I got a pool quote in 2020, but decided to put it off for a bit to save the money to pay for it (I didn't want to finance it). Of course, now that I've saved up the cash the price has increased by 25%. My question for those in the know, do you think the price will keep climbing over the next year. The builder who gave me my recent quote only guaranteed that price for 15 days, so I'm assuming the costs are still rising, but I'm wondering if you see that trend continuing in the long run.
Thoughts on price increases???
- Thread starter scout123
- Start date
- May 23, 2015
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- Chlorine
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- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Until general inflation in the economy runs its course, prices on goods and services will continue to rise. This is an issue that’s not specific to the pool building market - materials, labor and fuels are ever increasing in cost. Global shipping of commodities and finished products gets more and more expensive each month. Until those factors change, prices will continue to rise.
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It's a gamble either way. But prices won't come down by their own accord. People keep paying it and it's the new normal. We need a massive recession where business dries up completely and they are forced to compete on price.
A real estate bubble pop would do it but even if that was to happen, it would take time (a year?) to adjust.
What I can tell you is that years later you won't remember the payments, but you will remember the memories with the kids being little. I argued against taking a loan last time and my wife argued right back that saving for 5-7 years stole valuable time we would never get back. I relented and was grateful I did many many times.
A real estate bubble pop would do it but even if that was to happen, it would take time (a year?) to adjust.
What I can tell you is that years later you won't remember the payments, but you will remember the memories with the kids being little. I argued against taking a loan last time and my wife argued right back that saving for 5-7 years stole valuable time we would never get back. I relented and was grateful I did many many times.
*then again, if I found an above ground pool for $74, I'd probably get that and save for a few years.
Matt F 1
Well-known member
- Feb 1, 2020
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Go get it, It's not going down. We waited 7 months for our install, The PB stated they were out to 2022 for installs (That was 18 months). He is in demand I can only imagine how much he's charging now. 
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I agree with what was said. I've been wanting to do a pool for years and wish I would have a couple years ago. My thought was if we were ever going to do it, we need to just do it - the kids are growing up fast! My feeling is that costs will keep going up. Maybe not as much as the last couple years, but even in the couple months since I got some of my equipment prices have gone up.
Toxophilite
Silver Supporter
That's actually a point of theory in Finance when estimating the Real interest rate, Real being very different from all the other defined interest rates but built into them, though near impossible to accuratly calculate. You only have a finite number of years on this earth, and consuming now instead of later has a value, a value that is fair to the one that loaned the money, the one who took the future value over the present value you received. Some folks are very debt averse and totally miss that by not consuming now for something they really want and need, it still has a cost to finance that choice.
- Jun 26, 2017
- 234
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- 14750
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- Chlorine
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- CircuPool Edge-40
I watched some friends wait 5-9 years later and the kids were almost grown. It cemented my thoughts that it was worth whatever interest we paid, many many times over. Everyone's milage vary and whatnot.
Just beware that “want” and “need” are very different things. 
Historically theres usually (some day always) a crash after a big bubble and when things crash, jobs are lost, loans are not able to be paid back, homes foreclosed, and all the rest. I won’t ever finance anything other than my main home again. I spent too much time paying interest on stuff I bought years ago (and forgot about) and no longer used.
Historically theres usually (some day always) a crash after a big bubble and when things crash, jobs are lost, loans are not able to be paid back, homes foreclosed, and all the rest. I won’t ever finance anything other than my main home again. I spent too much time paying interest on stuff I bought years ago (and forgot about) and no longer used.
- May 23, 2015
- 24,649
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Debt is a very personal question - everyone has their own tolerances and viewpoints. A pool build is not quite like buying a VCR (see how old I am ...) on a credit card. A pool has value outside of the tangible aspects of this world. One person might value the joy that comes from seeing their kids splash around in a pool while another person might be ok with skipping out on that and finding a different way to enjoy family time. You really can't put that in interest rate calculation.
