Should I get a pool installed in Los Angeles?

Question

Hello BP, I live in Los Angeles, on the western part of first street in San Pedro close to Palos Verdes. I have a newly renovated 4 bedroom house with all the fixings and I have a large backyard that would be perfect for a pool. Its currently March 27th and its 76F outside and the summer weather sticks around until the end of October. I also have a detached ADU that I am renting out in the backyard, and I can envision renting out the main house in a few years. If I install solar, I can get my electricity bill down to $150 a month which includes the cost of running the pool and heating it. Does it make sense to invest into a pool given the market that i am in? I want to use it personally for a few years and then rent the house. I do not believe in selling real estate and plan to keep this house forever. Does a pool increase the value of the property? I have read some articles that it can and cant depending on your market. In LA it ranges from 40k-120k in increased value, but I am not 100% on this. What would you suggest? Are there ways to get around the liability aspect if I am renting the house out? Thank you for your advice!

Dan H. · Answer

They have gas lines similar to PEX. This type of line is less labor intensive to run than the hard lines and can easily be run through an attic.

Another more environmentally friendly solution is to provide solar heated water. The water panels have to be replaced around every 10 years, but once the system is set up the water panels can be replaced by most handymen. Mine are probably near 15 years old, but they leak multiple times per season for the last couple of years and should be replaced (probably should have been replaced 4 or 5 years ago).

It likely is not necessary to tear up your driveway.

This is not to imply that pools provide a decent return. In San Diego the return on build cost is maybe 50%. So it has to be installed for your enjoyment and not primarily as an investment.

Jon Anderson · Answer

@Roman Rida

I’m down in Carlsbad near San Diego. I’ve been thinking about a pool for the last year. I’ve gotten multiple bids. Cost is going to be about 60 grand for a small pool with no heat and may be a small water feature.

After a lot of consideration, I decided against it. I will probably end up installing a nice barbecue area and fire pit instead.

In order to get heat to my pool I would have to run a gas line from the other side of the house which will involve tearing up my driveway, etc.

Just my opinion.

Roman Rida · Answer

Thank you for the insight!

Charles Cooper · Answer

@Roman Rida

I also live in San Pedro and bought the home with a pool. I would never invest in a pool in order to increase the value of a home. They are the worst investments when you look at value per dollar spent. A pool in the LA area will cost at least $100k. You won’t see that value at all. There are a lot of expenses as well.

If you plan on renting it out or selling I would recommend saving the money and using it towards other remodeling projects or in another property.

Should I get a pool installed in Los Angeles?

Should I get a pool installed in Los Angeles?

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