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Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
How much it costs to build your own swimming pool revealed and it could add £12k to your house price
There's a mistake that homeowners can fall for when adding a swimming pool that could end up knocking £52k off YOUR house price - we explain how to avoid it TAKE A DIP How much it costs to build your own swimming pool revealed and it could add £12k to your house price Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BUILDING a swimming pool in your garden is a dream and it could boost your house price by £12,000. With Brits set to enjoy a sweltering summer this year, you might be wondering how much it would cost and, crucially, whether it's worth it. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 We share how much it costs to build a pool in your back garden Credit: SWNS The cost of installing a swimming pool in your garden can really vary, it depends on the size and depth, as well as labour costs. Simply - the bigger you go, the more it will cost. On average, it costs £85,000 to £220,000, Checkatrade has found. But there are ways to install a cheaper pool. Alex Peters, author of the Checkatrade cost guide, said those looking to save money could opt for a plunge pool - a smaller, deeper alternative to a traditional pool. He said: "These can start from as little as £7,500 and range up to around £25,000." A pool typically costs around £45 to £85 in labour per month to keep maintained, according to figures from Checkatrade. If you are keen to install a pool it may also be worth using online tools which can help estimate the cost of the build. Checkatrade has an online estimate calculator and sites like also offer similar service. It's always worth getting quotes from at least three tradespeople to make sure you're not overpaying. Parents are scrambling to The Range to nab new kids' toys - there's inflatables, swimming pools and up to 40% off How much could it add to the value of your home? When making such a grand change to your home, you should also factor in how it may impact the value of your property if you want to sell. Verona Frankish, chief of estate agents Yopa, said a pool feature can add about 4.5% in value to your home. She explained: "That is just under £12,000 based on the current average UK house price of £265,497. 'This means you're likely to recoup only around a third of your investment when it comes time to sell." The property expert warned households who fail to maintain the upkeep of their swimming pool could end up devaluing their home by as much as 19.6%. That works out as a £52,000 loss on the average home in the UK. She said: "It's worth weighing up the long-term impact on your property's value before taking the plunge." Other ways to boost your house price If you are keen to sell your home, there are number of features which buyers are attracted to that could boost the value. Previous research by Open Property, found the following features may help: An extension A home gym A home office, or other garden rooms - as long as there is space in your garden Open plan rooms with kitchen/living areas for socialising and being the heart of the home However, sprucing up your home before selling doesn't have to cost a fortune. A fresh lick of paint and clear out of any clutter can do wonders to a property. To read more about home improvements, check out our piece here.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
How much it costs to build your own swimming pool revealed and it could add £12k to your house price
BUILDING a swimming pool in your garden is a dream and it could boost your house price by £12,000. With Brits set to enjoy a sweltering summer this year, you might be wondering how much it would cost and, crucially, whether it's worth it. The cost of installing a swimming pool in your garden can really vary, it depends on the size and depth, as well as labour costs. Simply - the bigger you go, the more it will cost. On average, it costs £85,000 to £220,000, Checkatrade has found. But there are ways to install a cheaper pool. Alex Peters, author of the Checkatrade cost guide, said those looking to save money could opt for a plunge pool - a smaller, deeper alternative to a traditional pool. He said: "These can start from as little as £7,500 and range up to around £25,000." A pool typically costs around £45 to £85 in labour per month to keep maintained, according to figures from Checkatrade. If you are keen to install a pool it may also be worth using online tools which can help estimate the cost of the build. Checkatrade has an online estimate calculator and sites like also offer similar service. It's always worth getting quotes from at least three tradespeople to make sure you're not overpaying. Parents are scrambling to The Range to nab new kids' toys - there's inflatables, swimming pools and up to 40% off How much could it add to the value of your home? When making such a grand change to your home, you should also factor in how it may impact the value of your property if you want to sell. Verona Frankish, chief of estate agents Yopa, said a pool feature can add about 4.5% in value to your home. She explained: "That is just under £12,000 based on the current average UK house price of £265,497. 