The Problem With DIY Swimming Pool Kits

You may think that a pool kit is similar to a toy model or assembling furniture. There is the aspect of assembly that makes DIY inground pool kits ring familiar, but it is so much more than just assembling many pieces.

An inground pool kit is still a construction project and requires much more than actually comes with the kit that you can pick up at the store. So, then, what is the best option for inground pools? Are inground pool kits worth it? What do they include? Can you truly do it yourself? We will answer all these questions and more throughout this article.

Why Are DIY Swimming Pool Kits So Popular?

In-ground pool kits are popular because they supposedly save on costs, and they come with everything you need wrapped up into a neat little package. However, these materials aren't very good quality and, consequently, pool kits don't last very long, which means you're not saving much in the long run.

Why Are DIY Swimming Pool Kits a Risky Investment?

A lot of homeowners looking at installing an inground pool think that a pool kit would be a good starting point. It's low-cost and doesn't require a general contractor to get the thing set up. It is important to consider a couple of things before you invest in a pool kit, however.

Pool kits, even with polymer walls which are considered one of the strongest options available, aren't very strong. They can collapse and cause harm to the people around them or damage the surrounding area.

Additionally, building the pool yourself means you're going in blind. You're working with tools that lend themselves to your disadvantage and you're trying to learn your way through a complicated field of learning by assembling something that needs to be safe and secure for your family.

We prefer to equip our customers with all of the tools, training and knowledge they need so that they can build their own custom backyard pool. 

What Are the Hidden Costs of DIY Pool Kits?

We briefly mentioned that inground pool kits don't actually come with all the pieces you require to set it up. Let's look at some things you need to be aware of before committing to the decision. 

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are crucial for keeping your pool stable and making sure your yard drains properly. Many homeowners get told that they "might" need a retaining wall, do yourself a favor and discount that. Get a price estimate on your wall before the project gets started.

Extra Concrete

People often don't talk about the pool patio. Even if the homeowner is seeking a minimal amount of patio around their pool, they still need to budget for the concrete that this will require. Usually, this is about a 3-4 foot border all the way around the pool

Dirt Hauling

Digging out an inground swimming pool leads to a large quantity of dirt. It's a lot of dirt.

It's important that homeowners don't expect to be able to just spread out this dirt and call it good. The excess from the pool site will need to be hauled away and dumped. This can be a fairly expensive if you don't have the means of doing it yourself.

Landscaping

Inground pool kit projects can be messy. Equipment coming in and out of your yard is going to disrupt the landscaping, make no mistake. You will likely need to seed and replace any grass in the area and keep in mind that your driveway may need some assistance from the heavy machinery.

Electrical

A pump, salt/chlorine generator, light, automatic cover, hot tub, and heat pump are all things that will probably need to be installed.

Fencing

Nearly every pool needs a fence around it in some way or another. It's an unfortunately common occurrence for homeowners not to consider this until the pool is finished. This can make for a disagreeable outcome.

What Are the Long-Term Implications of Using Inground Pool Kits?

Inground pool kits can be such a mess. There's so much that can go wrong. If the integrity of your pool is compromised (which is easy to accomplish during the installation process), your pool can leak, cause damage to your property, and even become dangerous.

Why Are Ground Swimming Pool Kits Not as Durable as Professional Installations?

As we mentioned before, the materials are not what they should be. Even professional installers have issues with these kits because they aren't reliable, and homeowners are expected to do it themselves without instruction or direction, which can lead to many unforeseen complications.

Why Should You Choose Us?

When you work with us, you can customize the design of your pool (shape, size, landscaping, etc...), have it built with high-quality products and durable concrete, install it yourself with professional guides helping you every step of the way, and you can do it all for the same price or less than what you would spend on an inground pool kit.

At DIY Pools and Spas, we are dedicated to helping families on a budget because we know that pools are about more than any one thing. They're about growing closer together and creating memories that will last.

Want to learn more about working with us? 

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