Once you’ve gone through the grueling process of planning an inground pool and hiring a contractor, the next big step is installation. Most people understand that installing a swimming pool is a major project, but few understand just how major unless they’ve experienced it before. Here are four points about inground pool installation every homeowner should know going in:
1. Inground pool installation can take a long time
A lot of people start to think about getting a swimming pool during the summer months. What these people may not realize is that after all the planning and construction, there may not be time enjoy the pool before it’s time to close it for the season. Gunite pool construction can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the size and complexity of the pool and the amount of manpower the pool builder throws at it. On the other hand, fiberglass pools take much less time because the shells are prefabricated. They can often be installed in a matter of days.
2. Installation is only part of the cost
A lot of people focus on the cost of the inground pool itself, but by some estimates, that’s only half of what you will actually pay. With landscaping, fencing, lighting, pool toys, and many, many other expenses, it’s easy to wildly underestimate costs. Once you’ve calculated every cost you can think of, you should add something to the budget for the costs you can’t think of.
3. Things can go wrong
A lot of the complications of building an inground pool are apparent at the start. Your landscape may make it difficult to excavate, or you may not have the space for heavy equipment to get in and do its work. But beyond these known issues, unexpected problems can arise. Bad weather can delay construction. Subcontractors can miss deadlines. Planning mistakes can lead to utility lines getting severed or necessary permits getting overlooked. True pool installation horror stories are rare, but it’s also unusual for a project of such size to go off without a hitch.
4. You can do at least some of the work yourself
While the scope of inground pool installation is intimidating, it’s not an impossible project for people who are experienced with home improvement. To make it easier, there are inground pool kits that provide you with all the materials you need. You can always contract out the work you’re not comfortable doing. If nothing else, you may at least be able to handle some of the excavation (ie digging).
Swimming Pool Installation – Know What You’re Getting Into
There’s obviously a lot more to inground pool installation than these four points. While you may not be in the mood to do even more research after planning and financing your pool, it helps to know as much about pool construction as possible to avoid getting blindsided by unforeseen costs or unexpected problems. Besides that, the best thing you can do to ensure a quick and orderly swimming pool installation is to select a reputable and experienced pool contractor.
