If you have always dreamed of having the luxury and convenience of your own back garden swimming pool, but felt it was out of your price range, then there has never been a better time to consider a self-build option.
They say if you can build a fence, you can build a swimming pool.
There is plenty of incentive with the average back garden
outdoor swimming pool coming in around the £25,000 mark you could easily half the price tag by taking on the some or all of the project yourselves.
There are a huge number of specialist retailers across the country that will be able to provide you with all the essential equipment in the form of a self-build kit. They will even throw in construction guides, sometimes DVDs to refer to but always a shed-load of helpful advice and support.
Research is much easier these days with the help of the Internet. Detailed planning and preparation is absolutely crucial to ensure the success of the project.
Key questions to answer include:
Suitability of Site?
Where to source equipment and does the package include advice?
Local authority implications?
Your budget?
Type of construction?
Timetable for construction?
Accessories?
On-going maintenance?
When it comes to the pool itself you need to tick many more boxes:
Shape?
Depth?
Size?
Exact location?
Essential equipment?
Optional accessories?
Water treatment methods?
Safety and security?
Energy Efficiency?
Timber and one-piece pools have traditionally lent themselves to the self-build market. Growing in sophistication all the time,
wooden swimming pools need to be constructed on a flat surface and are put together a bit like a jigsaw puzzle; literally one-piece at a time. They tend to go above ground but look particularly effective with a decked platform around them.
One-piece pools are exactly what they say on the tin; a huge fibreglass basin that is dropped in to a pre-prepared hole in the ground that you must then backfill to give a snug fit. This type of pool is very popular on the continent and is increasingly, a preferred choice here especially with new luxury models coming on to the market such as the Signature Pool one-piece tiled finish pool.
Another plus point is that most of the one-piece pools come pre-plumbed, taking away a lot of pipe work headaches.
Make sure you look before you leap. You will need good access or great neighbours to ensure you can actually get the pool to site.
BASIC ESSENTIALS
Increasingly, more confident self builders are taking on panel type constructions as standard. These are a series of paneled walls that again just slot together around the perimeter of your chosen pool shape.
Typical self build panel kits will consist of the panels themselves and:
Pool liner (30 thou)
Filter and pump
Pipe work and fittings
200mm white copings,
Stainless steel ladder,
Water treatment basics
Underwater lights
500 Micron solar cover,
Cover Roller
Winter Debris Cover
SOONER NOT LATER
Good advice is to talk to your local specialist builder sooner rather than later. Like all big projects, and lets not underestimate the impact of a swimming pool, make sure you shop around. When you contact your local pool building companies, dont be afraid to be up-front about your self-build aspirations and ask how they can help and what they would charge for additional consultation.
Planning permission is not usually necessary but can be in some cases, so make sure they talk to your local authority before you begin any work.
Ask your local water authority about rules on swimming pool water discharge as this varies from area to area. Knowing where underground water pipes and power cables are positioned in the dig area is vital if you are to avoid unexpected surprises.
Size does matter, so make sure you understand that the pool should be sized in comparison to available space but be assured there are a huge number of options out there.
The self- build element is an attractive proposition for those who are prepared to look before they leap by putting in the research, planning and preparation.
