You want Pool? DIY $$ costs in for Intex 12'x24'x52-inch UltraXTR using Amazon.

[Aaron2024]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and have some downtime constructing my pool so thought I'd add a thread about my experience and costs for ownership thus far... I'll just make it quick and dirty... and feel free to add your own financial adventures and headaches if you wish below!

Everything is purchased via Amazon Canada and Home Depot so far and I'm opting to get everything new so the price reflects that. I'm fully aware the used market is a great resource for the whole Shabam, I just decided to go with new personally. So let's get down to listing! (All prices include local tax/shipping etc...)

July 17th Prime days first purchase impuse buy! (What am I getting into... haha)

Intex 12'x24'x52-inch UltraXTR Pool

$2232.04

Intex ZX300 Auto pool Vacuum

$161.48

Intex Pool Skimmer

$55.37

Intex Deluxe Maintenance Kit

$78.39

Superior pump backwash hose

$33.59

Dekopro 1Hp Sump pump

$100.79

Taylor k-2005C water test kit

$256.65

Wayne 1.5" check valve

$57.02

Solar flamingo pool thermometer

$30.12

PVC waterproof tape x5 rolls

$31.35

 

[Bperry]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and have some downtime constructing my pool so thought I'd add a thread about my experience and costs for ownership thus far... I'll just make it quick and dirty... and feel free to add your own financial adventures and headaches if you wish below!

Everything is purchased via Amazon Canada and Home Depot so far and I'm opting to get everything new so the price reflects that. I'm fully aware the used market is a great resource for the whole Shabam, I just decided to go with new personally. So let's get down to listing! (All prices include local tax/shipping etc...)

July 17th Prime days first purchase impuse buy! (What am I getting into... haha)

Intex 12'x24'x52-inch UltraXTR Pool
View attachment 603605
$2232.04

Intex ZX300 Auto pool Vacuum
View attachment 603606
$161.48

Intex Pool Skimmer
View attachment 603609
$55.37

Intex Deluxe Maintenance Kit
View attachment 603610
$78.39

Superior pump backwash hose
View attachment 603612
$33.59

Dekopro 1Hp Sump pump
View attachment 603614
$100.79

Taylor k-2005C water test kit
View attachment 603618
$256.65

Wayne 1.5" check valve
View attachment 603620
$57.02

Solar flamingo pool thermometer
View attachment 603622
$30.12

PVC waterproof tape x5 rolls
View attachment 603623
$31.35

Amazing you can get such a large pool for that kind of money. But for the test kit, you’ll want the 2006C and not just the 2005 if it’s not too late already.

 

[ajw22]

You need to add the FAS/DPD test to your K-2005C test kit if you intend to follow TFP methods.

FAS/DPD Chlorine Test Kit

tftestkits.net

Pool Test Kits - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Aaron2024]

Intex magnetic pool light with RGB color x2


$243.03



WANTED:

XPS polystyrene foamboard 4'x8'x1-inch X9 Sheets (UNAVAILABLE FOR ME)


HAVE IN STORE:

XPS polystyrene foamboard 2'x8'x0.5-inch x18 (AVAILABLE @ $15.20/SHEET)

$306.43

Decided on pressure treated wood for leg weight supports as per intex recommendation and it's cheaper than alternatives which range significantly in price

2"x6"x8-foot (x6) copper azole pressure treated, cut to 16" lengths total 36 pieces or 2 boards per leg support.



$87

And finally Pool chemicals and Sand!


$198.53

This above is what I paid for everything and that's just the beginning. I'm sure in ways I got away cheap and in other ways I didn't need to buy every little thing I chose to get initially... there may even be more costs I'm not considering? I'll have a think about that and add to the post if I come up with more.

Also consider if you are on a metered water system what your cost for water usage will be over water delivery as that can get very pricey too especially if you need to take down your pool every season and drain the water! It all costs money so just want to give people a rough estimate of what it looks like to start out! This isn't even going full crazy I'm not building a massive oasis or much for add ons at this stage... just getting the pool on the ground and getting our swim on haha so I thought it would be handy to know for someone out there!

Totals $$$ coming after I total them lol... coffee is calling me right now I'll BRB! @Mdragger88 @Newdude @PoolStored @Texas Splash

TOTAL ALL IN COST SO FAR:
$3871.79

That's without any returns or adjustments going forwards and you could technically get away for less and still be fully ready to go. It's not terrible but... comparing costs on let's say a "permanent" above ground like a Doughboy steel or resin pool... I'd wonder if it's worth the money opting for an intex vinyl soft sided pool over something more substantial?

This should suit our needs for now but in the future I may go for something different and more permanent time will tell!

