The Prescription for Pool Project Procrastination – Part III
Investing in a Pool – What you should know.
If you want to be swimming in your own pool this summer, now is the time to start planning. In this third in our Prescription for Pool Procrastination posts, we offer guidance on managing the cost of your pool.
Just as with a home construction project, many factors impact a pool project’s costs. Understanding these can help guide you in making informed design decisions for a dream pool that meets your budget parameters.
- Size and depth. Excavation can account for as much as 10 percent of the total pool project – so the bigger and deeper the hole, the more the dollars add up. The rocky soils in Austin often necessitate hoe-ramming, and typically the deeper the backhoe digs, the more likely it is to encounter rock. Most pool contracts in this area include a rock clause for unanticipated rock encountered in the excavation process. That’s why a well-conceived design is so important at the outset – if you aren’t planning a diving board or ledge that requires deeper water, save money by keeping your excavation more shallow.
In addition, the larger the size, the more it will require in gunite, tile, steel, lights, and so on. Not to mention the water that will be required to fill it. Build a design that is appropriate for your goals – overbuilding just adds costs you could put to use on outdoor furnishings or landscaping.
- Special features. The options for cool water features are seemingly endless and you’ve probably pinned or saved some ideas in your planning process (see blog post: Choosing a Pool Design). Popular […]