Why People Regret Installing In-Ground Pools

Insurance Costs and Safety

• The insurance costs for having an in-ground pool cost more than having standard homeowners insurance. Generally, a homeowner has $100,000 in liability insurance, but when you have a built-in swimming pool, you will need at least $300,000 in liability insurance, which can cost up to $300 or more per year. The higher cost is due to the usually underestimated risks of owning a swimming pool, which is far greater than that of keeping a gun in the house in terms of accidental child death, as economist Steven D. Levitt and journalist Stephen J. Dubner point out in their book "Freakonomics: The Hidden Side of Everything." Parents who imagine spending carefree summer days with an in-ground swimming are often surprised to discover how much stress comes along with this new high-risk item.

Lack of Space

• In-ground swimming pools take up a lot of space in the yard. Even the smallest pool needs room for the pool, pool deck and a fence surrounding the pool area. Many people install in-ground pools in their backyards only to realize later that they have less room for gardening, play room for the kids or room for the family pets.

Pool Upkeep

• In-ground swimming pools need weekly upkeep. You must clean the pool so it is free of debris and check the chemical levels weekly or sometimes more than once a week if you are having issues with clean water. People don't realize that a nice, cooling pool requires hard work to keep it clean and healthy for swimming.

  In fall, the pool must be winterized and in the spring, you must open up the pool and add chemicals to clear and clean the water. The cost of the chemicals isn't cheap and your water bill will increase because you must maintain the correct water level at all times.

Lack of Use

• The idea of an in-ground swimming pool is exciting. After the pool is installed, it may get used regularly, but after time, you may not have as much time as you would like to use the pool. If you decide to get rid of the pool, you will have wasted the money on the installation and will need to pay to have it removed, which can be costly.