With nearly every house in Florida boasting a pool, the desire to dive into the trend is completely understandable. If you’re contemplating the installation of a pool in your home and wondering what that means in terms of maintenance costs, this guide has you covered.
So let’s move forward and find out how much it takes to keep a Florida pool in top-notch condition.
How Much Does Pool Maintenance Cost In Florida?
The cost of pool maintenance can vary widely from one pool setup to the next. For instance, the maintenance of a saltwater pool is generally cheaper than a chlorine pool.
However, if we talk about the average cost of basic pool maintenance in the US, it is around $200 per month. Speaking of Florida in particular, pool maintenance can cost you between $150 to $200 each month, with each visit costing around 30 to 50 bucks. But again, the expense might swing depending on the pool company you choose and the type of pool set-up you have.
If you want to skip the guesswork, just reach out @xyz and get a precise quote on maintenance services for your pool.
Factors Affecting Pool Maintenance Cost Florida
As you plan to install a pool or hire a pool maintenance company in Florida, it is important to understand the factors that influence the expenses.
Type Of Pool
Saltwater pools tend to be cheaper in terms of maintenance. They rely on a chlorination system that churns out natural chlorine and consequently, require a decreased use of chemicals compared to chlorine pools, costing 400 to 500 bucks at most for complete pool maintenance annually.
The upkeep of a chlorine pool, on the other hand, can cost much more as it requires a regular addition of chlorine tablets each week in addition to monthly shock treatments. The cost of chlorine alone can add up to $400 to $600 of expense per annum. Besides that, a chlorine pool also requires a bunch of chemicals every now and then to maintain water chemistry, which further adds to the overall maintenance cost.
All of this makes saltwater pools a relatively budget-friendly option in the long run in contrast to chlorine pools, when it comes to maintenance.
Pool Size
Having a larger pool can seriously bump up your monthly expense of maintenance and pool services.
A large quantity of water in the pool translates to more chemical and extra labor requirements to keep the chemical balance on point. Larger pools also entail higher energy costs due to the extensive use of power intensive heating and filtration systems.
On the contrary, a smaller pool requires fewer chemicals, lesser effort, and entry level equipment for maintenance. So if you’re looking to have a bigger pool installed, keep in mind that the maintenance costs will be relatively higher.
Material Of The Pool
There are three most common types of pool materials i.e. gunite, vinyl, and fiberglass, each with its own set of quirks. However, in terms of maintenance, fiberglass pools stand out as the most budget-friendly option among the three.
Fiberglass
Due to its smooth surface and weather resistance ability, a fiberglass pool surface is easier to clean and promotes a more stable pH level in the pool while also reducing the occurrences of algae infestation in the pool. While a good quality and well maintained fiberglass pool can last you up to 30 years, you’ll always have to reach out to professional pool companies for repairs and maintenance.
Vinyl
As for vinyl pools, they provide impressive UV protection, but their surface is prone to staining and is fragile against sharp objects or heavy storms. This leaves you at the risk of expensive repairs and rigorous maintenance practices to maintain optimal water chemistry. While vinyl pools usually hang in there for a decent 10 years, the replacement cost can put a dent in your pocket, often hitting around $5000 – $6000.
Gunite Or Concrete
Lastly, gunite or concrete pools are generally considered highly durable. However, it’s important to consider their risk of developing cracks, hollow spots, or bubbles, which ultimately add to yearly maintenance costs and have the potential to become expensive in the long run rather easily.
Repairing cracks or filling hollow spots in a gunite pool can cost up to $65 per linear foot or even more. Resurfacing, which becomes a requirement for concrete pools after every 10 years or so, also costs within a range of a whopping $10,000 to $20,000 in Florida.
| Pool Material | Key Aspects | Lifespan |
| Fiberglass | Easy To Clean, Stable pH Levels, Less Chemical Imbalances, No DIY Repairs | Up to 30 Years |
| Vinyl | Prone To Stains, Fragile, Budget-Friendly Installation | 8 to 10 Years |
| Concrete/Gunite | Durable, Customizable, Can Develop Cracks Or Hollow Spots Upon Exposure To External Elements Over Time | Lifetime, But Need Resurfacing After 10 to 15 Years |
Location Of The Pool
The location of your pool can make a considerable difference in its maintenance cost. The hot and humid summers of Florida can increase the cost of pool maintenance. In addition to the increase in water evaporation and the subsequent surge in water bills due to frequent refills, high temperatures also promote algae growth. This means the long summers in Florida necessitate an increased use of chemicals to combat bacteria and algae infestations in the pool. That is to say, if you shock your pool once a month with a $20 treatment in the winter, think of double or even more frequent and consequently more costly shock treaments in the summer.
