Inground Pool

An inground pool is a permanent structure built to enhance comfort during the summer and increase family bonding time. They are a popular feature for homeowners seeking to improve their property’s value and create a personal oasis.

As a long-term investment, they offer both recreational benefits and potential financial returns. But since installing and maintaining an inground pool can be expensive, you can get a home improvement loan for the project if you need one. This guide explores the essential aspects of inground pools, from types and costs to maintenance and financing options, ensuring you make a smart investment.

What Is an Inground Pool?

Inground pools are swimming pools that need an excavation in your backyard or another preferred location for installation. They are best in warmer locations most of the year for comfort. Inground swimming pools are durable and can last for nearly 50 years if properly maintained. They are smart investments, as you can get a 15 to 25 percent return on your investment when your home value increases. 

Building permanent inground pools requires meticulous preparations of a wide range of things, from finances and getting the best contractors to quality materials to site preps.

A highly qualified and skilled pool contractor can evaluate your yard and recommend the best-sized swimming pool that fits your lifestyle and budget. The customizable pools can be designed in whichever shape and size you want to blend with other features in your premises, such as the landscape. 

Types of Inground Pools 

When you want an inground pool in your home, it is wise to choose one that appeals to you the most for installation. Choosing the right pool for your home requires professional help from swimming pool contractors with extensive experience installing and maintaining pools. Some inground pool options to consider include:

• Architectural pools 
• Concrete pools
• Vinyl-liner pools
• Fiberglass pools
• Infinity pools
• Hybrid pools
• Indoor pools
• Saltwater pools

Benefits of Inground Pools 

Having an inground pool in your premises has numerous benefits that make it worth each dollar you use. Some of the advantages of an inground pool include:

Property Value Addition

One of the most essential benefits of having a pool in your home is increasing its value. A swimming pool can increase your property’s worth by 7 percent. 

A well-maintained pool can significantly improve your home’s resale value, increasing your returns on investment. Permanent pools are an endless home trend that contributes to its beauty.

When properly installed with the best paving and decking materials and colors that blend with your house’s exterior structure and landscaping, your property and pool will attract potential buyers. Including features such as a waterfall and a shaded lounge area also increases your home’s worth. 

Provides Comfort During Warm Seasons 

Living in hot locations such as Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Hawaii, Louisiana, Nevada, and Alabama, with summer temperatures above 79.0 Fahrenheit, requires comfort from pools during the day, even if you have air conditioning units.

Pools give families time to unwind, play games, and enjoy outdoor activities during summer rather than staying indoors. They promote relaxation and help relieve stress as you and your loved ones unwind. 

Perfect Space for Socialization

An inground pool with beautiful finishing can be a place for hosting parties and other social events. You can have a pool party with drinks, barbecue, and casual gatherings.

The pool area with the best lounge can also improve fun and socialization with family members and friends. While having fun at the pool, you relax and enjoy the day for ten over ten satisfaction.   

Health Benefits 

Pools are best for physical activities, which enhance overall health. Swimming is one of the most effective exercises for helping people tone their muscles and lose weight. It also soothes aching joints and increases blood flow. Pools are perfect for physical therapies to rehabilitate tired joints and muscles.

Swimming also facilitates the release of endorphins, a hormone that increases pleasure and makes you feel good, enhancing positivity and happiness. It is a feeling that makes you relax and treats stress and other psychological issues. 

Increased Privacy

Installing an inground pool in your home cuts the trips to public pools or beaches people use for swimming. It gives you the privacy you desire as you can swim alone or with family members whenever you want. It is best for homeowners who are shy in public swimming pools as they get their chance to enjoy time in the pool as long as they wish.  

Long Lasting

Inground pools are also the best investment for homeowners because they can last up to 50 years with regular tune-ups. Instead of having above-the-ground temporary pools that need to be replaced after a while, get a highly skilled contractor to install the inground swimming pool in your residential or commercial property. 

Limitations of Inground Pools 

Costly

Inground swimming pools are the most expensive pools you can get in the market. They are costly to install and maintain to ensure they last the longest. The installation process requires yard excavation, buying pool materials, and labor is higher than above-the-ground pools.

The process is more costly if the perfect installation of the inground pool takes a long time, like months. Successfully installing a permanent inground pool on your residential property can cost from $28,000 to $55,000. Other contractors can charge you at least $50 per square foot for the pool installation. 

Higher Property Taxes

Another disadvantage of installing inground pools in homes is that they hike your property taxes as the value increases. When local assessors from the municipality come to your place to evaluate it and allocate a value, they check the condition and beauty of the pool and add it to your home’s value. An increase in property value will automatically surge your property taxes.

