If you’re lucky enough to have a pool at your property, you may be wondering whether it’s worth taking it to another level by constructing a pool house to go with it. Pool houses may appear to be an out-of-reach luxury – too costly, too space-consuming, and too much effort – however pool houses can come in many sizes, styles and shapes to suit different budgets.
In fact, you don’t need to even have a pool to build a pool house! With this in mind, it’s possible to find one that fits into your budget and that suits your style.
What Can I Use A Pool House For?
Pool houses are able to serve a range of purposes. Some are similar to sheds and can store chemicals, equipment, and pool toys. Others are far more luxurious and can serve dual function as guest accommodation. Before you begin your project you’ll need to decide how you’re going to use yours so you can determine the best size and whether or not it requires electricity or water.
Many people like to use their pool house as a changing room outdoors so guests can get changed in privacy before getting in the pool. Not only is this a convenient option, it’s also useful for preventing water from being tracked through the house.
Pool houses are also often used as sheds to keep everything to do with your pool from its cover to chemicals and toys to prevent them from taking up space in your home or garage.
If you have a high enough budget and enough space, a guest house by your pool is a great solution for accommodating visitors while also giving them greater privacy. It’s also a handy place for holding parties and barbecues, keeping your home clean and mess free.
Additions To A Pool House
If you’re building your own pool house, you might want to add some extra features to it to make it even more functional. An inbuilt bar is one option so you can serve guests drinks as they relax. A pergola is another excellent addition, as greenery can cover it and give you extra shade. Adding a bathroom onto your pool house will make it more convenient to use the toilet before getting into the pool while a shower will help keep contaminants out of the water.
How Much Will It Cost To Build A Pool House?
The cost of building a pool house can mount up depending on how large you want it to be and what kind of facilities you need it to have. Not only do you need to consider the pool house’s costs themselves, but also the equipment, materials, and labour necessary for the project.
You can expect an average pool house to cost between £2595 and £12359, with £3359 being the typical price. You’ll need to cover the cost of a planning consultant at between £130 and £200 and a builder with a day rate of between £180 and £250. If you’re planning a small bathroom for your pool house you can expect it to cost around £4500, although it could cost as much as £7500.
You’re also likely to need planning permission before you start building your pool house. Your planning consultant can help you with the application process and will also help design the pool house itself. An affordable way to get your own pool house is to opt for a ready-made structure that you can assemble when it arrives. The cheapest prefabricated models start at just £2500 with costlier options coming in at £12000.
When it comes to builder costs, you’ll need to bear in mind how long the project will take to complete. You can expect it to take around five days of labour, and it will cost around £200 each day per builder.
If you’re planning to install electricity in your pool house you’re going to need to connect it to the power grid and that means you’ll need an SWA or steel wire armoured cable which is waterproof and won’t rot. You can expect to pay around £1250 – £1500 if you’re going to add electricity services to your pool house from your existing system. If you’re going to fit connections to your existing drainage and water to your pool house, the cost will be roughly the same.
Safety must also be paramount when building a pool house. You’ll need to ensure that nobody slips while exiting the pool and entering your new pool house and to that end you’re going to require a non-slip path between the two. You can expect this to cost around £35 – £75 per square metre depending on which material you choose and how long the path needs to be.
Will It Be Cheaper To Purchase A Property That Already Has A Pool Or Build One Of My Own?
Neither buying a property that already has a pool nor constructing your own at your existing property will be a cheap option. However, if you can find a property that you like that already has one installed, it could cost less in terms of both effort and money than constructing one of your own.
Will A Pool Increase The Value Of My Home?
The answer to this question depends very much on where you live and the kind of pool you have. A pool that is outdoors in any country where the weather is unpredictable, such as the UK, may add little or no value to your property and could even be seen as a liability, particularly if prospective purchasers have younger children.
A future purchase may need to add the cost of removal or maintenance into their budget, and neither option is cheap. Nevertheless, for some buyers, it will be the perfect choice and it could add extra value to your home. These are all factors that need to be borne in mind before you consider whether it’s worth the investment.