Average Costs for Lawn Maintenance

Average Costs for Lawn Maintenance

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How Much Does it Cost to Build a Pool in San Antonio?

How much does it cost to Build a Pool: A couple of things to consider

You’ve been envying the neighbor’s backyard swimming pool and you very much want one of your own. It would be a great place for the kids to play, to enjoy a cold drink on a warm summer night or just a peaceful spot to unwind or maybe even get some work done from time to time.

But then there’s the million dollar question – how much does it cost to build a pool in San Antonio? You might be also wondering how much it costs to maintain a customized in-ground swimming pool in my backyard? San Antonio pool  businesses are very competitively priced competing with one another all year around.

Well there’s really no simple answer to that question, and that’s because of the many different variables involved. What kind of amenities or extras are you going to want? How big do you want the pool to be? Are you going to want an expanded patio with all of the bells and whistles? Do you want a hot tub or spa as well?

These are all questions that need to be answered before you can get a realistic estimate of how much a swimming pool is going to cost you to install and that’s something our pool construction San Antonio specialists can help you with!

But what we can do is give you some national averages as it relates to swimming pool construction and maintenance. So let’s take a look…

The first thing to keep in mind is that installing a pool is not something that’s going to be accomplished quickly. It generally takes months from the moment inspiration strikes to when you can finally change into a swimsuit and jump into your very own swimming pool.

And there’s a multitude of decisions and key moments that will take place during that time.

 

Pool Costs and Pricing Guide: All Costs Associated with Building a Pool in San Antonio

Now, about the cost. This is usually the most important consideration when it comes to installing that swimming pool you’ve been coveting for years. It will be great, to be sure, but it is going to be a bit of a budget buster.

According to estimates from homeadvisor.com, the average cost in the United States for installing an in-ground swimming pool is between $35,583 and $65,419, with the average outlay being in the neighborhood of $50,000.

Fiberglass and vinyl pools are a little less expensive than concrete ones, though the latter is usually the most durable.

Pool Maintenance Costs in San Antonio

Over a 10-year period, again using averages available online, the maintenance of a concrete swimming pool is going to cost you an average of $27,000 to $40,000. This includes acid washing, re-plastering, and other repairs and maintenance issues that are sure to come up over time. In regard to pool remodeling San Antonio home owners usually spend between $10-15,000.

By comparison, vinyl pools will cost an average of $11,000 and $17,000 during that 10-year time period and fiberglass pools will run an average of $4,000 to $6,000 during the decade following the installation of your swimming pool.

So, it really depends on what you want and how much your budget is. Each type of pool has advantages and disadvantages, so take some time and decide what’s best for you and your family.

Another factor that comes into play when deciding on a backyard swimming pool is the size and actual location that you have in mind. On average, figure $40 to $90 per square foot for the construction of your pool.

Other Costs Associated with Building a Pool

And then there are the amenities. These really run the gamut of your imagination, but here are a few examples:

  • A spa or hot tub will cost around $5,000 to $8,000. If it’s to be built-in and needs excavation, figure $15,000 to $20,000.

  • If you want a slide, figure on an additional $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the design and manufacture of the slide.

  • If you want lighting in your pool, lights usually run between $100 and $300 each.

  • Diving boards generally cost between $300 and $600 for fiberglass or around $1,000 for aluminum.

  • If you want a heater, this will cost between $1,500 and $4,000.

  • It’s probably a good idea to have a fence and gate for safety and security. Figure between $15 and $20 per linear foot for fencing and $200 to $350 for gates.

How much does it cost to maintain a pool yearly?

We’ve already given you estimates for a 10-year time period, but those can include large bills that must be paid all at once. On a yearly basis, expect to pay between $1,200 and $1,800 a year in basic upkeep, not including any repairs and utility bills. For Pool cleaning, San Antonio pool owners will likely pay about $30-50.00 a week.

Does a swimming pool add value to a property?

