Cost-Effective Strategies for Building Commercial Pools

Constructing a commercial pool need not completely empty your bank account.

Building commercial pools has been booming over the last few years. Developers are incorporating them in hotels, fitness centres, community centres and apartment complexes left, right and centre. For good reason too.

Here’s the thing:

Commercial pool construction costs have increased by 90% in the last ten years. That is a huge increase that comes as a big surprise to many commercial property owners.

The good news? There are tried-and-tested methods to significantly reduce costs. These strategies can shave off tens of thousands of dollars without sacrificing quality. They will deliver a great facility that customers love.

In this guide, we will:

• Demystify commercial pool construction costs
• Explain material choices that save money
• Go through design decisions that reduce expenses
• Highlight hidden costs to watch out for
• Discuss how to save money in the long-term

Demystifying Commercial Pool Construction Costs

Before we get into specific tips, let’s first understand how much a commercial pool actually costs to build.

Commercial pool construction services include excavation, materials, plumbing, electrical work and finishing touches. The experienced contractor will know where to economise and where it makes sense to spend more money in the long-term.

Hiring a reputable commercial swimming pool builder to guide you from the very beginning is therefore essential. Experienced contractors will have seen it all and will help keep costs in check.

So here’s the breakdown:

Labour makes up a hefty 25% to 50% of total construction costs. That’s a big slice of the pie right there. Everything else is materials, equipment, permits and site preparation.

You see what we mean?

Reducing labour time and making smart material choices can therefore have a huge impact on your final bill.

Material Choices That Save You Money

The type of pool you go with will have the single biggest impact on your initial costs as well as ongoing expenses.

Concrete pools offer the most customisation when it comes to design. They can be built in any shape and size. The drawback is in their labour costs and construction time. The curing process alone takes weeks.

Fiberglass pools are prefabricated in a factory and arrive on-site ready for installation. Opting for fiberglass can save you about $6,000 in construction materials when compared to a concrete pool. Fiberglass also requires less labour time.

Vinyl liner pools are the cheapest upfront. However, they come with the cost of replacing the liner every 5 to 10 years. This can add to your maintenance costs.

Here’s the thing:

Going for the cheapest option does not always make sense. Higher quality materials will cost more upfront but usually have a longer lifespan. They also require less maintenance. This will save you money over the years to come.

Consider this:

A 50-year pool that needs little to no repairs is a better option than a pool that needs to be worked on all the time. Consider the total cost of ownership when budgeting for a commercial pool.

Design Decisions That Reduce Your Expenses

There are many simple design choices that will drastically cut down on construction costs.

• Keep the shape simple. Rectangular and oval pools are way cheaper to construct than custom shapes and angles. Odd designs take more labour, more materials and use specialised construction techniques.
• Stick to standard sizes. Custom dimensions might sound appealing. However, they come with a higher price tag. Standard-sized pools use pre-made components. These are cheaper to source and easier to install.
• Skip unnecessary features at first. Waterfalls, slides and fancy lighting packages look fantastic. However, they add thousands of dollars to the construction bill. Consider adding these features at a later stage when you have more budget.
• Choose the right depth. Deeper pools require more excavation work and stronger structural support. There is no need to go deeper unless your pool will be used for diving or swimming races. Standard depths are usually more than enough.

One last thing:

Site accessibility is another cost driver that many facility managers overlook. If the construction equipment cannot easily access the build site, transport and labour costs increase drastically. Make sure to factor this in during the design phase to avoid nasty surprises later.

Hidden Costs To Watch Out For

Commercial pool projects often run over budget because they have not factored in some sneaky expenses. Be aware of these and they won’t surprise you later.

• Site preparation costs can add up. Grading, levelling, demolition of existing structures and dealing with rocky soil conditions all cost extra. Rocky or hilly terrain will require more excavation work. This increases labour and equipment costs.
• Permit and compliance fees are not always included. Commercial pools are subject to building codes, zoning restrictions and health regulations. These will vary from location to location so factor them into your budget from the start.
• Additional deck materials outside of the immediate pool area are often an afterthought. Pools also have decks which increases the usable space. However, this also increases the amount of material needed. This drives up costs.
• Dirt hauling is another sneaky cost. If the excavation company does not include the removal of excavated soil in their quote, this can become a separate line item in the budget. Get multiple quotes.
• Fencing requirements are often different depending on where you are located. Certain areas have specific fencing requirements when it comes to commercial swimming pools. This safety feature also adds to the cost depending on your local regulations.

Smart pool construction managers will account for these costs from the start. They build a healthy contingency in the budget and work with experienced contractors who will pick out potential problem areas before construction starts.

Saving Money In The Long Term

The pool that is cheapest to build is often not the pool that is cheapest to own.

• Energy-efficient equipment costs more upfront but will pay for itself down the line. Variable speed pumps, LED lights and solar heating systems all bring down ongoing operating costs. Pools consume anywhere from $300 to $1,300 in electricity each year depending on the equipment used.
• Quality filtration systems keep the water clean and reduce chemical usage. This saves on ongoing supply costs and equipment replacement.
• Proper maintenance planning will prevent expensive repairs down the line. A pool that receives the regular upkeep will last longer and cost less to operate than one that is neglected.
• Training your own staff properly in maintenance procedures will save money on professional pool services. However, for larger commercial pools, it might still make more financial sense to contract a professional pool service.

Something to consider:

Investing in quality building now will prevent costly renovations down the line. Pools built from cheap materials or hasty construction usually require major repairs within a few years. Spending a little extra now will save you money later.

Wrapping It Up

Budget-friendly commercial pool construction is all about strategic thinking at every stage of the build.

Let’s recap:

• Material selection should be based on the total cost of ownership rather than just initial costs
• Keep designs simple and use standard sizes where possible
• Plan for hidden costs like permits, site preparation and fencing
• Invest in energy-efficient equipment to bring down ongoing costs
• Work with experienced contractors with a track record in commercial construction

Building commercial swimming pools is a major investment. However, with a little know-how, it is perfectly possible to build a facility that serves customers for years to come without having to bankrupt the business.

The businesses that get this right not only save money on the build itself. They also save money every year through lower maintenance costs, reduced energy bills and far fewer repairs.

This is the real payoff.