There’s no doubt about it – an inground swimming pool is a major investment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. There’s a lot you can do to save money, but there’s no getting around the fact that you will ultimately end up paying tens of thousands of dollars. That said, there are lots of reasons why the cost of inground pool installation might be well worth it to you. Obviously, plenty of homeowners have pools installed every year, and most of them have no regrets.
Here are some ways you might be able to justify paying the hefty price for a new swimming pool. Given the amount of money we’re talking about, you obviously want to take your time, think it through, and make sure you can afford all the expenses involved. There’s a fine line between justifying the purchase and rationalizing it. These are some valid reasons why an inground pool might be worth it to you.
1. It increases the value of your home
Unlike above ground swimming pools, inground pools are a permanent fixture on your property and generally increase its value. In fact, in warm, dry areas, a swimming pool is seen by many home buyers as an essential feature. Don’t get too optimistic, though. Your home’s value generally does not increase by as much as it costs to install the pool – never mind the ongoing costs to maintain it. However, you can expect that at least some of the cost of a pool will be paid back in increased property value.
2. Swimming is great exercise
Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise because it works a lot of different muscles, including the most important one – your heart. It’s also a lot of fun, which increases the odds that you’ll exercise regularly. Whereas most exercise routines require conscious effort and motivation, you can get into better shape doing something you want to do anyway. Consider the money you could save in gym memberships, not to mention the incalculable value of better health.
3. You can get financing
If you’re worried about paying a huge lump sum, know that there are plenty of financing options available for inground pools. Because it’s considered a home improvement, you can often get attractive rates, too. By the way, you should also work out a contract with the swimming pool contractor that keeps the upfront money you have to pay to a minimum – in general, you should only pay for completed work.
4. If you take fewer vacations, it could actually save you money
Staycations are becoming more and more popular, and it’s not hard to see why. People are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of spending their disposable income on home improvements rather than temporary entertainment. A modest vacation to a sunny place can easily cost several thousand dollars. If getting your own inground pool makes it easy for you to forgo these trips, then that’s probably one of the best ways to justify the cost.
Reality Check
It’s important to be realistic about the cost of inground pool installation. For example, if you think having an inground pool means you’ll never feel the need to go on vacation again, you’re probably wrong. When thinking about getting an inground pool, consider all the factors – both for and against. While this article has focused exclusively on reasons to buy a pool, there are also many reasons not to.
If you ultimately decide that it just doesn’t make sense for you, that doesn’t mean your dream of owning a pool is over. There are also many great options for above ground and semi inground pools. And of course you could always buy a pool the old-fashioned way – save up for it.
