Considering an above ground pool

[momofonly]

Thanks, Anna! That's a lot of helpful tips. I think I have an idea of where to start now.

[SafetyBob]

Anna pretty much hit it on the mark. Depending on what you guys are willing to do as part of the "upgrade", will determine how much professional help you will have to pay for. May I suggest that after you find out if there is/are and code requirements for you community for AG pools, decide if you want to do the fence yourself first (remember you can usually rent diggers for the post holes), and you guys could also level too, but that could involve very heavy labor intensive work, unless you are absolutely penny pinching, find a contractor to do the leveling and no doubt install sand for the pool bottom to rest on top of. A deck is not a necessity depending on how you like to use your pool, but with a reasonably tall one (how close are those neighbors?), a big well designed deck could make the yard/pool area into a terrific recreation area for you. Now is the time to consider those things......walkway to it too?

Preparation and planning will make this upgrade manageable. My only concern with a permanent installed AG pool would be liner replacement, but that was laid to rest during a visit to relatives recently.....their dealer purchased pool has a fold over liner so easy replacement is designed in....others will most likely comment on this though.

You will more than likely blow 2 seasons or more cash down for the pool and all the goodies.....money well spent with the pool being yours, YOU know what chemicals are in it and how clean it is, and YOU know who is in it, and finally, nothing and I mean nothing beats walking out the back door and less than 30 seconds later being in YOUR OWN pool.

Oh, I was going to end with something like plan, plan, plan but instead please consider tree locations in your pool placement. Since you have the time you could move the location or perhaps remove a tree to make upkeep easier OR plan on buying that cover for it like I do mine to keep the tree crap out.

Good luck,

Bob E.

[momofonly]

Yes, to my own pool being a great advantage, especially no diapers in my own pool! I plan to have a "no babies/toddlers wearing diapers in the pool" rule. (Hopefully no one will be offended.) Thankfully, most of my friends don't have kids still in diapers.