Adding a swimming pool to your home can be a great investment for fun, relaxation, or health. Whether you choose a large pool for family and friends or a small, resistance-jet pool for exercise, installing a pool is worthwhile. But maybe you do not have space to do so outside, or you want your pool in a mild climate. So, how do you put a swimming pool in your basement?
Continue reading to learn how to put a swimming pool in your basement. Along with learning the process of installation, it is equally exciting to pick out cosmetic and practical accessories. If you choose to spend your valuable time and money to install a pool in your basement, you are going to want to make sure the job is done correctly and that you are satisfied with the look.
Can You Have A Swimming Pool In A Basement?
It is no secret that most pools you know of tend to be outdoor pools. While many people choose to install their pools outside for the summer months, an outdoor pool can only be so functional year-round. However, you might be wondering if having a swimming pool in your basement is even possible.
You can have a swimming pool in your basement. That said, one downside to an indoor swimming pool is that the installation process might involve a few more steps. Nonetheless, it is a completely achievable and enjoyable venture.
As long as you follow the steps about how to put a swimming pool in your basement, you should not experience any major differences from the process of installing a pool in your backyard. The key is to make sure you read up on all the information you need to know, which is provided for you below.
Are Basement Pools Expensive?
There is a large debate regarding the cost differences between an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. The average price of an outdoor pool, including installation, is around $35,000. It is not uncommon for them to go over this price, but keep in mind, this is just an average. For some indoor pools, even a standard price could potentially reach over $100,000. However, that is not considering the fact that you want your pool in your basement.
The reason indoor pool prices are more is that people factor in the cost to enclose the space of the pool. Oftentimes, someone might choose to install a pool in their backyard and then build an extension of their house around it. Obviously, adding an entire room to your house will come with a hefty price tag.
If you put a swimming pool in your basement, you already have the shelter covered. Obviously, your basement is an enclosed space itself, so you will not have to worry about any additional structure costs in that regard.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Basement Swimming Pool?
Although the price of $35,000 mentioned above is the average cost for an outdoor pool, it is a good idea to factor in additional costs of furniture, lighting, and other pool accessories. So, it is safe to assume an outdoor pool plus its additions will probably range between $40,000 to $60,000.
Luckily, the price to put a swimming pool in your basement is typically about the same as installing an outdoor pool. You should be prepared to spend at least $35,000 to $40,000 on a decently sized basement pool with additional accessories.
If you choose to deck out your basement with furniture and other things, the price can rise substantially higher.
One main factor that might affect the cost of installing an indoor swimming pool in your basement is if the contractors have to raise the ceiling. Typically, a standard basement should have enough wiggle room to meet the requirements of an indoor pool. However, this is not always the case. If your basement ceiling is not tall enough, you might as well tack on another ten or twenty thousand dollars to the cost.
How To Put A Swimming Pool In Your Basement
Without further ado, you can now learn how to put a swimming pool in your basement. Keep in mind that unless you have an immense amount of experience, it is important to hire a reliable contractor to get the job done for you. Either way, the steps below clearly lay out the process you should follow to see the best results for your basement swimming pool.
Plan Basement Swimming Pool Dimensions
Before you do anything, it is essential that you take measurements of your basement. Get an idea of what size pool you can have with how much floor space your basement contains. You also need to measure the ceilings to know whether or not you will need to have them raised.
Ceilings that meet indoor pool standards are required for functionality and comfort.
Having the dimensions of your basement will allow you and your contractor to decide how big your pool can be, what shape it will take, and how much room the contractor has to dig below ground. Knowing these specifications is of the utmost importance for both you and the professionals installing your basement pool.
Find A Reliable Contractor For Your Basement Pool
Next, you have to get in touch with a contractor that has experience with installing pools. One of the easiest ways to go about this is by contacting friends you may have in your area that have pools installed at their homes. If they have something good to say about their contractor, that is as good a place as any to start.
If you do not know anyone personally who has a pool in your area, a great way to find a contractor that works best for you is:
- Going online
- Making calls to different companies
- Setting up consultations with them
A swimming pool is a huge investment, so you must make sure you can trust the contractor you hire.
Choose Your Basement Pool’s Design
Once you have successfully found a contractor that you trust, the next step is to figure out what kind of pool you want. An easy way to do this could be by looking at your contractor’s website and seeing their previous work.
Getting a good idea of their capabilities can help you decide what they can do for you, as well as possibly give you a few new ideas about how you want your pool to look.