'This means you're likely to recoup only around a third of your investment when it comes time to sell." The property expert warned households who fail to maintain the upkeep of their swimming pool could end up devaluing their home by as much as 19.6%. That works out as a £52,000 loss on the average home in the UK. She said: "It's worth weighing up the long-term impact on your property's value before taking the plunge." Other ways to boost your house price If you are keen to sell your home, there are number of features which buyers are attracted to that could boost the value. Previous research by Open Property, found the following features may help: An extension A home gym A home office, or other garden rooms - as long as there is space in your garden Open plan rooms with kitchen/living areas for socialising and being the heart of the home However, sprucing up your home before selling doesn't have to cost a fortune. A fresh lick of paint and clear out of any clutter can do wonders to a property. To read more about home improvements, check out our piece here. BEFORE YOU MAKE THE PLUNGE.... SWIMMING pools and ponds, while offering luxury and leisure, can sometimes deter potential buyers and even decrease your home's value. Experts at Open Property Group told The Sun why you should think twice about adding the feature to your garden. Upfront and Ongoing Costs: Installation: Pools and ponds require a significant initial investment. Depending on size, design, and materials, these costs can be substantial. Maintenance: Both pools and ponds require regular upkeep, including chemicals, cleaning equipment, and potential repairs. This translates to ongoing expenses for buyers. Heating (Pools): Especially in cooler climates, heating a pool adds to the monthly running cost, which might be a turnoff for some. Limited Appeal: Niche Market: Not everyone enjoys swimming or having a water feature in their backyard. This limits the pool of potential buyers interested in your property. Safety Concerns: Families with young children might be wary of the safety hazards associated with pools. Time Commitment: Maintaining a pool or pond takes time and effort, which some buyers might not be willing to invest. Reduced usable garden space:. While swimming pools and ponds can enhance your enjoyment of a property, they might not be universally appealing to buyers.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Burnaby teachers urging province to provide more funding; district facing $4.2M budget shortfall
The Burnaby Teachers' Association is sounding the alarm on the need for more funding, as the school district cuts band programs, high school counsellors and custodian positions due to a $4.2-million budget shortfall. Alex Peters, president of the association, says daytime custodial positions at elementary schools will now move to an on-call basis only, and she is concerned for students' safety. 'So, there's going to be broken glass from broken windows. It could be things like sharps on the playground, those sorts of things,' explains Peters. She says the province has failed to deliver on its promise to provide a mental health counsellor in every school, and she is worried for the wellbeing of teachers. 'The stress of teachers knowing they're not meeting the needs of the students in their class, they don't have the ability to provide what they know that their students need, that's just terrible,' Peters says. The cuts also include three full-time counsellors in secondary schools, the Grade 7 brand program and a phasing out of the Mandarin language arts program. Kristin Schnider, chair of the Burnaby School Board, says there is only so much the board can do without more provincial funding. Schnider says population growth has led to overcrowding in schools, which is what the board's budget has been forced to address. 'Over the last seven years, we've spent $75 million on portables, dollars that could have been spent in the classroom supporting teachers, but most importantly supporting kids,' says Schnider. Education Minister Lisa Beare declined an interview request from CTV News. In a statement, she said the government is 'committed to prioritizing education.' 'Next year, we're projecting the highest education funding ever – over $8.2 billion. That's almost 60 per cent more since 2017,' says Beare. 'There's no question we are facing significant pressure – from global labour shortages, political and economic uncertainty to tariff threats.' Schnider says the increase in funding since 2017 doesn't go far enough to address previous years' rapid inflation and the growing needs of the district. 'While I appreciate the efforts of the current government, we really need to step it up to increase the amount that the provincial government allocates to education,' says Schnider. It's a concern being felt across districts. A survey from the B.C. Teachers' Federation found one in six teachers says their school has no mental health counsellor and educators are burning out. 'Lots of teachers in their first five years are leaving their profession because it's just such a hard environment,' says Peters.
