How a Pool Gets Built
Building a custom pool is a major construction project, and understanding what happens along the way makes the process much easier. At Canyon Oak Pools, we believe homeowners should know not only what is happening in their backyard, but why each phase matters.
Every project is different, but the basic construction sequence is consistent. Pool construction is sequential, meaning each phase affects what happens next. Weather, inspections, site conditions and other factors can affect the schedule along the way, which is why experienced scheduling and active project management are so important throughout the entire build.
1. Design
Every Canyon Oak Pools project begins with a design meeting at your property.
One of our Design Consultants will meet with you at your home to see the property firsthand, understand how you want to use your outdoor space, discuss the features that matter most to you and take the measurements and elevations needed to properly design the project.
A current property survey is required. Property lines, easements, setbacks and other site conditions directly affect what can be built and where it can be built.
Proper measurements and elevations are critical. A pool should be designed for the actual property — not simply drawn from photographs or satellite images.
From there, our Design Team works with you to refine the plan until the design, features and overall project are where you want them to be. 3D design and material selection covers this phase in more detail.
2. Material Selections
The materials surrounding your pool have a tremendous impact on the finished project.
Depending on the design, selections may include waterline tile, coping, decking, natural stone, brick, plaster and other finishes. Choosing pool tile, coping and stone goes through the options.
Natural materials such as marble, travertine, limestone, basalt, shellstone and flagstone are exactly that — natural. Variations in color, texture, veining, pits, divots and other characteristics are part of the material rather than defects.
Certain materials may also experience naturally occurring conditions such as oxidation, mineral migration, efflorescence or clefting.
Our team helps homeowners understand the characteristics of the materials they select so expectations match the finished product.
3. Plans, Engineering, HOA & Permitting
Once you have finalized your design and contracted with Canyon Oak Pools, the project moves into pre-construction.
Plans are prepared and, when required, submitted for engineering, HOA approval and municipal permitting. What is actually in a pool permit submittal explains what goes into that, and HOA pool approval covers the separate neighborhood review.
The timeline leading up to this point is largely determined by the homeowner. Some clients make design decisions quickly, while others prefer to take more time refining their pool, features and selections. We don't rush that process — we want you to be comfortable with the pool we're about to build.
Once the project enters engineering, HOA and municipal review, some of the timing moves outside everyone's control. Every city and HOA operates differently, and review times can vary.
We keep the portions within our control moving forward and prepare the project for construction as the necessary approvals are received.
4. Excavation
This is when your pool officially begins to take shape — and when your backyard officially becomes a construction site. Dig day covers what excavation actually looks like.
Excavation requires large equipment, construction traffic and significant movement of soil. Grass and irrigation within the pool, equipment and access areas will likely be affected.
Internet, cable and other low-voltage lines are often installed very shallow and can also be damaged by heavy construction equipment.
North Texas soils can present unique challenges. Depending on the property, soil conditions and engineering recommendations, additional measures such as soil injections and/or piers may be recommended as part of preparing the site and supporting the pool structure. Expansive clay soil and your pool shell explains why.
All of this is part of building a pool.
Once excavation begins, homeowners should keep children and pets completely out of the construction area and keep the designated access path clear for our crews and equipment. Keeping kids and pets safe while your pool is being built has more on this.
5. Steel, Plumbing & Equipment Rough-In
Some of the most important components of your pool are the ones you won't see once the project is finished. Steel, plumbing and equipment covers the phase you will never see again.
After excavation, structural steel is installed to reinforce the pool shell, and the plumbing system that will circulate water throughout the pool begins taking shape.
Pool Plumbing
Much of your pool's plumbing will eventually be buried beneath the ground and finished surfaces, which makes getting it right during construction especially important.
Every pool is different. Pool size, spa configuration, water features, circulation requirements and the overall design all affect how the plumbing system should be laid out.
Proper pool plumbing isn't simply about moving water from the pool to the equipment and back again. The way a pool is plumbed affects circulation, water movement, equipment performance and how efficiently the entire system operates.
That's why Canyon Oak Pools designs the plumbing system for the specific pool being built rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
The plumbing is installed and tested during construction before much of it disappears beneath the finished project.
Pool Equipment
Pool equipment is selected and properly sized for the individual pool and its features. Pool equipment: what each part does and how to judge it breaks the system down.
Pumps, filters, heaters, sanitation, automation and other equipment work together as a system. The right equipment depends on the size and design of the pool, whether it includes a spa or water features, and how the homeowner intends to use it.
Just as important as selecting the right equipment is making sure it is properly installed, programmed and explained to the homeowner.