Thanks for reading guys feel free to join the conversation!

-Aaron.

 

[ajw22]

You do not need most of those chemicals.

Keep the Liquid Chlorine and Stabilizer.

Return:

• Liquid Aglaecide
• Stain Prevent
• PH+
• Shock
• pH-
• Oxy Sparkle
• Liquid Agalecide

Buy 31% Muriatic Acid to lower pH when necessary.

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

Non-Recommended Pool Chemicals

These pool chemicals should not be added to your pool. Save your money and frustration and avoid these chemicals!

www.troublefreepool.com

When you get your test kit post what your fill water pH, TA and CH is.

 

[ajw22]

That is high priced sand.

Sand Filter Use and Care - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

The sand in a pool sand filter is #20 silica sand; 0.45 - 0.55 mm. A discussion about different qualities of pool sand can be found in My findings on how not all sand is created equal. Pool sand that is too fine with small particles will be blown out from the laterals.

 

[Aaron2024]

Amazing you can get such a large pool for that kind of money. But for the test kit, you’ll want the 2006C and not just the 2005 if it’s not too late already.

I would have bought the 2006C it just happened to not be available timing wise for shipping, I think what im going to do is grab the R-0870 and R-0871 and R-003 and stuff them into the K-2005C kit I picked up (there is room for it)

 

[Aaron2024]

You need to add the FAS/DPD test to your K-2005C test kit if you intend to follow TFP methods.

FAS/DPD Chlorine Test Kit

tftestkits.net

Pool Test Kits - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks for the advice and the links I will be checking them out for sure! Also the chemicals too haha... I made a joke about that on my intro thread saying I'd post a Pic to see what I would be told to return to the store lol I knew it would be pointed out fast once I got the Pic up haha fortunately the store will take any/all chemicals back even if I open and use some surprisingly so it shouldn't be a problem to swap some out and save some money

 

[Aaron2024]

That is high priced sand.

Sand Filter Use and Care - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

The sand in a pool sand filter is #20 silica sand; 0.45 - 0.55 mm. A discussion about different qualities of pool sand can be found in My findings on how not all sand is created equal. Pool sand that is too fine with small particles will be blown out from the laterals.

The sand wasn't terrible for cost I think? I paid (checking receipt...) $30/50lb and $16/20lb bags (bought one big and one small)... when I looked around different stores it was pretty much the going rate in most places or it got stupid expensive in some.

 

[ajw22]

The sand wasn't terrible for cost I think? I paid (checking receipt...) $30/50lb and $16/20lb bags (bought one big and one small)... when I looked around different stores it was pretty much the going rate in most places or it got stupid expensive in some.

OK, I had no idea what you paid for the branded sand.

 

[Aaron2024]

OK, I had no idea what you paid for the branded sand.

Well I'm happy I can return a bunch of the chems I just picked up whatever I thought looked logical at the time but was also infuriated they don't state what anything is on ANY of the chemicals! Lots of warnings and poison control recommendations... absolutely zero information of what was in each bottle. I've never seen that before with anything chemical related... should be lawsuit worthy unless that's a normal thing with pool chemicals. Just to leave people confused in the chemical isle at the store it shouldn't be allowed.

 

[Pv2]

you will likely come to hate that floating skimmer, many of us cut holes into our new (or old) pools and add a regular above ground pool skimmer. they work much better.

 

[Aaron2024]

@Pv2 I'm 100% with you on that, and it's in my Amazon cart haha... just figured in the interm I'll use the basic skimmer the first season/water fill and run out some warranty while I get used to the routine and TFP methods... I have thought about buying it regardless because, it includes the Hayward inlet "aerator" and increases flow pressure for pool circulation over the factory piece but haven't pulled the trigger on it yet. Lots in the cart... but I need to draw the line somewhere or I'll just keep spending haha.

 

[Pv2]

if the shipping wasn't insane I'd gladly send you my old one. I fought with it for a season or two and after finally cutting the real one into the pool it was a total "why didn't I do this earlier?" new pool had it in on day 2.

 

[Aaron2024]

Haha I appreciate that! Ya it'll be $85 shipped from Amazon so not too bad, I'll probably pick it up sooner rather than later I expect haha... I take no time deciding if I'm not happy with how something works and most say the intex skimmer is nearly useless especially in the larger pools due to the severely underpowered pump systems.

I laughed when I saw my sump pump was 1HP and 3500gal/hr and the intex pool pump (SX2100) that runs my pool will be 0.3HP with a system flow rate at 1600gal/hr. They could have at least delivered in that area considering the whole pool relies on the pump and filter system especially with a rectangular pool.