Wales Online
05-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Welsh Government's £36m reserves announcement slammed 'You really couldn't make it up'
Welsh Government's £36m reserves announcement slammed 'You really couldn't make it up' Wales Online readers have been discussing the recent announcement by the Welsh Government concerning their plans for £36 million in reserves Wales' finance minister Mr Drakeford was speaking in the Senedd's finance committee (Image: Senedd TV ) Wales Online readers have been voicing their opinions on the recent revelation from the Welsh Government regarding the allocation of £36 million from reserves. The Welsh Government has announced it will utilise £36m from its reserves to address a shortfall resulting from a tax alteration by the UK Government. The change by the UK Labour government has seen an increase in the contribution employers must make towards National Insurance. Previously, businesses were charged a 13.8% rate on employees' earnings over £9,100 annually, but this has risen to 15% on wages above £5,000. Concurrently, the employment allowance – the sum employers can deduct from their NI bill – has gone up from £5,000 to £10,500. While the UK Government anticipates these adjustments will generate £25bn a year, there's been considerable anxiety among charities and businesses about meeting the additional costs. One reader, Alex Peters writes: "If they were really concerned, they wouldn't be wasting millions increasing the size of the Welsh Assembly." Tannerbanc says: "So the public sector is ok to carry on, e.g. expanding the Senedd, no need to review what are the 'essential services' and the private sector can get down to work harder to pay for it, from a man who has only lived in the public sector." Article continues below Morpick comments: "Perhaps the UK Government is getting tired of funding this circus that wastes enormous sums on its madcap ideas." StevenBoyd replies: "Now now, there's nothing 'madcap' about throwing hundreds of millions down the gaping airport hole. It goes to show just how bad Drakeford is at his job. That sum of money could be found by a decent manager tomorrow. Stop funding the Airport, stop any more Welsh language initiatives, like the next round that he himself announced last week, and cancel the WAG expansion." Ykr believes: "He seems to be very calm about all of this, just imagine what he would be like if it was a Tory government in power at Westminster." Middleclasssocialist writes: "As we were promised, the new Labour Government, under Sir Kier, has been far easier to deal with than that Tory Government it replaced and that new "partnership" has helped Wales prosper and thrive. Unlike the Tories, the new Labour Government pick up the phone and listen attentively to what their comrades in Wales think. You can't put a cost on that sort of partnership. £36 million is a drop in the ocean. "As an example, that's only double the cost of what the badly needed, vital, 36 new Senedd Members will cost per year. Also, Caerphilly Council alone, apparently, spent £2.6 million keeping it's libraries open last year. Across Wales, simply closing all of them would cover this £36million easily." Abetterchoice4wales thinks: "When you have built a society dependent upon the state and benefits is it any wonder Wales is the biggest failing economy in Britain." Dyffrynteg says: "With money so hard to come by, possibly the millions wasted on unwanted 20 mph road signs and the millions which will be wasted year after year on an expanded Welsh assembly wasn't such a good idea after all?" Chalky Snr writes: "Quote yet again 'I will provide £36 million' Who the hell does he think he is? The fellow failed NHS Wales cabinet minister who put him there rather than out to pasture is unfortunately for us as much out of her depth as the last two so called first ministers were. Surely Wales deserves better." Lustyboy adds: "You really couldn't make it up. After years of being told that the tories were totally to blame for all of Wales' problems and that Labour in Westminster and Cardiff would provide the platform for a bright future (despite 25 years of devolution administered by labour) What do we find? A Labour government treating with total contempt the Welsh Labour administration. Unbelievable." Grumpygramps says: "Did I miss the point where he also wants the UK tax payer to cough up for the NI increases the Welsh private sector are going to have find? No, thought not." Inreality feels: "Ummm, maybe spending all the UK money on extra senedd expansion was a bad idea!" Styo asks: "Why not look at where we can reduce non-essential 'vanity' expenditure? basically if it isn't curing cancer, emptying bins, building roads, teaching kids or locking crims up, it is being wasted." Article continues below Simoncorkswill believes: "So in fact the Conservatives were obviously giving a great deal of money to Wales, but in an attempt to make them seem as if they were doing the opposite the Labour Welsh government squirrelled away the funds that could have been spent to aid the Welsh people, why is this not a surprise?" Do you think that the Senedd are in the right by helping to pay off some of the funding shortfall? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.
