It\u2019s yet to be seen whether those who installed above-ground pools during the coronavirus pandemic will extract any value out of their purchase. Above-ground pools tend to lack the sophistication and upscale design of their underground counterparts, but they also could appeal to families appreciative of the amenity.<\/p>\n
Curious to dig in further, we asked certified residential appraisers and real estate agents who regularly sell homes with swimming pools to weigh in on the cost vs. value of the above-ground swimmer’s paradise.<\/p>\n As with most home improvements, the cost of an above-ground pool will vary depending on factors like brand, materials, yard prep, and added enhancements. According to HomeAdvisor\u2019s collection of cost surveys, it costs between $734 and $4,609<\/a> to buy and install an above-ground pool, with the average cost hovering around $2,569.<\/p>\n River Pools & Spas, a Warsaw, VA, pool manufacturer and installer since 2001, puts that estimate a little higher \u2014\u00a0at a range of $4,000 to $12,000<\/a>, not including a pool deck. The company estimates that above-ground pools will last you 7 to 15 years.<\/p>\n Michael Dean, a registered pool and spa contractor in Winter Haven, Florida<\/a>, has more than 25 years of experience designing and building custom pools. He also runs the Pool Research<\/a> website to help homeowners and pool builders get the information they need to make informed decisions. According to Dean, there are several factors influencing the overall cost of an above-ground pool:<\/p>\n Material: Insurance: Depending on where you live, this could mean up to $75 tacked onto your premium. However, as above-ground pools are considered personal property<\/a>, there may be limits on how much coverage you can have on the pool \u2014 typically 50%-75% of the total coverage on your home. That means if you have $300,000 of dwelling coverage, you would have up to $150,000 on your above-ground pool and surrounding structures.<\/p>\n Pool maintenance: Landscaping: Permits: <\/b> Electrical work: <\/b> Assessing the value of an above-ground pool isn\u2019t as straightforward as assigning a certain dollar figure. Appraisers will have different outlooks on how to determine whether the pool will boost the home\u2019s price \u2014 or even detract from it.<\/p>\n Most appraisers won\u2019t consider an above-ground pool to be part of the property if the pool can be removed and isn\u2019t incorporated into the house. In that case, the appraiser views the above-ground pool similar to, say, a trampoline in the yard. However, Limbird says that if the above-ground pool is written into the contract to be conveyed with the house, it will be included in the appraisal.<\/p>\n Edward Bedinotti<\/a>, a certified residential appraiser in New York State, agrees that an above-ground pool won\u2019t add value to a property because personal property items are not typically valued in a home appraisal. However, there are times when a well-designed, well-integrated above-ground pool could add value.<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest distinguishing factor is if an above-ground swimming pool is at least partially built below ground, in which case an appraiser might consider the pool to be part of the physical real estate,\u201d Bedinotti explains. \u201cUltimately, the decision is a subjective one that is left up to the individual appraiser.\u201d<\/p>\n Dean echoes: \u201cHigher-end pools that are designed to serve as an extension of the home are much more likely to be taken into account during an appraisal, especially if they have drainage and pipes that run underground.\u201d<\/p>\n Above-ground pools generally add more value in areas that have warm temperatures year-round, such as Florida, Texas, or Arizona, as there will naturally be more demand for them. Otherwise, many buyers will be unwilling to sacrifice their valuable yard space for a nonessential amenity that will only be used a few months of the year.<\/p>\n Limbird primarily sees above-ground pools in older neighborhoods and rural settings.\u201cIn many of the higher-price-point neighborhoods, the homeowners\u2019 associations don\u2019t allow them,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n While some pools add more value than others, most appraisers agree that the addition of an above-ground pool should be based on the homeowner\u2019s personal enjoyment rather than a means of driving up the home\u2019s price. According to HouseLogic, even a pool that checks all the \u201csmart investment\u201d boxes would still only bring a maximum 7% increase in value<\/a>.