I always say that your appetite for debt should only be as big as your disposable income can handle. If you figure out the price and the interest costs and the payments are going to seriously hamper your ability to do important things (like help your kids pay for college, retirement, etc.) OR if those monthly payments are just going to make you angry every time the bill comes due, then debt may not be the best way to finance a pool. It's very much a personal choice.
I always say that your appetite for debt should only be as big as your disposable income can handle. If you figure out the price and the interest costs and the payments are going to seriously hamper your ability to do important things (like help your kids pay for college, retirement, etc.) OR if those monthly payments are just going to make you angry every time the bill comes due, then debt may not be the best way to finance a pool. It's very much a personal choice.
Toxophilite
Silver Supporter
Ancillary to debt, I could drop $60k on a vehicle I want or $10K on one that will work. I just financed my wants to the tune of $50K. It's all relevant to the situation at hand. There's no equation out there to calculate it, either.
And a calculated risk. Both my and my wife's job were volatile when we did it. There was some serious long term concern and that would also apply to anyone.
kul
Bronze Supporter
- Oct 1, 2021
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- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
It’s a balance between what you want and what you need. I think that sometimes people wait too long and then feel they missed out on moments they could have enjoyed. I am the “waiter” in my family and my husband is the “let’s do it.” I would have stayed where we lived for 10-15 more years waiting on the “right time” the “right price” the “right blah blah”. But when I eventually (begrudgingly) came around we ended up with a house with a pool that I complained about for a year, but then fell in love. Every time I see my family relaxing or playing in the pool it brings me unlimited joy. All this to say, sometimes, if most things are lining up ok, the time is now. I have no regrets.
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Wolfepack88
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- Jun 21, 2020
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We are looking at a potential decade of above average inflation. Prices will not be coming down!
sacredcow
Silver Supporter
- May 8, 2018
- 329
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- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Truth. My home needs a new roof. I knew it was old when I bought it but it was in decent shape for the age, not a single leak, and unlikely to leak given the steep pitch and almost no valleys or other common leakage points. Cut to a few years later and our home insurance dropping us solely because of roof age and having VERY limited options of other carriers due to roof age. If we were just talking cosmetic, I'd be kicking that can further down the road for sure. But since hurricanes are real, and it's affecting my insurance options? Will be going through with it.Just beware that “want” and “need” are very different things.
Oh, and roof quotes right now? Good for 7 days max. Last roofer told me "prices are going up $750 a week right now. No pressure to make a quick decision, though." Oh, really? Looks a lot different on my end! LOL
- Jul 18, 2019
- 561
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- 33780
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- Vinyl
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- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Yikes! I'm in almost the exact same situation with roof and insurance. However, I found a carrier and can push the roof replacement down the road for more lean times in the economy.
My $0.02: I echo everyone's sentiments for the OP both for blowing the budget and getting it now as well as saving/waiting. Everyone has valid points both ways. I just want to point out some things from personal experience on my end. I'll be paying some interest due to financing a portion of my pool being built this year. Also, waiting for the right time to build the pool is a little like trying to time the stock market. If we all could predict we'd have the money and be able to build a pool when the market was softest, everyone would have a pool and the builds would be super fast and efficient. Just like timing the stock market, if it could be done consistently, we'd all be rich. Plus, if your broker/advisor knew how to time the market, they wouldn't need your money to invest, they'd have made more than enough to just invest themselves.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 48,606
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- Chlorine
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- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
- Jul 18, 2019
- 561
- Pool Size
- 33780
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Yes, let us all remember virtually everything on here is a first world problem. My thoughts and prayers are with those in Ukraine and all those less fortunate every day.We are in challenging times.
sacredcow
Silver Supporter
- May 8, 2018
- 329
- Pool Size
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- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
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- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I did find another carrier, but lesser coverage, fewer options, and about $1K more per year. And my agent indicated that I'd likely be switching AGAIN next year when the new carrier decided they didn't want to cover my 25 year old roof, either (estimate- not sure of exact age).
You're exactly right, though- it's very much a YMMV situation. I was fortunate enough to get this home before the market went crazy. so even with all the renovation dollars I put into it since 2018, I'm still in a good space.