Is it Worth it to Build a Pool in Florida-real costs, pros cons, vs an existing pool

Having just finished the pool building process, I share my experience including construction costs, hidden expenses, plus whether or not it has been worth it, especially compared to buying a house with an existing pool. There are pros and cons to building a pool versus buying a house with a pool, so we'll talk about crunching numbers and value that goes beyond simple finances.
Plus, we'll talk about costs associated with pool building, some of which caught us a little by surprise, including maintenance, safety, utility costs, landscaping, furnishing, and again is it all worth it?
Here's the link to Hillsborough Co Municipal code for swimming pools: library.municode.com/fl/hills...
If there are questions I don't address, please feel free to reach out, and of course, I'm here for any real estate questions or help as well.
Amy Smith
[phone], call or text
amy‪@realestateTampa‬
email: [e-mail]
licensed real estate broker at Sun Realty One, LLC

[@maxN7]

the most useful and practical video i've seen on the topic. ty.

[@realestateTampa]

Thank you! I'm glad and I appreciate the kind words 😊

[@user-ih6vg4rr9r]

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for! I appreciate your honesty!

[@Pelvicbalancept]

Great video and very transparent. Just put a pool in myself in Florida and this is spot on. The landscaping and furniture for the space after got is too budget wise.

[@xurinox]

Finally a video that goes straight to the point! Great info and thanks for the prices, it really gave me a perspective of what to expect if i decide to build a pool.

[@phlydude]

I kick myself for not biting the bullet and putting in a pool pre-pandemic. Neighbors were putting in pools for $60k total and I thought that was high...now it's $100k before adding any extras.

[@Flo-yx7yu]

Omg that’s exactly what happened to us, we downsized our home and just got a quote on a new pool it’s over $20,000 from what’s we paid pre-pandemic! Insane. We are looking to take out some upgrades Now. Ie jacuzzi

[@Fljeep18]

I put it off as well before was $65k now I’m paying $106. Might as well do it now before they raise the prices more.

[@Floyd69]

2016 in Polk county it would have been 30 thousand when building our home. We did not accept this option.

[@Willfastbackse]

Thank you so much for this video. This is sooo helpful to someone like me who is considering building a pool in South Florida. Much appreciated!

[@realestateTampa]

Thank YOU for the kind words, and best of luck with your project! 😎

[@michaela197208]

This is a great and informative video. Thank you for sharing. I’m going with the floating pool alarms for my pool and spa as well. I think the camera is a great idea as well. Happy pooling!

[@RealEstateWithJess]

Amy, this was wonderful, well done and very helpful video. Love it!!!

[@realestateTampa]

That's so nice of you to say. Thanks ☺

[@donnap5772]

This was great. You're a great speaker, straight to the point. New sub :)

[@realestateTampa]

Aww, thanks :) I appreciate it and will continue to try to put out helpful content. More coming next month! :)

[@donovanjackson458]

Great informational video! Thanks

[@jabe813]

Excellent excellent video Amy, thank you! ❤️

[@annale3925]

Thank you so much, Amy, for sharing the cost information of building a pool and the pros cons of having a pool. Our new home in Parrish will probably be ready to move in by the end of summer and we're thinking of adding a pool. We will certainly check with the pool company you used. Your info is very helpful. Thanks again for sharing.

[@realestateTampa]

Thank YOU and best of luck with your new home and pool :)

[@absolutecrypto95]

Thank you so much this was great

[@keithlong5755]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@realestateTampa]

Thanks! 😄

[@charliep5139]

thanks for being honest on the pricing, etc.

[@tinahaidara9642]

Thank you great video

[@rm_6943]

Bought a condo in Jacksonville FL for 200k , I am netting $700 a month after expenses, that is money well spent, I use my community pool twice a year. That is how you build wealth....

[@nonawolf7495]

Great video! I would also mention ongoing costs like cleaning and repairing the cage. Wind damage costs us about $300 a year in screen repairs. You also have to power wash the cage and the deck about once a year. We found it cheaper to buy a power washer and do that part ourselves. Thanks for sharing your numbers - it was very helpful!

[@realestateTampa]

Thanks for the additional info! Yes, a lot more expenses than we originally thought.

[@ryandono5721]

Thank you for this video. I am going to buy a house with a pool. Very informative I liked the video for the algorithm

[@realestateTampa]

Thank you! I appreciate it :)

[@sammacintyre2583]

And remember to pass inspection for site, is proper grading, with swales for runoff and stabilization. All dirt must be covered to pass final

[@renatolima7066]

Very explanatory video. Thank you. It sounds a nightmare!

[@RJMerc]

Thanks for the video, very informative. What is the pool deck material you used, it looks really nice.

[@sophiagertz1083]

It’s either too hot or too cold. They are just not worth it but they are pretty to look at

[@delivieverytome7368]

Very good info, thank you!!! Do the no-see-ums penetrate your pool screens?

[@AC-87]

I've wondered about this. Those things are small and I'm betting they do.

