What Really Happens During Pool Construction?
Building a custom pool is one of the most exciting home investments you can make — but if you have never been through the process, it can feel like a black box. What happens after you sign the contract? How long does each phase take? What should you expect in your backyard week by week?
At Prestige Pool & Patio, we walk every client through the full construction timeline before we break ground. Here is what the process actually looks like from start to finish.
Phase 1: Design and Engineering
Everything starts with a design consultation — either at our Frisco showroom or at your home. We use 3D rendering software to create a realistic model of your pool so you can see exactly what the finished project will look like before construction begins.
Once the design is approved, our engineering team creates the structural plans. These include the steel layout, plumbing runs, electrical plan, and equipment specifications. This phase typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Phase 2: Permitting
Before any equipment touches your yard, we pull all required permits from your city and HOA. Permitting timelines vary by municipality — some cities process permits in a week, others take 3 to 4 weeks. We handle all of the paperwork and inspections so you do not have to.
Phase 3: Excavation
This is the day it gets real. A large excavator digs the shape of your pool based on the engineered plans. Excavation usually takes 1 to 2 days depending on soil conditions and pool size. Your backyard will look like a construction zone — that is completely normal.
What to expect during excavation:
- Heavy equipment in your yard for 1 to 2 days
- A large dirt pile that will be used for backfill or hauled away
- Temporary disruption to your yard and landscaping
- City inspection of the dig before the next phase
Phase 4: Steel and Plumbing
After excavation, the rebar steel cage is built inside the pool shell. This reinforcing steel is what gives the pool its structural strength. At the same time, all plumbing lines are run — returns, skimmers, drains, and any water features.
This phase takes about 1 to 2 weeks and requires a city inspection before moving forward.
Phase 5: Gunite or Shotcrete
Gunite is the concrete shell of your pool. A crew sprays a mixture of cement, sand, and water over the steel framework at high pressure. The result is a rock-solid shell that forms the permanent structure of your pool.
After the gunite is applied, the pool needs to cure. During the curing period (typically 7 to 10 days), the shell is watered daily to prevent cracking. This is a critical step — do not skip watering if your builder asks you to help.
Phase 6: Tile, Coping, and Decking
Once the shell is cured, the finish work begins. Waterline tile is installed around the top edge of the pool. Coping — the cap that sits on top of the pool wall — is set in place. Then the surrounding deck is poured or installed, whether that is brushed concrete, travertine, or cool deck.
This phase typically takes 1 to 2 weeks and is when the pool really starts to look like a pool.
Phase 7: Equipment Installation
All of the mechanical equipment is installed on the equipment pad — pumps, filters, heaters, automation controllers, salt systems, and lighting transformers. Everything is wired and plumbed to the pool. If you are adding a HIDE equipment enclosure, it goes in during this phase.
Phase 8: Interior Finish (Plaster)
The final major step is the interior finish. Whether you choose standard white plaster, colored quartz, or pebble finish, the plaster crew applies it in a single continuous session. The pool is filled with water immediately after plastering.
Phase 9: Startup and Orientation
Once the pool is full, we balance the water chemistry, program the automation system, and walk you through everything — how to operate the controls, set schedules, and maintain the water. We also schedule follow-up visits during the first few weeks to make sure everything is dialed in.
Timelines depend on your design, permitting, HOA approval and weather. Your proposal includes a project schedule.
Tips for a Smooth Construction Experience
Communicate with your builder
Ask questions anytime. A good builder welcomes them. At Prestige, your project manager is your single point of contact throughout the build.
Plan for temporary disruption
Your backyard will be a construction zone while your pool is built. Timelines depend on your design, permitting, HOA approval and weather. Your proposal includes a project schedule. Plan accordingly — move patio furniture, protect landscaping you want to keep, and let your neighbors know.
Trust the process
There will be stages where the pool looks rough or incomplete. That is normal. Every phase builds on the last, and the transformation at the end is dramatic.
Ready to Start Your Pool Project?
If you are considering a new pool build in North Texas, schedule a free design consultation at our Frisco showroom or call us at (469) 644-7665. We will walk you through the entire process and show you exactly what your backyard could look like.
