Another Pool Thread

[dcg9381]

So the spouse is getting fairly interested in a pool. I designed our house is such a way that off the concrete deck is perfect for a pool, ingress from the major road is right there, and there is about a 4' easy drop in grade over 40' or so. IE, a lot less excavation. The lot itself is on almost solid limestone with a layer of flint below it, so it's solid, but it's also hard to remove material (you need a rock ram).

We don't want a massive pool and moderate gunite pools of 15-20k gallons are running $150-175k.

So we've been looking at pre-cast concrete pools like Plungie. It arrives on a truck, you drop it on an excavated 6" slab, and backfill. It'd be easy to set it level with my porch about 4' away. Bids on this (with 4' of deck) are coming in at $90k, which seems a bit nutty to me for a 10x20' pool that probably costs $35k dropped in with a crane. A buddy has one and we spent the weekend in it and it's perfect for our use.

There are fiberglass pools, but I have not seen them in the area and there is probably a reason for that.

I'm not really wanting to completely roll my own pool, but interested to hear what other people have to say.

I understand that pool prices are likely very regional and demand based.

 

[ddurrett896]

I'd hire it out and do what's available in your area which should be the most cost effective. My area is probably 50/50 fiberglass/liner and we did a liner.

 

[jar944]

So the spouse is getting fairly interested in a pool.

Yours too?

I have nothing to add, but will be following as I'm also considering fiberglass.

Or digging a hole, and building a CMU wall capped with subway tile (my dad's current 40,000g pool was built that way in 1952) still works 72 years later.

 

[gregs]

Interesting concept. I built my own shotcrete pool 10+ years ago. I had looked at a fiberglass one at first thinking it would be easier but read about a lot of issues with backfilling them properly and movement. Decided it seemed more like a short term solution that probably wouldnt have any value if/when we sell the house. The shotecrete pool is a lot more work but very adaptable to conditions and desires in a pool. At the deep end (6') I hit flint rock and had to have a concrete demo company come out and remove it (at least I know that end is sitting on something solid).

It takes a lot of research to find a good pool company. There are ones that only do high end stuff and ones that will take your money and leave you with problems. Look for a member of the Master Pool Guild association and obviously check around with friends and neighbors and check references. Tell the salesman upfront you dont want all the bells and whistles and a smaller sized pool. Good luck.

 

[930dreamer]

We installed a Splash Super Pool(above ground) had it for 10+ years. I like swimming but wouldn't have an inground pool installed.

 

[mike93lx]

We don't want a massive pool and moderate gunite pools of 15-20k gallons are running $150-175k.

I had my pool built in 2021-2022. 18x38, roughly 32k gallons. If I separate the landscaping and concrete decking, it was probably 120k including a 120k btu heatpump/chiller, diving board, 9' deep, and an expensive motorized safety cover. 150-175k seems steep

 

[dcg9381]

It takes a lot of research to find a good pool company. There are ones that only do high end stuff and ones that will take your money and leave you with problems. Look for a member of the Master Pool Guild association and obviously check around with friends and neighbors and check references. Tell the salesman upfront you dont want all the bells and whistles and a smaller sized pool. Good luck.

I've got friends in construction, so getting a line on one of the (few) actually reputable pool builders in town is not a problem. If I went that route, turn-key gunnite (shotcrete) pool starts at about $150k here. I was introduced to pool builder socially a few months ago, he said they won't touch any job under $200k... Like everything property related here, everything is expensive.

I asked the Plungie contractor if he'd consider dropping all the finish work. Basically drop that pre-cast pool off in the location that I specify on to a pad that I provide or that he builds (I'll do it either way). He said he'd get back to me... I'm sure I can run the plumbing, electrical, and extend the deck.

 

[niget2002]

Buy a house that already has a pool. Around here pools add minimal value to a house, so it's a sunk cost to the people that put it in.

 

[gregs]

I've got friends in construction, so getting a line on one of the (few) actually reputable pool builders in town is not a problem. If I went that route, turn-key gunnite (shotcrete) pool starts at about $150k here. I was introduced to pool builder socially a few months ago, he said they won't touch any job under $200k... Like everything property related here, everything is expensive.

I asked the Plungie contractor if he'd consider dropping all the finish work. Basically drop that pre-cast pool off in the location that I specify on to a pad that I provide or that he builds (I'll do it either way). He said he'd get back to me... I'm sure I can run the plumbing, electrical, and extend the deck.

