• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australia’s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      We’re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesn’t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • AFTER bedroomBefore & after: Luxury Sydney apartments go from drab to fab
    • 5.2-Upcycle-afterWhen cost of living increases put your reno in jeopardy, be smart
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other people’s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether you’re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • Sahara_36_MA_kitchen_2500pxHow to give any home a sophisticated industrial vibe
    • Lounge roomBeautiful St Kilda home renovation references Paris decor
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? We’re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • BASOTHO_HERITAGE_BLANKET_KHARETSA_ALOE_12_9065-2The Baobab Collective: authentic and soulful African textiles
    • image004-2Greg Natale’s latest 80s inspired rug range is our favourite yet!
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jen’s a legitimate interiors addict, she’s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the country’s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • Lounge roomBeautiful St Kilda home renovation references Paris decor
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      We’re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks you’ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • DSC_8605Foodie Friday: Family-friendly French onion soup
    • Isla-MotelHip new motel renovation on NSW South Coast
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

What to consider when installing a pool

March 4, 2016 2 Comments

FacebookPinEmailTweet

Before you jump in the deep end and start building a pool, there are many important things to consider. Read on for an overview to assist first-time pool builders with the process.

External view of a contemporary house with pool

Use an expert
Building your own pool is a lot of work, subcontracting and managing multiple service providers can be a pain. When building a pool you need surveyors, designers, excavators, electricians, plumbers and landscapers – the list goes on. You should consider using a pool builder that has the contacts and industry nous as it will save you a lot of headaches.

Finding the right pool builder isn’t simple. Firstly ensure they are a member of The Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia Ltd (SPASA). Your local state based office of SPASA will have a directory of all members – it’s a great place to start.

Look for the SPASA logo on any websites or marketing material of suppliers. Ensure they are a licenced and registered building practitioner. Always ask to see their insurance certificates and ask your state body of SPASA whether insurance is yours or your builder’s responsibility.

Last but not least, it always pays to ask around, get recommendations from people you know, friends, family and co-workers.

Local rules & regulations
Being aware of your local government and state regulations is particularly important when building a pool. These rules and regulations are there for a reason. Due to the safety risks and litigious environment in which we live, governments and councils have these rules to help minimise risk and ensure you’re protected if accidents occur.

Speak to your local council – they can tell you which requirements must be met as well as higher authorities’ requirements. Some of these necessities may include a town planning permit or a building permit which can be required depending on residential zoning and building restrictions.

Local planning requirements can effect the size of the pool you’re allowed to build, depth requirements and distance from boundaries. Local authorities also often enforce rules and regulations surrounding fencing and whether or not you require temporary pool fencing during construction.

Environment & sustainability
There are many environmental factors to consider before building a pool including the climate, weather and environment surrounding your pool or property.

The weather can change the type of pool or equipment that suits you best. Climate can affect the cost to maintain, power and heat your pool and potentially make installing a pool not worth your while.

Maintaining a pool in different climates can vary the cost of maintenance and many of the additional features your pool requires. You should consider how long your swimming season is and whether you need to close the pool or not for the winter.

Weather can affect the type of heaters that are effective for your pool and it also effects the amount of water lost through evaporation. You should look at trees and wind conditions around the pool – if windy this will mean lots of leaves and debris which make pools expensive to clean.

Be energy efficient – you can really save on your pool’s running costs by using pool covers, timers for lighting, filters and heaters. In warmer climates use swimming pool covers to keep heat in and stop evaporation, this saves on energy costs, water to refill the pool and will help keep it clean.

Consider using more eco-friendly heaters, i.e. solar can be very efficient in heating your pool when compared to electricity and gas heating. There are also more natural methods rather than chemicals and filters for cleaning your pool too.

Costs – Ongoing, additional & your budget
Before you obtain quotes on your new pool, you really must consider the ongoing and additional costs you will incur when building a pool. It’s not just the pool itself but fencing, landscaping, additional plumbing and electrical, permits, surveyors and even temporary fencing during construction.

Speak to your expert and get a sense of the total project cost – you may need to adjust plans or designs to fit your budget. As well as the additional costs to build a pool your ongoing costs should be a consideration.

There is no such thing as a low cost or low maintenance pool, you have to consider cleaning and filtration systems have a limited life, some only 5-10 years. You should also consider chemicals and minerals to keep your pool clean can cost up to $50 per month and even $150 if you pay someone to do the cleaning for you.

Other monthly costs can include energy to heat and clean your pool, and water required to keep it full. These can vary depending on the equipment, how long you use your pool and keep it heated over a year. These costs can add up to $500 per month, which is quite a lot if you use it all year round.

You should also speak to your insurance company before you build a pool. Some homeowners see an increase in their homeowners insurance once they have a pool due to additional liability coverage needed.

Consider safety and risks
Your pool should be treated as potential safety hazard. As the owner of the pool, you don’t want anyone getting hurt. Like it or not, you will be the lifeguard in control of safety, for all children, adults, pets and wildlife. The risk of having a pool on your property should always be front of mind.

There are many specialty safety products available on the market including alarms, safety covers, laser pool guards and personal safety equipment, however none of these are as effective as people being kept from your pool area.

Pool fencing is a must to minimise risk, it is very important to stop those at risk from entering your pool area. In most states pools and spas with a water depth more than 30cm must have safety barriers around them. Many states also require barriers during construction too, even whilst in construction your pool is a hazard. If local regulations don’t require you to have temporary pool fencing it would be highly recommended to do so anyway.

