Want A Swimming Pool In Your Garden? Here Are 7 Key Elements You Need To Consider

Installing a swimming pool in your garden is truly an exciting prospect. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping out of your back door and going for a swim, and the sorts of parties you’ll be able to throw will be second to none. 

That said, you’ll know by now that this project is a major undertaking. Actually getting things going is likely far more work than you anticipated, and given what’s involved and how much it’ll cost, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. 

If this sounds like you, don’t worry – this article has you covered. To help you get started, here are seven key elements you need to think about both to get your project off the ground and keep things running once everything is installed.

1. Considering Why You Want a Pool

The first thing you need to do is consider why you want a pool in the first place. While it might seem obvious, really drill into the details, as your values around pool ownership will help shape the project later on down the line. 

Is it mostly for the family to enjoy? Do you have young children? Maybe a major component is that you’re going to be using the pool to get physically fit. A big part of the equation could even be that you’re considering long-term value, and how having a pool factors into the value of your home if you decide to sell it in the future. 

Why you want a pool will be unique to you. Write down the three most important reasons and go from there. 

2. The Budget

Naturally, the budget is most people’s biggest concern when it comes to installing a pool in their garden.

This isn’t a cheap investment, and the costs go far beyond the initial installation. Full-scale landscaping will need to be performed before the foundations are laid, and depending on the sort of pool you’re going for, there may need to be extensive plumbing and electrical work completed. 

Then, there’s pool maintenance. You can’t simply leave a pool to clean itself; you’ll be required to keep on top of everything from clearing debris to chemically treating the water. 

3. Planning Permission and Local Regulations

One thing many people don’t realize is that you can’t necessarily do exactly as you please with your own garden. You may need planning permission to carry out your project, and there might also be a list of regulations you need to abide by once everything has been approved. 

As such, it’s critical to reach out to your local authority before any work begins. In the rare case that your pool isn’t able to be constructed, you don’t want to have wasted a ton of money on labor and materials only to be told you can’t go ahead. 

Should you need it, it usually doesn’t take very long to get approval for a project like this, but make sure you do so early on. 

4. Pool Type

Determining the type of pool you want is where those reasons from step one will come in handy. 

As you’ll learn, there are dozens of types of pools you could go for, each with different lengths, depths, shapes, materials, features, and colors. 

The most important consideration initially is the size (length and depth). This may mostly be determined for you due to the size of your garden: you don’t want something so big that it leaves you no space, but at the same time, you need something big enough to offer plenty of versatility. 

Then, there are the materials to think about. Pools can be made out of a variety of different materials, from fiberglass to concrete. The material you choose will affect the duration of the build as well as the durability and longevity, so discuss this thoroughly with your installers. 

5. Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is important across all areas of your home, and the same is true when it comes to your new pool. 

Some people only use their pool during the summer, but if you want to use it in winter, you’re going to need to heat it directly. From solar-powered heaters to electric pumps, there are several options for doing this, each of which should be discussed at length with your installers. 

It’s also wise to invest in a high-quality pool cover. This is a relatively basic addition, but it can go a long way in retaining the heat and reducing the burden on your heating systems. 

6. Safety Elements 

Safety is something you’ll need to prioritize from the very start – especially if you have small children or pets. 

Proper fencing installed around the perimeter is a must, and you’ll need a secure gate for entering and exiting. It’s also key to install non-slip surfaces around all areas that get wet, and a pool alarm is a great extra precaution to alert you if something (or someone) has entered the pool. 

Water is dangerous, and you should do all you can to prevent accidents and mishaps. It only takes a little bit of effort to considerably reduce the biggest risks, so don’t forget about it. 

7. Access During Construction

Finally, bear in mind that you’ll need viable access to and from your property for the construction team to work safely and efficiently. 

Pool construction is a significant undertaking for builders, and especially in the beginning, they may need to use large mechanical diggers to excavate the land. They’ll be able to work out the logistics themselves, but this is also about your comfort. Speak with them about ways in which you can minimize the disruption to your life while ensuring they have everything they need to complete the task at hand. 

Wrapping Up

What’s required for pool construction should now be a little clearer for you. The above points by no means cover everything, but they provide a well-rounded summary of the commitments you’ll need to make to see the project through. Good luck, and have fun!