Swimming Pool Steel

Typical Swimming Pool Construction Format

In order for you to become familiar with each different phase of swimming pool construction and know what is entailed, and what to expect, we have put together this information.

On average you can expect approximately 3 to 4 weeks to begin construction. This includes conceptual renderings as well as time spent discussing how you and your family will use the pool and what is the best area of your yard to place the swimming pool to maximize functionality as well as aesthetics. Typical installation time from start of excavation, depending upon weather, is six to eight weeks.  However, some projects may require longer depending upon the extent of the project.  It is our desire at Southern Elegance Pools to complete a new residential swimming pool as soon as possible. However, at no time will we ever sacrifice our reputation of quality construction in order to meet a particular deadline.

Contract and Payment

Due to the expense involved in the construction of swimming pools, the typical schedule of payments will look similar to what is outlined in your sales contract.  For your convenience, we have listed the payment plan below.  Your prompt payment will enable your swimming pool company to expedite the completion of your pool. To insure construction time will not be lost, you will typically be contacted with reminders, at which time arrangements can be made to pick up/pay online your scheduled payment.

$                     10%                 Down Payment

$                     25%                 Excavation

$                     25%                 Installation of Concrete Shell

$                     25%                 Installation of Filter Equipment

$                     10%                 Decking

$                       5%                 Final Payment

All Scheduled Payments and Change Orders will typically have to be paid before the next phase of construction can be scheduled so paying your pool builder quickly will usually help keep the process moving at an optimum speed.

Pool Construction Plans

Pool plans and the contract should have been reviewed by this time of the process.  If there are any discrepancies or questions you must make sure to contact your Sales Representative immediately.  Pool plans, ARB information, (if applicable) and permit application are submitted. The time required varies depending upon county and work load of the said county department. After the proper permits and ARB’s have been applied for and obtained, the construction department will schedule for layout and excavation of your new swimming pool.

Construction Phases and Procedures

 Lay Out and Excavation

At the time of lay out, the construction department will stake out your pool with wood stakes and forms to the specifications indicated on the construction plans that you approved. This will show the pool’s shape and location on your property, as indicated per the construction drawings. It is imperative that the permit pack remain in an obvious place and accessible for county, & city inspections. Typically this will be on the back patio near the pool.

The staked out area must not be disturbed, as the stakes are set at a certain grade exactly right for your swimming pool’s shell to be installed.

If by chance a customer is not satisfied with the location of the pool after it has been laid out and formed, as per your approved working drawings, and it becomes necessary to move it, there will typically be an additional charge and A CHANGE ORDER MUST BE SIGNED so be certain to look very closely over the construction drawings prior to this phase.

If at this time Tile, Deck Color and Interior finish selections have not been made it should be done immediately. Especially pertaining to pavers, some of the lead times to have the product on sight can be weeks.

Excavation

At this point the excavation will be completed within the designated layout area.  The excess dirt will be loaded and moved away by trucks if so designated in contract. Under normal soil conditions, this takes approximately one day. PLEASE DO NOT ask for extra dirt to be left on your property unless you are sure you can use the extra dirt. In the event you should change your mind after the excavators are gone, there will be a charge for the trucks and equipment to return for the dirt removal. At this time your excavation payment is due.

Certain areas of Florida and South Georgia have a very high water table.  If by chance, your soil has this type of condition, you may notice that a pump will be hooked up on the area near the swimming pool excavation and will run continuous through the first two stages of construction. This is a necessary operation and the pump should not be shut off or power disconnected at any time or it could cause the dirt around the excavated area to collapse causing time and money delays. Should the pump stop for some reason, you should contact your construction office as soon as possible.

Steel and Rough Plumbing

A steel crew will now place the steel inside the excavated area to form a complete basket inside the pool (typically 12″ X 12″ Squares). The main drains are also set in place at this time and shot into the shell of the pool at a later phase. This operation varies in time depending on the size, shape, and soil conditions.  Your pool is now ready to receive the concrete, after inspection from a county.

Concrete

The shell of most in-ground swimming pools in Jacksonville are pneumatically applied with an especially designed concrete mix.  This process is usually completed in one day. Precautions will be taken to protect the surrounding area of shrubs, trees, etc. as much as possible. In a lot of cases there will be water that will collect in the bottom of your pool shell near the main drains. That will typically get pumped out later just before the interior finish is installed. At this time your shell payment is due and it is okay for the pump that is de-watering the ground to be shut off.

Strip and backfill

The forms will be stripped and dirt will be placed against the pool shell, and roughly graded around your pool as needed.

Tile and Filter Equipment

The pool shell is now ready for installation of tile, plumbing and setting of the filtration equipment. At this time, your equipment payment is typically due.

