Pools are reshaping North Idaho backyards

The hottest backyard trend seems to be an unlikely one in temperate North Idaho. But pools these days are making a seismic splash, despite our much-too-short summer season.

“It used to be we would build about 20 to 30 pools a year and receive on average 100 calls in a season,” says Ted Puryear of Pool World. “In the fi rst two months of the pandemic, we got 154 calls.

Puryear has been in the pool building business for 33 years, 23 of them in direct sales, and all of them at Pool World’s Spokane and Coeur d’Alene locations. The only other time he saw a big increase in demand for pools was during the 2001 terrorist attacks when national security concerns forced people to hunker down at home.

in 2020, pools once again became popular with people spending more time at home, Puryear said.
“It was totally insane and we were scheduling out three to four weeks for meetings when before it was typically just a week out,” he says. “We’re still getting three or four times as many calls this winter, and it’s typically the slowest time of the year.”

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The pandemic may have spurred the demand, but other factors continue to drive it. Puryear points to what has become a culture of staying home as well as the infl ux of residents from warmer climates who are accustomed to having a pool and want one here, even it if means a shorter swim season.

Lisa and Josh Jennings put their name on Pool World’s waitlist last year. The Seattle and Vermont natives have lived in North Idaho for almost 10 years and never considered a pool until recently. Typical summers are spent on the lake but with how busy things have become, splashing around at home is much more appealing to them. A pool, Lisa says, checks a lot of boxes.

“We like the idea of having a draw for kids and families to come hang out at our house,” she says. “We have more than enough space for it, so from an aesthetic perspective it helps finish off our landscaping while giving us a fun element to enjoy with our family.”

» Debunking the myths

Myth #1: Pools are too expensive

Pools are pricey, especially these days when manufacturing costs are on the rise. But with the many design and accessory options, one can be budget-minded.

Of course, if you want the cream-of-the-crop pool, the investment is considerable.

“When you talk about a gunite pool with a vanishing edge and attached spa, it’s the ultimate dream pool for people,” Puryear says.

That dream pool can run you close to a million dollars when you consider engineering work for a retaining wall, rock hammering, labor and all of the custom fi nishes such as tile and lighting, he says.

But a hybrid concrete frame and vinyl-lined pool can be much more affordable, anywhere from the low to mid $100,000, depending on the size and accessories.

Myth #2: Pools don’t increase home values

This might have been the case in the past. But times have changed, according to long-time Realtor Marcello Conigliaro of Northwest Realty Group in Coeur d’Alene.

“It used to be that appraisers would deduct value for homes that had a pool,” he says. “Not so much anymore. As the North Idaho market has evolved, especially since the pandemic, many of our high-end buyers are coming from locations that have pools, and they like them.”

A pool can add value if it’s done well and the lot is large enough to accommodate it and a yard, he says. But, he cautions, whether it’s a dollar-for-dollar investment will depend on a variety of factors including the house, lot and location.

For those considering adding a pool, Conigliaro offers this advice:

“If you can afford it and a pool will make you happy and you’re not concerned about getting every penny you put into it back, then have at it!”

Myth #3: Pool maintenance is costly and time consuming

Not these days. Maintenance costs have come down quite a bit and that makes owning a pool much more attractive. Major advancements in accessories and systems have made pools very low maintenance. But those features do add to the upfront cost.

It used to cost $4,000 to $6,000 a season to heat an average-size pool (16’ X 32’) in North Idaho, Puryear says. But the advancements in energy efficiency have brought that cost down to $400 to $800 a season, he says. Heat pumps that replace expensive natural gas contribute to the dramatic decrease. Automatic covers that hold in the heat also help. Today, you can realistically extend the swim season to fi ve or six months, Puryear says.

“Pools heat so much more inexpensively now,” he says. “You can start up sooner and stay open later.”

Myth #4: Gunite is better than vinyl

This is an age-old question and the answer is literally in between.

Let’s look at both. Gunite pools are a concrete mixture. They are about 50% more expensive than other pools mainly because of the labor involved. But they do allow owners more ways to customize with tiles and shapes.

Vinyl-lined pools are more popular as they are less expensive all around, Puryear says. There is less labor involved and they can be installed more quickly. But if you’re cringing at the aesthetics of vinyl, don’t. The quality and design have undergone dramatic improvement, making vinyl liners the more popular choice of pool buyers.

The pool Puryear sells most of is a hybrid model that combines a concrete frame with a vinyl liner. Concrete instead of steel allows for custom options like benches and sundecks. The hybrid pool comprises most of Pool World’s installation business and for good reason.

“You can get the appearance and features of a gunite pool for less money,” he says.

Before you dive into buying a pool, check out these do’s and don’ts:

» Do’s
Research the installer. Choose a reputable company that offers a warranty.
Know how you will use the pool so you get exactly what you want.
Understand your budget. Don’t forget to factor in landscaping.

» Don’ts
Don’t leave it up to the pool installer to educate you. Some installers many not be up on important advancements that could save you money.
Avoid buying based off price. Skimping on some upfront costs could cost you more in the long run.
Don’t buy over the phone. Meet with the installer and ask lots of questions. A pool is a huge investment. N

By Kristina Lyman