[@jacktastick]

In san antonio a pool doesnt increase your property value. They are nice but most people dont realize how much goes into maintaining a pool. Nothing is cheap and things do fail. Pumps, filters, plumbing issues and other surprises are a part of having a pool. Also, with that covering vacuuming shouldnt be an issue. I also recommend testing the water yourself. I work for a pool company and i have seen those types of companies mess up some pools.

[@samirennabili2748]

Very informative! I Agree with everything that u shared! We went through the same process in FL as well, the only difference is I used these past 7 months doing the landscaping, paving extensions, adding a gazebo and other small projects to save some money in the process! 😬It was a lot of work but it was well worth it at the end! Now we have a backyard oasis where we spend lot of time with family and friends.

[@realestateTampa]

Sounds awesome! Congratulations and thanks for sharing :)

[@trevorpanno516]

I’d rather buy a home with a private pool in Florida.

[@jc2604]

That's what this is..

[@1Mickey411]

Hi Amy, thanks for being transparent about the whole process. Which pool company did you go with? My family is looking to have our own pool but haven't decided which company we should hire.

[@realestateTampa]

Hi! We used Gulfstream Pools in Tampa. Overall, we're very happy and just a few bumps in the road, which is to be expected. We're very happy with the end result! How exciting for you! And I wish you the best with your project :)

[@1Mickey411]

@@realestateTampa awesome! Thank you!

[@Beyondabsence]

Thank you for sharing your insights. I find it valuable as long as the expense of 130K won't significantly strain one's finances, indicating that it represents a small proportion of the household income. Or maybe it's worth the sacrifice, depending on how crucial having a swimming pool is to the quality of one's mental and physical health.

[@realestateTampa]

Thank you! I agree. It's a very personal decision :)

[@carriemercer8168]

You gonna complain about a pool correcting mental health, the pool won’t fix the problem between your ears,lol

[@lxmartin11]

I do not see the link for the pool vacuum that you recommended on the video.

[@sophiagertz1083]

My insurance did the same thing without a pool. Same cost increase

[@jfy1]

How much did the sodding cost

[@Flo-yx7yu]

Please give me your opinion on adding a hot tub it’s 11,000 more for us. And what’s your opinion of a screened in pool?

[@realestateTampa]

I think a hot tub is a great option! We considered it, and honestly, it's part of our pool that we use all year long. I am also a huge fan of the screened in lanai. It helps with bugs, leaves, etc. and it creates a nice extra 'room'

[@Flo-yx7yu]

@@realestateTampathank you so much for your reply. I may have to bite the bullet and pay the extra cost. Insane how much more it is since the pandemic.

[@realestateTampa]

very true! We're a couple years too late for good pricing @@Flo-yx7yu Good luck! I hope all goes well!

[@southernfriedkiwi7726]

What is the point of being "compliant" with pool safety laws, if your insurance gets doubled anyway?

[@realestateTampa]

Yes, the added insurance isn't great, but the compliance has to do with county inspections. The inspector won't sign off without the safety requirements being met.

[@kushagrasingh7731]

Very nice video, we are also based in Tampa. Would you be kind enough to share the details of the contractors ?

[@realestateTampa]

Of course. We used Gulfstream Pools in Tampa/Oldsmar.

[@realestateTampa]

Good luck with your project :)

[@user-yx9bp3fx7c]

May I ask who your pool contractor was? We are starting the process now

[@realestateTampa]

Of course! We used Gulfstream Pools and Spas. It was overall a positive experience. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions :) [e-mail]

[@lionheartministrys3933]

Did you use plastic windows on the enclosure or glass?

[@realestateTampa]

Hey, thanks for watching. Our enclosure is screened in 😊

[@lionheartministrys3933]

@@realestateTampa whats the screened material made out of? Glass or other material?

[@jh2519]

@@lionheartministrys3933it’s just a screen, like the ones on your windows at home.

[@absolutecrypto95]

So insurance doubled because of the pool?

[@williamwatts6384]

We built a pool(2023) for our new house (2022) in Davenport Florida. Our insurance only went up 250.00$

[@absolutecrypto95]

@@williamwatts6384 can I ask what does a pool cost roughly was curious 🤔 of pricing in florida

[@tracer2002]

😆

[@carriemercer8168]

I love the beach…don’t want the taxes….high utilities double car ins rates and roofs every 10 years…the closer you are too heaven the actual closer to hell you actually are,lol

[@zee19869]

Hi Amy. I sent you an email for collab :) Thank you!

[@badtoro]

Buy a house with a pool. Dont build one. It's way too painful. Delays, construction, pissy HOA(even after approved), quality of labor sucks. Find a home with one and get a good inspection.

[@pitt5674]

too much money

[@tracer2002]

Over priced

[@MuahMan]

So basically the pool is the cost of a 2nd home. :(

[@robzilla69]

Not even close

[@BradButler-ky9vu]

LOL, a second home where?