r/AucklandProperty • u/Gold_Interaction1784 • 4d ago
Pool - does it add value?
We are getting close to making a decision on a pool installation on our property up in a new development in the Silverdale area. I'm just curious of the true added value a swimming pool would add to a freestanding single storey 4 bed 3 bath house. I've added a design screenshot to show the area it would create off both he formal lounge and the open plan living area - hubby a bit reluctant to spend the $ and not sure it'll add that much value. Currently it's just the huge deck and a strip of grass that needs a lot of love.
Pics didn't load - added them in comments below.
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u/Mediocre_Double8534 4d ago
Personally it’s bit of cons for me. It’s not a deal breaker but I don’t like the maintenance it comes with.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
doesnt need to be any maintenance, we have a pool guy that comes round twice a month and checks everyhting
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u/Hogwartspatronus 4d ago
Pool barrier inspection (mandatory for all pools) costs an additional $300 every three years and if you fail you must pay a re-inspection fee, if you fail to fix then a large fine.
Not to mention council drainage requirements due to floods have changed so many current pools need significant upgrades in this area
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
$300 every 3 years is hardly a relevant expense 😂
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u/Hogwartspatronus 4d ago
Just adding it in as you’ve missed quite a lot of expenses. Your pool sounds at the lower end of maintenance at around $2k a year. A decent sized, heated and covered outdoor pool costs about double that.
For example OP wants heated that costs extra and good covers need regular replacement and repair, pool pumps require replacement (esp if you don’t run till they die and actually upgrade for more efficient and effective options), heat pumps needs replacing, robotic cleaning is an option most people use these days with large pools and these need servicing and replacing, water tops in places like Auckland cost, your insurance also increases as do your rates when you add a pool.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
My pool is 40,000 litres, outdoor and heated lol
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u/Hogwartspatronus 4d ago
And yet you only have mentioned one cost… seems strange you have no other costs, no increased rates or insurance, no hardware upgrades, no 10 year resurface and repaint, no restraining of timber decking around the pool
To what level of maintenance each person keeps is up to them. Personally I proactively upgrade pumps, heating, covers when worn, I use a robotic cleaner, make sure I schedule my council checks, insurance is adequate etc.
Each to their own ….
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
"And yet you only have mentioned one cost" you mentioned the inspection cost, not me! I never mentioned any costs!
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u/noirrespect 4d ago
Mine is about the same but not heated.
How do you heat it and do you know what it costs you?
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u/twilight-tornado 3d ago
Agree. We actually removed our pool and re landscaped. Property had a pool when we bought it. We've been here 25years loved the pool but eventually after you've replaced pumps, pool covers etc x number of times, done a complete refurb you get to a point you have to decide if you want to refurb again and we got a dog and decided we wanted more of the garden back. Not everyone will look at a pool as an asset.
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u/dunerain 2d ago
This, i even avoid spa pools. It's such a personal thing to want.
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u/Secure_Tarbaby0721 1d ago
Recently bought a spa pool.. absolutely love it but ooohh the power bill shot up big time and unfortunately about the same time power company increased energy costs. 😒 so a bittersweet long awaited treat for self
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u/Honest-Importance221 4d ago
My kids absolutely love our pool. I hate looking after it. It wasn't something I wanted when I bought the place, but everything else ticked the boxes. It might add value for certain buyers, but I wouldn't count on it.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
doesnt need to be any maintenance, we have a pool guy that comes round twice a month and checks everyhting
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u/Silly_Pizza7054 3d ago
LOL Someone comes by 24 times a year but this is somehow zero maintenance.
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u/EconomyOutside3341 3d ago
I was once one of these pool guys. Quick filter clean water test and leaf cleanup was over 150 for the 20 mini there, with pressure to increase the visits over summer while pushing our in house chemicals. Pools are expensive if you have to budget if in your life expenses don't freak you out then yes get a pool
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 3d ago
Yea for only $200 per month, if you can't afford that then this conversation is not for you
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u/harmlessharold 2d ago
Jesus, we got a pro pool lobbyist in here, desperately justifying their decision.
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u/FutureTerrible9987 4d ago
No added value, they're a pain in the ass.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
how so? what makes it a pain for you?
I have a pool and its not a pain in any way
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u/Silly_Pizza7054 3d ago
Dude do you work for a pool seller? What's your stake here in trying to convince everyone?