Increased Safety Needs 

Inground pools can increase safety issues in homes with kids and people who do not know how to swim. They need to improve safety measures like installing fences and a gate to prevent kids from accessing the pool unsupervised in compliance with the state’s pool safety regulations. 

Factors to Consider For Pool Installation

Type of Pool

When you are ready to add a swimming pool to your premises, one aspect to consider is choosing a pool to install. There are numerous types of inground swimming pools, including architectural, infinity, energy-efficient, saltwater, and plunge.

A highly experienced and skilled contractor can help you pinpoint the best when they share the pros and cons for each. The most common types of pools based on materials include fiberglass, vinyl, and concrete. 

Fiberglass pools are the most expensive and easy to install, with low maintenance costs. They are not easy to customize into different styles and shapes. Concrete pools are the most costly, highly customizable, durable, difficult to maintain, and aesthetic.

They offer many design possibilities and diverse finishings using pebbles, plaster, or tiles. In addition, the vinyl pools are the most affordable among the three and easy to install. 

Swimming Pool Regulations

Before installing a pool in your home, it is wise to understand the set pool laws and rules that govern homeowners with pools. The regulations are primarily designed to enhance safety and prevent injuries and drowning.

Complying with the county, federal, state, and local rules is mandatory for all pool owners to know how to protect people around the pool area to prevent pool-related injuries, deaths, and other issues.

Pool Style and Design 

The best pool style and design can improve your home’s curb appeal and value. Pool contractors can make recommendations according to your yard size, preferences, and landscaping to fit your personality and needs.

You can consider free-form, large, medium, rectangular, or oval pools with a built-in spa or a splash deck. Other designs include the icon, reflection, summit, wave, pinnacle, or harmony. 

Location of the Pool

When selecting a place to install your inground pool, it is best to have a landscaping professional and experts in pool installation pinpoint the perfect point.

They can help you find the ideal pool placement location by considering your pool size, amount of direct sunlight, distance from the trees, free space needed after the installation, wind direction, and the smoothness and level of the surface. This aspect matters most to homeowners because it determines their privacy, safety, and home beauty. 

Budget 

When choosing the pool type, materials, and size, it is best to ensure everything is within your budget to avoid incomplete work. You can work with your pool contractor to make a comprehensive budget for all the materials, processes, and labor costs to ensure you are ready to pay for the project before it starts.

If getting the best pool with perfect installation is beyond your budget, you can consider a Renofi loan for renovations to ensure your pool has everything on your wishlist.  

Safety Features

Another vital consideration for inground pools is safety measures to put in place. With or without kids in your home, safety is essential to keep you, your family, or visitors safe. Contractors can recommend pool fencing in the pool area to limit access to unsupervised individuals.

Other safety features to add in the pool area include pool alarms with surface wave sensors that sense movement around the pool area, proper pool lighting, life-saving equipment, and non-slip materials for surfaces such as pavements and decks to prevent sliding and accidents. 

Maintenance Needs 

Pool upkeep is also an essential aspect to consider when installing an inground pool. Understanding your pool type helps you know the maintenance it needs to remain clean and beautiful.

Maintenance is not cheap, and it is best to go for pools to maintain periodically to prevent mold growth, dirt, and contaminated pool waters that can be a health hazard to your family members. 

RenoFi Loans: The Smarter Choice  

The total cost of a pool installation varies according to the size and style of your pool. A cost breakdown is the best place to start because it helps you know if you can fund the pool installation project or postpone it until you get enough funding. If you cannot afford to finance the inground pool installation and have home equity, you can consider RenoFi for a home improvement or renovation loan. 

You can apply for a HELOC for the pool installation project even if your current home equity does not provide enough funds to get the loan. RenoFi is the best option because it uses the after-renovation value of your residential property to increase your equity and help you get the funds you need for the pool.

For instance, let’s say your home is currently worth $500,000, and you have an outstanding mortgage balance of $400,000. You’re planning a renovation and estimate that the post-renovation value of your home will be around $640,000. With a current loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 80%, you wouldn’t be able to borrow anything for the renovation. However, a RenoFi loan allows you to go up to 150% LTV or 90% LTV based on the after-renovation value.

In this case, while a standard home equity loan gives you no borrowing power, a RenoFi loan enables you to borrow up to $176,000 based on your home’s increased value after renovations!

Final Thoughts on Inground Pools

Inground pools are a significant investment that can enhance your lifestyle and increase your home’s value. By carefully considering the type of pool, associated costs, maintenance requirements, and financing options, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your long-term goals.  

If you plan to invest in an inground pool, consider financing it with a RenoFi loan. RenoFi loans are the smartest way to fund your home improvement projects, allowing you to borrow based on the after-renovation value of your home. Unlike traditional loans, RenoFi loans maximize your borrowing power, helping you turn your dream pool into a reality. Get started with your RenoFi loan here.