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A swimming pool is always a welcome addition to any home. If you have the space for it, here is the budget that you will need to cover swimming pool construction costs.
Have you always dreamed of having a swimming pool in your own home? If your home has an empty backyard and you have the budget for it, it will be easy to simply hire a contractor to get the job done.
However, it will be beneficial for the homeowner to determine the specifics of swimming pool construction costs in the Philippines for two reasons: to make sure that the contractor is charging a reasonable amount, and to prepare for the cost of owning a swimming pool.
It is not cheap to own a swimming pool, but it is very much worth it. Here is a general overview of the expected swimming pool construction costs in the Philippines.
Total Swimming Pool Construction Cost
The average estimated cost for constructing a skimmer type swimming pool may range from PhP 20,000 to PhP 30,000 per square meter. If you want an infinity-type swimming pool in the Philippines, contractors may charge you around PhP 25,000 to PhP 45,000 per square meter or more, depending on the location and style of the swimming pool you want. This price range includes labor, materials, and warranty that may last for six to ten years. In some cases, swimming pool contractors in the Philippines offer you package options for your swimming pool construction instead of charging you per square meter, especially if the pool you want is relatively small. Contractors look at your swimming pool design and the condition of the land where your pool will be built to determine how much your swimming pool construction is.
The estimated cost for a basic swimming pool measuring eight meters long and four meters wide (or 32 square meters) is about PhP 640,000 to PhP 960,000 placing the construction cost at about PhP 20,000 to PhP 30,000 per square meter. The amount looks steep, but that is because of the many elements that are required in building a swimming pool.
How to Make a Swimming Pool
Swimming pool contractors usually work around six to 12 weeks to build a typical swimming pool. Here’s a step-by-step process of constructing a swimming pool:
Step 1: Layout and Design
The engineers and architects of your swimming pool contractors will spray paint the design of your pool on the ground where your swimming pool will be located. You have to ensure the layout is right before the crew begins excavating. This step may take up to one week.
Step 2: Digging
Depending on the size of your swimming pool to be constructed, the digging can be done manually or using heavy equipment. The excavation usually lasts for a week, including the pulling of permits.
Step 3: Steel Installation
In the third week of your swimming pool construction, your contractors will start installing the steel matting that will give shape to your new pool. This process may last for up to two days.
Step 4: Plumbing and Electrical
Plumbing is essential for your swimming pool as this system will maintain the circulation system in your pool. Your pool design will determine how complicated the plumbing job in your pool will be. During this time, your drain system and skimmer will also be designed and installed along with the electrical wirings of other water features you want to add. This step may also take up to a week.
Step 5: Shotcrete
In this step, pressurized concrete will be placed and sculpted according to your swimming pool’s design. Often, this step takes about three day to complete, excluding the time needed to dry the concrete.
Step 6: Tile and Decking
Once the concrete is completely dry, a tile setter will arrange your chosen tiles for your pool and deck. The duration of this step will depend on your design and the square-footage of your chosen tile. Often, this lasts about one week to complete.
Step 7: Interior Finish
In thi step, the trowels will be used to knead the surface of your swimming pool’s interior to achieve the final design style. The concrete coating applied to the floor and walls of your swimming pool often serves as the interior finish of the pool. Water will be added after the plastering process. This step takes about three days to complete.
Step 8: Pool Start-Up
Your contractor’s start-up technician will test your swimming pool to ensure that everything is working properly. This will be done by starting the circulating pump and setting up a timer. This time, other accessories such as the eyeball fittings in your pool’s jets will be installed. This is also the time to thoroughly clean the pool and the tile deck. Afterward, the technician will balance the water and chlorine based on the size of your pool.
Step 9: Final Coating of the Deck
Once the pool is tested and filled with water, the deck will have its final coating. This final coating adds shine to your pool’s surroundings and may take up to 12 hours to completely dry.
Step 10: Landscaping
Once the pool is finally done, your contractor may start working on your pool’s landscaping if it is included in your contract and budget.
Permits and Bonds
First of all, homeowners will need to acquire the necessary building permits, especially for families living in a subdivision or gated community. One of the worst things that could happen is for a contractor to have already started on your dream pool, only to find out that a swimming pool needs to conform to certain specifications.
