When summer arrives and the heat is on, having a swimming pool is not a luxury, but to build it, it is not enough to be a handyman or to hire a specialised company, there are things to think about and obligations to fulfil in the Annecy region.
What type of pool
Of course, it seems so simple to say to yourself, we are going to put a swimming pool in the garden, but in truth, it is important to think carefully about your project, as the quality of the pool, its longevity and its efficiency are at stake. The first question to ask yourself is whether you want an above-ground pool or an in-ground pool. As you can imagine, the main consideration is the budget.
The budget
The budget for your pool will depend largely on the type of pool you choose. The cheapest pools are the inflatable above-ground pools. You can expect to pay between 10€ for the smallest models and 500€ for the largest.
If you are looking for a more durable above ground pool, you will need to look at a kit above ground pool. For tubular pools, expect to pay between €200 and €6,000 for the most durable. If, on the other hand, you prefer a panel pool, it is the composition of the panels that will determine the total price of the pool. They can be made of three different materials:
– steel panels: count from 1,000 to 10,000€ depending on the size of your pool, – wooden panels: count from 2,000 to 15,000€ depending on the type of wood chosen and the size of the terrace, – reinforced concrete panels: count 6,500€ on average.
Finally, if you are looking for a more prestigious in-ground pool, you should expect to pay between 15,000 and 50,000€.
To get a better idea of the price of your dream pool, you can always ask for a quote.
The legislation on this subject
The standard legislation is that for any swimming pool construction over 100m², a building permit must be requested from the town hall. Below 100m² and above 10m², a simple declaration is required, while below 10m², no formalities are required.
However, it is important to check with your local council to ensure that no restrictions apply in your area. Indeed, some Local Urban Plans (PLU) apply specific regulations regarding the various urban constructions. This is often the case on shores and coasts. If you live along the lake, for example, you may be forbidden to build anything on the 3.5m shoreline of Lake Annecy. So find out all you can before you start work.
Safety issues
Note also that French law requires that all in-ground pools be equipped with a safety device, on pain of a fine of up to €45,000. Although this is not the case for above ground pools, and given the increasing number of domestic drownings each year, we can only strongly recommend it.
The different pool security systems are as follows:
– the alarm: it is either immersed and detects water waves inside the pool, or infrared, called perimeter, and thus detects movements on the water surface. In all cases, it is connected to an alarm placed in the house, – the barrier: it must go all the way round the pool and must be at least one metre high, – the safety cover: this system consists of a large tarpaulin covering the entire pool, – the pool shelter.
Make sure that the security system you choose meets the standards in force on the French market, i.e. the NF P90-307 standard for alarms, the NF P90-306 standard for protective barriers, the NF P90-308 standard for security covers and the NF P90-309 standard for shelters.