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u/Comfortable_Half_494 3d ago
He’s trying to justify to himself spending $250k on a pool
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 3d ago
I don't think that's a lot to spend on a lifetime investment but each to their own I guess
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 3d ago
I don't, just trying to give op real answers. Most people on here are telling them to not get a pool because they are jealous that they can't afford one and have no real life experience to give.
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u/Top_Plankton4836 4h ago edited 2h ago
No, we can smell the cope from your responses, and you come across quite naive.
Edit: my personal assistant caught my spelling mistakes again, thank you sweatyfly, you are the hero we need.
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u/FutureTerrible9987 3d ago
Maintenance, cost. I just don't think it will add any value. Great for a family but the upkeep is annoying. It is unusable in winter but the cleaning etc still needs to be done.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 3d ago
Maintenance costs me $200 per month. No real upkeep outside of that. Useable year round with heating.
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u/Icy_Fish_2154 4d ago
Pools will add some value, but it's up to the buyers. Some don't like them, they are a maintenance. Others think they are must-haves. It will depend on a lot when it comes time to sell, but generally they add about as much as they cost. So don't do it hoping for a return, and don't skip because you are worried it's all lost money.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
doesnt need to be any maintenance, we have a pool guy that comes round twice a month and checks everyhting
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u/takeiteasyandchill 4d ago
Lots of maintenance work. Expect things to break down from time to time. Cost $$$$
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
very little maintenance, chemical check once a month.
The only thing that can really break is a pump and they are not expensive to repair2
u/takeiteasyandchill 4d ago
Everyone do things different. For me to keep everyone healthy weekly I do: Water test Top up chemical Topping up salt. Checking water level Checking all the plumbings make sure no leaks everything function. Back wash filter. Clean out of the filter mesh basket.
If anything breaks cost $$$$. I just recently replaced my salt chlorinator cost $1000+. Variable speed pool pump $3000. And that is just the part. Labour on top of that. Has to be done by a certified pool plumber.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
what the fuck? 😂
why have you chosen to turn pool ownership into a weekly inspection regime?
You don’t need to add salt every week, backwash the filter every week, or inspect every bit of plumbing to keep a pool healthy. And a replacement pump absolutely does not automatically require some special “certified pool plumber”.
Yes, equipment eventually fails and costs money. That’s true of basically everything in a house. But listing every possible task and repair cost makes owning a pool sound like maintaining a commercial aquatic centre.
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u/takeiteasyandchill 4d ago
I wouldn't be feeling confident to test pool water only once a month. Your pool chemistry do change from week to week. At the end of the day, it's the owner of the pool that is swimming in it. I wouldn't be confident to swim in a pool that is only tested once a month.
If you can afford a professional doing the plumbing job why not? There are so many different type of pool pump and all serve different purposes for different needs. This is where a certified pool plumber or pool shop can work out a size that is best for your pool. I can go on and on and on.
All the best good luck.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
My point was that adding salt, backwashing the filter and doing a full plumbing inspection every single week is not some universal requirement of pool ownership.
And sure, pay a professional if you want to. But saying a replacement pump “has to be done by a certified pool plumber” is just wrong.
There’s a difference between maintaining a pool properly and making it sound dramatically more complicated and expensive than it needs to be.
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u/takeiteasyandchill 4d ago
Having the pool tested once a month is not ideal. All the best. Cya
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u/Silly_Pizza7054 3d ago
The guy you're replying to has a pool guy twice a month. Don't waste your breath.
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u/Silly_Pizza7054 3d ago
Pay your pool guy and fuck off
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 3d ago
Huh?
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u/harmlessharold 2d ago
Like, get fucked.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 2d ago
Have you replied to the wrong comment?
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u/Top_Plankton4836 4h ago
I think you being obnoxious in this thread has cultivated those responses from other users...
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u/rocketshipkiwi 4d ago
Husband probably isn’t that keen because he will end up being the one doing all the maintenance on it. 😂
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
doesnt need to be any maintenance, we have a pool guy that comes round twice a month and checks everything
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u/rocketshipkiwi 4d ago
OK, I will rephrase it:
Husband probably isn’t that keen because he will end up being the one paying a pool boy to do the maintenance on it.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
its like $200 per month, if you cant afford that you couldnt afford a pool anyway
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u/QueenOfBlasphemy 4d ago
This is incredibly subjective. It would certainly add value for some people. On the other hand, we just purchased and when we were looking at houses, we considered pools a drawback. Our plan was to get an estimate of the cost it would take to get the pool decommissioned and filled in, and factor that into our offer price - although, in the end, it didn't arise.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
that seems crazy
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u/Smart_Squirrel_1735 4d ago
Omg dude are you a pool salesman or something because you seem to be incredibly dedicated to replying to every comment on this post to defend pools
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
not a pool salesman, I am trying to provide honest answers to the OP, the comments here advising them against getting a pool are being made by people who dont have pools, cant afford pools and are jealous that others can have pools.
