Have you ever stood in your backyard, looked around, and thought, “It would be amazing to have a pool right here”? You’re not alone. An inground pool installation is one of those dream upgrades that instantly transforms a plain yard into a personal paradise. Think about it—morning laps before work, cannonballs with the kids on weekends, or even just floating around on a lazy Sunday. But here’s the big question: what actually goes into building one of these beauties?
I’ll walk you through it step by step so you know exactly what to expect.
1. Planning and Design: The Dream Stage
Every pool starts as an idea, a sketch in your head. Do you picture a sleek rectangle with glowing lights for evening swims? Or a lagoon-style pool with a waterfall for those tropical vibes? This is the part where you figure out size, shape, depth, and even fun extras like tanning ledges or built-in benches.
And before you grab the shovel (or, realistically, watch the pros grab the shovel), there’s the not-so-glamorous stuff: checking local permits, zoning laws, and HOA rules if you’ve got one. It’s not the fun part, but trust me—it’s better to handle the paperwork upfront than get hit with delays later.
2. Excavation: The Big Dig
Once the plans for inground pool installation are approved, the digging begins. Picture giant machines rolling into your yard, scooping out earth to carve the outline of your pool. It’s exciting because for the first time, you see your pool shape coming to life.
Here’s the catch: your backyard will look like a construction zone for a bit. Mud, dirt piles, maybe even some cranky neighbors watching the chaos. But hey, no pain, no gain, right?
3. The Frame and Skeleton
After the dust settles, it’s time to give the pool some structure. Depending on your pool type, this could mean laying rebar for a concrete pool, setting up panels for a vinyl liner, or prepping the space for a fiberglass shell.
Think of this as your pool’s skeleton. It’s not pretty yet, but it’s the structure that keeps everything strong and secure. Without this step, your pool wouldn’t last long.
4. Plumbing and Electrical Magic
Pools aren’t just water-filled holes. They’ve got an entire system working behind the scenes. This is where pipes for circulation and drainage are installed, along with wiring for lights, pumps, and maybe even a heater if you’re planning on using it year-round.
It’s not the part most people think about, but trust me, it’s one of the most important. Get this wrong, and you’ll be fighting murky water or busted pumps down the road.
5. Pool Shell or Walls Go In
Now we’re getting to the good part. This is where your “mud pit” finally looks like a pool. For concrete pools, the crew sprays on gunite or shotcrete to form the walls and floor. Fiberglass pools arrive as giant shells and are carefully lowered into place. Vinyl liner pools get their walls set up and are later finished with the liner.
Standing at this stage is exciting because you can finally see where you’ll be swimming, not just guessing.
6. Coping and Decking: The Pretty Edges
Now we’re making things look nice. Coping is the trim around the pool edge—it ties everything together and keeps it looking polished. Decking is the surface around the pool where you’ll probably toss a lounge chair, set up a grill, or let the dog nap in the sun.
This stage is like the frame around a painting. It doesn’t just hold things together—it makes the whole scene pop.
7. The Interior Finish
Here’s where your pool gets its personality. You’ll choose from options like smooth plaster, sparkling tile, or a soft vinyl liner. The finish changes both the look and the feel of the water. Want that deep-ocean blue vibe? Go with darker plaster. Prefer a bright, tropical look? Lighter finishes reflect the sun and give you that Caribbean glow.
8. Fill ’Er Up
This is the most satisfying step: turning on the hose (or truck delivery) and watching your pool actually fill with water. It’s like watching all your patience finally pay off.
But hold up—before you dive in, the water has to be “balanced.” That means checking pH, chlorine, and all the little chemical details that keep your water safe and sparkling.
9. The Final Details
Now it’s cleanup time. The crew adds ladders, lights, and any finishing touches. Landscaping may also come into play here—shrubs, stones, or maybe even an outdoor kitchen if you’re going all out. Suddenly, the mess in your backyard is gone, and what’s left is basically your dream vacation spot, no plane ticket required.
10. Enjoy the Heck Out of It
At last, the best step: enjoying it. Whether it’s the kids practicing cannonballs, you floating with a cold drink, or late-night swims under twinkly lights, this is why you went through the whole process.
Final Thoughts
Building an inground pool is a part construction project, part waiting game, and part giant mud pit in your backyard. But each stage brings you closer to something incredible: your own personal getaway just steps from your back door.
So, if you’ve been daydreaming about inground pool installation, now you know the play-by-play. Yes, it takes planning, patience, and a little chaos—but when you’re floating in that cool water on a hot day, you’ll realize every stage was totally worth it.
If you are interested in installing a pool at your place, you can contact us at Fuggetta Pools today. You can even request a free price estimate to get an idea about the pool installation service.