It goes without saying that our lives have been changed forever due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. One of the results that we have seen is the increase in the demand of home improvements, including swimming pools. This has resulted in an increase in the construction of swimming pools and the supply of skilled labor and materials has not increased, which has resulted in projects taking longer to build. I know of companies in other parts of the country who are completely sold out for 2021. That has not yet happened in the DFW area, but if you are interested in a swimming pool for this summer, I would not wait any longer.
Following is an approximate current timeline on standard pool build projects at this time:
Design/Approvals: 4-8 weeks
As many don’t consider, there are oftentimes multiple things that need to take place before a design concept is finalized. Once a concept is accepted, several approvals are required before any work can begin. The design/approval process can be expected to take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to complete. This process can include, but is not limited to, funding, electrical/HOA approval, engineering if required, and city permitting. An exception to this is when a pool project falls outside of a municipality which requires a building permit and no financing is needed.
Excavation: 1-4 days
Average jobs take one or two days for pool excavation to be completed. However, complications need to be considered as well. Access restrictions, utility obstructions, and the potential for hitting rock can add to this timeline.
Steel, plumbing, and electrical: 2-4 weeks
After the pool is excavated, steel, plumbing, and electrical can take place. This process is where the “bones” of your pool are formed. Additionally, all plumbing, equipment, and electrical will be installed.
Gunite: 1 day + curing process time
Gunite (concrete) is the day in which most people say their pool begins to take shape. While gunite only takes a day on average to install, this process needs three to four weeks for adequate curing. During this curing process, several other phases of the project will ensue.
Prior to plaster: 4-6 weeks
While the gunite is curing, the beginning of many other processes will begin. During this 4-6 week process, you can expect to see tile and coping take place (plus any additional stone work that may include, grills, fireplaces, and firepits). During this phase, you can also expect any gas plumbing and deck forming/pouring to take place. While it doesn’t happen on every job, this would be the time that any arbors, gazebos, or any supplemental installations would take place. You can also expect any landscaping, access repair, and sprinkler work to take place. Lastly, the pool plaster takes place, and the pool will begin to be filled with water.
To summarize, most pool projects are currently taking from 10-18 weeks (2½-4½ months). This does not take weather delays and city inspection delays into consideration. In other words, if you want to swim this summer—DON’T WAIT ANY LONGER!
Matt has been around the pool business since he was born. When he graduated college in 1984, he joined the family business working for Gohlke Pool Supply. The following year Matt and his father formed a partnership, Gohlke Custom Pools, and started offering pool construction.
