A basement swimming pool may sound a little far-fetched at face value, but you would be surprised at how many homes have them.
The privacy that comes with a basement swimming pool is unrivaled as they allow you to fully unwind and relax without nosy neighbors poking their heads over the fence.
Don’t like the cold? Basement swimming pools give you the ability to crush laps even through the bleakest midwinter days.
Privacy and warmth aside, a basement swimming pool can offer a fun and splashy space to families who, for whatever reason, can’t fit one in the garden.
Whether you’re thinking about a large and luxurious pool or a miniature hot tub, this article is here to help.
Not only will you learn exactly how to go about making this wet and wild dream a reality, but you’ll come to know the expected upfront costs as well.
Is A Basement Swimming Pool Worth It?
There’s no point in hiding or denying the fact that basement swimming pools are, in general, more costly than outdoor pools.
That’s why, for most people, even if they like the sound of extra privacy, if their backyard permits it, they will, nine times out of ten, fit an outdoor pool instead.
We aren’t trying to scare you off the idea, but we just want you to be fully aware of the monumental task installing a basement swimming pool presents.
They will generally require specialist basement pool contractors to install.
A basement swimming pool will also take longer to install. As you can imagine, it’s a more delicate process to remove earth from beneath a house than it is at the back of it.
For this reason, basement swimming pools have higher installation costs.
Are Basement Pools Expensive?
Thankfully, the basement is actually the cheapest place in your home to install a pool.
Unlike indoor pools that often require a new room to be built, basements are already that room.
Basements are also a less expensive indoor pool because they don’t require such a high level of reinforcement around the pool.
Imagine a pool on the top floor of your home. How much reinforcement would it take to make it safe and secure?
That’s right, a lot. Then think about a pool in the basement which, essentially, just requires more earth to be removed.
Indoor pools that aren’t installed in the basement, therefore, can cost upwards of $100,000 (and that’s being considerate).
On the flip side, inground outdoor pools can be fully installed for as little as $20,000 under the right circumstances.
This begs the question, where does your future basement pool fit into this price range? We’ll give you a heads up, it’s not actually as worrying as you might think.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Basement Swimming Pool?
Now for the answer that you have been so patiently waiting for. Installing a swimming pool in your basement can cost anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000 (See pool guy costs).
This disparity in price really depends on the type of basement you have and how accessible it is.
If you’re looking to create a completely serene space down there with accessories and stylish furniture, then expect that number to rise.
One of the leading reasons that can cause this ballpark figure to rise is whether the installers have to raise your basement ceiling or not.
Although the majority of basements have enough ceiling height for this not to be the case, others are far too tight.
If your basement is on the tighter side of comfortable and needs its ceiling raised to squeeze a pool in, throw another $10,000 to $20,000 onto its final price.
How To Put A Swimming Pool In Your Basement?
If you haven’t been scared off by the installation costs associated with basement swimming pools, now is the time to put a plan in place.
This how-to isn’t a step-by-step guide on how to build a basement swimming pool yourself (that would just be silly).
This guide is here to give you the inspiration and knowledge of what is required (with the help of contractors) with the aim to have you plunging into your very own basement pool (hopefully) soon.
Measure Your Basement
Even before the contractors are called, measuring your basement is a very useful first step.
Taking measurements of your basement’s floor space will help you visualize the size of the pool that you can realistically fit in it.
Another measurement that will allow you to rest easier is the ceiling height.
Once you’re able to eliminate the need for the roof to be raised you will be able to start focusing on the job on the ground and that’s installing a pool.
Of course, the contractor that you choose to do the work will take their own measurements but it can still pay to take your own first.
This is the case because the size of the pool that you imagined to be possible might be quite different from the reality that the contractor and your basement’s dimensions are telling you.
By leveling with yourself first, you won’t be so disappointed when the contractor fills you in on your basement’s limitations.
Find A Contractor That You Can Trust
As we previously hinted at, unless you are an extremely savvy builder, then we can’t imagine installing a basement pool by yourself is a very clever idea.
What you want to do is call around and find a contractor that you get along with and can trust.
Contractors that specialize in indoor pools and have many years of experience behind them are your best bet.
Another hot tip is to ask around to see if any of your family and friends know someone who has had an indoor pool installed in their home.
Getting a recommendation from a reliable source is a foolproof way of ensuring that the person digging up your basement knows what they are doing.
If you aren’t gifted this most fortunate of scenarios then you’ll have to do the running around yourself.
Make as many calls as you can, talk to as many contractors as you can, and set up as many consultations as you can.
Only after you have done this will you be able to make the most informed decision of which contractor is best.
Because, at the end of the day, your basement pool will be a huge investment, and you sure do want to feel good about whoever is installing it.
Choose The Pool Design
Coming up with the design of your basement pool is one of the most exciting parts of the whole process.
This could take a little back and forth between you and your contractor to find the magic design but don’t get discouraged by this, it’s totally worth it.
To gather intel and inspiration on basement pool designs you could have a look at your contractor’s website as well as any other contractor’s website for that matter.
At the end of the day, this is your basement pool and you want to make sure it’s exactly how you imagined.