You should consider several factors:
- Size
- Shape
- Material
- Accessories
You are encouraged to find out what you want your pool to look like before it gets installed. In fact, it’s critical.
While getting the go-ahead from your contractor on size and shape is partly up to them, you can choose whether you want your pool lined with tile, other concrete, vinyl, fiberglass, or anything else that is available on the market.
You also need to decide what accessories you want in or around your pool area.
Have The Basement Pool Installed
After you know the specifics of the type of pool you want, all you have to do is get in touch with your contractor and make it happen. Keep in mind, however, that installing a pool is not a quick process. Installation of the pool itself can take two or three weeks, while cosmetic work and other construction can raise the time estimate by multiple weeks or even months.
This is especially true if the contractors have to do something like raising your ceiling. At that point, the process can be extended for far longer. Just know that it takes time to get you your dream pool in your basement. The following process of installation is just like putting a pool in your backyard. The floor will have to be dug into to meet the desired depth of the pool, and the pool shell will have to be placed in the hole, etc.
Most of the time, the materials to install the pool will be able to fit through the door from inside your home or through any doors in your basement that lead outside. In rare cases, it might take longer for changes need to be made to get the materials inside, but typically, this is not something you will have to worry about. The best way to let the installation process run smoothly is by letting the contractor do their thing and trusting that they will get the job done correctly.
Decide Which Basement Pool Accessories You Want
Once the actual installation and clean-up process has begun, your contractor will fill the pool and make sure it is running correctly.
However, before this happens, you may want to add a bit of your own flair to your basement. It is extremely common for people to accessorize their pool area to make it more appealing to the eye and a better place to hang out.
Lighting for Dramatic or Casual Effect
Obviously, you are going to need lights in the pool area. Since most of your basement is likely closed off from natural light, you need to choose places to connect wires. Whether this is going to be basic ceiling lights or fancy hanging lights and wall lamps to spice up the area, some type of lighting is necessary.
Additionally, if you have chosen to add an area with furniture or even a minibar, you will need to choose to light those areas as well. Lighting can be an excellent way to add to the overall ambiance of your basement swimming pool.
Water Features Create Some Flair
Adding water features to your pool is one of the most exciting ways to liven up your basement. You can have a waterfall installed for visual and aural aesthetics, making your basement pool a place to calm down and be by yourself. You might choose jets to be put in a shallow area of your pool to increase relaxation as you lounge. In any case, features that add to the pool itself make your project reflect your personal design characteristics.
Other cool ways you can deck out your pool are with:
- Showerheads to cool off while sitting in a heated pool
- Restraint jets to push back on you for exercise
- Built-in benches for seating in shallow areas
It can be extremely fun to gain insight from the abilities and experiences of your contractor.
Furniture for Lounging and Entertaining
If your basement is large enough, you might choose to do a bit more interior design. Though, this piece can be all you. Besides having to pay for the furniture itself, you do not have to worry about paying contractors to install couches for you; unless, of course, you want to. A great way to continuously enjoy the atmosphere of your pool even while you are not swimming in it can be accomplished by adding items away from your pool, such as:
- Chairs
- Tables
- Couches
- Carpets
Other features which can come in handy for friends and family when they come over might include a:
- Minibar
- Television
- Novelty card games
- And the like
If you choose the right accessories for your basement swimming pool, you can make your home the hub of entertainment.
Lifestyle Features Can Add That Perfect Ambiance
A perhaps less common but nonetheless important way to add to your basement swimming pool is by having lifestyle features installed. If you have the means and the space, you might choose to also put a gym in your basement. This can be great for dipping into the pool after a tough workout. You could also install a sauna or steam room to relax in before jumping into your pool.
Other recommendations include furniture space for the suggestions made above.
Is A Basement Pool Worth It?
If you are looking to have a pool installed, choosing to do so in your basement can absolutely be worth it. Basements can provide a great space for a pool, especially if you do not use your basement otherwise. Plus, indoor pools are much easier to maintain since they are in a controlled environment. You do not have to worry about covering them in the winter or having leaves, pollen, and other obstructions getting in them during use.
Takeaway
The installation process and price of having a swimming pool put in your basement are just as simple as having it installed outdoors. The main difference is that you have more freedom to choose how you want to accessorize your indoor pool while also not having to worry about as much upkeep.
If you want to put a swimming pool in your basement, it will be a truly exciting journey with an even better outcome.