Its crazy how expensive construction has gotten. I cant imagine dropping that much for a pool, but I dont have the income that could afford that... Like anything the costs are partially driven by all the "extras" that get addded like hot tubs, lighting, water features, automation, etc. Nobody wants to build a basic pool because a lot of the profit is in that. If they have a good salesman that can do the 3d renderings with the customer then its easy to upsell that stuff. Nothing wrong with it, just above my paygrade.

One thing on doing it yourself to watch out for is the electrical code. Its a fairly strict code and the grounding, bonding, etc. has to be 100%. I pulled the permit and did all the work myself. Had to verify a number of things multiple times. I assume there is a standard code for the location of the light niche that the Plunge company uses. Basically it has to be so that you can remove and replace the light from the pool deck. The inspector measured mine because he thought it was to low even though it wasnt.

Plumbing isnt to bad. Need to understand basic pumping and flow. All my valves are manually adjusted, no automation. The only water feature I added where 2 bubblers on the sun shelf.

The deck is concrete pavers and that was a ton of work including the coping around the pool. All in all it took me about 8 months from digging to filling it with water. Then some time after that to finish the details.

 

[dcg9381]

One thing on doing it yourself to watch out for is the electrical code. Its a fairly strict code and the grounding, bonding, etc. has to be 100%. I pulled the permit and did all the work myself. Had to verify a number of things multiple times.

I need to look into it more. I'm aware there are some strict bonding and grounding requirements for the pool, the equipment, and I assume it's all on GFCI. I was told the Plungie was built with some form of grounding conductor(s) exposed.

I see Plungie has docs on plumbing, doesn't seem like rocket science...

I assume there is a standard code for the location of the light niche that the Plunge company uses. Basically it has to be so that you can remove and replace the light from the pool deck.

Thanks!
I had to look that up also. If I recall right from this weekend, the light was a simple LED attached to the "shallow end" steps. I assume it's compliant in terms of water depth.

There is no electrical, plumbing, or "pool" inspection here. Strangely enough, I do need a permit from the authority governs septic, even if the pool is not connected to septic... Dunno why. Shouldn't be an issue as any drainage is well away from my septic field and vice versa.

The deck is concrete pavers and that was a ton of work including the coping around the pool. All in all it took me about 8 months from digging to filling it with water. Then some time after that to finish the details.

One big advantage to the area is that masonry and stone work is pretty inexpensive here when done directly with the crews.

Buy a house that already has a pool. Around here pools add minimal value to a house, so it's a sunk cost to the people that put it in.

I agree on minimal (if any) dollar value of a pool.

There's be simply no way to find the equivalent of what I have (shop, acreage, house I designed, proximity to the city) with a pool at a price I could afford.. I'd get slammed on taxes as we'd lose homestead. And interest rates today are 200-300% more, which is way more money than several pools over time.

 

[Brent T]

I have nothing to add other than I cannot believe how much prices have increased. We had our 20k gallon gunnite pool with spa and water feature built 15 years ago for about $45k. At the time I called it our GT500 pool because it was about the same price at the time and I really wanted a new Mustang GT500 then. We could do one or the other, not both. I do agree with those that say the pool doesn't increase the home value much. We had 3 boys in the house at the time we had it built and justified the cost, but it definitely doesn't have a good ROI. We did it because we wanted it, not because it was a good financial move. Having said all that, we have really enjoyed the pool and I still jump in there several days a week during the hot Phoenix summers.

 

[mike93lx]

I have nothing to add other than I cannot believe how much prices have increased. We had our 20k gallon gunnite pool with spa and water feature built 15 years ago for about $45k. At the time I called it our GT500 pool because it was about the same price at the time and I really wanted a new Mustang GT500 then. We could do one or the other, not both. I do agree with those that say the pool doesn't increase the home value much. We had 3 boys in the house at the time we had it built and justified the cost, but it definitely doesn't have a good ROI. We did it because we wanted it, not because it was a good financial move. Having said all that, we have really enjoyed the pool and I still jump in there several days a week during the hot Phoenix summers.

I kept telling my kids when we were looking at doing the pool that I'd order a 911 c4 if they didn't behave

That said, I grew up with a pool and it was awesome. Wanted that for my kids, regardless of the roi

 

[930dreamer]

Maybe this for the shop:

 

[jar944]

Buy a house that already has a pool. Around here pools add minimal value to a house, so it's a sunk cost to the people that put it in.

