From Plain to Beautiful at Low Cost

After you have finished installing one of the DIY fibreglass pools you have had your eye on for years, you step back and notice something. Though it looks nice, it is rather plain and unadorned. You might have plans to decorate around the pool or haven’t decided yet what to do, you don’t have to leave it plain while you are preparing for more permanent décor and landscaping. You never know, some of the temporary decorative items could become part of the permanent décor.

Planters with real or artificial plants and flowers are an easy, inexpensive way to a colorful, decorative touch poolside. Live plants and flowers can be more costly and higher maintenance than artificial ones but you can replant the live plants later when you have a place ready for them. If you prefer not worrying about plants that need to be watered and fertilised, artificial plants are a good option. Some look so real that you have to touch them to be sure.

To give some dimension to your poolside décor, arrange the planters so they are on a variety of levels. Some can be set on the ground while others are set on blocks, tables or hanging on planter poles. If you have lounge chairs, you can arrange them so there is a small table with a planter set between them and a planter on the ground on other side of each of the chairs.

Using planters may not be what you want long term but it is a way to add a bit of decoration around your pool now while you are making plans for something more permanent. In the meantime, you can take a look at how others have decorated around their inground pools.

What costs might be involved in installing a fiberglass swimming pool.

One of the first things you will need to know before installing a fibreglass swimming pool is its installation cost. Fibreglass pools are cheaper to install than concrete pools but more expensive than vinyl pools. The problem however is that it’s not possible to dictate its exact costs as it depends on various factors however here is an average cost for installing a fibreglass swimming pool.

Shell cost

Some people just buy the shell as they buy each part individually plan and do their own installation. A small fibreglass pool shell costs about $10,000 to $19,000 while a medium one costs about $13,000 to $20,000 while a large fibreglass shell costs about $15,000 to $27,000. This is only the shell’s rate, and doesn’t include shipping, filter system costs, etc.

Installation

The basic installation of a swimming pool includes the shell, shipping, pump/filter system, excavation, backfill and pool water costs which ranges between $25,000 to $45,000. This of course, depends on various factors too like the size of the filter, the size of the excavation and backfill, and the pool costs.

The additional concreting of a 400-800 square feet patio around the swimming pool will make the installation cost about $25,000 to $50,000. If you want to consider the additional fencing and electrical costs, then the entire swimming pool installation will cost between $35,000 to $75,000.

Additional accessories

You will naturally have to pay more for other accessories.

• Automatic pool covers usually cost between $5,000 to $13,000
• Pool security covers usually cost between $13,000 to $30,000
• Salt chlorine generator systems cost about $1000 to $2,500
• Heat pumps generally cost between $3,500 to $6,000, with additional electrical hook up costs.
• If you want to tile the pool’s perimeter, it costs between $1,500 to $3,000.
• Retaining walls for the pool are very expensive, and though it’s cost depends on its size, on an average, it costs between $5,000 to $15,000.
• While pool lights cost between $700 to $1000, pool water costs vary a lot.

All this should give you a rough idea of the costs for fibreglass pool installation. You will also have to be ready to pay more if you have to remove trees and bushes to prepare the site or pay city permits fees.