How Long Does It Take to Build a Pool in SC (Gunite Pools)?

One of the most common questions prospective pool owners ask us is, “How long does it take to build a pool?” For a project that’s large enough to fill an entire backyard, nailing the specifics, time-wise, is key for a successful, happy, and stress-free build.

Which is why we’d like to give you the short answer: With Charleston Pools and Service, we can have your gunite pool up and running in about 12-16 weeks. But that’s only if all your ducks are in a row.

Curious to hear how long a swimming pool build in South Carolina can take if approached one step at a time?

‍Charleston Pools and Service here. We’ve helped transform more than 1,500 backyards in the Charleston area into luxurious outdoor retreats. If you’re thinking about building a fiberglass or gunite pool that enhances your outdoor living area and fits your unique lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place.

In this quick read, you’ll learn about how long it takes to build an inground gunite pool in South Carolina, including:

• A breakdown of new gunite pool construction timelines
• A standard 12-week pool build at most pool construction companies
• 6 Factors that influence how long pools take to build
• How to reduce gunite pool installation timelines
• About Charleston Pools and Service’s 30-day pool guarantee and how it differs from most other pool installation timelines
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about pool construction timelines

New swimming pool construction timeline: A breakdown

When pool contractors build a new backyard gunite swimming pool, they usually model the timeline of completion in three ways: the fastest possible build option, the more common build option, and the build option that includes unforeseen challenges.

• If a pool is built as fast as possible: No delays occur, all materials are ready, permits have been approved, and the construction team is ready to go to work. You can expect a pool to be built in as little as five to 10 weeks.
• The more common timeline: If you’re new to the pool-building process, it can become complicated quickly. 12-16 weeks is a more realistic estimate for pool builds, factoring in delays.
• When unforeseen challenges and delays occur: Municipal red tape, poor weather, supply chain issues (for materials), change orders, and subcontractor scheduling can extend a pool build from a matter of weeks to a matter of months. Fortunately, if you’re working with a pool building professional and an expert in-house team, you’ll likely have your pool built within a much shorter timeframe.

How long it takes to build an inground pool in SC

From dig to startup and handoff, a luxury gunite pool build that doesn’t experience any unforeseen challenges, usually follows the following timeline:

• Weeks 1-4: Pre-construction
• Weeks 5-6: Excavation, plumbing, and framing
• Weeks 7-8: Pool shell preparation and installation
• Weeks 9-10: Tile, coping, and decking
• Week 11: Equipment installation
• Week 12: Startup, final finishes, and final inspections

Continue reading for a closer look at what’s involved at each week of this timeline.

Week 1-4: Pre-Construction (design, site preparation, and permits)

The first part of the pre-construction process for a new gunite pool is determining the design and features of your pool. You’ll want to come with magazine clippings, TikTok inspiration, and samples of your desired pool features.

Your pool builder will then bring your vision to life. For example, at Charleston Pools and Service, part of our pool services includes creating 3D renderings and models of what your new pool will look like.

‍➡️The design and layout time takes about 1-2 weeks.📐‍

Once you’re confident about the direction of the design of your new backyard pool, it’s time to apply for a building permit. If you live in a homeowners association (HOA), you may also need to receive approval to build from your HOA board.

The good news is that your pool builder will help you navigate the permitting process to help you avoid months of red tape and traditionally sluggish municipality approval processes.

‍➡️The permitting process tends to take anywhere from 2-4 weeks.📄

Week 5-6: Excavation and framing

After the permitting and design process, just prior to digging a great, deep hole in your backyard where your pool shell will live, your pool contractor will make sure the building site is clear of any large objects that could affect the build process. They’ll use a utility locator to mark gas, water, and electrical infrastructure that could cross through your area.

This process can take anywhere between two and five days. After your team has marked the space, it’s time to dig.

• Excavation (About 1-5 days): Depending on the conditions of your backyard, digging the hole where your pool will live can take as little as a day or up to five days. One way to speed up dig time is to begin excavation at a warmer time of the year to avoid the challenges of breaking hardened soil during cold weather.
• Framing and plumbing (5-10 days): Your pool builder will install steel reinforcements to shape your pool. Though framing and plumbing times may differ depending on the size of the pool, this stage is all about forming the skeleton, if you will, for your pool. Your pool construction team will install your pool’s plumbing, including jets, drains, return lines, and more. Depending on your pool design and the number of water features used, the process may require additional engineering and therefore additional time.

Week 7-8: Gunite pool shell installation

Since gunite pool shells are created with concrete that’s sprayed on to the steel rebar framing, gunite day usually takes just one day. But this is where it gets interesting.

