To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

We have a small oddly-shaped back garden that needs "something" doing to it - the lawn is crap and has a large, round dead patch where we had a big paddling pool last year.

So we're vaguely thinking about a proper built in pool, but can't decide if it's worth it.

Pros

Somewhere for Mini (currently 6.5) to play with his mates
Nice to cool off in the summer
Would make the back garden more attractive/usable

Cons

It'll cost about $35k, and there might be better uses of that money
Not sure how much he'd use it as he gets older
He's an only, so a bit boring on his own, and lots of his mates have pools anyway
Might be better just to pave over the lot, create some kind of gazebo like thing, and have a big paddling pool (last summer's was great) instead.
It'd only be a little pool anyway

Thoughts, from those with and without pools? How much do you use them (Perth)?

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

35k for a pool?? That's ridiculous..

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

pool

love it

use it (unheated) Nov to April

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

We don't have a pool.Have thought about getting one in many times.In the Summer I have noticed that we don't have many of the kids friends coming round as we haven't got one so they tend to go to theirs instead.Not sure if that is a good or bad thing.:sneaky:

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

It's not just the initial outlay... It's the running costs you have to take in to account....

Having said that.... Bestbthing we ever did...wouldn't change it for the world

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

Pools are very expensive to run, but I need my pool so I can cool down in the summer.

Have you thought about a swim spa?? More compact, easier to erect and you can use it in the winter if you put it under shelter from cold winds. Turn on the jets and you can get exercise, or just do the spa bit and relax.

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

Actually take that back.... If we hadn't put in the pool we could have built a granny flat out the back and I could have had my home to myself.... Or a quilt studio.....

Anyone want to buy a pool?

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

A couple more cons, time consuming to maintain and the use of water - I wouldn't be surprised to see pools on the banned list in future years.

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

Our house in Darwin has a pool (now rented). Hubby and Miss 11 used it regularly. Great for them, also fab socially.

Don't forget though that if you use a 'paddling pool' you are not legally allowed to fill it more than 30cm unless it has a lockable lid or a fence for,safety issues.

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

We got rid of ours after a few years, a pain to look after and just didnt get used enough. The other thing to remember is apparently a pool doesnt add any value to a house. Seems like a huge amount of money for a pool as well.

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

Get an above ground pool for a season, build a fence around it...easier option... see if it gets used...

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

I'm going to look spas today for my new house. Cheaper than a pool. :)

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

Love ours and use it all the time in summer and the spa in winter. 35k is about,the right price for a small concrete pool.

In fact I am having a girls Sing-a-Long-a-hot tub evening soon!:thumbsup:

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

Anyone got spa recommendations?

Re: To pool or not to pool, that is the question
 

Nope, but we'll possibly be investing too (spa and pool hopefully) so any tips would be greatly appreciated:thumbup: