“It depends on how bad it is,” according to Dean Muggeo, of Dino’s Pool Service, in Gainesville, Florida. “We can do a limited inspection of the pool equipment and what is visible of the pool shell on any pool. But, to do a complete inspection, the water has be clear, with no debris covering the bottom.”

    When it looks like Lime Kool-Aid®, the pool can shocked to clean it up for an average cost of around $350. If it is more like split pea soup, as in the photo above, so much suspended crud will settle to the bottom from shocking that the bottom and drain will still not be visible afterwards, and the pool needs to be drained and cleaned, which costs $750 and up. A pool service professional would have to look at the pool to determine how much work is necessary to clarify the water.

    This raises an important question for you as a homebuyer. If it is going to cost you up to $1,000 to be able to fully evaluate the condition of a pool in a foreclosed or abandoned house—when it looks really disgusting to begin with—should you even bother? We think it is probably worth it to have a professional inspect what is visible, then get their advice as to the condition of the components they can see, and whether it is advisable to spend more money to clear the water and get a more accurate assessment of the condition of the pool shell.

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Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about POOL AND SPA:

• Does an above-ground pool require a building permit? 

• Does an above-ground pool have to comply with code requirements for a swimming pool barrier?

• What are the pros and cons of vinyl liner vs fiberglas vs concrete in-ground pools? 

• Should I refinish-resurface my pool with paint or plaster?

• Why are pool pumps now required to be variable speed? 

• What are the clearance requirements for an overhead electric service drop that is directly over or near a swimming pool?

    Visit our POOL AND SPA page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.