1. I strongly recommend hiring the opening done . . . and that you should be there, with your camera and notepad. It's an excellent time to learn your way around the pool, valves and gear. If you've never operated a pool before, it will probably be overwhelming, but that's what the camera (or video) is for.
2. Read through the BBB page (linked below), and this How-to-test-kit page . You will need a K-1000 or local equivalent, and a K-2006. It takes about a week to get the K-2006, so if at all possible, order before you open, and practice on your tap water. Tap water results are relevant, anyhow, since that's (probably) what you'll be putting in your pool. Do NOT practice the CYA test -- there are only a few tests in the kit, for CYA.
3. Pool service costs vary a lot by region, so anything I tell you may be off, possibly a lot. In MY area, you could expect to pay $200 for opening service -- which just amounts to getting the cover off, and getting everything running. Whether the water is gross or not, just depends. Expect that it will be, and that you'll spend $125 per 10,000 gallons of pool water to clean it up . . . IF you're ready to go when the cover comes off.
4. Expect $200+ of miscellaneous costs: missing cleaning tools, missing valve bits, and the like. If it was closed well, you might have NO costs, but of course if serious repairs are needed, it could be much more.
5. You need to have chemicals on hand, for as soon as the cover comes off -- if it's not green, it will turn so almost instantly, if left untreated. If it is green, the sooner you start, the sooner you'll be done. Try to get dimensions of the pool, so we can give you some idea of what to have on hand.
6. First year cost summary (assuming a 12K gallon in-ground pool): testkits ($100) + pro opening ($200) + opening repairs ($200 -- this is a fairly random guess) + opening chemicals ($100 -- assumes the pools is not totally slimed) + 3 months operating chemicals ($250 or less) => ~$900 first year with no major repairs. Following year costs will depend on you: with no major repairs and fairly careful chemical maintenance, 2nd year op costs could be $350 total.
7. How bad it is under the cover depends on what sort of cover it is and how it was closed. It can be anything from completely clear (but ready to turn green INSTANTLY when the sun hits it) to a pond, complete with bugs, frogs and 2" of sludge on the bottom.) You may want to make extreme un-readiness an issue at closing.
Good luck!
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