The cost of maintaining a pool in Texas is fairly variable depending on the size of the pool, the amount of work you want to put into it yourself and your local costs for water and electricity. We can help you figure out how to estimate some items and help show you costs that you might not have considered as part of pool maintenance. However, ultimately what your pool will really cost depends on a lot of factors that are unique to your home and lifestyle. Here is some information to get you started.
1. Pool Chemicals and Cleaning
Pool chemicals can add up significantly, but the precise cost really depends on the size and type of your pool as well as the amount that you use the pool. With more use, you’ll need more chemicals to keep it clean. Small pools in great condition may cost only $200 per year in chemicals. It goes up from there, particularly if your pool develops a problem, like an algae infection, and becomes hard to manage.
The average pool owner will pay for a pool cleaning service through the summer months. On average, that service will cost them $120 per month (only every month the pool is open.) This may include the cost of the chemicals, as the service provides them.
Plus, pool owners also need to pay the costs of opening and closing the pool, which often involves large amounts of shock, and sometimes completely draining and refilling the pool. Having a company do this may cost $400 for a single “pool opening” service, which gives you an idea of how high the chemical costs would be if you have the time to do it yourself.
2. Utilities (Electric and Water)
You need to run the pool pump, run the heater, and then pay to add water to the pool. All of this cost is hidden in your utility bills. Some homeowners see as much as a 50% rise in their costs, but so much depends on the comparative size of your pool and your home. In general, you can expect the most efficient pumps to cost $50 per month in electricity, plus $200 per month to heat the pool, and a few hundred per year to add water that you lose through evaporation.
3. Equipment
Pool equipment can be expensive. Safety covers and flotation devices are essentials and can cost you. But then there is the cost of the fun stuff, from pool noodles to lounge chairs. You can choose how much you spend in this area, but try to be realistic about how much you’ll spend when you’re estimating.
4. Entertaining
Few people realize that when they buy a pool, their entertaining costs go way up. Having guests over at the pool will cost in food, water, drinks, and more. If you have children, their friends will want to be over at your home all the time. While many people plan for this, few realize exactly how high these costs can go.
5. Repair
Pool repair costs are hard to predict, but the longer you’ve had your pool the higher they will be. Repairing the pump or other equipment is much less costly than repairing the liner or pool surface itself, which can be thousands of dollars.