FAQs
I am at the early stages of an indoor pool project, but have absolutely no idea as to cost. Can you give me some indication?
The cost will depend on the scope of the project – for example, the cost of a small indoor hydrotherapy pool can be limited to approximately £150-£250,000, whilst an oak framed indoor pool including changing and ancillary rooms could be £300-£400,000.
These are very generalised costs, how can I obtain a more accurate indication?
For an initial limited fee, SPD will complete a Design Development Report, including budget costs to enable the client to decide whether to proceed with the pool scheme.
If the indoor pool is linked to the house, will there be a smell of chlorine or dampness within the house?
Pool water sanitising tends to be on a minimal chlorine basis and an efficient air handling system will ensure a pleasant atmosphere within the pool room. It is necessary, however, to have a sealed door between the house and the pool room, with a negative pressure ensuring that air is directed into the pool room. We also recommend that there should be a vented lobby between the house and the pool room.
I live in a Listed building and wish to ensure that the exterior appearance of the indoor pool does not detract from the original house.
Approximately one quarter of our indoor pool schemes involve Listed buildings. We will ensure that the design complements and blends with the original house.
Will an indoor pool enhance the value of my house – specifically will I recover the cost of the pool scheme when the house is sold?
It is rare that any form of house extension enables total recovery of cost. However, many house purchasers actually search for a house with an indoor pool and a significant proportion of the cost will certainly be recovered on sale of the property. We suggest that advice is requested from a local estate agent.
Am I likely to have a problem obtaining Planning Permission for my indoor pool.
Over the years, we have submitted many Planning Applications for indoor pools throughout the UK.
Although Planning and Listed Building Consents have usually been forthcoming, we have had two instances where the historical nature of a house has caused an Application to be refused.
Usually, in these cases, if the proposed building can be located away from the original house and does not “detract from the Listed Building” then Planning Approval is usually forthcoming.
There have been two other applications refused due to the pool building being unacceptably large when compared to the size of the original house.
Will you organise all the buildings works?
SPD will develop a detailed working drawing package on which competitive costs can be obtained from suitable contractors. We can manage the contract on behalf of the clients for a fixed, pre-agreed fee.
I have a builder with whom I have worked for some years and I would like him to be responsible for the building works for the indoor pool, but he has no knowledge of swimming pools.
This frequently occurs, SPD can arrange to exercise a watching brief over all specialist pool works and liaise with the clients preferred contractor, to ensure a smooth running contract.
Do you have Professional Indemnity Insurance?
Yes – whilst we have not claimed on the policy – it is important that any design contract is warranted based on Professional Indemnity Insurance. Clients should be aware that many companies do not commit themselves to the high cost of this insurance, which is vital to your peace of mind.
Tell me a little about your company.
Please have a look at the general details on our website. Our Managing Director, Jeremy Nabarro, was originally the Sales Director for a Derbyshire based log building company whose main business became indoor swimming pools in the 1970/80’s.
Jeremy Nabarro has been responsible for the implementation of some 250 indoor pool schemes throughout the UK and, within the Swimming Pool Group of Companies, he has assembled a team of specialists to ensure the intricate design and detailing of pool schemes.
A full project management service is available for all domestic indoor pool schemes.
Have you worked with Oak framed buildings?
We very much favour this method of construction which can combine the traditional pegged Oak frame with extensive areas of glazing. For a clean, contemporary appearance, a steel frame recessed within the building structure can be considered.
I would like my pool building to have an indoor/outdoor feel to it – can you achieve this?
We often specify extensive areas of hinge and fold doors and roof glazing. These will ensure a light and airy interior feel to the pool room.
Would you recommend plastic lined or concrete swimming pool shells?
In-ground liner pools were developed in Australia based on above-ground pool systems. Whilst liner pools offer a competitively priced pool system, the fact is that when specifying an indoor pool, the building elements tend to be considerably more expensive than the pool elements. We recommend that a high quality pool shell is therefore specified. This enables the shell to be finished using mosaic tiling, stone cladding or pebbling.
What design of pool steps would you recommend?
Most clients favour walk-in steps and we recommend that these occupy the minimum of space within the pool shell. We usually detail simple, straight walk-in steps with a width of approximately 750mm.
How deep should the pool be?
Whilst many past pools have included a variable depth from 1.2m/2.2m, the trend in recent years has been for pools to have one single overall water depth of approximately 1.4m. These are satisfactory for length swimming and pool games. Water volume is kept to a minimum, as is the depth of footings adjacent to the pool shell. Almost all recently constructed commercial pools in health spas and hotels are single depth.
What finish do you recommend for the pool?
Traditionally pools in the UK tend to be mosaic tiled. However, whilst tiling does not deteriorate, the grouting can discolour and become unattractive in appearance in a surprisingly short space of time.
The Australian pool pebble system does not use grouting and offers an attractive and long lasting pool finish.
Alternatively many recent pools have been clad in stone to match the copings and surrounding floor. A white or cream finish will provide a stunning sky blue water colour.
What are the choices for underwater lighting?
Traditional underwater lights for pools combine 300W low voltage bulbs and three of these within an average sized pool (10m x 4.5m) will provide a wash of light throughout the pool itself and direct diffused ripples of light onto surrounding walls and ceiling.
LED or fibre optic lighting will provide a spread of coloured light within the pool water. As a company we tend to recommend that pool lighting is specified so as not to detract from the natural colour of water.
Why are pool covers specified for indoor pools?
Inevitably heat escaping from pool water will lead to higher running costs than if the pool is covered when it is not in use.
Covering the pool also has the benefit that the air temperature can be allowed to fall to approximately 21°C when the pool is covered and not in use.
There are various safety covers, which will provide support for a dog, cat, child or adult falling onto the surface of the cover. These motorised covers are easy to use and have proved effective on past indoor pool projects.