If you are sitting at 3% on a mortgage or own outright, buying a different house with a pool might not make sense. Especially if you are looking at 600k-1m homes. Not to mention all the expenses of moving, customizing and so on.

100k isn't enough for that to make sense, 200k might not be either.

For shits n giggles if I sold my house today for market value and bought the same house at the sale price with a free pool I'd pay an extra 540k over the lifetime of the loan.

 

[gregs]

I have nothing to add other than I cannot believe how much prices have increased. We had our 20k gallon gunnite pool with spa and water feature built 15 years ago for about $45k. At the time I called it our GT500 pool because it was about the same price at the time and I really wanted a new Mustang GT500 then. We could do one or the other, not both. I do agree with those that say the pool doesn't increase the home value much. We had 3 boys in the house at the time we had it built and justified the cost, but it definitely doesn't have a good ROI. We did it because we wanted it, not because it was a good financial move. Having said all that, we have really enjoyed the pool and I still jump in there several days a week during the hot Phoenix summers.

I built ours for the wife and daughter, I rarely use it. Whats even crazier is I built our 15x30 for less than half that. It wouldnt be a deposit on a new build today!

 

[aka Larry]

A pool is a giant hole that money goes into, but never comes out. Ask me how I know.

The best pool is the same as the best boat. One that belongs to a friend. You get to use it, but don't have to pay to own/maintain it.

 

[dcg9381]

A pool is a giant hole that money goes into, but never comes out. Ask me how I know.

The best pool is the same as the best boat. One that belongs to a friend. You get to use it, but don't have to pay to own/maintain it.

I couldn't agree more. And I've already suggested that we simply continue to use the neighbors pool, but that went over like a bag of rocks.
It's definitely a pit that you pour money into that doesn't give you any spare change. And something else to maintain with mechanical and electrical pieces that break over time.

We chose to live near the water, but the local lake is now about 38% full and it's problematic to even get to the water now... I don't think that's going to change long term. So it's a lifestyle thing. Horrible "investment" and financial idea.

 

[jonroq]

A pool is a giant hole that money goes into, but never comes out. Ask me how I know.

The best pool is the same as the best boat. One that belongs to a friend. You get to use it, but don't have to pay to own/maintain it.

You are absolutely correct, but you have to do your homework when the decision is made to own one. If you learn your water chemistry and some basic plumbing techniques, you are far ahead of the crowd. Pool stores are the poor cousin to car dealerships and you want to avoid them, especially in the northern states, as they only make money in the warm season. They will steal you blind if they sense you have little or no knowledge. My Anthony pool was installed in 1980 and it still has the original equipment and works fine.

 

[mike93lx]

A pool is a giant hole that money goes into, but never comes out. Ask me how I know.

The best pool is the same as the best boat. One that belongs to a friend. You get to use it, but don't have to pay to own/maintain it.

Like many boat owners, I am glad to be the friend with that pool, but recognize it's not for everyone. It's a **** load of money, no matter how you do it.

 

[PelicanPines]

Just remember how much pee is in a pool...

 

[jar944]

A pool is a giant hole that money goes into, but never comes out. Ask me how I know.

The best pool is the same as the best boat. One that belongs to a friend. You get to use it, but don't have to pay to own/maintain it.

So the same as kids? They are also a horrible financial investment.

 

[rockcrawler]

For those with pools, what would you say is the average yearly cost to own/operate/maintain a pool? I can only imagine, that since the pump has to run 24/7 for the rest of the life of the pool, that the electricity cost alone is astronomical, but then there is also the chemicals and other monthly maintenance costs. I have heard some people say that their monthly electricity bill easily doubled once they got a pool and that chemicals are ridiculously expensive.

 

[mike93lx]

For those with pools, what would you say is the average yearly cost to own/operate/maintain a pool? I can only imagine, that since the pump has to run 24/7 for the rest of the life of the pool, that the electricity cost alone is astronomical, but then there is also the chemicals and other monthly maintenance costs. I have heard some people say that their monthly electricity bill easily doubled once they got a pool and that chemicals are ridiculously expensive.

My emporia Vue says $1k of electricity for the last year, which includes a bunch of money for heating in April to use it in school vacation and my son's birthday.