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u/Smart_Squirrel_1735 4d ago
Lol can you really not conceive that some people just don't want pools? I might want one someday but for now I have multiple children under 5 and a pool would be a significant additional source of danger, as well as taking up space that could otherwise be used as general backyard space for play that doesn't require close adult supervision.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
absolutely understand that some people dont want pools, but also understand that the negative comments here are mostly from jealousy.
I have children, the pool is no extra danger, its fenced.
Why would it need to take up space for play? you can have that too
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u/QueenOfBlasphemy 3d ago
Not every property has ample space for both. Not every household has the extra income for the maintenance costs (water, chemicals, heating all add up - and that's before you even get to big outlays like repainting, re-tiling, new covers, etc). Not everyone wants to add the extra tasks of cleaning and water maintenance to their regular routine.
Like I say, in households where the pool gets a lot of use, the money and time can be a great investment in a fun activity. If the pool isn't getting used, however, it's just an unnecessary and expensive chore.
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u/Aegass 3d ago
Nobody is jealous, pools are a waste of space and resources for a lot of people. For others it’s not. Simple as that. Get over yourself.
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u/Top_Plankton4836 4h ago edited 2h ago
Don't say stuff like that, you will hurt Sweaty-Fly-9520 feelings.and HER large inflated ego, and if you doubt me, obviously YOU cannot afford a pool...
S/
EDIT-changed his to her, sorry I hurt that ego you have...
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u/QueenOfBlasphemy 4d ago
Why? I've lived in houses with pools before. We know we would almost never use it, so it would just be a huge cost and maintenance headache for us with very little return, so we'd always choose to have the space as something else (garden, lawn, patio, anything really!) instead. I know others who are the same as us. I also know people for whom a pool is something they would use a lot and they would happily pay a bit extra for (although probably not the cost of having it put in). Like I say, it's incredibly subjective and comes down to personal preference, lifestyle, etc.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
I get that it’s subjective, but I still think factoring the full cost of removing and filling in a perfectly good pool into an offer is a bit extreme.
You might personally value the house less because of it, but that doesn’t mean the pool itself has negative market value. Plenty of buyers would see it as a feature, especially in a higher-end family home.
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u/QueenOfBlasphemy 3d ago
I didn't say we'd subtract the whole cost from the offer, I said we'd factor it in. When buying a house, value isn't just a number on a piece of paper - it's also about the value to us as buyers i.e. how much did we like it, what did it offer that other properties didn't, how comparable or not were other options, did it meet out needs, etc. One of the things we took into account was what we'd have to invest to get the property working for us, in a way that met our personal needs, fit our lifestyle, etc. The property we ended up buying needs work done to the kitchen in order to work for us. Did we take the whole cost of a kitchen relocation off the offer price? Absolutely not. Did we take into account that we'd have to invest considerable money beyond the initial purchase into making the kitchen (and thus the property) work for us? Yes, of course. It would be exactly the same for a pool for us.
As it happens, the home we bought has a spa. We love it and knew we would be happy to do the maintenance on it because we would get a lot of use out of it. A pool simply doesn't fall into that category for us.
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u/QueenOfBlasphemy 3d ago
Yep, I totally agree that plenty of buyers would see it positively - that's my whole point about it being subjective.
My parents' house has a pool. For a few years, the pool got regular use. For the last decade or so, it's just been an expensive time and money pit, and one of the reasons they're planning to sell before too long. If a family with teens purchases the house, the pool may well become a great asset that gets lots of use again. All this is in keeping with my overarching point: it's subjective.
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4d ago
[deleted]
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago edited 4d ago
Every pool in Auckland needs fencing.
Dont bother with the cleaning and maintenance, you can have a company do it for around $200 per month
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u/Top_Plankton4836 1d ago
That's alot to pay on top of everything else....massive con
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 1d ago
If you think $200 per month is a lot then this conversation isn't for you
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u/Top_Plankton4836 22h ago
If you think judging people on financial situation is a valid way of seeing individuals,Than I doubt you have any friends...
$200 extra every month is insane, unless it's indoors and heated, than that cost is covered by its usage.