Electrical

The electrician will typically contact you to set up an appointment to come out and complete the electrical hook-up of your equipment to your service panel. If there are any problems with the lack of service in your panel box, it will be necessary for you to correct any problems that would prevent the completion of the electrical hook-up. At this time any inspections, if required, would be requested.

GAS LINE HOOK UP – If applicable

At this time it is a good idea to contact your gas company to install any lines or a tank that would be required for the hook up of your gas heater and or fire pit if you are installing one.

Deck

ACRYLIC DECK: The forming crew places forms for concrete according to your approved plans. Certain counties require a deck inspection and termite spray before the concrete can be poured for your deck. If a termite spray is required, typically the pool contractor can assist you in setting a schedule with the termite company of your choice and answering any questions they may have. It is best to have the termite spray on the morning of the county required deck/grounding inspection. The termite company needs to leave a certificate of spray in the permit pack. After the inspection the concrete is poured and the Acrylic texture process should start within approx. 7 days after a the concrete has had some time to cure. It is also a good idea to divert any sprinklers that might hit the deck area to aid in the curing process because the Acrylic process needs the deck to be kept dry.  Another common issue is tracking dirt on fresh Acrylic could result in permanent stains. So try to keep pets and people off for as long as possible.

PAVERS; If you are receiving Pavers, it is extremely important that your color selections are chosen before construction starts. Some pavers are not stored at a distributor, and certain styles are only made at specific times during each month. Therefore the Swimming pool company will need to order your pavers as soon as they have a selection and approved plans.

RAIN FORECAST…………..IMPORTANT…..

Due to the weather conditions in the North Florida – South Georgia area, much consideration to your pool is given, and could be greatly affected by rain. Therefore, it  may be necessary to postpone work due to threat of rain or lightening. Also, Jacksonville is a large area and crews can be getting stalled by rain on one side of town even if it is not raining on your side of town so take in to consideration that they crews don’t get paid unless they are working and they want to be making progress just as much as you.

Fences & Screen Enclosures

At this time, if applicable, the pool company will install your screen enclosure. If you are not receiving a screen, your property fence needs to be installed to meet the state code for your final safety inspection. If you are installing a Baby Barrier fence, this will be scheduled after the completion of your screen or prior to the safety inspection. All counties require a safety inspection before the interior finish on your pool can be installed. It will require someone 18 years or older to be home. The construction department will typically call you to schedule the day for the inspection. St. John’s county, Clay and Nassau Counties also require another final inspection, which should not require anyone to be home. This inspection will be done after the start up of your pool.

Interior Finish

After the shell is properly prepared your interior finish will be scheduled. At this time, the last scheduled payment is due. Some swimming pool companies will allow you to hold all or part of the final payment until the “punch out” items are resolved. The water will be turned on to fill the pool when the interior finish and acid wash is completed, sometimes the acid wash is completed the following day after the interior has been installed. The amount of time to fill your pool varies due to size and water pressure. Once the water has started filling your pool, DO NOT TURN IT OFF until the water level is approximately in the middle of the tile on the waterline and the skimmer is full of water. After the pool is full, someone will be sent to start your swimming pools equipment and add the initial chemicals. Brushing will help expose the aggregate unless your contractor did an acid wash prior to filling the pool in which case it should look fairly close to the finished product but some brushing will make minor improvements.

There are certain characteristics of pool plaster of which you should be aware. The plaster finish may not perfect. When plastering a large area it is typically common for some areas to be slightly more exposed (more aggregate showing) than others. The finish is as flawless as hand troweling will permit.  The pool is plastered with man made and raw mined materials therefore it is not unusual to have inconsistencies. The plaster is a material made with cement and aggregate and some discoloration or mottling may occur. These inconsistencies are normal and will not affect the physical durability of the plaster.

Start-Up and Safety Inspection

Chemicals will be put into your swimming pool’s water and a time will set up a time to give you instructions (pool school), warranty certificates and a user manuals on the operation of your new pool should also be given at this time. If you have a salt generator, the salt will be put in your pool approximately two to four weeks from the interior finish date. 

Once you have completed pool school it is time to enjoy your new in-ground swimming pool! A swimming pool is a product like no other and gives an individual or a family an excellent opportunity to better enjoy life! There are several highly trained, great swimming pool companies in the Jacksonville and Beaches area. We always recommend   asking friends who have had pools installed and what their experience was with that company. All projects are different and some projects tend to experience more speed bumps than others but a good contractor will always see that the project is completed with high quality and communicate often with the customer.

If you are in search of a great swimming pool, please give us the opportunity to see if we are the company for you and that you are the customer for us! Please call/text us at 904-626-4232 or email at southernelegancepools@gmail.com