4020 Pool cleaning

I have just had a pool completed in my place in Todi. They seem to have done a very good job and I am happy with it. I am from Ireland where we tend not to have many outdoor pools. The advice I am getting from the pool builder is that I need to get the pool cleaned twice a week at a cost of about 400 euro a month. The pool has a filtration system and takes some chemicals to stop build-up. Has anyone any advice on whether this seems too much? As I said I have no experience of pools, but it seems a little excessive.

Category
Building/Renovation

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/23/2006 - 08:45

Depending on how big your pool is and how often it is used, you can expect to pay between 200 and 400 Euros a month for cleaning by a contractor. Companies who install pools tend to charge the most but you can ask for a fixed price quote from them to open, close the pool, and maintain the chemical levels and clean it whilst it is open. However, many companies tend to only clean once a week and do not return after bad weather. In other words, they often do the minimum for the maximum charge..........unless of course they have many other pools which they service in your area.

In my experience if no one is using the pool and the weather is not adverse then once a week would be fine. If however you get a storm then it should be checked and will possibly need to be cleaned again. The main thing is that the baskets which collect debri and flies etc need to be cleared normally a couple of times a week to prevent your pump from blocking.

My advise would be to shop around...get quotes from other companies. Ask other people in your area who have pools who they use.

If you are living there or spending a lot of time in the summer there then learn how to do it yourself.........it's really easy. If you don't live there then try to find a local or a neighbour who can learn how to maintain it and who could check it in adverse weather etc. Locals tend to be cheaper than commercial companies and more reliable! Pools are expensive and bring lots of enjoyment but do need to be looked after. :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/23/2006 - 12:39

€400/month is way too much. €25/week is the going rate and we have a local lad (in San Terenziano, near Todi) who will do it for €10-per-clean. Twice a week is adequate; once a week sufficient, as long there there is someone around to fish out leaves with a net. I should add that those prices don't include chemicals. A season's supply will usually be about €250.

By my calculations, if you allow for cleaning, chemicals and professional opening and closing at either end of the season, the cost of a pool should be around €1,000 a year.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/24/2006 - 04:55

thank you very much for both replies. They have really helped and now i know to go back and what to settle..... the difference between 4.5 thoughsand euro a year and 1 thousand a year, makes a big difference. thank you again and answers like this make the forum so very useful.

Marc, I assume your pool cleaner would be a little too far to travel? what do you think? would he know anyone who would be willing to do it for the same price?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/24/2006 - 05:44

I'm not sure where you live in the Todi area, Spencer, but if you'd like to send me a Private Message I can let you know. (Click on my name to P.M. me)