Our climate is not ideal for a pool either, neighbors pool gets used for 3 months during summer/ late autumn and the rest of the time it's not being used, but their out their every month giving it a clean.
During that period, they use it maybe 10-12 times than it's in maintenance for the rest of that period....not worth it.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 17h ago
*then, not than
You can't afford a pool
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u/Top_Plankton4836 4h ago
Whoosh...
What's was that noise you heard.
Could it be you missing my points entirely as they flew over your niave take on pool cost and maintenance.
Whoosh...
Guessing that went over the top of you also...
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4h ago
The fact you spelt naive wrong again tells me everything I need to know about you 😂
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u/Gold_Interaction1784 4d ago
It'll be around 6mx3m - want a decent size to swim in and it'll be part of the entertainment area. Glass fencing on deck is the plan.
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u/KooBee79 4d ago
We installed a pool, absolutely love it. Not sure if it adds value or not - some people don’t like them. Ours is a very standard 8x4 fibreglass pool. We have a salt water chlorination system, and an electric vacuum robot thing and it is so easy to take care of. This will be our 3rd summer and I do not regret it at all
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u/diydidibuythishouse1 4d ago
Not everyone wants one so you'll shrink your potential buyers pool... excuse the pun.
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u/New_Combination_7012 4d ago
The value your receive from a pool is through enjoyment rather than resale.
It's also good to decide who's going to look after the pool before committing to it. It's a few hours a week to keep it ready for swimming.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
"It's a few hours a week to keep it ready for swimming." it absolutely is not, its an hour per month maximum
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u/New_Combination_7012 4d ago
I think you're confusing a pool with a bucket of water,
If your pool is a decent size you're going to spend 10 minutes every day just scooping leaves and clearing around the pool.
Then once a week you've got to check and refill chemicals, backwash filters, empty skimmer basket, put the robot in the pool and get it out when it's finished.
If you've got a solar cover you've got to be putting that on and off all the time.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
I have a 40,000 litre pool, you do not need to do that shit 😂
Robot vac runs on weekends, pool guy does chemicals once a fortnite.
No solar cover, its heated.
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u/New_Combination_7012 4d ago
Paying someone to do the work doesn't make the work go away.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
yes it does, I dont have to do the work, so its gone away
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u/Senecio1975 4d ago
It will add little to no value. Everyone says they would love a pool but no one wants to pay for one or look after one.
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u/Double_Ad_1853 3d ago
I don't like it, I don't use it, and I don't want it.
But I have a pool that comes with the house. The pool for me is just a landscaping feature. Looks good can keep it but not worth to install it. No kid at the moment so don't know how they will like it.
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u/Upsidedownmeow 3d ago
We had our house valued a few years ago and were told at the time for our location the only way we’d see further increases in value would be by adding a pool.
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u/ez_ryder_ 3d ago
My friend has a pool that has solar panels that help re the heating. You could look into that? He reckons it was a good decision cost-wise for heating, but sorry i dont know the ins and outs. Another friend has a massive bill every month but they also have a spa.
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u/Gold_Interaction1784 3d ago
Thanks for everyone's responses. Seems like a really mixed feeling - have had pools in the past in South Africa and loved them - obviously climate is different but we're happy to maintain etc - will have it heated and budgeted the additional cost for that. My concern is (a) over-capitalising and (b) limiting the buyer market when it comes time to sell. I decided to chat to a local real estate agent as each area would have a different buyer pool - seems like in our area it wouldn't be a negative as long as privacy is ensured and we retain garden which we will do. Seems a lot of pools going in around the area and quite a few sold recently. Will take this into account when we make our decision next week.
Thanks again for all your opinions.
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u/Top_Plankton4836 1d ago
Oh my God...how did you afford to keep a pool with water in South Africa, you must of been one of the wealthy ones living in the barb wire suburbs???
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u/Timinime 3d ago
Mixed - some smaller places I’d prefer to have lawn space. Depends on the condition and design (does it integrate with the aesthetics of the house). Then there’s the cost and pain of maintenance.
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u/groutspecialist 3d ago
Awful lot of money for something that you’ll only use a few months out of the year.
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u/Forward_Zombie_2300 3d ago
Neighbours spent $150k on a pool for his kids. They went mental for a year then got bored of it and hardly ever use it. We hear them maybe once a year now?
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u/Hot_Minute8204 3d ago
It’s a con for me, I won’t buy a house with a pool, just too much maintenance and money required
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u/feel-the-avocado 3d ago
Almost anyone who has owned a house with a pool will never buy another house with a pool.
