What You Need to Know About Pool Renovation
Sooner or later, you might want to change the size, shape, or depth of your pool. Maybe you have kids now and want a shallow area or your kids have grown up and you want to get rid of the shallow area. Whatever the reason, pool renovation is not something to be taken lightly. In this article, we will go through some of the important things you should know about pool renovation.
Types of pool renovations
Depending on your requirements, you will have different types of pool renovation. Here are some of the common examples:
- Changing the shape of the pool
- Adding different tiles on the pool floor
- Creating a spa
- Adding a water or fire feature
- Adding sun shelves
- Adding a diving board or a water slide
- Installing lights
- Updating the landscaping
- Updating the pool deck
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Why you shouldn’t be DIYing pool renovation?
You might think that you can DIY the pool renovation, but you might be overestimating your skills. Admitting that you need the help of professionals can be difficult. So, before you go and dismantle your pool, ask yourself if you really can do it. Only if you are 100% sure that you can do it easily and efficiently, then you should go ahead. Remember that YouTube tutorials and online guides might not be enough to get your pool renovated on your own. It might be a bad idea and cost you more in the long run. If you are confident in your abilities, make sure that you know everything you have to and have everything you need.
Time taken to renovate the pool
As it is with any form of construction, it will take you some time to renovate your pool, depending on factors like the scope of the project. One of the biggest considerations is the size of your pool. A smaller pool will take you less time than a big pool. Then, you have to consider the renovation project itself. For instance, if you are only installing a ladder in your pool, the whole thing will be wrapped up in a day. However, if you are changing your pool’s shape to a point that you get a new pool at the end, the whole process can take weeks or even months. Here is a breakdown:
- 1-8 weeks for selecting the pool design and getting the required permits
- 1 week for excavating the site
- 1-2 weeks for routing the electrical and plumbing and laying the steel
- 1-3 weeks for plastering
- 1-4 weeks for adding custom features for your deck or landscaping
There are a lot of factors that can have an impact on the duration of your pool renovation project, such as:
1. Availability of the contractor
This is a crucial factor to consider while determining the time it will take to finish your pool renovation. If you are doing an extensive renovation, you will need the help of specialists like concreters, pavers, electricians, fencers, etc. Their availability will affect the duration of your project.
2. Time of the year
If you are renovating your pool during the summer season, you might have to wait for some time. On the other hand, the winter season isn’t considered ideal for construction and the whole process might be slowed down because of it.
3. Approval from the local authorities
Depending on where you live, you will need different types of permits before you can start the construction in your backyard. It can either prolong or shorter the duration of your project renovation. Also, going from one local authority to another for the permits can be quite a headache.
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The cost of pool renovation
Before you start the pool renovation process, you must know how much it is going to cost you. As the renovation progresses, there might be additional costs, so having a budget is crucial to get things done. Look up the general costs of the services that contractors in your area charge. It will help you get a rough estimate. You can call them directly, tell them your requirements, and get a quote.
In case you have decided to handle the pool renovation yourself, you should measure your pool and get some estimates of how much the materials will cost you. It will also help you figure out the time it will take you to finish the pool renovation. Remember that your time isn’t free. Compare the cost of the time you will be spending on the project with the cost of hiring professional contractors.
After making a decision between doing it yourself and getting professional help, you should add some extra money for unforeseeable events. It is possible that your pool renovation process won’t go smoothly and would be derailed by problems. You don’t want to get halfway done, only to realize that you have spent all the allocated money. That way, you will end up with a pool that you can’t use during the summer. Having an idea of the cost of the pool renovation project is crucial.
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Taking care of the pool after the renovation
Once your pool has been renovated, your pool’s maintenance guidelines might change. Your pool will need some aftercare as well. For example, if you install new equipment, you must know how to properly maintain it. The effort you put into it now will ensure that it remains functional and in good condition for years to come. If you have done some cosmetic changes to your pool, learn the best practices to keep it clean.
Wrapping up
Renovating your pool can be great. However, if you don’t concern yourself with the upkeep, the changes won’t last for long. If you want to ensure that your pool remains in great shape, you have to follow the guidelines provided by the specialists. You can take the help of professional pool cleaning services who can help you with the maintenance.
Once you have considered everything mentioned above, you can start renovating your pool. This is a difficult task that requires a lot of research and planning. But, if you do it the right way, the rewards will be worth it.
