You’ll also need pool toys. Not optional. A flamingo floatie costs $25. A giant inflatable unicorn? $80. You’ll buy it, use it once, and it becomes a shrine to procrastination.
Then there’s pool maintenance. You can do it yourself (buy a net, a brush, and a therapist). Or hire a service for $100–$200 per month. Pro tip: If you hate scrubbing, pay someone. Your marriage will thank you.
One guy I know paid $60,000 for his pool. Then he spent $3,000 on a robotic pool cleaner. It looks like a Roomba having a seizure. He named it “Marcel.” Marcel is now the most expensive pet he owns.
The wildest hidden cost: insurance.
Your homeowner’s policy might need a bump. A pool increases liability. Expect an extra $50–$150 per year. That’s the price of peace of mind… and a fence so your neighbor’s kid doesn’t drown.
Speaking of fences: many cities require a 4-foot fence around your pool. That’s another $1,500–$4,000. It’s not cool, but it’s legal. Unless you want a moat. A moat is technically just a pool with a dragon. Good luck with permits.