<\/p>\n The key takeaway, according to Limbird: \u201cSome buyers will see an above-ground pool as a great addition, but others will want it to be removed.\u201d In cases where the pool doesn\u2019t have a deck \u2014 or has not been well-maintained and is more of an eyesore than an amenity \u2014 she suggests that the seller offer to leave it, but be willing to remove it at the buyer\u2019s request.<\/p>\n While an above-ground pool won\u2019t be a means of netting a ton of profit, you can take steps to make it more attractive to buyers and turn it into a selling point.<\/p>\n When you add an above-ground pool, aim for the sweet spot of creating outdoor space that complements your home and appeals to buyers, without spending so much that the addition far exceeds the rest of the neighborhood. If the pool is in line with the surrounding homes, you\u2019ll be more likely to recoup the costs when you sell. For example, if all of the houses with above-ground pools on your street have simple, basic decking, it might be overkill to spend thousands of dollars to build a stone wall and deck with a built-in adjacent hot tub.<\/p>\n Nothing screams \u201cimpermanence\u201d like an above-ground pool plunked in the middle of a backyard. When advising homeowners on how to make an above-ground pool more valuable, Dean tells them to incorporate it into an outdoor living space that is a seamless extension of the home. A pool deck<\/a> is the most effective way to achieve this. The deck can be built to allow easy accessibility to the pool from the home.<\/p>\n Limbird currently has a listing with a higher-end above-ground pool where the homeowner has dug out a portion of the ground so that the pool is partially inground, which gives it more of a permanent, custom look.<\/p>\n Invest in attractive landscaping around the pool to increase its value. Depending on your budget and timeline, you can make any of the following investments to improve the sophistication of your above-ground pool:<\/p>\n![\"does](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/does-an-above-ground-pool-increase-home-value-cost-666x381.png\")
<\/a>Typical cost of an above-ground pool<\/h2>\n
\n<\/b>Most above-ground pools are made of steel, aluminum, or resin. The resin pools have the advantage of being rust-proof and highly resistant to warping and denting. As they are more expensive than the other materials, resin pools have the potential to hold more value.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
\n<\/b>According to Zack\u2019s Investment Research, an independent research company that has provided financial data to investors since 1978, most insurance companies recommend boosting your homeowners insurance liability coverage to $500,000 (five times the standard amount) when a pool is on the property<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Dean\u2019s Pool Research site estimates that DIY pool owners can usually take care of all of the chemicals and cleanings for around $200 each year<\/a>, but hiring a professional pool cleaner can cost up to $150 per service.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Many homeowners add landscaping around an above-ground pool to make it blend more seamlessly with the yard and house. General recommendations are to set aside at least $1,500<\/a> for landscaping around an above-ground pool, but costs can easily exceed that amount for more upscale installations.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Each city will vary, but most homeowners can expect to spend anywhere from $150 to $300<\/a> to obtain a permit to install an above-ground pool.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>It generally costs anywhere from $350 to $1,500<\/a> for the initial electrical work to get your above-ground pool up and running, and then an additional $30 to $250<\/a> per month on your electric bill. If you choose to add lighting and\/or a heater, that will further drive up the electrical costs.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/does-an-above-ground-pool-increase-home-value-appraise-666x381.png\")
<\/a>How do appraisers value an above-ground pool?<\/h2>\n
Personal property or permanent structure?<\/h3>\n
Quality matters<\/h3>\n
Location makes a difference<\/h3>\n
You\u2019re investing in your own enjoyment<\/h3>\n
![\"does](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/does-an-above-ground-pool-increase-home-value-boost-666x381.png\")
<\/a>Tips to boost the value of your above-ground pool<\/h2>\n
Keep it comparable<\/h3>\n
Add an attractive and functional pool deck<\/h3>\n
Play up the pool with landscaping<\/h3>\n
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Add a fence for safety<\/h3>\n