When considering an overflow pool, one wants to include all the options seen in magazines, at friends’ houses, etc. All of this comes at a price. Making the right choices in terms of pool facilities begins with a budget.
CALCULATE THE BUDGET FOR AN OVERFLOW POOL
Building an infinity pool or a deck-level pool can be budgeted in the same way as building a house. There are several factors to consider, including:
Pool designers, who specialize in overflow pools, design pools that are appropriate for the property and the wishes of their clients. It is also their mission to find budget-friendly solutions for their clients.
Infinity pools can be constructed from various materials. Many of them can be installed without a specialist and built by non-professionals. Others require the use of technical equipment and the services of qualified personnel.
Pool coatings range in price from a few dollars to one hundred dollars per square foot (0,1 square meter). Some pool surfaces like vinyl are unsuitable for infinity pools, and tiling is the most expensive option.
There are several essential items such as pipes, fittings, and filter units. A pool safety system is also mandatory in France and must be included in the budget.
In this category, you will find all the equipment that enhances the swimming experience or facilitates pool maintenance: automatic treatment, heating, counter-current swimming, etc
Overflow pool cost-cutting tips.
The selection of contractors and the design of an in-ground or semi-in-ground pool are critical factors when it comes to overflow pools.
Design over expensive materials
With certain design choices, swimming pools can be constructed for less money. By respecting the ground profile, earthworks and backfilling are less expensive on sloped ground. Building a pool with a flat bottom is cheaper than one with a sloping bottom.
If you choose the right pool finishes, you can save a lot of money. PVC membranes are pricier than pool liners, but worth the cost. Flexible waterproofing hydraulic coatings offer similar visual effects and longevity at a lower cost.
Find the perfect location
Pool location is key when building a concrete pool, but also when using it.
Material deliveries, such as shuttering blocks or plumbing equipment, are easier when the design pool is located somewhere easily accessible. Save money by installing a negative or zero edge pool near your house.
A pool exposed to sunlight from 10am to 6pm will appeal to bathers. Water will gain a few degrees without being heated. In contrast, the wind cools water rapidly. There are many inconveniences caused by trees: shade, pollution, impurities, which lead to more expensive pool maintenance and disinfection costs.
Take on all or part of the swimming pool construction
Builders or general contractors are the most expensive option. In France, pool builders offer ten-year insurance and handle the entire construction process. It’s the “ready to swim” formula.
Anyone with a little DIY skill can consider kit pools or self-construction to reduce the price of an indoor or outdoor pool. Installers can also be consulted in fields in which one isn’t skilled. DIY enthusiasts and meticulous can install the pipes, seal the parts (inlets and bottom drain), and install the technical room.
Morana's advice 👇
Make sure you hire the right people
Pools with mirror effects or negative edges are expensive. Spend time researching and comparing quotes. Be sure to pay attention to the references and services provided by each company.
Set a budget and stick to it
After installing a pool, its landscaping must be planned. A wooden deck, rocks, or a jacuzzi bench are all interesting options, but they are pricey. Some options should be included in the design but installed at a later date.
Take control of your pool project!
Choose a more economical construction method
To build an in-ground overflow pool, reinforced concrete is a guarantee of durability. Different methods are possible:
- Shotcrete or gunite sprayed onto a reinforcing steel fabric using a spraying machine is the most expensive: this technique requires special equipment and personnel skilled in pool construction.
- Concrete is poured in between two walls (shuttering) where reinforcement has been installed.
- Concrete or polystyrene shuttering blocks are stacked to form walls. By installing reinforcements and pouring concrete inside, the solidity of the negative edge pools is ensured.
The last method is more economical and can be used to build a rectangular swimming pool as well as a wide range of free-form pools. It does not require expensive equipment.
Regular swimming pools constructed with bricks and reinforced posts require a liner or reinforced PVC to be waterproof.
Consider the size of the pool
Pool size affects construction costs, taxes, and maintenance. Deep pools (over 5 feet (1.50 m) m) are not recommended unless you enjoy diving. Filtration systems, water treatment products, and heating systems cost more as the water volume increases.
Maintaining a pool is also expensive. A large pool requires more electricity and maintenance product.
Be sure to build an overflow pool that lasts
It is essential that the pool of your dreams meets your budget and is resistant. However, it must also meet your aesthetic needs while being a peaceful place to relax.
👉 In-ground reinforced concrete pools are the most durable.
👉 Among the features that should be included in top-of-the-line pool equipment are a water level regulator and a filling solenoid valve. In case there is insufficient water in the catch basin, also known as the balance tank or surge tank, the filtration pump is protected.
👉 Keeping your pool water clean and maintaining the pool is largely dependent on water circulation.
YOU SAVE MONEY WHEN YOU MEET YOUR OBLIGATIONS
You’ll find this section especially helpful if you’re English-speaking and live in France.
Owners of swimming pools are subject to certain obligations as soon as they put their pools into the water. Failure to comply can result in expensive fines.
As soon as the pool is commissioned, install a security system
A drowning prevention system must be installed in all semi-inground or in-ground pools in France. There are four approved systems: protective barrier, audible alarm, safety pool cover, and enclosure. France requires these systems to meet AFNOR standards.
The alarm is undoubtedly the least expensive system. In the presence of young children, however, the removable fence offers greater peace of mind. Despite its questioned aesthetics, it is appropriate for regular pools, deck level pools, or pools where water meets the horizon.
Register your pool with the French tax authorities
For English speakers living in France, the surface area of the pool must be less than 10 m² and it must be installed above ground without masonry structures. This tax applies to buried or semi-buried private pools, whether they are swimming pool kits, concrete or polyester shells, or reinforced concrete pools (projected or poured).
You can be exempt from property tax for 2 years by making a declaration within 90 days of completing the work. This exemption does not apply to pool renovations.
For more information on the declaration of work for an infinity pool, click here.
Conclusion
Before it became accessible, the overflow pool was exclusive and only available to a select few. Now, with its newfound accessibility, more people can enjoy the luxurious experience of lounging by the pool, taking in the breathtaking views, and indulging in the serenity of the tranquil waters.
Having over 30 years’ experience in overflow pools, Morana Water Design can assist you with advice, plans, best practices, etc.
