True Cost of owning a luxury pool

Feb 6

When most people think about pool costs, they think about the build price. And while that’s certainly the biggest number, it’s not the only one. A pool is a long-term investment in your home and your lifestyle — and like any investment, it’s worth understanding the full picture before you dive in.

The goal of this article isn’t to talk you out of a pool. Quite the opposite. We want to give you an honest, complete breakdown of what pool ownership actually costs — so there are no surprises, and so you can see clearly why, for most homeowners, a custom luxury pool is one of the best decisions they’ve ever made.

The Build Cost: What to Expect Upfront

Custom concrete pools vary significantly in price depending on size, design complexity, finishes, and additional features. In South Carolina and the broader Carolinas region, here’s a general range:

Entry-level custom concrete pool: $65,000 – $85,000
Mid-range luxury pool with features: $85,000 – $150,000
High-end resort-style pool: $150,000 – $300,000+

These ranges include the pool shell, plumbing, electrical, basic equipment, decking, and interior finish. Add-ons like spas, water features, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, and smart automation will increase the total. A good builder will walk you through every line item so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Annual Ongoing Costs: The Real Numbers

This is the section most builders skip — but we believe informed homeowners make the best clients. Here’s what you can realistically expect to spend each year to keep your pool clean, safe, and running beautifully.

Chemical & Water Maintenance: $600 – $1,200/year

Keeping water chemistry balanced is the most consistent ongoing cost. If you manage it yourself, you’re looking at roughly $50–$100/month in chemicals. If you hire a weekly pool service, budget $150–$300/month depending on your pool size and service level.

Electricity: $600 – $1,500/year

Your pool pump is the biggest electricity draw. Variable-speed pumps — now standard on most quality builds — use significantly less energy than older single-speed models and can cut your pool’s electricity cost by 50–70%. Heating adds to this cost if you use a gas or electric heater heavily; heat pumps are the most energy-efficient option for the Carolinas climate.

Routine Maintenance & Minor Repairs: $300 – $600/year

Filter cleanings, small equipment adjustments, and general upkeep. Most years this number is on the lower end. Having a quality build from the start dramatically reduces unexpected repair costs.

Insurance: $100 – $300/year

Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover pools, but adding a pool may slightly increase your premium. Some insurers require a fence or safety cover. It’s worth calling your agent before you build to understand the impact.

Total Estimated Annual Cost: $1,600 – $3,600/year

That’s roughly $130 – $300 per month — less than many car payments, gym memberships, or family entertainment budgets. And unlike those expenses, your pool is adding tangible value to your property while you enjoy it.

Periodic Costs: What to Budget Over Time

Beyond annual upkeep, a few larger expenses come up every several years:

Replastering or resurfacing (every 10–15 years): $8,000 – $20,000 depending on finish type and pool size.
Equipment replacement (every 8–12 years): $2,000 – $5,000 for pump, filter, and heater as they reach end of life.
Deck resurfacing or resealing (every 5–10 years): $2,000 – $8,000 depending on material.

A concrete pool that is properly built and maintained can last 50+ years. The periodic costs above are modest when spread across that kind of lifespan — and a quality build from the start minimizes how often you face them.

What a Pool Does to Your Home Value

A well-built, well-maintained pool adds real value to your home — particularly in the South. In warmer climates like the Carolinas, where outdoor living is a year-round pursuit, pools are a genuine selling point rather than a liability.

On average, a pool in the Southeast can increase home value by 5–15% depending on the neighborhood, the quality of the build, and the overall outdoor space. In luxury markets, a resort-style pool and outdoor living area can add significantly more.

More importantly, in neighborhoods where pools are common, not having one can actually hurt your resale position. Buyers in certain price ranges simply expect it.

The Part That Doesn’t Show Up on a Spreadsheet

Numbers tell part of the story. But ask anyone who has owned a luxury pool for five or more years what it’s done for their life, and the answers rarely start with property values.

They talk about their kids spending entire summers in the backyard instead of in front of screens. About hosting the neighborhood cookout and actually wanting to be home on weekends. About a glass of wine at the edge of the pool after a long week, watching the underwater lights come on at dusk.

They talk about the vacations they stopped taking to crowded resorts — because their backyard became the place they actually wanted to be.

That’s the value that’s hardest to put a number on, and the one that pool owners say matters most.

The Bottom Line

A custom luxury pool in the Carolinas costs $90,000–$300,000+ to build and roughly $130–$300 per month to own. It adds measurable value to your home, increases the livability of your property, and — for the right family — pays for itself in lifestyle and memories many times over.

The question isn’t really whether you can afford a pool. It’s whether you can afford to keep putting it off.

Let’s Talk About Your Pool

We’d love to sit down with you, understand your vision, and give you a clear, honest estimate for your custom pool. No pressure, no surprises — just a conversation about what’s possible for your backyard.

Ben Temple