Subdivisions may require construction bonds, and some contractors may need temporary facilities throughout the construction work. There may be other permits that need to be acquired and fees that need to be paid, such as with the barangay.
Estimated Cost: Php5,000 to Php10,000, depending on the home’s location
Preliminary Work
Once all the necessary permits are in hand, the preliminary work for the swimming pool may start. This involves excavating the earth and hauling the soil, to dig down to the standard depth of residential swimming pools of five feet. If the area is cemented, demolition will be needed, which is an additional cost. If you have a more complex, intricate swimming pool design plan, this may increase the price.
Estimated Cost: PHP 40,000
If you want to save more, the least expensive pool option is the above-ground pool since they require less installation, excavation, and labor costs. This type of swimming pool has exposed walls constructed above the pavement and is a semi-permanent structure around four to six feet deep. Depending on your maintenance and construction quality, an above ground pool Philippines may last for seven to 15 years.
Plumbing
A network of pipes and fittings will be needed, which may be sourced by the swimming pool contractor. It will be cheaper to buy the needed pipes and fittings yourself, but just make sure that the materials that you are buying are the right ones. Ask your friends and loved ones who have built their own home swimming pools for recommendations.
Estimated Cost: Php25,000 to Php30,000
Filters and Pumps
The swimming pool will also need a filter, which is one of its most important components. High-quality filters will be more expensive upfront, but will last longer and will allow the homeowner to save on maintenance costs.
Blowers and hydro jets, meanwhile, are a separate cost from the filter and are optional additions to the swimming pool.
The swimming pool will also need a water pump. For a standard residential swimming pool, a 1.5 horsepower pump should be enough.
Estimated Cost:
- Php50,000 to Php 80,000 for a good-quality water filtration system
- Php 35,000 to Php 60,000 for blowers and hydro jets
- Php42,000 to Php 45,000 for the water pump
Civil Works
The civil works for the swimming pool will require several components, including four-inch concrete hollow blocks and steel bars. Contractors may charge a per-square meter cost for these, but they may be purchased by the homeowners themselves for Php12 to Php19 each for the hollow blocks and Php133 to Php140 for the steel bars, for some savings.
Other required components of the swimming pool that will incur additional costs include polyethylene sheets to damp-proof the concrete and preserve the in-lay of the pool, and water-proofing concrete.
Estimated Cost: Php300,000
Electricity
The swimming pool will need a properly fitted electric supply for the filter and the water pump.
Estimated Cost: Php 7,500 to Php 9,000
Finishings
The cost of the tiles of the swimming pool will range from as low as PHP 20 each to a few thousand pesos, plus the contractor’s installation fees. This will depend on the homeowners’ preference on which tiles to use. The pool design will influence the total cost of finishings.
Estimated Cost: Php 50,000 to Php 90,000
Swimming Pool: Complete!
The swimming pool is finally complete, ready for the hot summer days. Keep in mind that the costs will not stop here though. Maintenance costs will be required, but those will be minimal compared to the construction cost of the swimming pool.
What is the Deepest Swimming Pool in the Philippines?
The deepest swimming pool in the Philippines is Scuba Studio’s 20-foot pool in San Juan. This pool is perfect if you want to learn scuba diving. However, the other end of this pool is only four feet if you are just learning how to swim.
Swimming Pool Contractors in the Philippines
Constructing a swimming pool on your property is not an easy task. To help you with this huge undertaking, here are the practical reasons why hiring a swimming pool contractor is beneficial:
- You will save more money. Pool contractors often have connections with pool material suppliers. When they buy from their supplier partners for your pool, they can buy these materials at a significantly lower price compared to when you will be the one to buy them directly.
- You will save time. Experienced pool contractors know what materials you need for your pool project based on your location and budget. They also know good quality materials that will save you money in the long run.
- Expect a quality swimming pool. If you do not have enough knowledge about swimming pool construction, you might find it challenging to design your pool yourself, even constructing it. When you hire professional swimming pool contractors, they can help make your dream pool come true and identify common mistakes in your project.
Final word of advice: choose your swimming pool contractor in the Philippines wisely, ideally one recommended by family or friends. Check their portfolio of swimming pool designs and plans. But remember, the cheapest option is rarely the best option, because in construction, you get what you pay for.
Photos from Deposit Photos and Pexels