Probably $100 in acid, $100ish for a test kit, and a couple hundred for a salt cartridge. That's about it

The pump doesn't run 24/7. I have mine on for less than 12 hrs a day and could cut that further. I also keep my heater at a setpoint of 86 degrees, so that isn't cheap, but I don't swim in cold pools

 

[BombShelter]

I always see those fiberglass pools for sale when driving down the highway, I looked into pricing and was blown away, it was pretty much what I thought a real inground would cost but even those have doubled in price.

I think I looked but they don't go deeper than 4', I'm wondering if they don't have enough reinforcement for more depth.

 

[mike93lx]

I always see those fiberglass pools for sale when driving down the highway, I looked into pricing and was blown away, it was pretty much what I thought a real inground would cost but even those have doubled in price.

I think I looked but they don't go deeper than 4', I'm wondering if they don't have enough reinforcement for more depth.

Reinforcement isn't the problem, afaik, since it's just really a liner. When they get installed, they are backfilled as they are filled with water.

There are companies that make shells deeper than 4'. 5-6' is common and you can even get out to 8-8.5', but transportation gets complicated. We wanted a diving board from the beginning, so I looked at them, but it was during the pandemic and a 8.5' shell was over a year out.

 

[gsmith22]

Reinforcement isn't the problem, afaik, since it's just really a liner. When they get installed, they are backfilled as they are filled with water.

There are companies that make shells deeper than 4'. 5-6' is common and you can even get out to 8-8.5', but transportation gets complicated. We wanted a diving board from the beginning, so I looked at them, but it was during the pandemic and a 8.5' shell was over a year out.

Pool shells are always structural - they are a retaining wall for the surrounding soil. true wether the pool is fiberglass, concrete, or a liner type. I don't know of any pool construction type that gets backfilled at the same time water is going in or relies upong that scenario for the stability of the pool shell. This is because there will always eventually be a time where there is a loading condition with no water in the pool and full depth backfill outside of the pool. Its most common during construction but certainly possible for repairs or maintenance once constructed.

 

[dcg9381]

When they get installed, they are backfilled as they are filled with water.

Here the suggested material to backfill is crushed granite. It's pretty available, cheap, and sheds water well. It's about "pea" sized. Apparently you don't have to compact it. I'm sure backfill is critical on a fiberglass pool that probably doesn't have enough structural strength to hold water on it's own.

Contractor got back to me.
Apparently the pre-cast pool has gone up about 20% to $30k. (Course, I know that's probably not his cost).
He wants to rent equipment to excavate, won't use my local guy down the street with a rock ram. He allocates 2 days for his rental and pays a buddy to run the equipment. Doesn't matter if it takes 2 hours or takes 3 days, that's how he makes it work financially (and I get it). I get it, his job, his asses to kick.

Basically without the finish deck work, he's down to about $75k.

It appears that Plungie will work with owner/builders direct. Their engineering specs are great. That's probably knock it down to $45-50k or so...

 

[manwithtools]

Don't worry about the electrical, it's not that complicated. Particularly the pool lights as now they are all LED and operate on 24 volts or less. The lights I installed did not even have a ground wire in their cable. The bonding is important, but the parts are readily available and it will get buried under the decking so it does not have to look pretty. I did all of the electrical on our most recent inground pool. Plenty of guides online to follow.



There are exceptions to a pool adding value to a home, this was our last one - before and after I more than doubled my investment on that pool, way more...





If you have kids, it's worth the investment just from the pure enjoyment the whole family will get from it.

Does the pool contractor have a rock clause in the contract? Most do. The one in CA we hit major rock - car sized granite boulders. That contractors policy was simple, it was up to me to pay the "rock guy" to remove the boulders. Then pool construction would resume, I got lucky and the rock removal only cost $2k, mostly because they just pushed the fragments over the hill side rather than having to load and transport off site.

The one we just built in TN said it was $4k / day for rock removal if it took an hour or 12. I rolled the dice and got lucky, not a single rock was found and that is very rare in middle TN.

 

[mike93lx]

Pool shells are always structural - they are a retaining wall for the surrounding soil. true wether the pool is fiberglass, concrete, or a liner type. I don't know of any pool construction type that gets backfilled at the same time water is going in or relies upong that scenario for the stability of the pool shell. This is because there will always eventually be a time where there is a loading condition with no water in the pool and full depth backfill outside of the pool. Its most common during construction but certainly possible for repairs or maintenance once constructed.

A fiberglass shell is non structural.