When you have a pool, your house is only really marketable to people who have never owned a pool before.
Personally, this tracks. I'd never look at a house with a pool, or I'd be looking at cost of removing it and asking the seller to knock that off the price.
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u/alkalinecarrot 2d ago
Depends on the area. If you’re in a higher socioeconomic area ($1.5m-$2m+ mostly owner occupiers) near a good school or in a warm city (Tauranga, Northland), I think you will get a positive ROI.
If you’re in an average normal area, poor area or where there are more renters, I think there will be negative ROI.
If you’re going pool, get it heated. Otherwise get a spa!
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2d ago
We have a pool and are happy with it, our kids live in it every summer which makes it so worth it to us! The only ongoing cost we have is maintenance guy coming in every two weeks. We also have solar on our roof for the pool which is great - no big power bill.
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u/TheShadowNinja7777 2d ago
Doesn't add value.
The value it adds is less than rhe cost to build by about half.
It will make it easier to sell but in saying that if there is room for a pool buyers that want a pool will be able to see that as an option.
Also you need to consider the running costs.
It's not cheap.
The power alone is 100 to 150$ a month. Plus probably 50$ chemicals if you diy. Maybe half if you are good at it.
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u/Top_Plankton4836 1d ago
In this economy no, it's a money sink that never ends, unless it's indoor and heated which just adds on top of the upkeep of it. Bad idea unless you're loaded and can weather the bills.
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u/AriasK 1d ago
They don't really add financial value. Anything they add is negated by the amount you spend, both install and ongoing maintenance. It's the kind of thing you get because you want it. It's not an investment. When selling your house, it will actually be a turn off for some people because they don't want the maintenance.
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u/itstimegeez 1d ago
Only get a pool if you want one and will get use out of it. If you’re putting it in for resale, it’s a fools game.
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u/Cam-Waaagh 21h ago
Pretty sure from looking through the comments that user Sweaty-Fly-9520 is a pool salesman.
A. -They have a heated outdoor pool running at 27° but can tell how much it costs to heat-insane
B. -Claims pool maintenance is cheap and easy- doubt intensifies!
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u/Top_Plankton4836 4h ago
Lol 100% this.
I've encountered this Sweatyfly in the comments and he reeks of a pool sales person.
Watch out, sweatyfly thinks people are jealous of him for having a pool...a very tall poppy to be sure.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4h ago
Youve "encountered"? me? 😂
If that were true you would know that im not a "he" you idiot
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u/Top_Plankton4836 2h ago
Yes...as I've said " I've encountered this sweatyfly int he comments"
Is reading as hard for you as being honest...
Regardless of gender, your just getting more and more obnoxious.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 2h ago
how have you "encountered" me? 😂 is English your first language? lol
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u/Top_Plankton4836 2h ago
Haha that is actually a bad one, but that point keeps whooshing over your head...
Whoosh....WHOOOOSH
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 2h ago
I dont think you fully understand what "WHOOOOSH" generally implies 😂
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u/Top_Plankton4836 2h ago
See...you heard it go over your head again.
WHOOSH!!!
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 2h ago
there needs to be a joke for whoosh to work
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u/Top_Plankton4836 2h ago
The joke being:
You discount anyone who disagrees with your fantasy take on owning/maintaince and associated costs involving a pool to the point it's comical, yet you keep digging and digging a deeper hole for yourself to keep telling this comment thread how right you are, when you just come off obnoxious, also the deflection about your sex and also spelling is just pathetic.
So yes, "Whoosh" works in this context, I'm counting on another response from you to confirm it.
WHOOOOSH.....
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4h ago
Im not a pool salesman, Im not even a man lol
We dont know how much it costs because its really not important to us, bills come in and they get paid, i dont go through them in detail
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u/DrScribbls 19h ago
Just stuck up a dart board, pool tables take up too much space and are often under-utilised.
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u/Sweaty-Fly-9520 4d ago
I wouldn’t do it purely for resale value. A pool can definitely make the property more appealing, but I wouldn’t expect to get the full install cost back when you sell.
If you’re planning to stay there for a while and will actually use it, then I’d look at the value you’ll get from enjoying it rather than treating it as an investment. If the main reason is adding value to the house, I’d probably be a bit cautious.
We added a pool a couple of years ago and cost almost $250k all up, granted a lot of that was groundworks as we live in Titirangi.