The watchdog for swimming pool standards is SPATA. This is the Swimming Pools and Allied Trades Association. The Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers can also provide advice. Pools can be constructed in three ways:

a) Above-ground pools are kits erected on the ground. Kits prices can be as little as £1750 for a 4-5m diameter x 1.6m high pool. They can be filled from a hosepipe in about three days. The major drawback is that their lifespan is only about 5 years and they can easily be damaged as the sides are thin membranes.

b) The cheapest in-ground pools require careful excavation and ususally incorporate brick or blockwork walls with a thick screeded concrete base. A liner is placed into the void and this retains the water. In addition they require pipework for the filtration system. In-ground pools can be constructed from kits. These include the flexible pool liner, a structure for supporting the liner independent of the blockwork walls and an in-built filtration system. Costs start at about £2000 for a 10m x 5m liner type pool but this does not include any perimiter paving or pool cover. Clearwater has information on building these.

Expect to pay at least £8000 for an in-ground pool complete with heating, filtration and perimeter paving. This should last at least 10 years.

c) An alternative to the in-ground liner system is the glass fibre pool that can be sunk into the ground. This may be a faster to install but the lining is heavy and will need to be craned into position. This costs more than an equivalent liner pool - perhaps £12000 - and its main drawback is they are difficult to repair if the glass-fibre is damaged.

d) The most expensive option is the bespoke in-ground pool. A 10m x 5m pool built in concrete could cost £25,000 and even a painted concrete pool could cost well over £15,000.

Guidelines:

• Make sure the installer can provide evidence of good quality work
• Check credentials with SPATA
• Get several quotes

Heating and covers:

A standard 10m x 5 m pool could cost £50 per week but this can be reduced by using an air heat pump. Cleaning and maintenance will cost another £20 per week. See our section on pools to get details of installers, equipment and heating systems. Covers are essential for outdoor pools to reuce heat loss. These will cost about £200 for a 10m x 5m pool.