Similarly, Florida gets a huge share of rain for most part of the year, which adds a lot of free water to the pool. However, it can disturb the pool water chemistry. The torrential downpours require frequent addtion of chemicals as well as more thorough cleaning and filtration, thus increasing the overall maintenance cost.
Apart from the geographical location, the placement of the pool and how exposed it is to elements like direct sunlight, wind, and trees can also influence the maintenance cost. If your pool is placed near a sandy area or somewhere around a lot of trees, it will influence the rate of water evaporation, increase debris accumulation, and consequently increase the need for regular inspection and cleaning, hence amplifying the overall maintenance cost.
DIY vs. Professional Pool Maintenance
Going the DIY route can help you avoid the professional service fee, but keep in mind that you’ll have to invest in equipment, testing kits, and various chemicals. For starters, you’ll be spending around $20-$25 for a test kit and $60 to $80 for chemicals only.
The initial cost in the DIY route can seem hefty, but is more of a long term investment and can help you save up to 400 bucks annually, costing $1800-$2000 every year. These savings, however, come at a cost as DIY maintenance can be quite a hassle and seem like a grueling job at the end of your already busy day.
DIY maintenance can be cost-effective in its true sense for pools with salt water chlorinators though. Maintaining a SWG pool is significantly cheaper and doesn’t require regular professional services. All you need with this type of pool are some bags of salt and a gallon or two of acid every two months for an average sized pool, with the overall cost of maintenance amounting to a total of 400 to 500 bucks annually.
On the contrary, professional services cost more than DIY pool cleaning and maintenance, amounting to an annual total of up to $2400 for basic services. The monthly fee ranging from $150 to $200 gets you weekly visits from the pool company and encompasses labor costs, chemical charges, water testing, filter replacements and cleaning services. However, the annual bill of $2400 doesn’t cover repair costs and any necessary repairs are quoted separately based on specific requirements.
Spending money on professional services can get you a lot of convenience in return alongside the peace of having your pool handled by experts. To get a pricing estimate for professional pool services, you can connect with pool pros @xyz and get a quote tailored to your pool set-up.
Additional Expenses
Repairs
As touched upon earlier, repairs can be quite expensive and therefore, must be factored in your yearly maintenance budget. This allows you to save up gradually and be prepared to face a substantial amount in times of urgent need.
For instance, if you have a concrete pool, it’ll eventually need resurfacing after 10-15 years, typically costing around $10,000. That means you’re roughly looking at an additional maintenance expense of $600 to $1000 per year to budget for the eventual resurfacing. The yearly budgeting principle holds true for other types of pool as well since they may require repairs here and there, incurring additional costs.
Other than that, pool equipment can also require replacements over time, which further emphasizes the importance of setting aside funds annually to cover potential repair expenses.
Pool Cage Maintenance
Being a pool owner in Florida comes with the requirement of installing a pool enclosure. This means you’ll have to add the maintenance and repair costs of the cage to the equation as well.
Given the weather in Florida, which includes storms and heavy winds, it is not uncommon for pool cages to sustain damages or even get completely wrecked at times and require expensive repairs, as a result.
So pool cage maintenance is a critical factor that particularly contributes to higher maintenance costs for pool owners in Florida.
Insurance
Having a pool can pose a big risk for homeowners. This heightened risk translates to an increased insurance cost of your home, especially in Florida, which ranks #1 in pool drownings.
The cost of insurance can vary depending on your pool setup. However, it is typically higher for setups where little to no safety measures are present to improve child safety and prevent accidents related to drowning. Similarly, the presence of diving boards or slides in a pool drives up insurance rates as it increases the risk of accidents and injuries.
But while insurance costs can impact your annual maintenance budgets, they’re relatively more affordable in Florida compared to other states like Michigan, where finding a home with a pool is a rare sight, potentially leading to higher insurance rates.
In Conclusion
As we wrap up our guide, it is important to understand that each pool setup has its own requirements in terms of maintenance and hence, entails different maintenance costs. While an estimated expense of $150 to $200 per month is expected, you can reach out to ABC for a more precise estimate tailored to your specific pool in Florida.