When you are planning a swimming pool in your backyard, you want to be able to get in the water and enjoy it as quickly as possible. But pool installation can take time, and it’s important to plan ahead if you want the process to run as smoothly as possible.
So how long does pool construction take? Here we look at all the different elements you need to consider, to give you the best possible idea of what to expect.
Choosing your pool
Before your pool installation can begin, you need to do some careful planning to make sure you are choosing the right kind of pool for your needs. The first thing to work out is your budget, as this will have a significant impact on the type of pool you buy. In turn, this effects your pool construction time. Remember, the cost of your pool involves more than the initial outlay – you will also have to factor in a number of other costs including:
- Contractors
- Pool lighting and heating
- Landscaping
- Ongoing maintenance costs
These costs will vary greatly depending on the type of pool you choose. Once you have worked out what you can afford, there are a number of other questions you need to ask yourself:
1. Concrete or fibreglass?
These are the two most popular materials used to build swimming pools in Australia. Both are highly durable and will last a lifetime, but they do have significant differences.
Concrete pools are much more expensive, as they have to be built from scratch in your backyard. They also require tiling or pebbling, which fibreglass pools do not. As there is much more work involved in building a concrete pool, the construction process takes longer, so you could be waiting several months before your pool is ready to use. However, the big advantage of concrete pools is that they can be built in practically any shape and style you choose, giving you a completely unique pool built to suit your personal needs and tastes.
Fibreglass pools are made in factories in a range of standard sizes and shapes. Because of this, they are much cheaper, and quicker to install, as the pool shell is delivered ready-made to your site. There are sizes and designs available to suit the vast majority of backyards, and the construction process takes only days rather than weeks or months. Although fibreglass pools are less customisable than concrete pools, you can still have a large amount of choice over the design and pool colour, enabling you to personalise the pool to suit you.
2. In-ground or above ground?
Swimming pools can either be installed in-ground or above ground. In-ground pools require your backyard to be excavated, as they are built flush with the ground. Because of this, they are more expensive and take longer to construct than above-ground pools, which are designed to stand on the ground and only require a level concrete pad to be constructed before the pool can be installed.
One of the main advantages of above-ground pools is that the construction process is far quicker, so you can begin enjoying your pool within a matter of days. Little Pools, for example, are designed to be practically instant solutions, giving you a quick and easy installation process with minimal disruption to your property and lifestyle, and a pool you can enjoy almost straight away.
Once you have weighed up the options and chosen the type of pool which is most appropriate for your needs, you can already begin to have an idea of how long you can expect the pool installation process to take.
Positioning and landscaping
The positioning of your pool is also something you need to plan carefully before the installation work can start. Your pool should be central to the design of your backyard, allowing for easy access and a beautiful, coordinated backyard design. It needs to look good from all angles, including when viewed from inside the home, so it is important to choose a position for your pool which allows it to be showcased to its best advantage.
You also need to consider safety when planning the positioning of your pool. All privately-owned pools in Australia need to comply with Australian Standard 1926, which specifies that your pool must have a fence of at least 1.2 metres high on all sides. This needs to be surrounded by a 900mm “Non-Climbable Zone”, where there must be no tall objects such as furniture which children could us to get over the pool fencing.
It is important to check with your local council to find out which specific safety regulations are in place in your state or territory, as these can also have an impact on the positioning of your pool.
When it comes to landscaping, such as tiling or decking and the type of plants you want around your pool, you can either have this done during your pool construction time, or wait until the pool is completed. If you have a clear idea of how you want your backyard to look once the pool is installed, it is best to communicate these ideas at the start of the project so they can be planned for.
Timing your pool installation process
Most people think the ideal time to build a pool is during the summer months. However, this is the time when the demand for pool builders is at its highest. Because of this, you may find yourself having to wait for a builder if you want your pool constructed in the summer.
Your pool construction time will be shorter if you plan the process for the autumn or winter, when demand for pool builders is low. This also means your pool installation and landscaping can be completely finished by early spring, even if you are having a concrete pool built from scratch, so you can start enjoying your pool as soon as the weather gets warmer.
However, if you are currently having a new house built, no matter what the time of year, often the best time to build a pool is at the same time as the house is being constructed. This gives you greater control over the positioning of the pool, and can also make the site easier to access for the pool builders, which can affect the timeframe and budget.
Getting your pool plans approved
Your local council needs to approve your pool plans before construction work can start. You or your pool building company will need to lodge a development application – please be aware that your pool company may charge extra for this service.
Development applications usually take between four and six weeks to be approved, but different councils can have different timeframes. It is best to check with them for an estimate, and then plan for the longest possible time to make sure you don’t engage your contractors too early.
Planning the different phases of your pool installation
As well as a pool building company, you will also need a number of other contractors to complete all the necessary work on your pool before you can use it. Elements such as tiling, fencing, electrics and landscaping will all need to be completed by experienced professionals, so you will need to find contractors in each of these fields who are available during your pool construction timeframe.
Your pool construction company may be able to help you here, as many have established relationships with reputable contractors. They will also be able to advise you on the order in which the different jobs need to be done, so you can plan the exact days and times when different contractors will be needed.
If you prefer to obtain quotes from different contractors yourself, this is absolutely fine, as long as you do this in good time so the process can run to schedule. Make sure everyone knows exactly when they are expected, and that all jobs are coordinated properly to achieve the quickest possible pool construction time.
If you choose a convenient off-the-shelf solution such as a Little Pool, this will be a lot easier. Little Pools need to be connected by a registered electrician, but once this is done, you can use your pool practically straight away. You can then consider your options when it comes to landscaping, and consult with an expert in your own time.
Want more advice about pool construction times?
Every pool installation is different, so it is practically impossible to give an exact pool construction time, as there are so many different factors to take into account. But experienced pool companies have a good idea of how long each part of the process is likely to take, as they have been through the various stages so many times during their careers.
If you would like more advice about pool construction times, or what is involved in the process of installing a Little Pool, please contact us. Our friendly team will be happy to answer your questions.
