Swimming Pools: Best Enjoyed In Neighbors' Backyards
It's summer and a backyard pool sounds pretty good right now.
But consider the costs, urges Brett Arends at the Wall Street Journal. He calculates $25,000-$50,000 for an in-ground pool, plus $500-$800 a year for the chemicals, and another $500 if you live in a cold climate and need to close the pool at the end of each season.
Electric bills for the heaters and pumps may run $100 or so a month. He also says pool owners should budget a few thousand dollars every few years to replace the cover, repair cracks, and perform similar maintenance. There are costs in time, too, on cleaning filters and the like.
Don't think you'll get the full investment back when you sell your house. And by the way, appraisers usually consider your pool pretty much worthless.
Maybe... think hot tub. An in-ground one might cost around $5000-$10,000. Keeping it heated might cost $20-$50 a month, and cleaning chemicals, say $20. New filters every few years might cost $50-$100. The cover will crap out every few years and cost $300 or so to replace. But just think about what you'll save in massage bills.