Views on whether outdoor pool is a bad idea

[user704750]

We are very lucky to live in beautiful place. We won't be moving for at least 15 years (been here for 20).

I am toying with the idea of an outdoor pool. I think it would cost about £150k

I'm not a massive swimmer. DH swims regularly (at the gym). I hate travelling though and am very much a home person. We tend to stay at home during the summer and go away in the autumn and at Easter.

House is worth c£2.5m. Large 5 bed with 14 acres, separate guest cottage. High standard of decor. Based in the Midlands rather than the South coast so a bit cooler.

DC are at university but both are likely to live back at home for post grad study.

Everything I read says a pool is a bad investment but given the house is high end, I'm not sure. A reasonable number of houses in this price bracket in this area seem to have pools (although there aren't that many of them). Can't afford an indoor one which would add tens of thousands to the cost.

We have solar panels which generate excess power in the summer.

Would a pool devalue a higher end home in your opinion? Would it put you off buying the house?

Given our climate here I’d say it is , it will have such little use and the elements will
quickly make it look scruffy.

I just think an outdoor pool in this country would be more hassle then its worth. Indoor absolutely

what about one of those natural swimming ponds? They look nice even if you use them twice a year for swimming.

I think the cost is significantly higher. We also already have a large pond

In that sort of property with that amount of land why not.
Not everything about home improvements needs to be about selling the house. If you might be there 15 years and think you would love it then go for it.
You could plant hedging around it as a windbreak and for privacy.

You'd be making a huge area of the garden unusable (and dangerous) most of the year, plus all the work with chemicals and faffing around, for a few weeks when it's warm enough. You might have 14 acres, but people use the space near the house. And you're not even a keen swimmer!

Sauna and cold plunge?

We have one and it was a big part of the attraction for us in buying our house, which is in a similar bracket to yours I think. It is open from May half term until end September and gets a lot of use.

I would add though that both DH and I are hardy types who like a brisk morning swim - we heat to about 20 in the week, and crank it up for the kids at weekends.

we have a fitted electric cover. This is a must. I seals it, keeping warmth in and debris out and it can take a weight of three or four people so it stops me worrying about the kids falling in or accessing it unsupervised. We have a young one and teenagers. I want to make sure there are adults around for any pool parties

this year if energy prices rocket we might have to be a bit more sparing!

The danger element isn't really an issue. We already have a large pond and the bottom of our land borders a lake so if you're worried about water you probably wouldn't buy our house anyway.

We put one in a few years ago. Love it - open May to end Sept and used every day. Also put solar panels in so it’s heated to 28’. We kick ourselves for not putting in sooner.

Can't you swim in the lake?

We have friends who had one. When they moved they definitely wanted a house without one. They said they spent more time on the maintenance of it than using it.

No, it's nowhere near the house, it isn't private, you'd freeze and it would be dangerous

I've had several houses with outdoor pools and its a great thing to have in the summer months. I'm not a big swimmer so wasn't initially sold on the idea but its great for children and guests. If you have solar panels the heating cost will be offset.

Doing the chemicals for the pool is really simple. If you get a robot cleaner it makes it even easier. I have someone come to open the pool up and do the initial chemical balancing in May and then back to shut down in September.

If you can heat it enough - and pay to do so - I would.

As you'll appreciate, next to no one here has a clue about the expected attributes of a £2.5M home. You'll just need to think amongst yourself.

When you read about pools being a bad investment are you typically talking about the more trade-able sub £750k properties? In which case it's definitely true. Most people in that bracket cannot afford to run a pool.

In your bracket, a pool wouldn't be considered an investment. It would just be a discretionary expense to be made according to your own whims.

Definitely wouldn’t put me off buying. Not sure why people are saying it’s only warm enough for a few weeks of the year, the pool will be heated I presume. Our neighbours have one, it’s lovely. They’re about to switch it on and will use it from now until the autumn.

I think they can make it a bit harder to sell, but depends on the property. Our neighbours ended up filling theirs in and planting an orchard in it when they couldn't shift the house for years.

If they were spending more time maintaining it than using it they were definitely doing something wrong.

Would it be worth considering an indoor one in its own building that you could let out to a local swimming teacher a few times a week?
If you’re not a keen swimmer I think you’re more likely to use an indoor pool than outdoor, plus it could be used year round.

I have a pool and the maintenance is never ending, though you can probably afford to pay someone to do it. With water shortages however, I would be very reluctant to have a large pool. Mine is small and I feel guilty enough filling it up. The dratted things often spring leaks and it can be very hard (and expensive) to find the problem.

note I live in Spain where you get more use out of a pool! In England I wouldn’t have bothered having one.

I would definitely have a pool, in your circumstances.

Hi OP, we have just purchased a house in a similar bracket and to answer you’re question: yes we were absolutely put off from buying a house with an outdoor pool and there were several we didn’t even view because of there being an outdoor pool. We didn’t want the additional expense of maintaining an outdoor pool, or to sacrifice garden space in (often) the sunniest spot in the garden. Everyone is different though, and I’m sure others wouldn’t be put off.

Out of interest, what is being used to heat the pools that you have? We are considering buying a house with an indoor pool but it is heated from the same oil boiler as the central heating (via heat exchange and pump) and it doesn’t seem like the best system. We’ve had a quote for an air pump.

@Pastlastwhat is yours heated with? I like the idea of being able to boost it quickly at times of greater use.

Conventional wisdom is that they don't add value even in the case of high value homes. So I wouldn't consider it unless you will actually use it a reasonable amount.

Is there somewhere obvious that it would go? It's not just about having the space but having the right space- near enough to the house, not overhung with trees, somewhere it won't be an eyesore when it's not being used.

I would like a house with a pool but we swim in the sea most of the year so are possibly hardier than some. I would also talk to your husband about size- if he swims for fitness then it will need to be big enough (unless you have one with a current- some friend of ours do but apparently it's not half as much fun as proper swimming).

You should also investigate running costs.

Aged mid 40s, 4 DC, it would put me off, I have family round and I’d be terrified if we took eye off a toddler cousin they would fall in. Or older cousins would explore.

Plus the maintenance - maybe not as much as I imagine (as not so common in UK) but arranging this would be another thing to check.

I’m imagining from me as a house buyer perspective.

I also have holidays with pool and can go to a gym with a pool, so don’t feel much lacking.