COST: Usually the first major consideration when planning to build your home swimming pool is cost. Pools can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $100,000 and above. You can buy an above-ground pool very cheaply and they come in kit form that you can assemble yourself to really save some money on the budget. If you live on a slope and have the space you may well be able to build an above ground pool and merge it into some decking so it looks like it’s an in-ground pool. As soon as you go to in-ground options the prices get a lot higher. In-ground swimming pools require a lot of engineering work and more expensive materials and the larger the pool gets the greater the disparity in pricing. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of decking when budgeting for your new pool!

SIZE AND SHAPE: What is your pool going to be used for? If you are just planning on swimming laps you’ll probably want a lap pool (anything over 10m in length is recommended). If you have kids that will want to splash around you will need to go for something a bit wider – a keyhole shape or an elliptical pool. Most above ground pools come in set designs but in-ground concrete pools can be moulded to any shape you like.

LOCATION: If your pool is going to be outside you’ll want to position it where it gets plenty of sunlight to help warm it during the day. Adding a shade-sail is a nice touch and will provide a place to cool off in the midday sun. You will also want to place the pool somewhere that has good visibility from the rest of the house – if there is an accident you will need to be able to respond very quickly and you should never leave children un-supervised in a swimming pool.

DEPTH: If you have very small children you might want to go for a design that ramps down from a zero depth to allow them to splash around in safety at one end of the pool. If you are a keen diver and want to add a diving board to your swimming pool you should aim to have a depth of at least 3 meters. The deepest part of the pool should be in the middle of the pool if it is to be used for diving as this is where you’ll land when coming off the diving board! If you are going to teach swimming or have private swimming lessons you will probably want to be able to stand up comfortably anywhere in the pool.

PRIVACY: If your property is over-looked by your neighbours you will want to consider screening trees or fencing options. Take a walk around your proposed site and try to imagine what will be visible and where you will need screening.

ACCESS: How are you going to access your new pool? You may need to add pathways, decking, doorways etc. Be sure to include all of these in your budgeting.

SAFETY: Most cities now have stringent laws requiring high fencing and self-locking gates. Many options are available from glass pool fencing to metal fencing. Requirements vary so be sure to check with your local council. Make sure there are no climbable objects overhanging your pool fence. Backyard drownings account for an horrific number of child deaths each year so it’s incredibly important you adhere to the guidelines.

HEATING: You can heat your pool using solar heating, gas heating or electric heating. The ideal temperature is 25 degrees Celsius. A great cost-saver is a solar/thermal blanket which will help keep your pool warm over night. The choice of heating system will vary depending on budget and where you live. Solar is a great choice as it has no on-going costs.

SALT/CHLORINE: Salt water pools are by far the best option as they contain no chemicals (other than salt!), they don’t sting your eyes and they’re very safe for small children. Chlorine pools cost a bit less to setup and maintain but can irritate the skin and is dangerous to inhale.

STORAGE: You’ll want to allocate an area for storage of towels, toys, pool tools (cleaning equipment, nets for leaves etc) and a blanket for your pool. Be sure to factor this in to the design of the area around your pool (and make sure it doesn’t constitute a climbable access point!).

Lounging around the pool and swimming are popular summertime activities that adults and especially kids love once school is finished. Pools are a great way to keep cool in the dog days of summer, but they can also be dangerous if the inhabitants of the pool are not watched closely by adults.  Inground swimming pools and above ground swimming pools are the two most popular types of pools on the market today. Above ground swimming pools are starting to become less and less popular these days because they require stairs and sometimes even a deck to access the pool, which can lead to injuries if children are left unattended. In ground swimming pools are easy to access because they are level with the ground and no one has to climb a ladder to reach the water.  A gate can be placed in front of the stairs to an above ground pool that can prevent children from accessing the pool when no one is watching.

Whether a piece of property has an inground swimming pool or an above ground swimming pool, the owner of the property is legally responsible to have a fence erected around their property to keep wandering children away from the pool.  Landscaping can easily be performed around in-ground swimming pools, which can raise the property value of the land where the pool is located. If you like hosting summer pool parties at night, in-ground swimming pools can provide people with a lot of excitement since they have interior lighting that makes it easier to swim once the sun sets.  People that want to swim at night should purchase in-ground swimming pools because they have lights that help to illuminate the inside of the pool.  People enjoy swimming in the early morning and late at night in their in-ground swimming pools so they purchase ones that have water heaters so that the water is warm enough to enjoy. In-ground swimming pools can be purchased from swimming pool contractors all over the country as well as above ground pools at specialty stores in most towns.

Having an in-ground pool can provide many hours of enjoyment for your friends and family, and it can add to the beauty of your home as well. Buying one is also a major investment, and before you go ahead with the construction, you will want to determine which type fits your budget, your locale, and your landscape. Here are your three main choices:

? Fiberglass in-ground pools are constructed from fiberglass-reinforced plastic that is molded into the shape of a basin, and since they are pre-finished and pre-formed, they also come ready to install. Their smooth surface prevents algae from clinging to them, decreases the need for chemicals to keep the pool clean, and simplifies its maintenance. The builder you consult can provide various options that will fit both your taste and your back yard.

? Vinyl-lined in-ground pools are less labor intensive than concrete pools, and in certain parts of the country, they are less expensive as well. They are available in a wide range of colors and linear patterns, including tile motifs, and they can definitely enhance your surroundings. To install the pool, the builder will dig a hole and assemble a plastic, wood, or metal frame around the perimeter, lay sand along the bottom, and secure the vinyl lining to the wall of the structure. Because they are much less expensive than other in-ground types, these pools are also not as durable, and the liner generally needs to be replaced in 10 years.

? Concrete in-ground pools usually cost less than the fiberglass type, but they are also more expensive than the vinyl variety, and the installation can be a 12-week procedure. Once the hole is made and plumbing is installed, the framework is added, and the concrete is poured and smoothed. It may take a week or longer to settle, and plaster, paint, or pebbles can be added as a final touch.

If you choose this type, you can be very flexible with the design of your pool because customizing the fiberglass and vinyl types is expensive, and this can be done easily. A concrete pool will probably not require as much maintenance as a vinyl one would, and it is also more durable and can withstand various climate changes and “small ground movements.” It will also enable you to complement the surrounding landscape, and add to its aesthetic value and the beauty of your home.