 

[kimkats]

Oh this is going to be a fun thread to follow and help on! I love your spirit and style! Jump in and have fun with it!

I can't wait to see your build! Who is going to level the area?

 

[Aaron2024]

Oh this is going to be a fun thread to follow and help on! I love your spirit and style! Jump in and have fun with it!

I can't wait to see your build! Who is going to level the area?

I'd love to be able to get it up! haha. I'm just at a stand still for now because I was waiting on my test kit to arrive, I didn't have my supplies to form the base yet and apparently XPS foam is more rare to find/have than gold in Canada and priced to reflect that lol I'm trying to hold out for thicker foam but may just get what is available . I even tried a local demolition company just in case they had some decent take offs from buildings they were taking down but no dice! Then, as the summer progressed I had house stuff to do and was waiting on pressure washers to finally arrive after rescheduling themselves a few times... it's just one of those kind of years I guess haha.

As for the ground work I've done everything on my own and it's as level as level can be and stiffer than a (insert innuendo joke here) haha. Just waiting on things to come together now.

 

[isee]

The ladder those things come with is rickety and terrifying so there's another couple hundred for a safer one.
And if you want a warmer pool you'll want a solar pool cover and for a pool that big you'll want the Intex reel too so there's another couple hundred.
And if you want to actively go warmer you'll need to get a big solar heater (at least 4x20 ft) so there's another couple hundred.
And if you want the solar heater off the ground, fully supported, at an optimal angle to collect the most sun you're going need a bunch of lumber and plywood to build that so there's another couple hundred. If you don't already have the tools to do that (impact driver, decent miter saw) there's another couple hundred.
I really like having a Dolphin to really clean the pool so I got a "cheaper" model that can climb walls. I run it every 2-3 days and my water has been clear all summer. But you also have to get the fine filter for it, the filter it comes with stinks. So there's about eight hundred more.
A little landscaping around it always looks nice too so there's another couple hundred.
I'd also recommend the Intex pool canopy shade (only one hundred).

Other than this summer being considerably cooler than pretty much all summers past it's been great and I'd spend the money again even though I didn't get to use it nearly as much as I'd like. That was my summer project.

 

[Aaron2024]

@isee

That's exactly it! That's why I made this thread for people to comment on.

As a new pool guy, coming to realize the costs that add up are going to ALWAYS be over and above the initial pool cost is something a lot of new pool buyers don't consider.

Having some concrete numbers laid out as a reference for others I think should help prevent some of the sticker shock as well as prevent/encourage haha... some of the impulse buys others have done when they bought.

I think this should also translate well whether it's an in ground pool or an above ground pool even though the pricing can differ drastically between the two... people get caught up in the process and don't always pay attention to the budget because they want that end product so badly haha.

The only additional layer with in ground pools is dodgy contractors and sales people who can take advantage of deep pocketed home owners. Permits, even landscaping/excavation the "honest" stuff you can see can have variable cost people may get in over their heads with if they aren't prepared to sign off and pay for.

 

[isee]

As with anything in life do your research before you spend big money on projects or making important decisions. If you don't take the time to learn about what you are getting in to (house, car, boat, pool, etc.) then don't be surprised when stupid things happen and cost you lots of extra money. Or nothing stupid happens and there are simply extra costs for basic maintenance, upkeep, and insurance. For example, some car brands will cost you considerably more money than others in the long run. Even if a Mercedes cost the same amount as a Honda it's obvious which one you'll be spending more money on in both the short and long term. The information is all out there on the Internet and while there may be a lot of garbage information there's plenty of good information too but take your time and learn as much as you can about the subject so there are fewer surprises.

I do laugh every time I see the adverts on the pool boxes proclaiming "you'll be ready to go in less than two hours with this!" Just filling the dang thing with water takes at least 10+ hours depending on the size. And don't even get me started on how much time it takes to accurately level the ground for a 12x24 pool even with a relatively flat yard. Get a big tiller (~$400), a good laser level (~$100), plus a four wheeled dirt hauler and good shovel (~$200) and plan on being at it day after day making new charts to track how level the ground is, and your time isn't free. Even if you think the spot is already absolutely flat guess what it's absolutely not. You'll want a good hand tamper and a heavy yard roller the remainder when doing your final leveling measurements (~$200).

Two other things I would recommend are getting a liner repair kit BEFORE something bad happens (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039ZFL98 - Boxer brand, the glue is supposed to stay good for up to 10 years) and if you ever swim in the dark you really should get some lights in your pool (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GY6HHPX - more Intex stuff, they've been working out great for me so far). And there's another couple hundred.

So there's another ~$1,000 to get things started. But like I said before I'd do it all again without a second thought because I researched, planned, and budgeted accordingly