What should I know before I put in a swimming pool?

In-ground. Current plans are for a main pool 16' x 20', with separate attached spa and tanning pool (aka, Baja shelf, sun shelf) and swim-up seating. The pool company is advising a UV filtering system.

I'm a complete novice on this pool stuff. Never built one. Never owned one. What do I need to know?

Tangentially, I'm also planning a covered outdoor kitchen with natural gas grill, Kamado Joe grill and kegerator. Outdoor television for game watching.

I married a city girl, so a house on a lake isn't happening. Neither is ocean front property in SoCal. So I might as well go 'all in' on this.

Replies:

Lesson learned from my brother - 105Marquette 2019-07-16 12:09:28
It is a sunk cost. It will add exactly 0$ to the value of - 84david 2019-07-16 09:03:27
The nervous Nellie responses - SixShutouts66 2019-07-16 01:42:59
Thanks for all the info (and humor) - o2v4nd 2019-07-16 00:14:00
Opening the pool will be the Second best day of your life! * - beatgoeson 2019-07-15 20:09:07
- It will be a magnet for your children or grandchildren... - beatgoeson 2019-07-15 20:19:02
I have the Kamado Joe Big Joe II. - johnnysalami 2019-07-15 19:19:00
I think kids is the pool equalizer - ShillelaghHugger 2019-07-15 19:18:18
- I was stunned at how you couldn't use the pool in AZ - Wooderson 2019-07-15 19:52:25
  - Desert life. - ShillelaghHugger 2019-07-16 11:32:35
Join a local Pool or Country Club; Initial Investment;Upkeep - Jammer 2019-07-15 18:56:28
I put in a pool heater, but really wish we had a chiller - sb 2019-07-15 18:27:59
- That’s insane. Maybe leave the cover off? - Giggity_Giggity 2019-07-15 22:50:41
  - We have a lot of young neighbor kids - Sb 2019-07-15 23:05:39
- Sounds like you have a grandpa problem of him pissing in it * - Frank Drebin 2019-07-15 19:12:48
I put one in over 10 years ago... - DavidAddison 2019-07-15 17:52:58
My brother will give you his in ground pool - thecontrarian 2019-07-15 17:48:32
Watch out for floating Baby Ruths. DOODIE!!! * - ArasEra 2019-07-15 17:45:56
make sure that you're actually getting that bonus - jt 2019-07-15 17:45:21
Don’t build it on tribal burial grounds. * - inigomontoya 2019-07-15 16:38:17
- or where there were cavemen unless prom is around the corner * - Irishlawyer 2019-07-15 16:39:13
I highly recommend an automatic cover - irishrambler 2019-07-15 16:15:21
Just buy a weekend home with a pool. * - The Holtz Room 2019-07-15 16:11:20
- Needs to be within a 2 hours drive, though. * - Wooderson 2019-07-15 19:49:15
I had one in Buffalo "back in the day." The kids loved it. - Barney68 2019-07-15 16:04:08
You will enjoy it. - IAND75 2019-07-15 16:03:48
How to swim. * - tdiddy07 2019-07-15 15:54:27
Pond not good enough for you? * - Frank Drebin 2019-07-15 15:54:25
- On a related note, my BIL is in the process of converting - o2v4nd 2019-07-15 15:58:47
Your side yard might get destroyed - ndphilly 2019-07-15 15:52:12
Our neighbor put one in and his best advice to me was....... - Ty Webb 2019-07-15 15:36:43
It will make it more difficult to sell your house. - Giggity_Giggity 2019-07-15 15:34:27
- I am a pool person, but you are correct on resale. Too many - ndwifemom 2019-07-15 17:59:21
  - Labradors and pools - yes! - bizdomer09 2019-07-15 22:51:20
- How much does heating your pool drive up your - TWO 2019-07-15 16:49:23
  - My heater is natural gas, and yes, it's quick. - Giggity_Giggity 2019-07-15 17:14:37
    - Natural Gas, I hadn't thought of that.. - TWO 2019-07-15 17:35:38
    - I have a picture in my mind - mitquinn 2019-07-15 17:23:10
      - I am well marbled, so braising works wonders. * - Giggity_Giggity 2019-07-15 17:37:22
- Along the lines of upkeep - raygun 2019-07-15 15:58:25
  - The UV filtering is supposed to alleviate most - o2v4nd 2019-07-15 16:02:19
    - Yeah, I actually enjoy the evening ritual of going out... - Giggity_Giggity 2019-07-15 16:09:00
- What’s yer address, yer on Briar, right? You got a pool over - 1NDGal 2019-07-15 15:45:17
- Homes here sell much more quickly with a pool - o2v4nd 2019-07-15 15:40:30
  - Ah ha. Then you're good. * - Giggity_Giggity 2019-07-15 15:58:11
Put down the deposit AFTER you get your Christmas bonus - bwahmeister 2019-07-15 15:33:23