A Look at the Pool of Tomorrow – Tech, Pricing, and Design

How does technology integrate into pool safety and maintenance today?

From a pool equipment standpoint, those options are always progressing to make the pool as easy to operate as possible. Everything now is done through phone apps. They can turn on your pool equipment and any lights, heaters, or water features. There is also equipment that can monitor the chemical balance of your pool and check on what it needs. If you want to talk about pool safety, AI has actually been integrated into a pool safety camera that allows you to put a geofence perimeter around the pool, and it will act similarly to the Ring camera. It notifies you if a dog or a child is within two feet of that perimeter.

What price range should I expect to see?

There are two different customers right now. One says “I just want a pool. Give me the most affordable option.” The other says, “If I’m going to do this, I want all of it and I want the pool, outdoor kitchen and living area along with the putting green.” You can get a very basic pool for about $60,000. Things that used to be considered upgrades are more standard now, and materials cost more, so that drives the price to some degree. For a complete backyard design – including a pool with outdoor features like kitchens, covered structures, or a putting green – you can expect to spend about $150,000 and up.

How long should I wait for a good interest rate?

Financing is a big part of why people have put the brakes on their pools. Whereas an 8% interest was normal back in 2015, and it was an anomaly to be in the 2-3% range for several years, the generation buying pools now has never seen interest rates other than the very low ones. If you were to talk to Hobert, my father, he lived through the times when interest rates were 18% in the 1980s. With different financing options available to explore, we think you should buy what you want now. Interest rates will always fluctuate, and you can refinance, but the memories and family entertainment will be forever.

What pool design elements can I choose from? Can I make sure the pool mirrors my home’s architectural style?

Absolutely. Whether you have a traditional or a modern home, we can design a pool in harmony with your home. Just to talk about some of the current trends, those lean toward simple, elegant, and modern styles. For example, the days of installing freeform big rock grotto structures are somewhat gone. Now we notice that a lot of clients look for an elegant, straight-line, minimal look. Material trends include travertine, marble, and porcelain paver decks along with glass tile and colored pebble plaster. The possibilities are endless, and we can design something spectacular for any budget.