The answer to the question, ‘Does a swimming pool add value to a house in the UK’ is an intriguing one because while a pool can make a home more attractive to buyers, it can also affect the price.
If you are selling a home that has a pool, you will attract interest if it is well-maintained and adds an element of luxury to the property.
However, if you are thinking of installing a pool, whether that is indoors or outdoors, then you need to appreciate that the installation and maintenance costs for a swimming pool can be expensive.
You’ll also need to weigh the costs against the potential increase in the property’s value.
Here, the Property Road team takes a closer look at ‘Does a swimming pool add value to a house in the UK?’
Swimming pools are associated with luxury and relaxation
Swimming pools are often associated with luxury and relaxation, and it’s no wonder that many homeowners dream of having one in their own homes.
But beyond the enjoyment that a swimming pool can bring, there is also the question of whether it adds value to a house in the UK.
Firstly, it’s important to note that not all types of properties benefit equally from having a swimming pool. That’s because:
- If you live in an area where outdoor space is at a premium or where swimming pools are not common, then having one can set your property apart from others on the market;
- A pool will make your home when selling much more appealing;
- If you live in a colder and wetter part of the country, then you’ll need an indoor pool;
- In warmer areas, then an outdoor pool might be a sound investment.
However, if you live in an area where most homes have swimming pools – which will be a rare street in the UK! – or where outdoor space is plentiful, then having a pool may not be as much of a selling point.
Swimming pool installation costs
If you are thinking about installing a swimming pool, the cost of this process will play a big part in whether it will increase your home’s value. You need to consider:
- The size you want;
- The type of pool – whether that is a pre-built fibre or resin pool, or if you want a sprayed or poured concrete pool;
- How much landscaping and excavation work is needed;
- Whether you are installing an outdoor or an indoor pool.
The bottom line about installing a swimming pool is that if you really want one, then this will be money well spent.
It will also attract potential buyers when you come to sell, so there’s a good chance that you’ll earn the installation costs back with the premium you can charge.
And those installation costs for an indoor swimming pool in the UK range from £60,000 and will go up to £175,000, Checkatrade says. The average cost per installation is £115,000.
The cost of installing an outdoor swimming pool ranges from £30,000-£110,000, with an average cost of £85,000.
Maintaining your swimming pool in the UK
Another factor to consider before installing a pool is how well-maintained your swimming pool is.
If your pool is old, outdated or poorly maintained, then it could detract from the value of your property rather than adding to it.
This is because potential buyers may see it as an expensive liability rather than an asset they can enjoy.
However, if your swimming pool is well-designed and well-maintained, then it can add significant value to your home.
According to some estimates, a swimming pool can increase the value of a property by up to 20%.
One of the big attractions is for a potential buyer who dreams of owning their own private oasis where they can relax and unwind after a long day at work or entertain friends and family during the summer months.
Downsides to owning a swimming pool
Of course, there are also some downsides to owning a swimming pool that should be considered before deciding whether to install one. They include:
- Maintaining a swimming pool requires regular upkeep, including cleaning filters as well as checking chemical levels regularly;
- You will need to heat and maintain the temperature of the water, which can add up over time.
This last point is an important one in an era of high energy bills, and this running cost could be fatal if you are trying to sell a property with a pool and the prospective buyer decides to do some sums.
The annual budget for anyone installing a pool – or running one in a home they buy – could be anything between £100 and £4,000.
Don’t forget, too, that if you are using your pool regularly, it will need to be cleaned, and you will need to cover it if it is outdoors when not being used.
Does a swimming pool devalue your house?
No article about installing or selling a home with a swimming pool should ignore the question: ‘Does a swimming pool devalue your house?’
Firstly, the weather in the UK means there is little demand for an outdoor swimming pool because they won’t be used for many days in the year.
Also, the maintenance costs for so little use may deter potential buyers, and those wanting to install a pool may need to think twice.
Ed Hartshorne, the managing director of Blenkin & Co estate agents, told the Daily Express that with decades of experience selling some of the most lust-worthy homes, some things which may be considered niche or inappropriate can affect a house price.
And that includes a swimming pool.
He said: “There’s no doubt that pools – particularly outdoor ones – may not add their cost to a property because they only appeal to a certain number of people.”
He highlights a sale where the property should have reached its £1.2 million price tag, but because no buyer wanted the pool, the price was reduced by £300,000.
The pool’s running costs were a big issue with potential buyers.
Does a swimming pool add value to a house in the UK?
While there are pros and cons associated with installing a swimming pool on a UK property, you need to understand:
- Is it a genuine luxurious addition you will use?
- Do you appreciate the running costs of a swimming pool?
- Has the pool been professionally installed by experts?
- Have any shortcuts or cost-savings been made during installation?
Essentially, adding a pool could add between 5% and 20% to a home’s value and boost its attractiveness to potential buyers.
But that’s only for people who would love a swimming pool on their doorstep – for those that don’t, it could be a feature they want nothing to do with, and you’ll be faced with a struggle to find a buyer.
It also means that they might fill in an outdoor pool because it’s not suited to their lifestyle or they don’t want the maintenance and running costs.
So, if you want to install a pool in your home, consider this:
- Is it worth the time and money as an investment?
- Will you get lots of use out of it?
- Will the installation cost be reflected in a rise in the property’s value?
- Will someone want to buy your home when you come to sell?
If you answer ‘Yes’ to the points above, then a swimming pool will be a great investment because YOU will get to enjoy the amenity – but if you answer ‘No’ to the questions, then you should be looking at signing up as a member of a council-run or private gym with a pool to enjoy.
