Adding an inground pool to your property can instantly transform your backyard into a family fun center, relaxing oasis, and barbecue paradise. Building an inground pool is truly one of the most impactful landscaping projects Capital Region homeowners can take on, and the results are well worth the investment.

If you’re considering elevating your backyard experience with the addition of a pool, there are a few steps to building a pool that you should consider beforehand. From asking important questions like, “How long does it take to build a pool,” to familiarizing yourself with the stages of building a pool, the more prepared you are for the process, the more streamlined it will be.

The Pool Construction Process: Everything You Need to Know about Pool Installation Timelines

Whether you’re committed to enhancing your backyard with a pool or simply exploring the possibility, you’ve come to the right place. At Gallivan, we have decades of experience and a talented team fueling our pool design and installation in the Capital Region and cities such as Saratoga Springs, Albany, and Clifton Park.

With the following guide outlining everything from the best time to install a pool to the pool construction process itself, you will find all the information you need to make informed decisions and set the stage for the idyllic backyard of your dreams.

The Steps to Building a Pool: How Long Does It Take to Install an Inground Pool?

Before we dive into the details of each phase of a fiberglass pool install, we want to give you a brief overview of the stages of building a pool, as well as the timeline you can expect. Keep in mind that the type of inground pool will affect how long the installation takes. At Gallivan, we focus on fiberglass pools for a number of reasons.

From the initial design consultation to the finishing touches, it typically takes between one and two months to complete a fiberglass pool installation. This pool installation timeline can change depending on a number of factors, including the size and complexity of the pool design, any challenges or complications with the installation site, inclement weather, delays in securing permits, and material shortages.

The key steps during the pool construction process include:

Design Consult
Permits
Excavation
Plumbing and Electrical
Fiberglass Shell Installation
Backfill
Coping, Tile, and Decking
Final Inspection

With these steps to building a pool in mind, it’s time to dive into the specifics of each one, what you can expect during the process, and the knowledge you need to be confident throughout your pool installation.

Pool Design Process: The Consultation

The first step to realizing your poolside dreams is the consultation. This is where you will meet with experts and in-house designers to discuss your vision, make selections, determine viability, and set everything in motion.

Once the details are determined and the plans are finalized, you can move to the next phase in the pool installation timeline: securing the necessary permits.

Permits for Building an Inground Pool

With a plan in motion, the next stage in your pool building process is to get the appropriate permits from your local municipality. While the required permits can vary based on your exact location and the specifics of your plan, they most commonly include:

• Building permits
• Electric permits
• Grading permits
• Plumbing permits
• Zoning permits
• Approval from your HOA

Breaking Ground for Your Fiberglass Pool Install: Excavation

Once you have received the necessary approvals and permits, it’s time to break ground on your project, literally. This is the first tangible step in the pool construction process, and it involves everything from measuring the dimensions and making sure it’s safe to dig to actually excavating and grading the pool site.

Plumbing and Electric for Your Pool

Installing an inground pool involves more than digging a fancy hole and filling it with water. You need legitimate infrastructure, including electrical elements and plumbing.

Electric systems are needed for the pool to run the pumps and filters, power the lights, and provide power for any other additions. Plumbing also must be installed at this time to ensure that the water can circulate efficiently, drains are properly installed, and so on.

Typically, these elements will be inspected upon completion to ensure they are up to your local safety standard before moving on to further stages.

Fiberglass Pool Install

Now that your site is properly prepped, the big day has arrived: the delivery and installation of your fiberglass pool shell. Because fiberglass pools are designed and manufactured off-site, they will be delivered as a single piece. As a result, a crane or other specialized heavy equipment is used to position the shell in place, at which point all plumbing and electrical components can be connected.

Backfill

Placing the fiberglass pool shell properly is only half of the battle. Steps need to be taken to ensure that it does not shift with time, the additional weight of water, or fluctuations in the weather. This is where backfill comes in.

Backfill involves filling the space around the pool with landscape material, most often crushed stone and other organic materials, and then compacting the area. This secures the pool shell in place, making it safe for use and protecting it long term.

The Final Stages of Building a Pool: Coping, Decking, and Tiling

Congratulations: the bulk of your pool construction process is complete! Now, it’s time to do the finishing touches and make the pool a cohesive part of your backyard oasis before the final inspection takes place. These finishing touches often include three considerations, all of which are dependent on your preferences.

• Coping: The process of adding material to the edge of the pool to provide a smooth, aesthetically pleasing transition between it and the surrounding area (usually the decking). You can choose from a variety of materials for coping, including pavers and natural stone.
• Decking: Similar to coping, in that you can choose from a variety of materials to help your pool match your vision and elevate your outdoor living space. Concrete is a popular choice, as is natural stone, composite decking, and pavers.
• Tiling: A bit different from coping and decking. This process involves adding tile to the pool itself, often along the edge, to create a unique, eye-catching design. While optional, many homeowners choose to tile their fiberglass pools as a way to elevate their aesthetic appeal and help them match their personal preferences.

Final Pool Inspection

With your pool installed and all loose ends tied up, you will need a final pool inspection to ensure that all the work is up to code, including the related equipment. Once you receive the final approvals, your pool is officially ready to use!

How Long Does It Take to Build a Pool?

Now that you have a general understanding of the steps required to install an inground pool and the process that accompanies it, it’s time to answer a few of the most common questions about pool installation timelines. If you have more questions or are concerned about specific details related to your project, we recommend reaching out to your Capital Region pool expert.

Build Your Dream Pool with Gallivan

With decades of experience bringing outstanding pool design and installation in the Capital Region and cities such as Saratoga Springs, Albany, and Clifton Park, Gallivan has a reputation for excellence and a customer-focused approach.

We specialize in fiberglass pools and work with you each step of the way to ensure that the process is smooth and the outcome is your dream backyard brought to life. Reach out to us today to discuss your project, learn more about the steps to building a pool, and kickstart your paradisical outdoor living space.