If you had to pick a state that typifies the climate of the Midwest, Kansas would be as good a choice as any. The Sunflower State experiences a variety of weather, some of it severe (hello, Dorothy). However, throughout most of the state – including Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka, and parts west – summers are hot and long enough to make owning an inground pool a viable option for families who enjoy swimming.
Swimming Season
Kansas offers what many would consider to be the perfect swimming season, with about five months of warm weather. For a lot of people, that’s about the amount of time before they grow bored with their pool. Closing it for the winter not only renews their desire to get out and swim, but more importantly, saves on maintenance costs.
Extras
A pool cover is always a good idea, but if you’re building a pool in Kansas and other places where summer storms are common, you might want to spring for something more advanced. An automatic pool cover that rolls in and out with the flip of a switch will make it much easier to keep stuff from blowing into your pool.
Installation Costs
Good news here. Construction costs are (slightly) below the national average in Kansas, which should keep your labor costs under control. Of course, a lot depends on exactly where you live and the specific pool contractors you’re considering. Still, no matter where you are in Kansas, it’s likely worth it to hire a professional unless you’re absolutely certain you can do the job yourself.
Permits
Local laws will determine the process – or rigmarole, as some people would call it – you have to go through to obtain all the permits for your new pool. The complexity is going to vary a lot depending on whether you live in an urban area like Kansas City, or a rural area. However, for the most part, it’s just a matter of submitting information about your planned pool (in varying levels of detail) to the county or city. In any case, you should avail yourself of the expertise of your pool builder to help you through the process (while keeping a watchful eye, of course).
Safety Laws
Some states take an active role in regulating residential pool safety. In Kansas, the matter is left up to local government. One thing you will need to have no matter where you live is a pool safety fence that’s at least 4 feet tall. To find out more, you’ll need to check your local laws.
