Concrete swimming pools - a wise investment
/Nothing beats a structural concrete pool for investment value
renosud summer kitchen and covered pool terrace - There’s more to a pool area than just the pool
“It is one of only a few things you can do which will immediately pay for itself and add profit from the moment it’s finished.”
Long-lasting and durable, there’s one very good reason to add a pool.
Think about when you last rented a summer holiday property. Chances are, like most, you skipped past most properties without a pool. When the temperature hits 35° the first thing you head for is the cool of the pool. Add children or a group of friends, and the pool becomes an essential part of the South of France experience. It’s no surprise then that if your French property doubles as a holiday rental, adding a pool will greatly increase your bookings and revenue.
A concrete swimming pool is the number one investment intervention.
renosud concrete pool 11m x 5m & complete LANDSCAPING
What is not fully appreciated is the investment value of a quality pool. It is one of the only few things you can do which will immediately pay for itself and add profit from the moment it’s finished. There are very few things you can do to add better value. A pool will not only increase the value of the property but also its desirability and that’s important if you ever want to sell up. When somebody is contrasting properties to buy the one with a quality pool will have a desirable edge, making it sell fast and for usually for a better price.
Upgrading bathrooms and kitchens certainly add value, but they are often open to aesthetic taste. What you loved may be ripped out by somebody else. By contrast, a pool is always a winner but be careful to make sure you balance the relative merits of price versus outcome. Cheap can come with nasty surprises and as usual, you get exactly what you pay for.
Quality is the key - but what constitutes quality versus price?
This blog post is about concrete swimming pools because, from an investment and quality perspective, when correctly designed and built they remain the best choice. But to evaluate what constitutes quality we need to understand the relative differences between pool types.
Choose carefully and try to afford the best
Above-ground pools
Above ground pools are the least expensive. They come in various qualities and some can even be partially in ground or can be decoratively integrated into a landscape. Some self-assembly pools are practical and affordable and can last a few years or more. However, even though the best types may last several years, most people know and accept that an above ground pool is an economic trade-off for the real thing. An in-ground permanent pool.
Advantages
Cost effective
Quick to install
Disadvantages
Limited life
Difficult to aesthetically integrate
Looks like what it is
Budget
€1500-10,000+
In ground - polyester pools
The first serious level of in-ground pool are the pre-fabricated variety. Durable and convenient these types of pools can cost 50% or more less than a structural concrete pool equivalent. Usually made of polyester or Vinyl ester resin and pre manufactured to a range of sizes and shapes, they are quick to install. There can be problems with these types of pool if not correctly located and fitted. They are prone to move. Remember one cubic metre of water weighs one tonne. A 8 x 5 pool filled can weigh as much as 45 tonnes. If the pool structure is not ‘packed’ and seated correctly a full pool can tilt or move snapping or straining the plumbing connections below ground. This can sometime occur months or years later after settlement in and around the pool hole construction.
Advantages
Costs less than a concrete pool
Relatively easy to install [by a professional]
Many shapes and sizes available
Disadvantages
For most models, there must be vehicular access to crane it into place
Limited life but usually min 15 years
Prone to move if not properly installed causing leaks
Budget
€10,000 - 40,000+
In ground structural concrete pools
To fully appreciate an investment in a structural concrete pool you must first understand the difference in construction. A concrete pool is a significant and serious construction in its own right. It is not a formed plastic shape simply placed in a hole in the ground. Made of reinforced concrete it has an almost indefinite life, is super durable and is the ultimate aesthetic look. Nothing compares to the quality, durability and style of a real concrete pool. It costs more but will outlast everything else, and look better.
Rensoud concrete pool in construction - steel, then more steel.
Formed in place, often with concrete blocks used as ‘moulds’, the strength and durability of a concrete pool lies in the rebar [steel] configuration. Once constructed it adds structural elegance to the external landscape and is an instant indicator of quality and execution. Concrete pools always look best carefully landscaped in place.
Advantages
The most desirable option for high quality execution
Extremely durable
Any shape and even in tight spaces as it is built by-hand
Disadvantages
Cost - requires an investment mindset
Must be built by an insured pool professional
Requires a ground-survey and engineering plans for correct execution
Budget
€45,000-€65,000 min
+€100,000 for large complex pools