7 Easy Steps for Fiberglass Pool Installation

Discover the simple and quick process of fiberglass pool installation with our comprehensive 7-step guide. Perfect for inground pool installation.

leisurepoolsusa.com

. Plumbing and Backfilling​

The basics of plumbing the pool include fitting a skimmer box, installing deep end suction fittings, and return fittings. PVC pipe is installed from these items to the pump and filter. We also recommend the installation of a groundwater access pipe/hydrostatic pressure release. After those steps are completed, the pump, filter, and optional salt system are installed. The backfill material which is typically used is gravel, but could also be a flowable backfill. The pool will be simultaneously filling with water while it is backfilled to provide equal pressure and stability on both sides of the fiberglass walls.

 

[manwithtools]

Yep, fiberglass pools don't like an unbalanced pressure inside and outside.

 

[gsmith22]

A fiberglass shell is non structural.

mea culpa - you are correct and frankly I am dumbfounded. For concrete and liner, the shell is structural. This then brings up another series of questions - the coordination of backfilling and water filling a fiberglass pool at the same type must be a nightmare. And if the fiberglass is non-structural, then bascially you can never lower the level of water in the pool because it pushing outward counterbalances the soil pushing inward and the weight of water counterbalances any upward saturated soil bouancy forces. That seems like a nightmare for any type of maintenance.

 

[mike93lx]

mea culpa - you are correct and frankly I am dumbfounded. For concrete and liner, the shell is structural. This then brings up another series of questions - the coordination of backfilling and water filling a fiberglass pool at the same type must be a nightmare. And if the fiberglass is non-structural, then bascially you can never lower the level of water in the pool because it pushing outward counterbalances the soil pushing inward and the weight of water counterbalances any upward saturated soil bouancy forces. That seems like a nightmare for any type of maintenance.

All good. For pools that are shallow, I'd assume the only outlets are skimmers, so outside of a crack, I don't know what you might need to drain one for, though.

 

[manwithtools]

mea culpa - you are correct and frankly I am dumbfounded. For concrete and liner, the shell is structural. This then brings up another series of questions - the coordination of backfilling and water filling a fiberglass pool at the same type must be a nightmare. And if the fiberglass is non-structural, then bascially you can never lower the level of water in the pool because it pushing outward counterbalances the soil pushing inward and the weight of water counterbalances any upward saturated soil bouancy forces. That seems like a nightmare for any type of maintenance.

It is a problem for draining, they can float out of the ground as you described. Mike is correct, there is not much to go wrong with one of those pools. Unless storm damage or some other accident.

 

[gsmith22]

right because without cracking the shell, you bascially have a boat. assuming fiberglass pools don't have hydrostatic drains like concrete pools do?

 

[dcg9381]

Does the pool contractor have a rock clause in the contract? Most do. The one in CA we hit major rock - car sized granite boulders.

He's been very transparent about it because I've been nudging him to use my excvation guy who lives down the street with a case backhoe and a rock-ram. He rents equipment from Sunbelt and would rent the same equipment. Then he hires someone that runs the machine and pays him for 16 hours of work. If it takes 2 hours, he pays for 16. If it takes 24 hours, he pays for 16.

My guess is that he's removing less than 1' material of any consequence on this slope, so he's not getting a great deal, but as a contractor / GC, I get why he does it that way.

The one we just built in TN said it was $4k / day for rock removal if it took an hour or 12. I rolled the dice and got lucky, not a single rock was found and that is very rare in middle TN.

I've excavated all over this lot and run more than 600' of power and water lines. There is a lot of limestone and eventually a layer of flint, but we don't need that much material removed as I'm placing this on a grade below the deck.

I talked to Plungie directly, they'll sell to me as an owner/builder. I included the quote they gave me below.

Added costs would be:
1) Excavation and a 6" concrete pad
2) Plumbing (I'd likely DIY)
3) Electrical (again DIY)
4) Crane to lift this thing on to the pad.
5) Backfill

 

[manwithtools]

@dcg9381 Whoa, stop the bus! You don't need a 400k BTU heater for that size pool - particularly given your location, unless you want to use it as a hot tub. I have a 250k on a 16' x 32' and it does the job just fine. Also, don't buy the heater from them, much cheaper from Amazon and if you can do basic plumbing and electrical, it's a breeze to install. I have an extra CL200S I'll make you a sweet deal on. I think you should price out all of the pump and control equipment, you could save a fair amount I believe.