All the safety products in the world can still fail or even be overlooked. You should ensure that everyone in your home has had swimming lessons and is educated in pool safety – perhaps even consider some first aid training yourself.

Hopefully these were some helpful hints.  Remember to consider; using an expert, local rules and regulations, environment and sustainability, establish your true costs and be aware of risks and safety.

Now splash out, enjoy your pool.

–This article was written by Liam Banks from The Temporary Fencing Shop, specialists in all temp fencing products and temporary pool fencing across Australia.

FacebookPinEmailTweet

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • How to elevate your living room by stylist Natalie Walton
  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • Palette Cam 15 apps to help you build your dream home
  • Old Newtown bakery sustainably reimagined as unique family home
  • The gorgeous internal courtyard Renovated cottage has unique lookout to take in coastal views

Follow us on Instagram

Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

✔️ I'm English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008😆 

✔️ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. 🛁 

✔️ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) 📓 

✔️ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London 🚔 

✔️I had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife 😁

✔️ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK ❤️ 🇬🇧 

✔️ At school, my favourite subject was French 🇫🇷 and I was head girl 🤓🤓

✔️ I'm addicted to ☕️ , long hot baths and💄 (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

✔️ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message 😁

✔️ My favourite cuisine is Japanese 🍣 🍜 and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

✔️ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

✔️ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or🍷 

✔️ Cheesy as it sounds, 💁‍♀️being a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life 🧒👦

✔️ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view 📖 

✔️ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

✔️ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker 😯 🅿️

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better 😘

📸 @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? 🎨 @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? 🎨 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

“We are very honoured to have been a part of The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,” he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

🙏Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! 🎨 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find 🤗

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
📸 @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

Take the tour of this very special @annacarindesign project on the blog now, via link in bio.

Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
The things that excite me as a 40 year old 🤭 N The things that excite me as a 40 year old 🤭

None of us enjoy laundry (OK, there are a few of you out there who do. Weird!) but we have to do it. And often. So if your laundry bin can be as good looking, functional and space saving as this, then why wouldn't you?!

I've lost track of how many baskets I've thrown out because they've gone soggy or mouldy. They look pretty, sure, but they're not fit for purpose and they're often messy and overflowing.

Here's what I love about his @brabantia_australia one:

✔️ ventilation holes
✔️ no need to remove the lid for small items plus it hides your dirty laundry from view
✔️ easily removable and washable inner laundry bag that velcros back on 
✔️ corrosion resistant so fine in bathroom or laundry 
✔️ Brabantia make things as sustainably as possible
✔️ compact, sleek, European design
✔️ 10 year warranty
✔️ tall and skinny so takes up less floor in my tiny laundry

The Rolls Royce of laundry bins? I think so 👌🏻

TOLD you this was going to be exciting!

Now I need to know, do you have your laundry basket in the bathroom, the laundry, every bedroom? We used to have one in each bedroom but moved to the laundry-only situation which I much prefer (one for colours and one for whites). My boys know to put their used clothes in the bin in the laundry each night and they're 7 and 3!  #raisingfuturehusbands

#gifted
"Living rooms are important spaces where our publi "Living rooms are important spaces where our public and private lives intersect."

So says stylist @nataliewalton in her gorgeous new book Style, the Art of Creating a Beautiful Home.

"They are where we gather to welcome guests and entertain. But they are also where we decompress and relax at the end of the day. Increasingly, they are open-plan spaces and need to work within a greater scheme. Bringing all the elements together cohesively requires care and consideration. And, if you want a space that lives up to its true potential, make it personal and create with conviction."

Read an extract, the chapter on elevating your living room, on the blog today via link in bio.

Published by @thamesandhudsonau Pix by @chriswarnes 

#livingroomdesigns #nataliewalton #coffeetablebooks #designbooks #interiorsbooks #livingroominteriors #elevateyourspace
Kids and husband messing with my vignettes again🤨

PS. The coaster was RIGHT THERE 🤪
#weatherforit 🥶 Need a new blanket? Look no fu #weatherforit 🥶

Need a new blanket? Look no further than these gorgeous South African blankets from @baobabcollective, sustainably sourced, ethically crafted and imported by a Southern Highlands couple.

On the blog now via link in bio.
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

More from Outdoor & Exteriors

Garden

A striking retirement pad on the Mornington Peninsula

Klopper Davis Architects

A unique Perth coastal home on a steep, sloping block

POOL HOUSE

The most fabulous pool house we have ever seen!

The new look bricks and how to use them in your contemporary…

Charlie Albone

Charlie Albone’s top gardening tips for inside and out

Back yard makeover: where to spend and where to save

How to avoid a La Niña pest invasion in your home this…

Architect Joe Snell sums up 2022 homes as “beautiful simplicity”

Single mum achieves amazing home makeover on a budget

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarDeedee Lewis says

    February 7, 2017 at 9:31 am

    I agree that you need to keep in mind that ongoing costs that come with owning a pool. My sister has a great pool and we use it whenever we visit her in the summertime. I will have to keep this in mind in case we ever decide to invest in a pool ourselves.

    Reply
  2. AvatarStar Wardrobes and Shower Screens says

    December 24, 2018 at 5:18 pm

    Pool fencing is an essential product as it is a great way to enhance the beauty and to provide the security for the children.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2022 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP · Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!