplinger. A chain-link or mesh fence runs $1,000 to $5,000, other materials $2,000 to $12,000, and tempered glass $7,000 to $20,000. Local rules on pool barriers differ, so check with your town.

Insurers Treat Pools As An “Attractive Nuisance,” So Check Your Liability Cover

Kiplinger explains that insurers call residential pools “attractive nuisances.” Homeowners liability coverage typically maxes out around $300,000, according to the Insurance Information Institute figure it cites.

Many owners add an umbrella policy. Kiplinger puts a $1 million umbrella policy at $383 per year, citing Progressive. It also warns that insurers may raise premiums or exclude injuries from features like diving boards, so ask your own agent for a quote before closing.

The Electric Bill Climbs Even Before You Heat The Water

An in-ground pool can add $500 to $2,000 per year in electricity costs, according to HomeAdvisor figures in Kiplinger. Heating adds $120 to $850 per month, and Kiplinger notes that propane heaters are especially expensive.

Ask the seller for a full year of utility bills. They will tell you more than the listing photos ever could.

A Separate Pool Inspector Can Save You From A Very Wet Mistake

Maria Zamora, a Texas real estate agent quoted by Kiplinger, recommends a certified pool inspector who performs leak detection and checks plumbing, electrical, surfaces, and fencing. She also recommends a home warranty that covers major pool repairs.

A regular home inspection looks at the house. The pool is its own system, and it deserves its own expert.

Do Not Count On The Pool To Pay You Back When You Sell

Kiplinger, citing HouseLogic, says a pool may add up to 7 percent to resale value, and only in certain conditions such as a warm climate or a neighborhood where many neighbors have pools. Christopher Suranna of Metro DC Houses notes that pools can turn off buyers who do not want the upkeep.

If the day comes when you want it gone, filling an in-ground pool with gravel or dirt costs $4,500 to $6,250, according to HomeAdvisor figures cited by Kiplinger.

So Is A Pool House Still A Good Buy?

The Motley Fool’s Ascent also flags the pool as one of four features that look nice but cost real money over time, right alongside oversized windows and wooden decks.

For plenty of families it is, and nothing in these sources says otherwise. The point is to go in with open eyes and a real budget.

Price the cleaning, the electricity, the fence, the insurance, and a repair cushion before you sign. Every figure above is an estimate from the named sources, and your own costs will vary by region and by the pool itself.

Sources: Kiplinger, “Is a Backyard Pool Worth It? 10 Things to Know Before You Buy a House With a Pool” and The Motley Fool, “4 Home Features That Seem Nice but Can Cost You Lots of Money”.

Willow and Hearth