 

[gregs]

Yeah I would buy the equipment separately from whoever I could get the best deal from and could probably save 30%+.

$40k for a 10x20 pool is still crazy.

 

[kaymccampbell]

The dogs and I are always in the pool. It's great at the end of a hot, miserable day.

After our 27' round above ground pool crumbled, I had a 16x32 steel, concrete, and vinyl liner in ground pool installed almost 30 years ago. The contractor did the hole, pool, decking. I did the plumbing, electrical, fencing, landscaping, extra concrete work. I avoided all the lighting electrical issues by installing a fiber optic lighting system. The whole deal was $13,500 for the pool, $1500 for my efforts, so $15,000 all told. Repairs, replacements, upgrades, etc have probably brought it to $20K-ish at this point.

We run a salt pool, so other than startup shocking, chlorine costs are minimal. You only add salt at the beginning of the season, and it's cheap. Chemistry is easy. Learn it, do your own testing and don't listen to the pool store clerks. Learn to open and close your own pool. It's a detailed process, but you won't have gruesome failures caused by fly-by-night aholes.

One of the best things I ever did was put a shed over all the running gear. It's one of those 5x8 lifetime garden sheds from Sam's club. I had always accepted weather derived equipment deterioration as just part of a pool. No longer. Valves aren't full of grit. Motor stopped rotting away. Filter housing stopped crumbling. Pipes stopped cracking. It also allows me to store supplies in the summer and hardware in the winter. Just a whole better deal. Wish I'd done it sooner.

 

[nadogail]

The dogs and I are always in the pool. It's great at the end of a hot, miserable day.

After our 27' round above ground pool crumbled, I had a 16x32 steel, concrete, and vinyl liner in ground pool installed almost 30 years ago. The contractor did the hole, pool, decking. I did the plumbing, electrical, fencing, landscaping, extra concrete work. I avoided all the lighting electrical issues by installing a fiber optic lighting system. The whole deal was $13,500 for the pool, $1500 for my efforts, so $15,000 all told. Repairs, replacements, upgrades, etc have probably brought it to $20K-ish at this point.

We run a salt pool, so other than startup shocking, chlorine costs are minimal. You only add salt at the beginning of the season, and it's cheap. Chemistry is easy. Learn it, do your own testing and don't listen to the pool store clerks. Learn to open and close your own pool. It's a detailed process, but you won't have gruesome failures caused by fly-by-night aholes.

One of the best things I ever did was put a shed over all the running gear. It's one of those 5x8 lifetime garden sheds from Sam's club. I had always accepted weather derived equipment deterioration as just part of a pool. No longer. Valves aren't full of grit. Motor stopped rotting away. Filter housing stopped crumbling. Pipes stopped cracking. It also allows me to store supplies in the summer and hardware in the winter. Just a whole better deal. Wish I'd done it sooner.

The voice of experience should be listened to.

 

[dcg9381]

Yeah I would buy the equipment separately from whoever I could get the best deal from and could probably save 30%+.

That was going to be my next question. I've done hot tubs before, but never pools. I'll start digging into the plumbing.. It can't be rocket science.

$40k for a 10x20 pool is still crazy.

I just don't see many (any) fiberglass pools around here, I assume there is a reason for that. I'm not willing to do a "liner" pool.
There is an option for steel fabricated pools, but they're even more expensive.
As I understand it "Plungie" is fairly well engineered, but I'm still pulling specs. Like the difference between an engineered foundation and a shotcrete pool that's done on site by "experience". I haven't seen better prices on a pre-cast concrete pool.

One of the best things I ever did was put a shed over all the running gear. It's one of those 5x8 lifetime garden sheds from Sam's club. I had always accepted weather derived equipment deterioration as just part of a pool. No longer. Valves aren't full of grit. Motor stopped rotting away. Filter housing stopped crumbling. Pipes stopped cracking. It also allows me to store supplies in the summer and hardware in the winter. Just a whole better deal. Wish I'd done it sooner.

Back in Texas' "great freeze" (and associated power outage) it basically blew up every pool install around here for a huge radius.
I've got a spot for the equipment and as you mention, plan to enclose it. We have an automatic backup generator, but I'm probably going to keep the pool off of it. As long as I can keep the equipment reasonably warm, no reason for things to freeze... And it's cheaper to heat the enclosure by a few degrees than it is to run a pump 24/7.