Understanding Pool Costs and Financing Your Backyard
If you’ve been thinking about adding a pool to your backyard, there’s a good chance one question keeps coming up: Can I actually afford it? It’s a fair question. A custom swimming pool is a significant investment, and unlike buying something off the shelf, there isn’t one price that applies to every backyard.
The good news is that you don’t need to have the entire cost sitting in your bank account before you start the conversation. Understanding what affects the price of a pool, deciding which features matter most to your family, and exploring financing options can give you a much clearer picture of what’s possible.
At Aquarius Pools & Spas, we help homeowners work through those questions from the beginning.
How Much Does a Custom Pool Cost?
One of the reasons it’s difficult to give a simple answer is that custom pools are exactly that: custom. Two pools that look similar at first glance can have very different project costs depending on the property, design, equipment, finishes, and features involved.
Some of the factors that can affect your overall investment include:
That’s why we prefer to start by talking about you, not simply giving you a list of upgrades.
How many people will regularly use the pool? Do you have young children? Do you entertain often? Is this primarily a place to swim, relax, exercise, or spend time together? Which features are must-haves, and which would simply be nice to have?
Those answers help us design a pool that makes sense for both your backyard and your priorities.
Start With the Pool You'll Actually Use
It’s easy to start looking at pool inspiration online and suddenly have a wish list a mile long. But a great custom pool isn’t necessarily the one with the most features. It’s the one that works for your family.
Maybe a large tanning ledge is important because you have young children. Maybe you’d rather put more of your budget toward a spa that you can enjoy throughout the year. Perhaps you entertain frequently and want more decking and gathering space. Or maybe you want to keep the design simple and invest in quality equipment and finishes.
These are exactly the kinds of conversations we have during the planning process.
You don’t need to arrive knowing precisely what you want or what everything costs. We’ll help you understand your options and make informed decisions about where you want to invest.
Do I Have to Pay for My Pool Upfront?
Not necessarily.
Aquarius Pools & Spas is a proud partner of Lyon Financial, giving qualified homeowners access to financing specifically designed for projects like swimming pools and outdoor improvements.
Instead of basing your decision solely on the total project price, financing allows you to explore how the cost could potentially fit into your overall household budget over time.
Financing is subject to approval. Rates, terms, programs, and eligibility requirements apply.
What Would My Monthly Pool Payment Be?
This is another question without a one-size-fits-all answer. Your monthly payment will depend on factors such as the amount financed, loan term, applicable interest rate, and your individual qualifications.
A longer loan term may result in a lower monthly payment, while a shorter term can change both the monthly payment and total financing cost. That’s why it’s important to look at the financing options available to you rather than relying on a generic payment example you see online.
Aquarius can help point you toward the appropriate financing resources so you can explore your options before making a decision.
- Low, fixed rates
- Terms up to 30 years‡
- Amounts up to $200,000
- Special military programs available#
- No prepayment penalties
- No equity or appraisals required
Why Do Homeowners Finance a Pool?
Financing isn’t about whether someone can or cannot afford a pool. It’s simply one way to pay for a major home project.
Some homeowners prefer financing because they don’t want to use a large portion of their available cash at once. Others would rather spread the expense over time. And for some families, financing allows them to move forward with a project sooner instead of waiting several more years to save the entire amount.
There is no single approach that’s right for every homeowner. The important thing is understanding the total project investment and the financing terms before deciding what works for your household.
Can I Afford the Pool I Want?
The best way to answer that question is to start with a conversation. You don’t need finalized plans. You don’t need to know exactly how big your pool should be. And you certainly don’t need to understand every piece of pool equipment before you contact a builder.
Start with what you know. Tell us about your backyard, your family, the features you’re interested in, and what you hope to get out of your new outdoor space. From there, our team can help you better understand the design possibilities and the factors that will influence your project.
Aquarius Pools & Spas has been building custom pools for families across the Northshore since 1976. Nearly 50 years later, we still believe a great pool starts by listening to the people who are going to use it.
Ready to Find Out What's Possible?
If you’ve been thinking about a pool but aren’t sure what fits your budget, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Let’s talk about what you have in mind.
Call or text Aquarius Pools & Spas at 985-626-7652 to start planning your custom pool.
