How Quickly Can An Inground Swimming Pool Be Installed?

How long does it take from the contract signing to the start of construction for an inground swimming pool?  Well that answer will depend on the factors listed below.

IS THE PROCESS THE SAME NO MATTER WHERE I BUY?

The procedure will vary depending on the caliber of the company.  Large companies and companies that have been in business a long time, typically have a more intricate process.  This will ensure that the buyer is fully aware of exactly what they are contracting to get, so that the construction process will be hassle free and straight forward.  At the end the buyer will have exactly what they expected.  Smaller companies and those that have limited experience generally have a much quicker process.  This involves less buyer interaction, and can pose a greater chance for unwanted surprises down the road.  It is very important for the buyer to make sure everything agreed on is in the contract before signing it.

FORMALIZE THE AGREEMENT

In most situations, there will be a contract signing where the buyer and the inground swimming pool builder will formalize the agreement.  This will define all the items and services that will be included with the purchase of the inground swimming pool.  Next, there is usually some sort of paperwork that that must be signed off on. This confirms the size and shape of the pool and the location of where the pool will be in the backyard.

THE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED … NOW WHAT?

Once the agreement is signed and location is determined and signed off on, most municipalities have a requirement that a licensed engineer prepares a grading plan on the location where the pool will be built.   These documents will be drafted, approved and sealed.  This must be submitted to the governing authority along with an application for a permit.

DO I NEED A PERMIT AND IF SO, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

In some towns it will take longer for the permitting process.   This is related to the complexity of the individual municipality that you will be dealing with and their individual rules and regulations.  Depending on the locality of where the pool will be built, there may be special rules required from DEP (Department of Environmental Protection), and wetlands regulations known as CAFRA (Coastal Area Facility Review Act).  Each of these governmental departments has their own permits and restrictions. The time each permitting process takes will depend on the size of the individual municipality, the number of permits in queue, and the geographical location.  On average smaller townships (in the state of New Jersey and Pennsylvania), take one to three weeks for the permit process.  Medium size towns can take two to five weeks.  In larger towns a four to eight week permit process is more common.

PERMIT IS READY!

After the permit is approved, or sometime close to when it will be, the inground swimming pool builder should schedule a preliminary excavation or start date.  This must correlate with when the materials can be delivered to the site, and labor can start on the construction.

BEST ADVICE … PLAN EARLY!

Buying an inground pool is not something that will result in instant gratification.  When you purchase an inground swimming pool it is a lifetime investment.  There is a planning stage before the pool can be built, it is generally not something that you should be thinking of when the weather is hot.  Especially when the pool is more complex, or if multiple contractors are involved as the time to complete the entire project may increase.  If you hire a pool builder that does not have much familiarity with large scale projects that could also affect the overall permitting process. It is important to remember that when you purchase a pool it is not an annual purchase.  It is something that is generally done once or maybe twice in an individual’s lifetime.  It is important to get everything in order.  Make sure you have a clear understanding of what you can expect from your pool builder.  If you are planning to get a full season of use out of the swimming pool, then start early as this will ensure a better chance of having the pool ready by the time you want to use it. This gives more time for the permitting process, more time for the pool builder to do their job correctly, and more time for the township engineers to complete their part in the process.  At the end it will produce a seamless, hassle free installation.