Plan Now for Spring Pool Installation

How a pool construction timeline works

With families spending more time at home, outdoor projects have escalated during the last few years — and we see no slowdown moving into 2023. In fact, December is an ideal time to consider how you want to spend time in your own great outdoors once the weather warms, and a swimming pool could be the most exciting thing “under the tree” for your family.

Now is a great time to plan and budget for a luxury pool that will keep giving for years to come by serving as a place to unwind, entertain and play. Plus, a well-designed swimming pool will increase your property value.

One question we are often asked is: How long does it take to build a pool? There isn’t a simple answer because factors like weather and the scope, complexity and additional features you choose impact a pool construction timeline.

But at Neave Pools, we follow a comprehensive design/build pool installation process that helps us map out an estimated timeframe for your Connecticut or New York pool project. And if you plan in December and early winter for your pool, there is a greater chance of staying on course and ahead of the backlog since so many people are investing in outdoor projects that scheduling (along with supply holdups) can create logjams.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here is a general guide to pool construction and typically how long each step can take.

12 Weeks to Build a Luxury Swimming Pool

Again, we emphasize that this pool construction timeline contains lots of variables. Permitting can be delayed, weather can push back ground-breaking, and if you are including landscaping and a patio, you’ve expanded the scope and the time to build, too. What’s most important is that your pool contractor is in constant communication with you about the project status so you know what to expect and when.

Pool Planning and Design

Design is integral to a successful pool project and can take four to eight weeks. At Neave Pools, our professional pool designers sit down with you to discuss your goals for the project and we present ideas and some of the latest pool features for you to consider. We don’t want to rush the planning process because it sets the stage for sourcing materials and aligning trade specialists like a plumber and electrician. The handoff from design to project management is seamless, and from here, your project manager acts like a quarterback and is a single point of contact from the design process until your pool project is completed and passes final inspection. You can expect design to take up to four weeks. Often, it takes less time, but we recognize that this is an investment and you want to be sure the design is your dream pool (on a budget, of course). Learn more by checking out our pool construction FAQs.

Obtaining a Permit for Pool Construction

We manage the permit process so you can focus on the fun of seeing your pool plan come to life. Permitting depends on your state, county and city – and you want to be sure the pool contractor you work with is licensed to work in your area. Permits can take two weeks to six months for approval – and we know this is a large variance, but it’s important to know what to expect. The good news is, we handle the entire process for you, including attending board appearances and coordinating any outside professionals required, such as engineers and architects. When you work with an experienced, licensed pool professional you do not have to worry about these details. But we do ask that you be patient because depending on where you live, permitting can take more or less time.

Breaking Ground

Excavation by a pool construction crew usually takes one to two days unless the crew hits a ledge. This is an exciting part of the pool building process because you can sit back and imagine what that big, deep hole will look like when the pool project is done.

Pool ‘Guts’

When you’re initially planning a pool project, the focus is on features and how it will look. But what lies beneath is critical and will ultimately determine the integrity and longevity of your pool. Pool construction involves installing a steel rebar cage and shooting gunite, or installing vinyl pool walls – and then plumbing. Allow one week for this important step in the pool construction process. Again, your project manager will be in constant contact to assure you know exactly where your pool project stands.

Post-Shell Installation

Gunite swimming pools cure within 28 days, but you can begin the next steps of pool construction including features right away if you select vinyl or fiberglass instead. As for additional timeframes, tile and coping generally take one to two weeks of labor depending on the complexity, and final plumbing takes one week. Also allow one week for utility connections such as gas and electric. Depending on the time of year, you can begin landscaping the pool space and adding outdoor living elements including a patio, deck, outdoor kitchen, fire pit and plantings.

The Final Touches

You’re not done after the gunite is completed. Your Neave pool installation team also applies interior plaster that must cure. Keep in mind, the curing continues for up to 30 days after we add water, but by then you’ll be enjoying your luxury swimming pool. On the other hand, water can go in the same day for vinyl liner and plaster, which requires two weeks to cure. After filling the pool, we balance chemicals and ask you to wait 48 hours. Your pool project will include an outdoor pool deck that must be completed, and the plan could involve additional landscaping that adds to the pool outdoor living space construction timeline. Custom lighting, water features and other extras can take several weeks.

Inspection, Please!

The pool construction process starts with permitting and ends with a final inspection to assure it is built to code. Fencing is imperative and must be up to code. Again, we make the process seamless by coordinating and managing the inspection process. You can expect an inspector to review safety features like gates, assess the pool foundation, and check other boxes like drains, handrails, ladders and pool equipment. The inspection process is standard and after decades of building pools in your area, we have great relationships with municipalities’ inspectors.

Now’s the Time to Plan Your Spring Pool Project

We have a gallery of pool inspiration for you and a helpful guide so you can gather more details on what to expect of the pool construction process when you partner with Neave Pools. Whether you’re considering a pool or ready to dive right in, we’d love to answer your questions. Let’s schedule a consultation.