Before we complete the project, Canyon Oak Pools starts and programs the equipment and walks the homeowner through its operation during Pool School.
6. Gunite & Structural Shell
Gunite creates the permanent structural shell of your swimming pool.
Canyon Oak Pools builds a monolithic gunite structure with approximately 9-inch floors, coves and walls and a 12-inch beam, with additional structural requirements incorporated when called for by engineering or site conditions.
After gunite, shell hydration becomes an important part of the process. Canyon Oak Pools will provide instructions for regularly watering the shell to keep it properly hydrated. Gunite curing explains what hydration does for the shell.
A common misconception is that construction has to stop during this period. It doesn't. While homeowners continue shell hydration as directed, construction keeps moving with tile, coping, masonry, decking and other phases of the project.
7. Tile, Coping, Masonry & Decking
This is when the backyard starts looking less like a construction site and more like the pool you designed. Tile, coping and decking is the phase that makes it yours.
Waterline tile, coping, raised beams, masonry, decking and other architectural features are installed according to the individual design.
Because many of these materials are natural or handcrafted, variation is expected. Natural stone will not look manufactured — and that's part of its beauty.
Concrete also naturally develops cracks. Proper construction practices help manage movement, but no reputable builder can truthfully promise that concrete will never crack.
As these finishes come together, the design that existed on paper begins to take shape in the backyard.
8. Plaster & Fill
Plaster is the final major construction phase and creates the finished interior surface of the pool.
Once plaster is complete, the pool begins filling with water.
The pool should fill continuously until the water reaches the appropriate level. Canyon Oak Pools will provide instructions for this process and let you know what to expect as the pool transitions from construction to startup.
And then comes the part everyone has been waiting for — water in the pool.
9. Startup & Pool School
Once the pool is filled, Canyon Oak Pools begins the startup process. Plaster, fill and startup covers the last week of the build.
We balance the pool water, start and program the equipment and make sure the pool's systems are operating as designed.
We also conduct Pool School with the homeowner.
Pool School is exactly what it sounds like: we teach you how your new pool works. We'll walk you through the equipment, automation, basic operation and the things you need to know to confidently operate your pool.
New plaster also requires some homeowner care during its early life. Canyon Oak Pools will provide specific brushing instructions, and the homeowner will continue brushing the new plaster as directed.
Our goal is simple: when we hand you your pool, we don't want you wondering what buttons to push or what happens next. We want you to understand the pool we've built for you and know how to enjoy it. Owning a pool in North Texas picks up from there.
10. Punch List & Close-Out
A custom pool and outdoor living project involves numerous materials, phases and trade partners, so punch-list work is a normal part of completing a construction project.
As construction wraps up, Canyon Oak Pools identifies and addresses applicable post-construction punch items and works through the final close-out process with the homeowner.
The goal is to finish the project with the same attention we gave it when we started.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Canyon Oak Pool?
There are two very different timelines involved in building a custom pool: pre-construction and construction. How long it really takes to build a pool answers this one in full.
Pre-Construction
A significant portion of the pre-construction timeline is in the homeowner's hands.
Some clients finalize their design quickly. Others prefer to explore different layouts, materials and features before making a final decision. We don't rush that process — we want you to be certain about what we're building before construction begins.
Once you contract with Canyon Oak Pools, your project moves into plans and engineering and, when applicable, HOA and municipal approval. We keep the portions within our control moving, but review and approval times ultimately depend on the individual HOA and municipality.
Construction
Construction scheduling is one of Canyon Oak Pools' greatest strengths.
Larry Parnell has more than 30 years of experience scheduling and building swimming pools, and he runs every single Canyon Oak Pools build. That experience allows him to anticipate what needs to happen several steps ahead and coordinate our trade partners to keep projects moving efficiently.
It's also why we deliberately limit the number of pools we build.
Canyon Oak Pools caps both the number of projects we accept each year and the number we will have under construction at any one time based on what Larry can effectively manage. We would rather turn away work than take on more projects than we can give the proper attention.
Weather, inspections, site conditions, client changes and other circumstances can always affect construction. But by intentionally managing our volume, every Canyon Oak Pools client receives the individualized attention their project deserves.
That combination of more than 30 years of experience, careful scheduling and controlled project volume is a major reason our construction timelines have historically been exceptional.
Because WHO YOU BUILD WITH MATTERS®
Our design and build process covers what we do in more detail, our project gallery shows finished work, and you can meet the rest of the team here. Every quote is built to your exact specifications with no obligation — start a conversation whenever you're ready.
