Standard is about 18000 gallons.
Assumption: it is a plastered pool, non salt water, polaris sweep cleaner. Winter mainenance
about twice amonth, running pool pump 4 hours a day. Summer months, weekly cleaning at about $50 a week plus chemicals at about $20 to $40 depending on if the pool is surround by lots of trees, shrubs or amount of summer storms. If have small children consider cost of safety fence.
A homeowner can provide maintenance themselves which I have found to be costly in itself. I highly recommend purchasing a home warranty such as AHS for pool spa as pool pumps etc can be costly.
I have owned many pools and have had pools renovated. The pool needs to be resurfaced at some point in about 7-10 years.
JC Waller - Wed Apr 13, 2011