"Free Pool"

[Wayne LaBanca]

I got my pool for "free" last year. 300.00 dollar liner, 100.00 worth of sand, and a priceless amount of sweat and labor (self install). For me, it was worth it but, this pool was in pretty good shape. It was not sunk into the ground and the bottom rails were still in only fair shape so I would say you are correct that the rails on the one you are looking at are probably trash. The bottom of the siding may also be beyond repair. I had to put some sheet aluminum to cover some small pinholes, they were near the bottom so the sheet slid into the bottom rail and it worked out nice. My intentions were to have this pool for a few years and if I still used it, buy some thing new but while I was going through all that work to install I really wished it was for something brand new.

Other problems you may run into: The screws that hold the top rail on, mine had a few that were so bad they broke upon removal, I was able to get neopreme replacements at HomeDepot so not such a big deal.

Keep this in mind, last year I was at Namco and they had a 3,000.00 floor model on sale for 1,200.00, very nice unit compared to what I have. It's a long stretch from 500.00 to 1,200.00 but may be worth concidering.

Edit: In my area, a pool actually depreciates the homes value.

Wayne

[Simmons99]

I guess the value a pool adds to your home depends on the area. Here in Central Florida if you have a decent sized IG pool that is upkept it adds about $.50 on the dollar to the value of the house. So if you spend $40K on a pool it will immediately raise the value about $20K. Although if you have an AG pool it will decrease the value of your home.

[PhantomAndy]

If your after a free pool - just keep looking. There will be a few around ready for the taking.

Just drive around a while looking for an AG that still has the winter cover on it. The just go knock on the door, and ask if they want to get rid of it.

I had a friend here in town that did just that, found a pool and a willing homeowner in about 2 hours. He had a totally free 24' round AG with pump, filter and pool that was only a few years old. His only cost of course was time, his labor, and a new liner for like $200.

[sevver]

If your after a free pool - just keep looking. There will be a few around ready for the taking.

Just drive around a while looking for an AG that still has the winter cover on it. The just go knock on the door, and ask if they want to get rid of it.

I had a friend here in town that did just that, found a pool and a willing homeowner in about 2 hours. He had a totally free 24' round AG with pump, filter and pool that was only a few years old. His only cost of course was time, his labor, and a new liner for like $200.

That is an excellent idea, I am going to have to tell him to do just that, he could find one that was not buried to the gills in the ground with a newer looking filter and stuff. Thanks alot.
steve

[PhantomAndy]

Just another tip - a good target is often homes that are for sale. Many times owners trying to sell would rather get rid of the pool to help keep from turning off some buyers.