Search data on realestate.com.au shows that Australians are as pool obsessed as ever. And with our harsh climate in Wagga its a great way to beat the heat in summer. But before you decide whether or not to include a pool in your new dream home, it pays to know what you are getting yourself into. You might think that pools automatically increase value, but this isn’t always the case. Below The Block royalty Carlene Duffy and Dave Franklin provide some great advice to help you decide what and if a pool it right for you!

1. Bigger Isn’t Always Better

One of the most common questions I’m asked when I post happy snaps of my pool on social media is, “what are the dimensions?” My response is, “too big”. I’m not joking – at 150,000 litres it is too big, but it came with the block and we’re hardly going to get rid of it. Beyond that, our pool affords us (my kids) endless hours of fun, a reprieve from a hot day, and in our case, it’s the jewel in the crown, as we can take it in from most angles of our home. On the flip side, it has also cost us thousands in maintenance due to insufficient pool pumps, broken chlorinators, faulty pool cleaners, an endless supply of chemicals, and hefty power bills. You’d be mad to install a pool of this scale in this climate of environmental fragility and the ever-climbing cost of electricity. My advice: install that pool (you won’t regret it) but do it on a scale that won’t overwhelm your resources.

2. Climate and Trends Dictate Cost

Dave Franklin of Franklin Pools Australia says the cost of installing a pool varies pretty wildly from state to state, which is subject to climatic differences but also trends. In Queensland the average 8x4m pebblecrete pool comes in at around $25k-$30k, while in Victoria, the same size pool sits at around $55k-$70k. The difference being that nearly all pools in Victoria are installed with heating. But also, the state’s preferred trend of fully tiled pools has higher labour costs than pebblecrete, which most Queenslanders go for.

3. The Industry Is Changing

This is one of the most important pieces of advice you can know about the pool industry right now: chlorine and salt pools are on their way out, and mineral pools of varying types are fast on their way in. We recently converted our pool to a mineral system and it’s the best thing we’ve ever done. To cut to the chase, it means we’re no longer swimming in chlorine (good news for asthma and eczema sufferers); it requires next-to-no maintenance (no trips to the pool shop), and in a decade of operation, our pool’s never been so clear. The bonus is our power bill is expected to be $400 down over the year. If you’re installing a new pool, a mineral variety is a no-brainer. And if you’re thinking about converting an existing pool but you’re deterred by the cost of conversion, take it from me, it will be one of the best investments you’ll ever make – for your power bill, for the environment, and for your health.

There’s a lot to consider when designing your dream home, from fixtures to fittings, to pools and landscaping. Our team are here to take the stress out of everything, and are with you every step of the way. With over 30 years experience as a leading local builder in Wagga, you can trust your home is in safe hands. For a free preliminary estimate from Wagga best builder call 0438 692 962 or fill out our contact us page.

For more tips from the experts visit realestate.com.au/lifestyle