Installing an inground pool is a dream for many homeowners. If this is your next project to enjoy the outdoors during the summer season, make sure to also plan for the additional associated costs. In fact, beyond the initial cost of the pool and its installation fees, there are several other aspects to consider. We've grouped them into 7 categories to help you optimize the planning of this exciting project.
1. Choosing and installing a fence
Safety is the number one priority when adding an inground pool. In most Canadian provinces, all types of pools, including above-ground ones, are now required to be enclosed by a fence to help prevent the risk of drowning. This protection applies to both unsupervised children and pets.
The enclosure must meet regulations, including a minimum height of 1.2 meters and a secure, lockable gate. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides an evaluation form to help you assess whether your setup is compliant.
The price of a fence can vary significantly depending on the chosen material. Costs range from $14 to $120 per linear foot, depending on whether you choose aluminum, PVC, chain link, or wood.
Cedar Hedges
Even if you already have a lush cedar hedge, you will still need to add a fence. If you want to maintain a cohesive and attractive visual look, consider shopping for a chain-link fence in a color that blends well with the greenery.
Also, keep in mind the future maintenance of your cedars. Access will be more limited, so it’s important to plan accordingly.
Money-Saving Tip
If you are looking to save, consider fencing off only the area around the pool. This will significantly reduce the number of linear feet required. However, doing so may create a visual barrier and reduce the overall aesthetic appeal of your backyard layout, unless you opt for tempered glass panels or an aluminum railing.
2. Backyard Design: Interlocking Paver models
Finishing Around the Pool
In addition to the fence, you will need to add at minimum a finish and walkway around the fiberglass inground pool. The width of the walkway must comply with your municipality’s regulations.
There are mainly two options to choose from: concrete or paving stones. For a more attractive and durable result, opt for pool edging specifically designed for that purpose.
Excavation
Keep in mind that excavation is required to install your new pool. Your yard will need to be leveled again, and this is a great opportunity to decide how you want to landscape the space.
Detailed Plan
It is highly recommended to create a detailed plan of your backyard, including the pool and the planned landscaping, before beginning any work.
Installing Proma XL slabs from our sister company Rinox is a popular choice for pool surrounds as well as for the rest of the backyard layout.
3. Backyard Landscaping Finishing
To stay within your budget, consider postponing the rest of the landscaping work to the following year. As mentioned, the mandatory work upon installation includes the walkway surrounding the pool and the fence to secure the swimming area.
Since the purchase of an inground pool already represents a large investment, any additions of plants, trees, shrubs, as well as expanding the area of interlocking pavers, can be done the following year. This will spread the investment of your backyard over two seperate times.
Another option is to finance the entire backyard project. This will allow you to complete the entire project at one time while spreading the payments overall several months, requiring little to no upfront payment.
4. Additional Equipment: Heat Pump, Electricity, Filtration, and Cover
Many pool owners, whether inground or not, wish to swim in comfortably warm water. Therefore, plan to purchase a heat pump that is suitable for your pool. Additionally, you will need to hire a certified electrician for the necessary electrical installation. If not for the heat pump, it will at least be required for the filtration system and water treatment using chlorine or salt.
Water Heater
You can also choose to buy a solar cover to help the water reach a pleasant temperature. Inground pools experience much less temperature variation than their above-ground counterparts, which is one of the great advantages of this type of installation.
5. Equipment Storage Building for Your New Pool
Why build a storage building? On one hand, for the aesthetic aspect, but also for practicality and to extend the lifespan of your pool equipment and accessories. It will also serve to store your maintenance and cleaning supplies, as well as salt or chlorine, depending on the system you choose.
When designing your plan, include the desired location of this small building so that it is easily accessible while maintaining a safe distance between the pool edge and the access point.
If you already have a shed in an optimal location with enough space to accommodate the equipment, consider installing the pool accordingly. Be sure to respect all setback requirements mandated by the municipality.
6. Relaxation: Furniture, Gazebo, Outdoor Kitchen
Certainly, this section is probably one of the favorites. However, costs can add up quickly. Both furniture and additions such as a gazebo or an outdoor kitchen space can individually amount to several thousand dollars.
Financing
If you prefer to finalize everything within the same year, consider financing through a home equity line of credit. This option offers an interest rate very similar to that of your mortgage, and the maximum amount is based on the equity available in your home.
This is the difference between the market value of your property and the current balance of your mortgage, up to 80% of its total value.
Example:
(Property value of $500,000 × 80% = $400,000) – mortgage of $300,000
Total possible financing of $100,000
7. Annual Expenses to add to the purchase price, regardless of pool size
When you decide to have a new pool installed, whether in-ground or above-ground, regardless of the model, it comes with annual expenses:
- There’s electricity for heating and filtration.
- Home insurance increases.
- The purchase of chlorine or salt for water treatment.
- Opening and closing fees that you can entrust to a specialist.
- Regulations for Installing a Pool
Before you even start shopping for an inground pool, begin by checking your municipality’s regulations. Not only must you respect minimum setback distances from property boundaries, but you will also need to comply with the maximum allowed size.
Indeed, each municipality is responsible for setting certain standards. There are always restrictions on the dimensions of secondary buildings (such as garages and sheds), as well as limits on the total area that each element can occupy.
For example, if your inground pool cannot exceed more than 30% of your total lot area, sit down and calculate the dimensions you must respect when selecting your pool.
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