Overview: In-Ground Swimming Pools

This guide is to help educate your decision before committing to the purchase of an in-ground swimming pool. We will cover all of the advantages and disadvantages of owning an in-ground pool from cost to care and everything in between.

A photo of another one of our Hampton pools.

How much does an in-ground pool cost?

In-ground swimming pools can cost anywhere between $40,000 for a basic 7 metre x 3 metre pool, all the way up to well over $100,000-$150,000 for one with all the bells and whistles attached. To get an accurate estimate, take a look at our in-ground pool cost calculator.

Also, keep in mind that the prices stated above also include the costs of designing the pool, as well as a 3D render of what your final pool will look like so that you can experience what is to come.

How to determine the “bells and whistles”

To get started, you will want to determine what you want out of your in-ground swimming pool and know how you are going to use it.

  • If you are looking for something really basic to take a dip in on a hot day, then you may not need to add much at all and save a lot on costs.
  • If you are someone who loves to entertain guests or throw parties, you may want to look at adding a few things such as bench seats and a spa.
  • If you have a family, some small add-ons might make a big difference as far as safety when it comes to children. Glass fencing can be excellent if you need to keep an eye out on your child while hanging out the washing, etc. A full width step might be a good option for easy access.

Then, you may be the type of person who wants to go all out and get the best of the best, and that can be accommodated.

These are just some of the features that can be added to your new in-ground pool, and we are here to help you decide on what will suit your lifestyle.

A photo of a family orientated pool in Ashburton.

Will an in-ground pool add value to my home?

In short – yes, it will add value to your home. While it is difficult to estimate an exact value and percentage of an overall house price, we have observed some very particular actions within the market place:

  • If a house in the market has a half decent in-ground pool and outdoor entertaining area, you can be absolutely certain that a picture of the pool will be front and centre on all advertisements selling the home as well as the advertising board placed at the front of the property.
  • Upmarket display homes will always have pools. Most display homes are built to include an in-ground pool that is disproportionately valued against the homes they are built with. For example, a $250,000 kit home will often have an in-ground pool valued at over $100,000 in the garden. 

Based on these observations, in-ground pools definitely have a massive impact on a home’s value. They are considered a luxury item that, if given the chance, potential buyers will jump at and overall improve their impressions of the property as a whole.

A photo of a pool in Ashburton.

Benefits of an in-ground pool

There are many benefits that can be gained from owning an in-ground pool compared to an above ground one. Concrete has always been the premium pool construction material owing to its longevity and ability to be fully customised to suit the specific needs of the client and to best utilise the available space.

Concrete pools are superior to fibreglass, vinyl liner and above ground pools for the following reasons:

  • In-ground pools are able to be fully customised.
  • They have superior structural integrity as well as being part of the surround structure.
  • Have unlimited flexibility with size and configuration.
  • You are easily able to upgrade your pools appearance if you want to refresh it by re-fixing commonly available products such as tiles and render coatings.
  • The principle component of an in-ground pools’ structure is concrete which can be fitted with a an array of coating and fixings. That’s why concrete pools are specified by architects and designers. Fibreglass pools merely try to imitate concrete pools!
  • Every local government and commercial contractor specifies concrete as the construction material of choice for any new pool construction as concrete is durable and proven in the market place.

With so much flexibility and ability to customise your in-ground pool, it is hard to justify installing anything else!

Space Efficient

When purchasing a new pool, one of the first questions people have is “Do I have enough space?
In-ground pool design is an extension of current building trends. With ever appreciating market value, more and more homes are being built on smaller blocks, and thus, the available area to build a swimming pool becomes more compressed. Now, with new planning regulations and recent advances in technology and construction methods, pools are now being built along property and building boundaries to maximise the efficiency of a space.

Here is a great example of what we are talking about. This pool in Ashburton has been built right along the property boundary in a space that was previously not being used. In an otherwise small area, this build is proof that no matter the size or shape of your block, there is always a way to get the in-ground pool you desire.

A photo of a pool in Ashburton.

Maintenance

Sometimes, people are put off buying a pool as they believe their new in-ground pool will come with a headache of regular maintenance that will take up too much of their time. However, regular pool maintenance will take up all of 10 minutes per week. During this measly 10 minutes, you will want to perform these tasks to keep your pool in prime condition:

  • Emptying and checking skimmer and pump baskets
  • Skimming large leaf matter and debris off of the pool surface
  • Checking the dosing equipment
  • Adding salt and replacing the acid drum if required
  • Dropping the robotic pool cleaner into the pool
  • Back-washing the filter

It’s that easy.

All of our pools and fencing are built according to the Victorian Building Authority. Momentum pools is committed to designing and building the best and safest pool for your home.