How Concrete Pools are Made: DIY Inground Pool Installation

The method to having a concrete swimming pool constructed in your home is not always cut and dry and easily explained.
This brief blog will give you the basic overview of how the construction process takes place. We are in the North Jersey (NJ) area, so if you are from another region, be sure to check with your local professional about the best times of year to have these installed and constructed.

It seems that there is a need to explain things in a basic way, because nowadays everything is so "technical" and overwhelming. Today's message is all about custom inground swimming pool construction.

All custom pools are constructed on-site, versus fiberglass pools that are fabricated in a warehouse and brought in. Because these types of pools are engineered and installed on location, it allows for truly CUSTOM specifications. The average swimming pool takes approximately two months (7-8 weeks) to build. The process includes (but limited to) the following steps:

Steps to Build a Concrete Pool

1. Meet with homeowners to determine design and engineering plan
2. Materials for the form are delivered to the site
3. Hole is dug by professional excavators
4. Form is established and steel framework is installed
5. The shell is poured (concrete)
6. Plumbing and backfill is completed
7. Electrical work is done by a qualified electrician
8. The waterlines are tilled 
9. Step treads
10. Header is completed on the edge of the pool (bull-nose)
11. Extras are implemented, such as water features 
12. Equipment for the filtration system is delivered
13. The shell is completed inspected and cleaned 
14. Finish is applied to the inside of the
15. Water is added
16. Appropriate chemicals are introduced to the water
17. Client instruction and handover

To find a qualified swimming pool installer in NJ, click here

How Much Do Fiberglass Pools Cost? 4 Basic Tips To Detemine

It's funny that when you ask a direct question such as "How much do fiberglass pools cost in NJ?", you get a blank stare or a "well that depends" as an answer.

The truth of the matter is that is DOES depend.. but on what? After doing my own research and looking into this, what would seem, simple question- I have come up with the answers. I can only that my answers help you, as the research helped me.

Step 1: The very first thing that you need to do is communicate to a pool manufacturer or distributor exactly what you want. Oh, you do not know what you want? Well, let's start here:

• What are you using the pool for? (kids, entertainment, occasional enjoyment, etc) 
• How big will it be?
• Do you want a diving board? (important because of depth)
• Do you need it to be wide enough pool for the kids to shoot some hoops or a to create a custom water slide? 
• Will it FIT in your backyard?

These are basic questions, just as if you were getting dressed. You would not go to a store and say "how much for an outfit?" The clerk would ask: where are you going? What will you be doing? Who will you be seeing? You have to come equipped with answers before you can choose the right selection of clothes, right? Ok, move on...I think you got it.

So, back to pools..Ask YOURSELF before coming to a pool company for a price quote. Do not worry if you do not know the answer to all of these questions. I have discovered one of the best sites to actually browse through designs, shapes and sizes of pools, and it might help you too. 
Just click here  and you will be directed to a page that shows you widths, lengths and depths of fiberglass pools. 

Step 2: Research and choose a reputable pool manufacturer. Trust me, this step matters. I ended up using Dolphin Industries (the site above) because of not only their customer service, but they used high quality materials and resins. I believe that you get what you pay for and I was not looking to pay for a cheaply constructed shell. Naturally the prices of pools do depend on the quality of materials used, but I think the best rule of thumb is using the average of 950-1200 per square foot. The fall is sometimes the best time to shop because I have found that these companies are not as busy and also are willing to vie for your business.

Step 3: Imagine the pool is installed right now. Now picture what your yard will look like. Many people forget to incorporate concrete, decking, landscaping and walkways into the budget. Let me tell you from experience, at a bare minimum, you HAVE to have something around the pool. I too fell into the "next year we can do" trap and within 2 weeks, we had a company coming to pour a nice concrete patio around the pool. Now, I can not tell you how much this sort if thing will cost because we all have different ideas of landscaping and hardscaping, but consider that when coming up with your budget.

Step 4: Check with the local authorities and see what sort of ordinances your town has. What I am generally referring to is the fencing around the yard. In our case, we were forced to pull down one side of the yard and install a taller fence because the ordinance dictated that ours was too low. This was not really a big deal because honestly it needed to go anyway, but for you, it needs to be considered. 

I have many recommendations, but this is my pick for the Fiberglass Pool: http://www.dolphinindustriesnj.com/
I am just a regular person, just like you, looking for honest answers...so I thought perhaps I could help you with my research. I will be posting more of my experienced tips as I find the time!
Wishing you the best of luck !