Buying a home with a swimming pool means you’re also purchasing an additional system with its own equipment, components, maintenance needs, and potential repair costs. This includes any and all deferred maintenance costs.
An Advanced Pool Inspection provides a more focused evaluation of the pool and its readily accessible components, giving you additional information about the pool you’re about to own and more negotiating leverage if the pool system is in disrepair.
Why Buyers Add an Advanced Pool Inspection
- Provides a more detailed evaluation of the swimming pool and its components
- Helps identify visible defects or equipment concerns before closing
- Provides additional information about an expensive part of the property
- Can help you better understand the condition of an unfamiliar pool system
- Can be completed at the same time as your home inspection
Should I Add It?
If you’re buying a home with a swimming pool, an Advanced Pool Inspection is worth considering as part of your overall due diligence.
Pools can contain numerous components that aren’t necessarily easy for a buyer to evaluate during a showing or final walkthrough. Problems with equipment, safety, finishes, plumbing, electrical components, or other accessible portions of the pool system can also lead to unexpected expenses after closing.
This can be especially valuable when the pool is older, its maintenance history is unknown, equipment has been replaced or modified over time, or you simply want a better understanding of what you’re purchasing.
Bottom line: You’re not just buying the house. You’re buying the pool and its equipment too. An Advanced Pool Inspection provides additional information about that system before you take ownership.
Want to add an Advanced Pool Inspection? Return to your inspection options in the previous tab and select Advanced Pool Inspection.
What Is an Advanced Pool Inspection?
An Advanced Pool Inspection is a focused evaluation of the swimming pool and its readily accessible components and equipment.
The purpose is to identify visible defects, deficiencies, or conditions that may warrant maintenance, repair, or additional evaluation.
For buyers who may not be familiar with swimming pool systems, this can also provide valuable information about the overall condition of a significant feature of the property.
Why Should the Pool Be Inspected Before I Buy?
Swimming pools are exposed to constant moisture, chemicals, sunlight, weather, and regular mechanical operation.
Over time, those conditions can contribute to deterioration and equipment problems.
Some concerns may be relatively minor maintenance items. Others can involve components or repairs that are considerably more expensive.
Having the pool evaluated during your inspection period gives you an opportunity to better understand its condition before it becomes your responsibility.
Intentionally concealed by seller.
What Types of Pool Concerns Can Be Identified?
Depending on the pool and the conditions present at the time of inspection, concerns may be identified involving readily accessible pool components, equipment, finishes, or other visible portions of the system.
These could include signs of deterioration, damaged or improperly operating equipment, visible defects, safety-related concerns, or conditions that may warrant additional evaluation or repair.
The purpose isn’t to predict every future pool repair. It is to provide you with more information about the condition of the pool at the time you’re making your purchasing decision.
Estimated replacement cost saved: $8,000
What if the Pool Looks Well Maintained?
A clean, attractive pool can certainly be a positive sign, but appearance alone doesn’t tell you everything about its condition.
Much of what makes a swimming pool function involves equipment and components that a buyer may not closely evaluate during a showing.
Even a pool that appears clean and well maintained can have components that are aging, damaged, improperly operating, or in need of maintenance.
That’s why the inspection focuses on more than simply how the pool looks.
Does an Advanced Pool Inspection Guarantee Everything Is Working Properly?
No.
Like a home inspection, a pool inspection evaluates conditions that are visible and accessible at the time of the inspection.
Some components may be concealed, inaccessible, shut down, or otherwise unable to be fully evaluated. Conditions can also change after the inspection.
The inspection is intended to provide meaningful information about the observable condition of the pool and its accessible components, not guarantee future performance.
Is an Advanced Pool Inspection Worth Adding?
If you’re purchasing a home with a swimming pool, it can be a valuable addition to your home inspection.
A pool represents a significant feature of the property and comes with its own equipment, maintenance requirements, and potential repair expenses.
Having it evaluated while you’re still within your inspection period gives you a better opportunity to understand what you’re purchasing and identify concerns before you take ownership.