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Shindig

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#323987 12-Feb-2026 09:54
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We are fortunate enough to have an area within our garden that could accommodate a pool. The space isn't used for anything currently and looks like a meadow. 

 

The idea of a pool came up in conversation and having discussions with various people, the proposed area with some earthworks could be good use of the space. 

 

I have never owned a pool before, never ever did I think I could have my own.  

 

Reaching out to people with swimming pools, are they actually worth the expense or are they complete hassle?

 

Anyone sold a house with a pool present and had negative feedback that a pool was present, or that it made the house more attractive?

 

Thank you.





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s.joseph
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  #3460896 12-Feb-2026 10:05
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I love my pool, I spend more time cleaning it than swimming in it but I'd still get another one.

 

Having a good robot pool cleaner (We've got a dolphin) and also a good salt chlorinator that can manage the pool chemistry makes a massive difference from how much time you spend looking after it.

 

Just be prepared for some epic power bills, its a big driver for us getting solar installed this month.

 

 




camo786
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  #3460904 12-Feb-2026 10:21
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Pools are great family fun and aesthetically pleasing if you do some nice landscaping

 

Compass Self Cleaning pools are amazing

 

https://www.compasspools.co.nz/Secret+Weapon.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22783108742&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7rDMBhCjARIsAGDBuEBhfEAWaoeV8v8JHSpgVMRLgMEoYv_eP6wOPAC7KqpvyADQi6OqKpEaAoemEALw_wcB

 

Heads up, the landscaping may cost as much or more than the pool


xpd

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  #3460908 12-Feb-2026 10:23
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Depends....  if you're a keen swimmer, then yes. Have little kids, yes. 

 

Our last place had an inground vinyl pool, as the kids got older we used it less, but still needed maintenance regardless - power, chemicals = $$$ (We only saw a small increase in power during summer months)

 

Friend had a new build and after a while his wife wanted a pool. So got one installed, really nice setup. His wife has been in it once according to their kids in the 2 years they've had it. 

 

So think hard on how much it'll get used realistically.....

 

Our current house we don't have space for a pool, but looking to get a spa pool instead. 

 

 





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SnoopyDo
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  #3460923 12-Feb-2026 10:42
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We bought our home with an older para pool, we were going to pull it out until the costs of doing so became silly.  Kids and their friends have loved it over the years as have the wife and I.  But yea spend way more time now maintaining rather than actually swimming.  Kids have just about left home, so usage vs maintenance is getting hard to justify, but it is a relaxing timeout.  Don't notice the power, our bill is constant year round.  We run the filter on a timer, 30minutes/day over winter and 4hours/day over summer and manually when putting chemicals in and cleaning.  Our pool isn't heated so our season is pretty short and weather dependent, if I could turn the clock back, my only wish would have been to put a heatpump in to heat it.


s.joseph
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  #3460935 12-Feb-2026 10:48
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Yes, sorry our power is high as we have a heat pump on the pool blasting all the time :) 


alasta
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  #3460945 12-Feb-2026 11:04
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xpd:

 

Depends....  if you're a keen swimmer, then yes.

 

If you're a keen swimmer then you wouldn't swim in anything shorter than 25 metres. Personally I favour 50 metres when I'm using public swimming pools.

 

Private swimming pools are fine for kids splashing around, but typically too small for serious swim training. 


 
 
 
 

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cddt
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  #3460946 12-Feb-2026 11:05
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I think it depends entirely on how much you like swimming...

 

 


eracode
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  #3460969 12-Feb-2026 12:03
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I think that it also depends on where you live. Far North - or Southland?

 

We put in a pool in Auckland 40+ years ago. For me it was a total PITA. It didn’t get used a great deal but needed attention and cleaning 12 months of the year. 

When buying subsequent homes, we would never consider buying any place that had a pool.

 

Nice idea in prospect - bad experience in practice.





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dimsim
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  #3460972 12-Feb-2026 12:15
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If you live in a hot area and have kids - then yeah definitely worth the investment and id hope my has added some value to the house :)

 

Cleaning isn't too much of a chore (i actually find vacuuming reasonably calm and therapeutic) but it is a regualr thing, otherwise get a robot. A saltwater chlorinator is the way to go to keep things clean and clear with at least bi-monthly sample testing for ph/salt etc.


cddt
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  #3461006 12-Feb-2026 14:39
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Have you considered a vege garden? Or flowers? 


ascroft
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  #3461008 12-Feb-2026 14:48
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Maybe go with a spa pool as a good option instead.

 

 

 

M.





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wellygary
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  #3461011 12-Feb-2026 14:54
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alasta:

 

xpd:

 

Depends....  if you're a keen swimmer, then yes.

 

If you're a keen swimmer then you wouldn't swim in anything shorter than 25 metres. Personally I favour 50 metres when I'm using public swimming pools.

 

Private swimming pools are fine for kids splashing around, but typically too small for serious swim training. 

 

 

Perhaps a swim spa then?


Handsomedan
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  #3461015 12-Feb-2026 15:03
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Friends of ours made a compromise and got one of these installed. 

 

They use it regularly as both a spa pool and with the jets as a swim pool. 
Mostly though - they sit in the spa while their now-adult kids splash about in the pool end. 





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Handsomedan
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  #3461016 12-Feb-2026 15:22
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We also have some friends that spent $100k+ on a large pool, spa, decking and landscaping and they rarely use the pool at all. They do use the spa, though. 

 

The pool mostly gets used by friends and guests who come to visit or stay. 
It's a lot of work to keep clean, properly pH balanced and heated. 

 

It's one of those things they always wanted and never really thought through in terms of maintenance, usage and ROI. 





Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

 

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale 

 

 

 

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johno1234
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  #3461020 12-Feb-2026 15:35
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My sister lives 5 min away and has a very fancy pool and spa area. We use it more than they do!

 

 


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