Gunite curing can take up to 28 days, with most of the strength of the shell firming up in the first seven to 10 days. After the pool shell is dry, your pool installation team will backfill and plumb the pool.

Backfilling and plumbing can occur within this time as well, that is, after the concrete shell has gained enough strength to handle backfilling and plumbing. By building your pool during more mild seasons, weather-wise, you’re less likely to experience delays with the process of installing the pool shell.

Week 9-10: Tile, coping, and decking

➡️The tile and coping process takes on average 1-2 weeks. The process involves tiling your pool’s inside edges and installing coping that hangs over the outer edges of the pool.

Tiling and coping help provide your pool with added protection, and frankly, make it look more aesthetically pleasing.

🤔Pro tip: Since tiling and coping require the use of mortar, we recommend tiling and coping your pool during warmer times of the year, as the strength and speed of mortar curing is affected by extreme temperatures and the level of moisture in the air.

After tiling and coping, we’re left with adding your pool deck and sprucing up the hardscape around your backyard pool. Many people opt for poured-concrete decks, but additional materials — like stone, wood, and natural pavers like travertine — are other great options.

Depending on city or county regulations and permit requirements, you may also need to add fencing around your pool. If a pool fence is needed, not to worry, though.

Your pool contractor will walk you through these details and the installation process for a pool fence early on in the planning phase of your pool build, so you’re not blindsided by this expectation.

‍➡️The decking and hardscape installation process takes on average 1-2 weeks as well.

Week 11: Equipment installation

➡️Equipment installation and electrical work takes on average 3-5 days.‍

At this point in your journey, the structure of your pool should now be complete. Now, we need to install pumps, filters, lights, heaters, and more, especially for complex features and outdoor water features.

Your team will ensure that all pool equipment is installed efficiently, safely, and appropriately before moving into interior finishes and balancing water chemistry.

What’s more, any small chips, cracks, or superficial scratches that occur as a result of the installation process will be fixed before the pool is filled with water.

‍➡️Adding interior finishes to a gunite pool takes about 1-2 days. Filling a pool and balancing the water chemistry for gunite pools takes about 5-7 days.

Week 12: Plastering, final finishes, startup, and final inspections

As we head into the final countdown before swimming, all that’s left is adding a plaster, pebble, or other material finish to your pool, which takes about 1-2 days. Next, we start up your pool and complete any last finishes & inspections.

Some municipalities require an inspector to inspect your pool before it can be used.

For example, in the Charleston, SC area, a final inspection approval or certificate of completion from your local building department is required to clear your pool for use. If you’re ever in doubt about how to obtain a certificate of completion or final inspection approval, your pool contractor can help you.

If an inspection is needed, and if your inspector finds faults with the construction of your pool, you’ll need to conduct any necessary pool repairs to remedy the situation and also have your pool inspected again.

But if you live in the Charleston area, not to worry. You can always give us a call.🤳🏼

As part of our commitment to getting your pool up and running on time, we’ll create a punch list of items with you and allot the time needed to get your pool up and running within the timeline we set in the planning stages of your pool build.

‍➡️The plastering, final finishes, startup, and final inspections typically take about a week, but could be longer depending on the time needed to get a municipal inspector to inspect your pool.

6 Factors that influence gunite pool build timelines

Now that you have a realistic timeline for pool construction and know what to expect with a gunite pool installation, if you’re planning to build a new pool or spa, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with factors that can influence the construction timeline.

Six influential factors that can affect the construction timeline of an inground swimming pool include:

1. Permit delays: Some municipalities approve pool projects in a matter of a week. Others take months. Fortunately, experienced pool builders can help expedite the permitting process and save you time and precious resources.
2. Working with an in-house team: Scheduling all the necessary subcontractors who build your pool can be stressful. When you work with a professional in-house team, all subcontractors work under one roof, allowing you to keep the building process chugging along at a consistent pace.
3. Weather: Unfortunately, inclement weather can delay the construction process. While the weather can be impossible to predict, a skilled builder can strategically plan each phase of the process to adapt to weather changes, maximize progress, and minimize delays.
4. Supply shortages: Whether dealing with equipment or materials, planning ahead, ordering early, and building a pool during non-peak pool season can help you avoid potential bottlenecks and supply chain issues.
5. HOA, inspections, and permits: Since inspections and the permit approval process can take weeks to months, we recommend planning your permit and inspection process as early as possible to ensure your builder can get your pool up and running as soon as possible. Plus, you’re always welcome to reach out to your pool contractor for advice or help with the permit and inspection process.
6. Mid-project design changes: As with any large-scale home improvement project, a mid-project design change can put the brakes on a smooth, efficient construction process. For example, if you’re thinking of adding custom features to your pool, let your pool contractor know as early as possible. Better yet, reach out to them from day one and inquire about your design options. The earlier you can get clarity on your vision, the more efficient the pool building and remodeling process will be.

