get a pool

After all but practically giving up on this goal….interest rates (and soon the lack of car payments) were favorable enough to allow us to get this done.

We gave up on the speculation on what could and couldn’t be done based on city ordinances we knew nothing about….and hired professionals to do everything. They found out we could get a HUGE pool, patio, and jacuzzi….and be well within the zoning regulations of the city.

It hasn’t been all rosy… The builder is about a month late in completion based on his original two month estimate…..and the extra concrete for the enlarged patio and A/C units ended up costing an additional $4,500…..We also went a couple of days in the 105+ degree heat without air conditioning.

But it seems the worst is over, and in a couple of weeks we should have a pool ready to swim in.

But for the few months in which it is warm enough to use the pool, it is bliss.

Looks like there are issues with my lot, and I can’t get a pool very easily or of any substantial size. All lots in Imperial do not allow for construction within 10 feet of the property line. Because my lot is wide and narrow, I could only do a long narrow pool right next to the house. We would also have to shift the AC system

Many of my neighbors (with the same sized lot) are building covered patios instead. Oh well. Back to the drawing board.

i’m talking about an 8’ x 15’ pool that’s like a swimming treadmill. you swim in place against a current. you can see what they look like @ endlesspools.com or swimex.com. yup, gonna get us one of those.

I found this site that gives you an idea of what all the raw materials cost to build a pool. I figure if you add in 2 months labor costs for 2-3 people ($320-$480/day), that’s potentially what the cost of a pool really is….the rest is just markup. I have heard of quotes in our area in the $40,000+ range, which I think is a bit too pricey. We have family who had a pool installed in LA for $36,000 about five years ago. One would think it should be cheaper way out here in the desert cities where labor is less expensive.

It’s been over 100 degrees every day since I’ve moved to Imperial Valley. I know it’s the middle of summer, but I’m really longing for some outdoor fun without having to drive an hour or so.

The park behind our house is getting landscaped (I can hear them right now at 4:45am). This has prompted me to think about our backyard, and whether or not we should put grass & flooring down or wait until we get a pool.

My neighbor is looking to get one as well. Maybe I should wait and see what his experience is like?

Regardless, now that there is grass behind us, and our front yard is already landscaped….Our backyard seems like a big waste of space.

having my own pool is great. no more having to drive and pay to swim.