There are over 10.4 million swimming pools gracing backyards across America. And it’s no wonder! A private swimming pool is the best way to cool off and spend time with family in the summer.

Installing a new pool can be much cheaper and faster than you’d think! It all depends on the type of pool you want and the expertise of your pool installer. If you’re ready to make the jump, start by learning about the pool installation process here.

Types of Pools

The first step to pool installation is choosing your pool type! The two basic types of pools are inground and above-ground pools. But these categories can be broken down even further.

Inground pools come in three main varieties:

• Concrete
• Fiberglass
• Vinyl

But there are also alternative options like repurposed shipping container pools and dunk pools. Above ground, pools range from sleek concrete designs to plastic kiddie pools. Whatever your choice, installing a private pool has many amazing benefits!

How to Prepare for Pool Installation

After selecting a pool installation company, you should check a few to-dos off the list. Your pool builder may help you with some of these decisions, but you should be ready with ideas. You’ll need to think about:

• The location of the pool
• The design (size, shape, colors)
• Whether you want extras like slides or waterfalls
• Where you’ll store pool accessories and equipment

Once you’ve sorted through that, it’s time to prepare the space! The actual crew will do all the digging and construction, but you can help by:

• Clearing the construction space (removing plants, furniture)
• Removing any utilities in the area
• Planning how the crew will access the space

And if you want to be a respectful neighbor, we recommend giving people around you a head’s up. There’s nothing worse than planning a backyard family reunion and having to listen to construction noise all day!

Swimming Pool Installation Timeline

The pool installation timeline heavily depends on your pool type. Six to ten weeks is a rough estimate for an inground concrete pool (a very popular choice). Here’s how it works:

• Design process and permits: four to six weeks
• Excavation and planning: one week
• Plumbing and electric: one week
• Material installation: one to four weeks (depending on material)
• Landscaping, tiling, and decking: one to four weeks
• Clean-up and start-up: one week

So if your heart is set on an inground pool, prepare to install it in the spring so you can enjoy it by summer! Of course, you can set up a simple above-ground pool in a day or two if you don’t have the patience.

Enjoy the Summer in Your New Pool!

The pool installation process is relatively quick, but it does need some planning. Start by identifying the type of pool you prefer and go from there. Avoid disappointment by visiting your local pool installer today to create a strategy.

Then you’ll be ready to cannonball into the cool water by summer! And don’t forget to check out more of our informative home guides for inspiration.