How long does it take to build a vinyl swimming pool?

How Long Does It Take to Build a Vinyl Swimming Pool?

A popular and good question that we are asked frequently is “how long does a pool take to build?” It is an understandable question as no one likes to see their yard flipped upside down longer than they have to. A typical vinyl swimming pool with modest landscaping will take a total of approximately 3 calendar weeks from the day we break ground. Of the 3 weeks, the vinyl pool installation will take between 5-7 working days. Landscape enhancements can take anywhere from 2 days up to 2 weeks depending on the complexity of the design. Keep in mind this does not include the time required for project design/approval and obtaining applicable permits. For a better idea of the whole pool construction process, we have detailed the steps with images for building a pool in a backyard. For more information on how much to budget for a new swimming pool, you can read our article on “How Much Does a Vinyl Inground Swimming Pool Cost”.

Note that there is an administrative component to any swimming pool installation before a pool contractor can break ground. Please click here to read our Guide to the Swimming Pool Permitting Process for the municipalities we service in the GTA region.

Step By Step Vinyl Pool Construction Process

PREPARING THE AREA

EXCAVATION

This is the dirtiest part of the job. A typical pool takes a minimum of 500 passes from back to front, trailing lots of soil along the way. It usually takes 2-3 days for the excavation of the pool to complete which includes clean up. However, this will vary depending on the size of machine we are able to bring to the backyard, obstacles, length of travel from backyard to front for dump truck etc.

CONSTRUCTING THE VINYL INGROUND POOL

INSTALLATION

Once excavation is complete, our crew will install steel panels on the 2’ bench that we have excavated. We have to dig a 2’ bench around entire pool to ensure we have space for the braces and plumbing. This usually takes a day to complete.

PLUMBING

At this stage, connections for the pool and pressure testing for leaks are performed and usually takes 1 day to complete.

CONCRETE

Once all plumbing is complete our concrete crew comes in to pour concrete around the foundation(steel walls) as well as a 4” base for the smooth vermiculite coat. The reason we install a 4” slab is to make sure we have a solid foundation for the liner so we have no problems with sagging and wrinkles. This usually takes half a day.

BACKFILLING

All projects are backfilled with ¾” clear gravel to prevent future settling. We install 12” sump sano tube for any excessive water pressure pushing against the walls. Once backfilling is complete we will pressure test your plumbing as we want to ensure we have no leaks prior to pouring any decks. This usually takes 1 day.

LANDSCAPING THE SURROUNDINGS

POOL DECK LANDSCAPING

Depending on your chosen landscaping design, either our interlock or concrete crew will commence work around the pool deck or patio. This can vary from 2 days to 2 weeks depending on the complexity and size of the project.

FINISHING THE POOL

TROWEL

Once the majority of the dirty work is behind us, we smooth trowel a ½”-1” coat of vermiculite mix to the bottom of the pool. We chose to apply a top coat of vermiculite* versus gunite (mixture of sand and cement) because this will prevent any abrasion (wear and tear on the liner) or the sand simply washing away after some time.

*Vermiculite is a soft insulated cement that is light weight and gentle on your liner.