The cost to maintain a pool depends on the pool size, equipment, features, landscaping, how often it is
used, and whether you maintain it yourself or use a professional pool service.

Typical ongoing expenses include chemicals, electricity, water, cleaning, filters, and occasional equipment
maintenance. Heating a pool can also increase operating costs depending on how often the heater is used.

Modern variable-speed pumps, automation systems, salt systems, energy-efficient heaters, and properly
sized equipment can significantly reduce the amount of time and money required to maintain your pool.

At Premier Pools & Spas, we can help design your pool with long-term operating costs in mind—not just the
initial construction price.

Both saltwater and traditional chlorine pools use chlorine to sanitize the water. The main difference is how
that chlorine is produced.

Saltwater Pool

A saltwater system uses a salt chlorine generator to convert a small amount of salt in the water into
chlorine.

Advantages:

• Softer-feeling water
• Less handling and storage of chlorine
• More consistent chlorine levels
• Less noticeable chlorine odor
• Easier day-to-day sanitation for many homeowners

Considerations:

• Higher initial equipment cost
• Salt cells eventually need replacement
• Water chemistry still needs to be monitored
• Salt can be harder on certain metals, natural stone, or improperly protected materials

Traditional Chlorine Pool

Traditional pools use liquid chlorine, tablets, or another chlorine source.

Advantages:

• Lower initial equipment cost
• Simple and proven sanitation system
• Easy to adjust chlorine levels quickly
• No salt cell to replace

Considerations:

• Requires more regular chlorine additions
• Chemicals must be stored and handled
• Water chemistry may require more hands-on attention

For homeowners looking for convenience and comfortable water, saltwater is one of our most popular
choices.

There is no single pool type that is best for every homeowner.

Fiberglass pools are generally among the easiest pools to maintain because their smooth, nonporous
surface makes it more difficult for algae to attach. They also typically require fewer long-term surface
renovations.

Gunite or concrete pools offer the greatest flexibility in size, shape, depth, features, and overall design.
They are an excellent choice for homeowners who want a completely customized backyard.

Vinyl liner pools can also be an excellent option for homeowners looking for an affordable inground pool
with flexibility in size and shape.

The best choice depends on your property, budget, design goals, and how you plan to use your pool.
Premier Pools & Spas can help determine which option makes the most sense for your home.

If your primary goal is keeping the initial investment as low as possible, a vinyl liner pool is often one of
the most cost-effective types of inground swimming pools.

Vinyl pools typically have a lower upfront construction cost than comparable fiberglass or custom gunite
pools and still offer a variety of sizes, shapes, steps, and design options.

However, homeowners should also consider long-term ownership costs. Vinyl liners will eventually need to
be replaced, and the lifespan of a liner can vary depending on water chemistry, sunlight, use, and
maintenance.

A fiberglass pool may cost more initially than a vinyl pool, but its smooth, durable surface generally
requires less long-term surface maintenance and can make it a very cost-effective option over the life of the
pool.

A gunite or concrete pool typically requires a larger investment but provides the greatest level of
customization. Gunite allows homeowners to create unique shapes, depths, spas, tanning ledges, water
features, and completely customized backyard environments.

When comparing pool prices, it is also important to look beyond the pool itself. Decking, retaining walls,
backyard access, elevation changes, fencing, utilities, landscaping, water features, equipment, and site
conditions can significantly affect the total project cost.

At Premier Pools & Spas, we help homeowners compare the initial cost, long-term maintenance,
features, and overall value of each pool type so they can choose the option that makes the most sense for
their family and budget.

The timeline varies considerably depending on the city, county, property, HOA requirements, septic
systems, zoning requirements, setbacks, surveys, and complexity of the project.

The process generally includes:

• Pool design
• Site planning
• Engineering when required
• HOA approval when applicable
• Permit preparation
• Submission to the local jurisdiction
• Review and approval

Some Georgia jurisdictions approve residential pool permits relatively quickly, while others can take several
weeks or longer.

