How long does it take to build an outdoor pool?

There’s an adage that states nothing worth having comes easily or quickly. This isn’t necessarily true 100% of the time, of course, but it certainly strikes a note when it comes to building a swimming pool because it’s certainly not something that can happen overnight.

Of course, when it comes to indoor pools, time restrictions are not quite as pressing. It can, after all, be used all year round and adverse weather conditions are unlikely to have much, if any, impact on construction.

However, if you’re considering having an outdoor pool built, it’s a good idea to put the wheels in motion now. There is even a chance of getting your pool this summer but that very much depends on the availability of your preferred pool contractor – they get booked a long time in advance.

Even before the foundations are laid, you have so many decisions to make: what kind of pool do you want? Who is the right contractor for such an important job? Can you work with them on a design you’re both happy with? And is it possible to have what you want built in your preferred time scale. There’s a lot to unpack, so if you’re on the fence, now is a good time to jump off.

Initial considerations

First, there’s the obvious one - how big do you want to go and how ambitious do you want to get? There are hundreds of mitigating factors to consider here.

So, in the interest of keeping it general, we’ll forego the movable floors, fancy slides, and underwater windows that you might find in the more ostentatious swimming pool designs.

However, even with a ‘standard’ outdoor pool, you’ll need to take into account the type of the pool, its depth and size, the condition of the land on which the pool is likely to be built and any planning permission required from your local council. It’s worth noting that planning permission is rarely required as an outdoor pool is seen more as a garden project, but it’s still important to check before you commission a pool contractor.

There are no hard and fast rules about how long it will take to build a standard lap pool (12 x 3 metres). A good rule of thumb is between 12 and 16 weeks from the initial design stage but that’s far from an exact science, because there is always the UK’s unpredictable weather to contend with. All of the above considerations will factor into the time it takes and, of course, how much it costs.

Location: An outdoor pool will require enough space to house the pool itself, a decent sized pool patio and a spacious plantroom. Many people underestimate the amount of space needed for the plantroom, so be sure to discuss this with your pool contractor early on so they can advise you on space requirements. Remember, there needs to be sufficient space to move around the finished plant room – this will allow your service engineer to easily access and work in the plantroom.

Type: You will also need to decide on pool finishes – tiling, vinyl or stainless steel. Which material you choose will have an impact on build/completion time, with vinyl pools generally being quicker to complete. Rest assured, whichever finish you choose your pool will look fantastic.

Challenges: There are always going to be things that can change the timetable, particularly given the current situation. Complications can and will arise that have nothing to do with COVID too. Perhaps, for example, you find a drain running through the garden during excavation or hit a water table?

Getting your ducks in a row

As we begin to approach the end of winter and the start of spring, time is very much of the essence and the sooner you get started on planning, the more likely your pool will be ready when you want it.

The endurance of the COVID pandemic, means it is likely that a summer holiday abroad is off the cards for many people, so a pool in your garden becomes even more desirable – as the media reported last year, pool buying soared because families were obliged to spend more time at home and the pool became a key way to exercise, relax and unwind.

The important thing is to spend as much time as possible in the planning stage, first exploring what you want and deciding on your budget, and then work with a highly experienced pool contractor. Look at their portfolio and ask for client testimonials. If you get things right from the outset you won’t encounter unscheduled or expensive design changes after construction starts – that would certainly derail your plan of having your pool built within three to four months.

If you get the planning right first time and know exactly what you want, you will have your dream pool when you want it.

At London Swimming Pool Company we specialise in swimming pool design, construction and refurbishment, so if you need advice on a brand new pool, contact us for an initial discussion – there’s no substitute for expert advice.