Building Inground Pools & Spas timeline of construction & leveling real world expectations.
Timeline to build a pool in your backyard in 2020 to 2021
In January 2020 the pool construction industry was swimming along to a seemingly typical start to a busy season, then something happened.
Whether or not you agree with the current state of our nation, the “virus” and propaganda surrounding false pretense of racial divides, one fact remains.
All this has caused delays in almost every business sector of the pool & spa industry.
It has even been difficult to find a place to buy a simple blow-up pool, or above ground vinyl liner pool this year, everyone keeps going out of stock!
Whether or not it is actually lawful for state officials to tell us to “stay in our homes”, no doubt many people are doing so and they need ways to beat both the heat AND boredom right now. Getting a pool is a good solution for this.
The construction of an inground swimming pool is an involved process. Starting with a blank backyard you get to control and watch as it transforms into the design you imagined, right before your eyes. Not to say that it’s not a messy process, as with any construction project, but the results are always worth the efforts and time.
Let’s take a look at all the steps involved when building an in-ground pool. These steps are generally the same if you are planning on buying a concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl liner type of pool.
STEPS TO BUILD A SWIMMING POOL
Planning & Design
START HERE
A successful project starts with a solid plan! The most logical questions to ask yourself are:
- How much money do we have to spend on a custom pool?
- What kind of pool can I get with my budget?
- What do I need to know about swimming pool construction?
- What documents do I need to install a swimming pool?
- Is my backyard even big enough to put in a pool? (measurements & easements)
- What kind of pool would I build if I build one? (shape, size, features, etc)
- What design options or features should I consider?
- How much is a swimming pool going to cost in the long run?
1 – Applications & Permits
Part of planning a pool installation is making sure you know of any required applications and permits. Not always applicable, but may surprise some people who did not think they are in a city jurisdiction zone.
In few cases the HOA application and the city permits may be an added expense as these organizations will charge fees for administration of the documents they are requesting. * HOA applications usually require a deposit.
You will need to check with both your HOA and City offices to find out what is required to install a new pool, and then simply deliver that information to us so that we can walk you through the submission process.
2 – Quotations, Qualifying & Take-Off
Gathering accurate quotes from local subcontractors would prove very difficult if you did not have a design to base it from. To get accurate quotes you will need to know the precise measurements of the pool structure and surrounding components & features.
3 – Layout & Excavation
The pool contractor will need to come out and layout the pool in the exact position of the pool using spray paint. In most cases this is needed to be done prior to getting city clearance to begin the work based on inspection, in other cases where there is no city permits it could be done just 24hrs prior to digging the hole.
In 2020, due to the delays of business as mentioned above the start for getting the pool project going backed up by 6 months or longer! Mostly for concrete pools, but crews and specialty workers have been affected by “shutdowns” & “lockdowns” that caused a cascading effect in scheduling delays.
4 – Rebar & Stubout (Concrete / Gunite)
If you opted for the concrete pool this is the part where the pool shell is reinforced before applying the concrete, also known as “gunite pool“.
For vinyl pools, this is the stage where the pool bottom is poured with concrete, and the side wall panels are installed.
If a fiberglass pool, this is the stage where the pool shell will be moved into place by crane and leveled with gravel.
5 – Gunite or Concrete & Plumbing
For gunite pools, this is when the gunite is applied, a big operation and fun to watch.
Vinyl pools at this stage will get the liner installed, so long as the plumbing is already completed.
Fiberglass pools will get some backfill around the pool shell.
In either of the above this stage also includes the “long plumbing” of the pool pipes at least stubbed out where the pool equipment will go.
6 – Decking & Hard surface
7 – Electrical & Cleanup
8 – Interior & Fill-up
At this point the pool should be ready to start up and begin the final touches.
For gunite pools, the startup process can take up to 3 weeks.
Fiberglass & vinyl liner pools are usually ready to swim within the 1st week they are filled up.
9 – Start Up & Misc
This is not to be considered a complete detailed itemization of the pool construction process, but enough to let you know the typical hang-ups and schedule delays that anyone will experience during the process. This is a general guide outlining the typical steps involved when installing a swimming pool.
The year 2020 will certainly go down in the history & record books for both good and bad reasons. If you are planning on buying a swimming pool for the backyard in hopes to enhance the “stay-cation” vibes, it’s a nice cool idea.
Just know that you will experience some delays that your friends & neighbors (who already have pools) might raise their eyebrows about. So keep in mind that it’s not the pool builder’s fault, and that everyone who is getting a new pool is experiencing the same problem right now in 2020, which effects could linger on into 2021.