Pool installation tip #1

One way to maximize the use of your pool is with fire features. Consider adding fire line features, fire walls, or copper fire bowls to keep the party going long after the sun goes down.

Curious to see what fire features look like? Check them out here on our Instagram page.🔥

How to reduce gunite pool installation times

Some of the best ways to reduce the time to install a gunite swimming pool are by locking in key construction and design processes that generally tend to take more time. Some of the details of those processes include the following:

Want to get your backyard pool even faster? Lock in our 30-day fiberglass pool guarantee

Pool installation timelines always vary. In general, a typical gunite pool takes about 12-16 weeks to build. If you’re looking to buy a pool in less time, have you considered fiberglass pools?

Fiberglass pools install quickly and save time because gunite and vinyl materials aren’t used. In fact, time-consuming processes, like plastering or concrete curing, aren’t a part of the fiberglass pool process.

When you build a fiberglass pool, you can opt for the same complex water features as a gunite pool without the additional time needed to wait for concrete to cure.

If you’re thinking about a new pool build, we invite you to partner with us. We’ve streamlined our process to deliver high-quality fiberglass pools in as little as 30 days.

Whether you’re looking for a classic rectangular design or a modern infinity pool with all the features, our team can make your dream pool happen quickly and efficiently.

Enjoy the premium pool experience without the long waits. Dive into your new pool sooner, and start enjoying resort-like luxury at home.

Looking to build something different than a fiberglass pool? We also do custom gunite, concrete, and vinyl liner pools.

Need pool financing? We also hold long-standing relationships with reputable lenders. We have your back every step of the way.

To schedule a complimentary design consultation for your new South Carolina pool, contact us today.

We look forward to building the backyard oasis of your dreams.🏊🏼♂️

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about pool construction timelines

1. Which factors influence the length of time it takes to build a pool?

The most common factors that influence the length of time needed to build a backyard swimming pool include:

• Permits and inspections: Such as city permits, inspection times, and the HOA approval process
• Site-specific changes and weather changes: Inclement weather, yard access, soil conditions, and precipitation can affect a pool build.
• Materials and design planning: The type of pool, features added, and supply delays can affect a pool build timeline.

2. When’s the best time of the year to build a pool in SC?

October to February tends to be the best time to build a pool in South Carolina.

Peak pool building season tends to be between March and August.

3. What should I look for in a pool contractor?

What you should look for in your pool contractor is whether they’re licensed, bonded, and insured, their track record of success, how many pools they’ve built, and reviews of their previous work.

4. How long does it take to get approval to build a new pool?

Receiving approval to build a simple, smaller pool can take about two to four weeks, whereas more complex projects can take anywhere from four to eight weeks.

5. What’s the best way to avoid creeping pool construction costs?

The best way to stay on budget and avoid pool construction costs from creeping up is:

• Set a budget and stick to it
• Consider the different phases of the project
• Build with size in mind
• Plan with your property’s landscape in mind
• Consider whether you’d like to build a gunite, concrete, or fiberglass pool
• Design with backyard furniture in mind
• Determine whether a pool fence or automatic cover is better for your pool
• Be mindful of automation and lighting options

6. How can I keep my pool build on schedule?

You can ensure that your pool build stays on schedule by communicating often with your pool contractor. They’re there to help you build your pool with exactly the specs, budget, and timelines you had in mind.

You can also get a head start on permitting. Permits for pool builds can cause delays and slow down the process for building a pool. Sometimes, they take months to approve.

Your pool professional of choice is going to be one of your best allies in keeping your pool build moving on time. We always recommend reaching out to them to approximate how long it will take to build your pool, especially if you're building your pool during busy spring and summer pool-building season.

7. Why build a fiberglass pool?

Fiberglass pools are like vinyl liner and concrete pools, but they differ in a few ways. Fiberglass pools are a wonderful home investment for the following reasons:

• They install quickly because it uses a pre-manufactured pool shell.
• They come in many different shapes & sizes
• They’re durable and offer a number of available features
• They’re relatively low maintenance and offer a great resale value
• They’re compatible with saltwater systems and conversions and are energy efficient
• Pool maintenance costs are relatively low

Charleston Pools And Service: You Can Be Swimming in 30 Days✨