Pool maintenance

Routine maintenance is chemistry, circulation and cleaning — and it is mostly the same job whatever your pool is made of. The cost differences come from the shell. This Old House's ten-year figures show concrete costing roughly five times what fiberglass does to keep.

The big-ticket items are predictable, which means you can save for them. Per Thursday Pools: acid washing a concrete pool every 3 to 5 years at $300–$1,000, resurfacing every 10 to 15 years at $8,000–$10,000, and vinyl liner replacement every 5 to 15 years at $3,000–$7,500. If a builder tells you a pool has no recurring costs, that is a reason to walk.

Pump energy is the one lever with a fast payback. ENERGY STAR says a certified inground pool pump uses about 20% less energy than a standard pump and saves roughly $50 a year (11% and about $20 for above-ground models), up to $290 over its lifetime, and pays for itself in under two years. The physics behind it: halving pump speed cuts energy use to about one-eighth.

How to choose

Put the big items on a sinking fund

Resurfacing and liner replacement are scheduled, not random. Setting aside a few hundred dollars a month means the bill is boring when it arrives.

Compare a service contract to your own time

At $90-$270 a month in typical upkeep, weekly service is often a modest step up in cost. Price both before assuming DIY is cheaper.

Upgrade the pump before the heater

ENERGY STAR puts variable-speed pump payback at under two years. Most other efficiency upgrades take far longer.

Test the safety hardware on the same schedule

CPSC notes a gate that fails to close and latch defeats even the best fence. Add gate closers, latches and door alarms to your monthly maintenance routine.

Ask a service company what is excluded

Many contracts cover chemicals and cleaning but not equipment repair, openings, closings or liner work. Get the exclusions in writing.