Pool Construction and Remodeling

The general process for this phase includes:

• Devising a plan and working with you to come up with a pool design.
• Once the design is finalized, a structural engineer is always needed for new pool construction and even sometimes for pool remodels if you’re changing the footprint of the existing pool.  The engineer will create the plans for the structure and these plans will be included with the submittal package that’s created to get the building permits.
• Once we have all the required plans and engineering, we apply for permits and we submit those plans to the local building departments.

Depending on what city you’re building in, and the complexity of the project the timeframe for successfully getting permits can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.  

Once the permits are obtained then the actual work can begin.

The cost for this permitting phase can run from $1,000 - $3,500, potentially more if a soils report is required. Additionally, there may be fees for drawing up plans and walking the documents through the permit process that could range between $500 - $1,000.  

Excavation refers to new pool construction.  And for new pools, this is where we start “digging”.  In this stage we’ll be excavating the area where your new pool will be built.  We use heavy machinery (like a backhoe) for this step so things go relatively quickly and should only take a few days.  We’ll also be doing the trenching for gas and electrical lines and plumbing.

When it comes to remodels - important factors that impact how much demo will be needed are issues like changing the shape of the existing pool.  For example, changing from a rectangular pool to a “Grecian” style pool (or vice-a versa) increases the amount of demo needed as it could require more wall demo on the existing pool structure. It can also cause a need to remove more of the decking, coping and tile which will affect the cost of the demo.

Keep in mind that when doing remodels, this is one area where there are a lot of potential “unknowns”.  Sometimes this stage of the project is like opening Pandora’s Box.   For example,  we won’t know the condition of the gunite until we’ve removed the plaster.  If the gunite is not in good shape and crack repairs are needed, that can increase costs significantly.  Determining if crack repair is needed or not can only be done after the demo is complete.

In general, demo for a replastering only project costs less than demo for new pools and remodels.

The cost for the Excavation/Demo phase can run from $5,000 - $25,000.

Both parts of this stage are very important in the pool building process.  For plumbing we'll install PVC pipes to connect your pool's circulation system.  This includes the skimmers, main drains, and return lines.

The Steel Work portion of the phase involves placing rebar within the pool's walls, floor, and steps according to the pool design and engineering specifications. The rebar is typically placed in a grid pattern, with horizontal and vertical bars.

This would also include working on the pool cover vault if you’ve decided to include a pool cover in your project.

The cost for the Plumbing and Steel Work phase can run from $5,000 - $15,000.

Gunite forms the structural shell of the pool along with reinforcing steel.   Gunite is sprayed through a hose at high velocity and the material is mixed with water at the nozzle.  It forms  a strong and long-lasting pool structure.

As the gunite is sprayed on, other team members follow behind the nozzleman to shape and groom the gunite using trowels and other hand tools. This creates a formed and even surface that the plaster or pebble will adhere to in a subsequent phase.  After this spraying and smoothing step, the curing process takes anywhere from 7 - 10 days.

The cost for this phase can run from $8,000 - $15,000 depending on the surface.  

This phase includes the installation of tile and coping.

Tile, mentioned in this phase, can refer to several things.  It can mean the tile located strictly at your pool’s waterline.  Or tile can also be found on steps or even in patterns at the bottom of the pool.  But, typically the tile we’re referring to is the tile found at the waterline of the pool.

Coping caps off the pool wall and is the material found immediately around the edge of the pool. It’s decorative and a comfortable place to sit at the pool’s edge.  Some common coping materials include precast, travertine, brick or pavers. 

The cost for tile and coping can range from $4,500 - $15,000 or more depending on other features like a raised wall or an all tile spa.

The equipment set phase involves installing and connecting the essential pool equipment required for water circulation, filtration, sanitation, and, in some cases, heating. This phase is critical for ensuring that your pool will operate efficiently and maintain clean, safe water.  Here are some of the main components.

Pool pump: Install the pump on a level, solid surface near the pool, and ensure proper electrical connections are made.

Pool filter: The filter is responsible for removing debris and contaminants from your pool.  There are three main types of pool filters: sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth (DE) and we’ll install whichever one of these was spec’d out for your pool.

Pool heater (optional): If your pool is to be heated, a pool heater will need to be installed. There are various types of pool heaters, including gas, electric, heat pump, and solar. Here, we’ll connect the heater to the pool's plumbing system and ensure proper electrical or gas connections are made.

Other: Other equipment that would need to be installed can include anything from simple time clocks or fully automated controls to the installation of UV systems, chemical controllers and even the installation of LED lights in the pool itself.  

The cost for the equipment set phase can range from $5,000 - $20,000 depending on what components are involved.

This is the hardscape area surrounding the pool and is often called the “apron”.  It provides a functional and aesthetically pleasing area for lounging, walking, or placing outdoor furniture.

Some of the most common materials used for this include pavers and concrete.

The cost for this phase ranges from $8,000 - $30,000  or more depending, again, on the surface area.

This is the final step in the building/remodeling process and occurs after the equipment has been set and we have passed the pre-plaster inspection. 

There are different surfaces that can be used in this phase.  For example, tile could be used, but it is prohibitively expensive in California.  

Another common surface is Pabble Tec.  It’s commonly just called “pebble”.  This comes in several different finishes that can be chosen like “Original”, “Refined”, “Elegant”, etc.

In our area, Pebble is the most common finish we use because it’s the most durable and it’s also one of the most attractive finishes.  Pebble also blends into the surrounding landscape better than the standard white plaster that’s also used as a pool finish.

Pebble is typically more expensive than white plaster, but some of the colored plaster surfaces can be comparable in price to the Pebble material. 

Right after the Pebble process is completed the pool is filled with water and all the equipment is turned on.  

The cost for this phase ranges from $10,000 - $20,000.  

This phase includes installing the railing that the pool cover slides in as it’s being opened and closed, the motor that moves the cover and the actual cover itself.  

Approximately 25% of our new pools or remodels have a pool cover installed.  These are mostly done on new construction projects.  Very few remodels have covers installed as part of the project, but they do happen. 

The cost for installing a pool cover can range from $15,000 - $30,000.

This final phase involves balancing your pool water's chemistry in order to create a safe, comfortable, and clean environment for swimming. Proper water balance also protects your new  pool equipment and pool surfaces from damage. 

In this phase we test your pool’s water chemistry over a week or so period of time, making adjustments based on that testing.  Once this is complete, you’ll have a pool with stable water chemistry that will be ready to swim in.

The cost for this final phase can range from $1,400 - $1,700.