More complicated projects involving retaining walls, septic systems, easements, zoning issues, lake
properties, or extensive engineering may take additional time.

We begin the planning and permitting process as early as possible and help guide the project through the
required steps.

Yes. Premier Pools & Spas coordinates the electrical portion of the pool construction, including the electrical
requirements for pool equipment.

A qualified electrician handles the necessary electrical work associated with the pool installation in
accordance with applicable electrical and local building requirements.

During the planning process, we will review the equipment location, electrical requirements, and any special
features that may require additional power.

Our construction schedule changes throughout the year based on demand, permitting timelines, weather,
and the type of pool being built.

Spring and summer are typically our busiest seasons, so homeowners considering a pool are encouraged to
begin the design and permitting process as early as possible.

Contact Premier Pools & Spas for our current construction availability and estimated start time for your
project.

Keep in mind that getting started today does not necessarily mean construction begins immediately. There
is important design, engineering, HOA, and permitting work that can be completed while your project
approaches its construction date.

The best features are the ones your family will actually use.

Some of our most popular features include:

• Tanning ledges or sun shelves
• Built-in spas
• Waterfalls and sheer descents
• Bubblers
• LED pool lighting
• Fire features
• Deck jets
• Automatic pool controls
• Pool heaters
• Chillers
• Swim-up seating
• Benches and conversation areas
• Outdoor kitchens
• Covered outdoor living areas
• Automatic or safety covers where appropriate

One of the advantages of designing your pool with Premier Pools & Spas is that we can show you many of
these options during the design process so you can decide which features provide the most value for your
family.

Yes. In many pool-and-spa combinations, one properly designed heater can heat both the swimming pool and the spa.

An automated valve system can direct heated water to either the pool or the spa.

Because a spa contains much less water, it can generally be heated to spa temperatures much faster than the entire swimming pool.

If you plan to use your spa frequently, we can design the plumbing, equipment, and automation system specifically around how you intend to use it.

Travertine can be an excellent pool-deck material when the correct finish is selected.

Tumbled travertine is commonly used around swimming pools because it provides texture and traction while maintaining a high-end appearance.

Like almost any surface, travertine can become more slippery when wet depending on the finish, sealer, installation, and maintenance.

We recommend using materials and finishes specifically intended for outdoor pool environments rather than highly polished stone.

There is no single best decking material because every backyard has different priorities.

Popular options include:

Travertine:
Provides a high-end natural-stone appearance and can remain relatively comfortable underfoot in hot
weather.

Concrete Pavers:
Available in many colors, sizes, and patterns. Individual pavers can also be replaced if damaged.

Concrete:
A versatile and cost-effective choice that can be finished in several different ways.

Porcelain Pavers:
Offer a modern appearance, excellent durability, and many design options.

The right choice depends on your home’s architecture, budget, maintenance expectations, heat exposure, and desired appearance.

We help customers coordinate the decking with the pool, home, landscaping, and overall outdoor living space.

Yes. Today’s pool automation systems can control many pool functions from a smartphone, tablet, or compatible home automation system.

Depending on the equipment selected, you may be able to control:

• Pool and spa modes
• Water temperature
• Pool heater
• Pumps
• LED lights and colors
• Water features
• Spa jets
• Sanitization equipment
• Scheduling
• Certain outdoor features

Many customers can operate most of their pool from an app without walking out to the equipment pad.

If smart-home integration is important to you, let us know during the design process so we can recommend compatible equipment from the beginning.

Pebble finishes do have more texture than traditional plaster, but today’s finishes are available in several
different textures.

Traditional plaster generally has a smoother feel when new, while pebble finishes typically provide greater durability and a more natural, upscale appearance.

There are also smoother pebble and polished aggregate finishes available for homeowners who want the durability and appearance of aggregate without an overly rough surface.

The feel can vary significantly between products, which is why we recommend seeing and touching finish samples before making your final selection.

The right finish is ultimately a balance between appearance, comfort, durability, and budget.