GUIDE TO SWIMMING POOL INSTALLING A For cooling off in the summer months, enjoying
some gentle exercise, having fun with all the family or attracting rental bookings, a swimming pool is
ideal. Catharine Higginson takes a look at what you need to consider before you start digging a hole!
L
ong hot summer days mean everyone wants to cool off with a refreshing dip in a pool
and if you have the space, it will provide your family, friends and visitors with hours of fun. Installing a pool, especially an in-ground pool, is a major investment, but it will add value to your property. Equally, should you plan to
rent out the property or off er B&B or gîte accommodation, a pool makes your property far more attractive to potential clients and provides an edge in the increasingly competitive rental market. Many holidaymakers will not consider properties without pools, especially if the property is located at a distance from the coast or a swimming lake. If you’ve decided to go ahead,
you need to start by thinking about where the pool will be
situated. Most properties will have some form of constraint that aff ects your eventual choice of location. This could be a physical issue, such as the proximity of neighbours or the property’s orientation, or an administrative constraint, such as the required distance from the road.
LOCATION LOCATION If you do have some fl exibility in where to site the pool, think about all the issues that might infl uence your choice of location. This could include proximity to the house – would you prefer the pool close, perhaps to supervise grandchildren, or further away so that you are not disturbed by guests? You might need to think about changing areas and you will need space for a pool house for all the equipment required to run the pool such
“There’s no ‘one size fi ts all’ when it comes to choosing and installing a swimming pool”
as fi lters and maybe a heating system. You might be able to use an existing outbuilding or you might need to build something. You also need to factor
in ‘hanging out’ at the pool space, in other words, eating, drinking and general lounging around areas. And last but defi nitely not least, consider the issue of access for the installation process. In theory you can install a pool just about anywhere! In reality, if access is tricky it is going to signifi cantly increase the cost. After identifying the best
location for your pool, the next consideration is the type of pool you want based on your budget and usage needs. Are you a serious swimmer or is this just for cooling off ? Do you have small children or older relatives? Are you happy with a relatively shallow pool or do you want a deep end? Are you planning to heat the pool? All of these questions need
Where will you site your pool, and how close to your property? 88 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: July/August 2023
to be thought about, discussed and answered as they will play a part in the fi nal choice of pool. If you just want
something to cool off in, an above-ground pool could be a cost-eff ective option, especially if you buy it at the end of the season when they are often heavily discounted. Ex-display models are also often available at very reasonable prices too. Additionally, an above-
ground pool can also help reduce the extra tax which will be added to your taxe foncière bill for in-ground pools; this is normally around an extra €300 on the average bill.
SHELLING OUT There are three main types of pool: block and liner, panel and liner, and fi breglass shell, and these will be suitable for most types of pools. However, the fi breglass shells, known as coques, are somewhat limited in terms of the sizes and designs that they come in, so if you want a particularly large pool, perhaps 12m x 6m, or an unusual shape, you may need to look at a diff erent option. For DIY enthusiasts, there
are increasing numbers of self- build packages available which will allow you to do all or part
© SHUTTERSTOCK
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