The hazy days of summer are upon us. With no relief in sight from the heat, many people are looking for ways to beat the heat. One of the ways to do this is with a backyard pool. If you are considering making this large investment, there are many issues that you need to consider before you go ahead with construction. This column will identify some of those issues.

Not every homeowner will be able to enjoy the benefits of a swimming pool in their backyard. The major issue is cost- building a swimming pool is an expensive proposition. In addition, a swimming pool requires a fairly large backyard. However, if you can afford it and have the room, you may decide to build one.

Many people fail to consider how the addition of a swimming pool will affect the overall value of a home. At first glance, one would think that a swimming pool would increase the value of a home. After all, it is a unique amenity which should make a home more attractive and more valuable. However, there is another school of thought that says that a swimming pool actually detracts from the value of a home because many potential buyers do not wish to have a swimming pool. Many people would prefer landscaping or do not wish to incur the expenses associated with operating a swimming pool. In any event, if you are building a pool to increase the value of your home, you should consider the issue of its overall value on your home.

Once you have made the decision to build the pool, you will need to hire a contractor. Select your contractor with great care to ensure the job is done properly. Obtain references and speak with previous clients to ensure that they are satisfied with the results. Ask the contractor if they provide ongoing maintenance services which the pool will undoubtedly require.

Depending on the age of your house and whether or not it is fenced, you may need a new survey of the property to be prepared. A survey is necessary because it will show the exact boundaries of your property. This is important to ensure that your pool is built on your property and not your neighbours. In addition, a survey should reveal the location of any underground easements located on the property. Examples of easements are underground cable television or telephone lines. Should you build your pool on an easement, you run the risk of having to remove the pool if access to the easement is required for maintenance or repair.

Before building, you will need to obtain a building permit from the local municipality. Should you proceed to build without a permit, the municipality may issue a work order against your property forcing you to halt construction. Even worse, the municipality may force you to remove the pool if all of the necessary by-law requirements are not met. Prior to issuing a building permit, the municipality will likely require that an appropriate fence be built around the perimeter of the pool. The importance of this requirement cannot be underestimated. Owing a pool without complying with the minimum safety requirements can get you into a lot of trouble from a legal perspective.