Most contractors won’t be offended if you come to them with an idea poached from a competitor, it’s all part of the game.
The four pillars of pool design are size, shape, material, and accessories – between these things lies your perfect pool.
Even though the shape of your basement will play the lead role in determining the size and shape of your pool, that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative.
If it was your dream to slide into a heart-shaped infinity pool then put it to your contractor.
Other design-lead decisions that are a good idea to start thinking about are things like what you want your pool to be lined with.
Whether you desire the beauty of mosaic tiles or the practicality of vinyl, the material that your pool is lined with is an important one.
Extra special features like a double whirlpool hot tub that bubbles away adjacent to the pool can be considered.
Nothing is off the cards. Maybe you simply want a set of stairs and a handrail on both sides of the pool for convenience.
Whatever it is, accessories and features are how you personalize your pool and make it work for you, not against you.
Have Your Basement Pool Installed
Once you and your contractor have come to an agreement on your pool’s overall size, shape, materials, and accessories, it’s time to start digging.
Of course, a job of this size won’t get knocked up in a matter of days. Typically, a basement pool will take a good few weeks to complete.
If your basement is a particularly awkward one, then its installation time could stretch on for months (although this is considered rare).
Why may your basement pool installation take months to complete you ask? Good question. The most costly and time-consuming reason will be if the ceiling needs to be raised.
The fact that your contractor will need to dig up an astonishing amount of soil and dispose of it is no mean feat either.
When you consider that 1.33 tons of dirt are packed into any given cubic yard of earth, you start to get an idea as to the scope of this operation.
Hopefully, fingers crossed, the pool materials will be able to fit through your basement’s existing interior and exterior doors.
Occasionally, contractors will have to find other ways to get the materials in, and, again, this will prolong the duration of the project.
The best thing that you can do to help the project along is to support your contractor and leave them to it.
This is why having trust in your contractor before you start is a key element to putting a swimming pool in your basement.
Things can get tricky and situations can get sticky in basement pool installations. Faith in your contractor will help you to get through the more hair-raising and potentially costly moments.
Consider Pool Accessories
Once your dream pool has finally been installed and the cleanup is complete, we’re guessing you will be deserving of a drink. After you’ve had a drink and the dust has settled, it is time to start accessorizing.
Pool accessories are a super crucial part of the whole process because they allow you to make your basement as comfortable and aesthetically pleasing as you would like.
There’s little point in spending all that money on a sleek new basement pool and not make its surrounding area look just as sleek.
Lighting
One of the best ways to make your pool look cool is with the lighting that surrounds it. Light is one of the biggest influences on mood.
If you are able to dim the lights above your pool this will really help to set the tone of an evening.
Whether you desire dramatic lighting and fancy chandeliers or a more casual setting that features vintage wall lamps, ensuring that your pool room lighting feels like a little bit of you is a key ingredient to really loving it.
Another point about lighting is placement. If you have decided you want to fit a fashionable pool bar/ chill area down one corner of the room, then make sure there is additional lighting above it.
As a result of basement pools being inherently lacking in almost all-natural light, warm and inviting lighting is essential.
Too dark and it may feel creepy, too bright and you won’t be able to properly relax down there. Creating your preferred ambiance is key.
Create Your Own Watery Oasis
Water features are a great way to create your own watery oasis. A pool is nice and all, but a pool that features a rock-clad waterfall down one side and plenty of jets down the other just feels like a different thing.
Not only will water features make your pool feel and act more luxurious but they will also help put you in a serene state of mind.
Imagine the gentle sounds of slow-moving water rolling over an aesthetically pleasing rock formation while you float your woes away down in the basement. It’s a beautiful image, isn’t it?
On the more practical front, you could fit a couple of showerheads to give yourself a proper wash before and after your pool sessions.
For the keen swimmers and the fitness crew, one way to get your daily workout is to install restraint jets down one end of the pool.
This will allow you to swim upstream against resistance so that you can work out in, what will likely be, a smaller-than-average pool.
Pool Area Furniture For Comfort
Now that your pool has been designed to your exact liking, it’s time to take a look at its surroundings.
Almost as important as the water itself, your pool area should be equipped with all the things that you want, and nothing else.
Whether that be a freestanding table and two chairs or a large entertainment area that features built-in benches, table, fridge, sink, cupboards, and cooking facilities – pool areas are where lifestyles can really be elevated.
Maybe it’s been a long-lasting dream to one-day kickback in your heated basement pool and watch the sports channel all day.
If so, now is the time to live it. You would be surprised at how many basement pool owners (who don’t have kids) fit a TV in their basement.
Not only does it give you even more reasons to get wet but, if you love hosting, a TV will ensure that the next game day get-together is in your basement.
Conclusion
So there you have it. You are now all the wiser about fitting a swimming pool in the basement.
A pool in the basement may seem like a ludicrous idea at first, but when you unravel the mystery behind it, they really aren’t all that different from inground outdoor pools.
The only real difference is that you don’t have to worry about what the weather is saying or what your neighbors think of your game-day antics. Why? Because you’ll be in your basement, remember?
