A Master Pools guide to pool value across South East Melbourne, Bayside, and the Mornington Peninsula
If you are weighing up whether to build a swimming pool, you are probably asking the question every Melbourne homeowner asks before signing a contract. Do pools add value to Melbourne homes, or are you spending money purely for the lifestyle? The honest answer is that it depends on the suburb, the quality of the build, and how well the pool fits the property. The data and the agent commentary point the same way though: in the right Melbourne suburb, a quality pool can add real value to a home.
At Master Pools, we have been installing premium fibreglass swimming pools across South East Melbourne, Bayside, and the Mornington Peninsula since 2001, with more than 2,000 completed projects. We have watched the value conversation shift, especially since the move toward outdoor living after the lockdown years. Here is what the numbers, the agents, and our own experience tell us.
Do pools add value to Melbourne homes? The short answer is yes
For most Melbourne suburbs, yes. Industry analysis from Ray White, reported via Property Update, found that a swimming pool generally adds value to a property by at least what it costs to build. A $70,000 pool typically adds at least $70,000 to the home’s value, and often more in suburbs where pools are in demand. The same analysis notes that close to 300,000 more Australians have started living with a pool since 2018, and that swimming pool has been one of the most searched terms on property listing sites for years.
A separate study using Buyer’s Advocate Secret Agent data from Melbourne’s inner east and south east found pools added between 10 and 16 percent to house values on average, with the lowest expected uplift sitting around $140,000. In some suburbs that figure climbed well beyond it. So do pools add value to Melbourne homes? In most cases yes, but the detail is where it matters.
How much value can a pool add?
Three things drive how much value a pool adds:
- The suburb and the typical buyer in that area
- The quality, design, and condition of the pool
- How well the pool works with the home and the outdoor living space
As a general guide, based on Melbourne agent commentary and industry data:
- In premium, family-focused suburbs, pools can add 10 to 16 percent, often $140,000 or more
- In some inner-east suburbs, pools have been reported to add as much as 30 percent
- In mid-tier family suburbs, expect a pool to recover at least its build cost, usually more
- On compact blocks where a pool fills the whole backyard, the value add can be smaller or even negative
The pattern is consistent. Where buyers expect outdoor space and a lifestyle offering, a pool is an asset. Where buyers prioritise yard space or low maintenance, a pool can be neutral or, occasionally, a deterrent.
Which Melbourne suburbs benefit most from a pool?
Swimming pools tend to add the most value in suburbs that tick a few boxes: family-focused demographics, especially homes suited to households with school-aged children; larger blocks where a pool does not swallow the whole yard; premium and mid-premium areas where buyers expect quality outdoor amenity; and locations with a strong summer lifestyle culture.
Across South East Melbourne, Bayside, and the Mornington Peninsula, suburbs such as Brighton, Beaumaris, Sandhurst, Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, Berwick, and Narre Warren North all show strong demand for homes with a pool. In these areas, buyers are actively looking for an outdoor lifestyle, and a quality pool can be the deciding factor between two otherwise similar listings.
Why fibreglass pools hold their value
Not all pools are equal in a buyer’s eyes. Inground pools add far more value than above-ground pools, and within the inground category, the choice between fibreglass and concrete affects long-term value too.
Fibreglass pools tend to hold their value well because they ask less of the owner. The smooth gelcoat surface resists algae and uses fewer chemicals, ongoing maintenance is lower, and heat retention is better than concrete, which keeps running costs down. Installation is faster and less disruptive, and modern finishes and colour ranges stay looking current for years.
With Aqua Technics fibreglass pools, you also get the Crystallite ColourGuard anti-fade warranty, which keeps the interior looking new for the long term. That matters at sale time, because buyers see a pool that still looks fresh rather than one that needs resurfacing.
What buyers look for in a pool
Talk to Melbourne agents and look at listing data, and the features that resonate most with buyers are consistent: an inground pool with a quality, well-maintained finish; a sensible size that does not dominate the yard; glass or quality fencing that keeps the sight lines clean; a pool integrated with the outdoor living space rather than tucked in a corner; heating, particularly a heat pump, to extend the swimming season; and modern equipment such as LED lighting and a robotic cleaner.
A pool that ticks these boxes does not only add value at sale time, it earns its keep every day you live in the home.
When a pool might not add value
It is worth being honest about when a pool may not add the value you expect:
- Above-ground pools, which most buyers see as temporary
- Pools that fill the entire backyard, leaving no usable lawn or garden
- Poorly maintained pools with stained surfaces, dated equipment, or visible cracks
- Pools in suburbs where buyers prioritise low maintenance over outdoor amenity
- Cheap, low-quality builds that look tired within five years
The risk is highest when owners over-capitalise, spending more than the suburb can support, or when they cut corners on quality and end up with a pool that drags the property down rather than lifting it.
How to make sure your pool adds value
If you want both lifestyle and long-term value, a few principles deliver consistently:
- Choose a quality fibreglass pool from a trusted manufacturer with strong warranties
- Match the pool size to the block so it never overwhelms the yard
- Invest in heating, ideally a heat pump, to extend the usable season
- Finish the surrounds properly with quality paving, fencing, and landscaping
- Keep the pool well maintained from day one, so it always shows beautifully
- Use a swimming pool builder with local experience and a proven track record
If you are budgeting your project, our 2026 fibreglass pool cost guide walks through what to expect across the install, fencing, paving, and heating. Getting these numbers right up front helps you avoid over-capitalising and protects the value uplift you are aiming for.
Frequently asked questions
Do pools add value to Melbourne homes in a cooler climate?
Yes. Melbourne is cooler than Sydney or Brisbane, but demand for pools has grown strongly since 2020. With heat pumps now affordable and effective, the season stretches through spring and autumn, which has changed the value equation. In premium and family-focused suburbs, a pool is increasingly seen as a feature buyers want.
How much does a pool add to a property’s value in Melbourne?
Industry data points to 10 to 16 percent on average across inner east and south east Melbourne, with some areas seeing $140,000 or more. In premium suburbs the figure can climb higher, and in most cases the build cost is recovered as a minimum.
Are fibreglass pools better for value than concrete?
Both can add value, but fibreglass pools tends to need less maintenance and look fresher for longer, which appeals to buyers. The Crystallite ColourGuard finish on Aqua Technics pools holds its colour for decades. Concrete pools can look striking but often need resurfacing every 10 to 15 years, a cost buyers factor in.
Will a pool make my home harder to sell?
Generally no, particularly in family-focused suburbs. The exception is a pool in poor condition, one that dominates the yard, or a suburb where buyers prefer low-maintenance homes. In most South East Melbourne, Bayside, and Mornington Peninsula suburbs, a quality pool widens your buyer pool rather than narrowing it.
Build a pool that adds value, not just appeal
If you are ready to talk through a pool that delivers both lifestyle and long-term value, get in touch with the Master Pools team. Call us on 03 8787 8873, email [email protected], or request a quote online. You can also visit our display centre in Cranbourne West to see the full range of Aqua Technics pools in person. We service South East Melbourne, Bayside, and the entire Mornington Peninsula.