Sadly, this is not usually the case. Never add a swimming pool with the intention of adding value to your home, but simply as a place to enjoy as a family. Experts recommend never spending more than 10 to 15 percent of what you paid for your home on a swimming pool. Any more than that and you risk investing too much in something that’s probably not going to pay you back in the long run.

Can you finance the installation of a swimming pool?

Absolutely, and nearly everyone who builds one goes this route. Just visit your favorite financial institution and ask about what types of loans they have for swimming pool construction. And then visit a few more, so you can compare and see who has the best deal available for your situation.

How much will a pool cost me in utility bills?

National averages show electricity costs for running a backyard swimming pool are anywhere between $800 and $1,200 annually, consuming between 2,000 and 3,000-kilowatt hours of electricity. If you have a heating element in your pool, this will be much higher.

How much will it cost to fill my pool with water?

A truckload of water is usually comprised of about 6,000 gallons, with swimming pools averaging around 30,000 gallons. So for five truckloads, including the cost of the water and the delivery charge, expect to pay an average of around $1,250 to fill your pool. You can, of course, fill the pool yourself, but even a small pool will take between 12 and 24 hours to fill. You also run the risk, if using well water, of running your well dry during this process.

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How to Prepare Your Pool For Winter

How to Prepare Your Pool For Winter

Now that autumn has arrived and the warmer temperatures of summer have begun to fade, it’s a good time to begin readying your swimming pool for the cold winter months ahead.

Remember, vacation pool maintenance is very important. If you don’t properly prepare your pool for the off-season, you could end up with a disgusting green mess next spring, which will probably cost you much more in the long run that simply preparing it now for the coming cold weather.

So, how do you get your pool ready for winter? There are many benefits of pool maintenance and here are the recommended steps to take when performing this annual task:

Clean It

You’ll want to remove all debris from the water, skimmer, pump basket and filters before moving on to the next step. Failure to do so could result in items falling to the bottom of the pool over the winter, which can stain the surface and be extremely difficult to clean. Contact Sanchez Pools for pool cleaning.

Check All Equipment

You’ll want to make sure that the pump is working and that there’s no calcium build-up on the chlorination cell. If there is, an appropriate cleaner can remove the calcification before closing your pool for the winter.

Even during the cold weather months, you’ll still want the pump, filter and chlorinator to run for a few hours each day. Eddie Sanchez, owner of Sanchez Pools says “We see a lot of cracked piping during the winter months, folks need to run their pumps even if they aren’t using their pool.”

Backwash Your Filter

To clean contaminants from the filter, you’ll need to do some backwashing. If your pool uses a sand filter, you’ll want to run it in reverse and dump the waste water in the process, before running it in rinse mode to resettle the sand. You can then return the filter to the normal setting.

Cartridge filters, on the other hand, can be cleaned simply by lifting out the cartridge, hosing it down and then cleaning it to remove oils and any deeply embedded debris.

Balance The Water

Properly balanced water makes everything in your pool run more efficiently, so it’s important to keep an eye on this at all times.

You’re really defending against algae outbreaks, but ensuring the water remains balanced will also help your surface and your equipment to last longer. Pool resurfacing or fixing cracks can get expensive.

Add A Phosphate Remover

Add a phosphate remover to eliminate the food source of any algae that could build up over the winter because usually, this is what causes algae in a pool. When you open your pool next season, you’ll be glad you did since algae is what makes the pool turning green in winter.

Use Your Pool Cover

A cover protects your pool from the elements, so if you don’t have one, you need to get one. I mean, do you really want to be skimming and vacuuming your pool when the temperature outside is below freezing?

Continue Basic Maintenance

Even during the winter months, it’s a good idea to check the water chemistry and filter gauge every couple of weeks. You might even want to take a water sample every now and then to your local pool dealer, to make sure everything is still in good shape.

Remember, just because your pool is closed for the season doesn’t mean you can relax on your maintenance responsibilities.

Winter will come and winter will go, but your pool will be there for many years of fun and enjoyment. So taking the right steps now will make things easier once the weather turns warm and you’re ready to once again begin using your backyard pool.

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