One of the most common questions homeowners ask when planning a backyard pool project is about timing. Understanding the construction timeline helps you plan family schedules, landscape projects, and set realistic expectations for when you’ll be enjoying your new pool.
The average gunite pool construction takes 45-90 days from excavation to completion, though this timeline varies significantly based on design complexity, weather conditions, permit processing, inspection schedules, and material availability. Unlike purchasing a pre-manufactured product, gunite pools are built entirely on-site with multiple phases that cannot be rushed without compromising quality.
Breaking Down the Construction Phase Timeline
Understanding what happens during each phase helps explain why quality gunite pool construction requires patience and proper scheduling.
Weeks 1-2: Permitting, Engineering, and Site Preparation Before any digging begins, your builder must obtain necessary permits and complete engineering requirements. This administrative phase often takes 1-3 weeks depending on your municipality’s processing times. Some jurisdictions require soil reports, setback surveys, or homeowner association approvals that can extend this timeline.
Days 1-3: Excavation and Rough Plumbing The dramatic transformation begins with excavation. Heavy equipment removes soil according to your pool’s custom design specifications. Plumbing lines for returns, drains, and equipment are installed in trenches before the hole is finalized. This phase moves quickly in favorable conditions but can be delayed by unexpected rock, poor soil conditions, or underground utilities.
Days 4-7: Steel Installation and Pre-Shoot Inspection Skilled crews build the steel rebar framework that gives your pool its structural integrity. This critical phase requires precision—proper steel placement and spacing directly impact your pool’s long-term durability. Most municipalities require inspection approval before proceeding to the gunite application.
The Gunite Application and Curing Process
Day 8-9: Gunite Application The exciting gunite shoot typically takes 1-2 days depending on pool size and complexity. Specialized crews use high-pressure equipment to pneumatically spray the concrete mixture onto the steel framework. This process requires experienced nozzlemen who understand proper thickness, compaction, and finishing techniques.
Weeks 2-4: Critical Curing Period Here’s where homeowners often become anxious—the pool shell must cure for 28 days to achieve full strength. During this period, the concrete undergoes chemical hardening that cannot be accelerated without compromising structural integrity. The shell requires regular water misting to ensure proper curing, especially in hot or dry climates.
This waiting period is not wasted time. Your builder should use these weeks to complete tile work, install coping, pour decking, and set equipment. Professional contractors schedule these activities strategically to maximize efficiency during the curing phase.
Interior Finishing and Final Details
Week 4-6: Tile, Coping, and Decking Installation While the gunite cures, crews install waterline tile, set coping stones around the pool perimeter, and pour concrete decking. These detail phases require craftsmanship and proper weather conditions. Rain delays during concrete pours can add several days to your timeline.
Week 6-7: Plaster or Finish Application The interior finish (plaster, pebble aggregate, or polished aggregate) is applied in a single day but requires precise timing and conditions. Temperature extremes, high winds, or rain can force rescheduling. Once applied, the finish needs 24-48 hours before filling can begin.
Week 7-8: Pool Fill, Start-Up, and Equipment Training After filling, your pool requires a specific start-up procedure including initial chemical balancing, equipment activation, and system testing. Professional builders provide detailed training on equipment operation, maintenance requirements, and water chemistry management.
Factors That Extend Construction Timelines
Several variables can push your project beyond the 45-90 day average. Understanding these helps set realistic expectations from the beginning.
Weather presents the most unpredictable variable. Heavy rain halts excavation, prevents concrete pours, and delays finish application. Winter projects in moderate climates may take 30-50% longer than summer builds. Extreme heat can also complicate plaster application and curing.
Complex designs require additional time. Vanishing edges, elaborate water features, grottos, beach entries, and intricate tile patterns add days or weeks to the schedule. Discuss timeline implications during the design phase rather than being surprised later.
Inspection delays frequently occur when municipality inspectors are backlogged or only available on specific days. Budget extra time if building during peak construction season when inspection schedules are most constrained.
Material shortages or shipping delays have become more common in recent years. Premium finish materials, specific tile selections, or specialized equipment may require extended lead times. Ordering long-lead items early prevents delays during construction.
Red Flags: Unrealistic Timeline Promises
Be cautious of builders who make promises that sound too good to be true. Watch for these warning signs:
- Guarantees of completion in under 30 days without explaining compressed methods
- No discussion of weather contingencies or buffer time in contracts
- Pressure to choose materials based solely on immediate availability rather than your preferences
- Vague timeline phases without specific milestone dates
- No mention of municipal inspection requirements or permit processing time
Quality builders provide realistic timelines with built-in buffer periods for variables beyond their control. They communicate proactively when delays occur and explain the reasoning behind schedule adjustments.
Planning Around Your Construction Timeline
Smart homeowners plan their pool projects with timing strategies that minimize inconvenience and maximize enjoyment.
Start construction in early spring if you want summer completion. Beginning in March or April typically results in June or July completion in most climates. Fall starts mean spring completion, avoiding peak summer construction schedules.
Plan landscape projects after pool completion. Heavy equipment and construction activity will disturb surrounding areas. Coordinate hardscape and landscape installation for after pool completion to avoid rework.
Consider family schedules when timing your project. Some families prefer construction during school years when backyards see less use, while others want projects complete before summer vacation.
Bottom Line: Setting Realistic Expectations
A properly built gunite pool takes 45-90 days under normal conditions, with some complex projects requiring 100+ days. This timeline reflects the reality of custom construction that cannot be rushed without compromising the quality and longevity you’re paying for.
Builders who promise significantly faster completion may be cutting corners on curing time, using inadequate steel reinforcement, or scheduling too many projects simultaneously. The extra weeks spent on proper construction deliver decades of reliable performance.
Your Next Steps
Ready to start planning your gunite pool project with realistic timeline expectations? Contact DSH Homes and Pools to discuss your specific design, site conditions, and ideal completion timeframe. Their experienced team will provide a detailed construction schedule that accounts for your location’s typical weather patterns, permit processing times, and design complexity—giving you confidence in when your backyard transformation will be complete.
Understanding the timeline from the beginning eliminates surprises and helps you plan for the exciting day when your family takes that first swim in your custom gunite pool.
