How Long Does It Take To Construct A Pool?

In this blog, we’re going to dive into the normal timelines for pool construction and, more importantly, why it often takes much longer than expected. If you’re wondering what to expect when building a pool in a reasonable manner, or why your project is taking so long, you’ve come to the right place. By understanding the details in this post, we can help create faster, more efficient pool construction processes across the country and even globally. So, let’s jump in.

Factors That Affect Pool Construction Timelines

Before we get into the details, it’s important to know that construction timelines vary. The time it takes to build a pool depends on a number of factors:

• Location (region)
• Contractor
• House and Pool type
• Weather
• Local permitting processes
• Complexity of the project

While there’s no exact timeline that fits every scenario, I’ll give you some key considerations to keep in mind during your pool construction journey. Let’s break them down one by one, and I’ll share some key advice along the way.

Underground Pools: A Typical Construction Timeline

For gunite or shotcrete pools, the process usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. Here’s a general breakdown:

• Excavation and form work: 1 to 2 weeks
• Steel reinforcement and plumbing: 1 to 2 weeks
• Gunite application and curing: 1 to 2 weeks
• Tiling, coping, and decking: 2 to 4 weeks
• Finishing touches and punch list (final touches): 1 to 2 weeks

That’s the general timeline. However, if you’ve experienced delays in your pool project, here’s why it may be taking longer than expected.

Why Pool Construction Takes So Long

Though the estimated timeline is 8 to 12 weeks, many pools take 6 months, 8 months, or even 9 months. I’ve had friends whose pools took nearly a year to complete, and there are horror stories of projects taking even longer. So, what’s going on?

1. Backlog of Previous Orders: Contractors often have other projects in the queue. Your pool can’t start until they finish earlier commitments.
2. Material Delays: While some materials (like gunite) might not pose an issue, items like tiles and specialized equipment can face delays due to custom orders.
3. Batching Work: This is a key mistake. Contractors might batch tasks across multiple projects instead of focusing on one. They might complete the first stage of several pools, then move on to the second stage for all pools, and so on. This causes major delays for individual projects because they constantly move between job sites, spending more time on transportation and setup rather than finishing each project.

A Better Way: How Contractors Should Work

Here’s how it should be done. When you hire a pool contractor, they should give you a realistic timeline, factoring in any backlog. For example, they might say:

• “We can start in four months, and it’ll be finished in eight months.”
• “Once we show up, we won’t leave until the project is done. We’ll have all the materials on hand, and any predecessor work will be completed.”

That way, you know upfront what to expect, and the work is done without unnecessary interruptions. Even if it takes six months, that’s far better than nine months of constant delays.

Timelines for Other Pool Types

If we eliminate delays and work with a streamlined process, here’s what you can expect for different pool types:

• Fiberglass pools (6 to 8 weeks)
  • Excavation and preparation: 1 to 2 weeks
  • Delivery and installation of fiberglass shell: 1 week
  • Backfilling and decking: 1 to 2 weeks
  • Finishing touches: 1 to 2 weeks
• Vinyl Liner pools (6 to 8 weeks)
  • Excavation and installation of wall panels: 1 to 2 weeks
  • Liner installation and backfilling: 1 to 2 weeks
  • Decking and finishing touches: 2 to 3 weeks
• Above-ground pools (1 to 3 weeks)
  • Site preparation and assembly: 1 to 2 days
  • Installation of pool structure and liner: 3 to 7 days
  • Final setup and filtration system: 1 to 2 days

Additional Factors to Consider

Remember that certain external factors can influence your pool construction timeline, such as:

• Permitting: Make sure all required permits are in place early on.
• Weather: If you live in an area with extreme weather, this can add time to the project.
• Customization: The more unique your pool design, the longer it may take.
• Contractor availability and material supply: Ensure your contractor is fully prepared with materials before starting the job.

Final Thoughts

By working in a streamlined, step-by-step process, pool construction can be much more efficient. To ensure your pool project goes as smoothly as possible, talk to your contractor about their scheduling process. Ask them to commit to staying on your project until it’s done. That way, you avoid unnecessary delays, costs, and frustrations.

If you’re planning a pool project soon, be sure to price it out, have in-depth conversations with your contractor, and ask them if they can start and finish without frequent delays. After all, no one wants their backyard torn up for months on end!