I would like to have an inground pool. How expensive is it?

Question

The lot next door is empty and just sitting there, so after careful thought, I decided I would like to buy it and put an inground pool in with a diving board and fence it all in and make a really nice place for my family to hang out. As a second thought, I dont want it to be say 10 feet deep all the way around, I would like to start at say a foot and gradually get deeper at the other end. Is this possible. How much does it cost? We live in Illinois.

Answer 1

Well, while deepness matters, a lot of other things do too. How wide do you want the pool? How long? Will you have a slide? How many sets of stairs? Will it be vinyl, concrete, or gunite? How big of a concrete deck do you want around the pool? Will you be putting a fence around the pool (most communities require this by law, and it is the smart and responsible thing to do)? Can the lot itself have a pool on it (if there is an underground water source near where you want the pool for example, you may not be able to have one at all? What is the soil like, and will it be easy to dig the hole? Etc- there are really a whole lot of questions to be answered on how much it will cost. Generally, I will tell you it will likely run between $15,000 on the cheap end, and $25,000 on the more optioned end. Bear in mind- there are significant annual costs as well. I spend at least $100 a year on chlorine, $100 a year on my ionizer refills, about $300 ever 3-4 years on filter elements, about $500 a year on other chemicals to keep my water in balance, about $100 or so a month in electric to run the pump, the ongoing cost of your equipment like cleaners and skimmers, etc, the cost of repainting or relining your pool ever 10-15 years, etc. I personally calculate that I spend at least $1500 a summer for my 20X42 inground pool with 9 foot deep deep end. If I was buying again, I would just be sure to buy close to the YMCA and skip the pool the next time, personally. Oh- and I didnt mention, it takes about 2 hours worth of cleaning per week, every week, as long as its open for the season :) Have fun :)

Answer 2

The gradual deepening is quite possible. I'd estimate you'll be looking at between 25 and 30K for your new pool and fence. Obviously you can go way beyond that too if you want.