How to Build a Pool – Construction Stages from Design to Filling
How do you build a pool from a design? First, a 3D design and a quote are prepared from the sketch of the garden. Then come delivery of the materials, the excavation, the concrete slab, the structure, the equipment, the lining and commissioning. The prefabricated Ibiza in-ground pool takes a shorter route – without formwork or waterproofing. At Baseini.NET we prepare a free 3D design and an individual quote for pool construction.
In short:
- A concrete pool is built in stages – from the sketch of the garden and the 3D design to the lining and filling with water.
- The walls are made of EPS blocks filled with concrete or of ready-made RockPool concrete panels.
- The excavation and the concrete slab are the customer’s responsibility, and for NewStyle Boston they are carried out in parallel with delivery.
- Installation work on NewStyle Boston is carried out at temperatures above 10 °C and without precipitation.
- Ibiza prefabricated in-ground pools are built in a matter of days, without formwork or waterproofing.
What needs to be decided before pool construction starts?
Before construction, the size and shape, the pool type, the lining, the equipment and the budget are decided.
- Size and shape: choose them according to the garden and how you will use the pool – swimming, playing with the children or relaxing.
- Pool type: a custom concrete pool, a ready-made fibreglass shell or a prefabricated in-ground pool.
- Lining: reinforced liner or glass-ceramic mosaic.
- Equipment: filtration, lighting and, optionally, heating and an enclosure.
- Budget: the approximate price of a concrete pool is shown immediately in the 3D calculator for a concrete pool.
How do you build a pool step by step?
Building a custom concrete pool proceeds step by step – from the sketch of the garden to the finishing work.
- Idea and dimensions: you send a sketch of the garden, the desired dimensions and the shape of the pool.
- 3D design and quote: a free 3D design and an individual quote including the equipment are prepared.
- Delivery of the materials: for NewStyle Boston it takes 15–30 working days.
- Excavation and concrete slab: the excavation to the exact dimensions and the reinforced slab are the customer’s responsibility.
- Structure: the walls are built of EPS blocks filled with concrete or of ready-made RockPool concrete panels.
- Waterproofing: with mosaic and ceramics, it is applied before the lining.
- Built-in parts and pipes: the skimmers and nozzles are installed, and then the pipe run to the filtration equipment is made.
- Lining: the pool is lined with reinforced liner or with glass-ceramic mosaic.
- Testing and commissioning: the pool is filled with water, put into operation and training is provided.
- Finishing work: the backfill, the cladding around the pool and the landscaping are the customer’s responsibility.
The systems, stages and timeframes for custom pool construction are described in the concrete pools section.
How long does it take to build a pool?
The timeframe for building a pool is agreed for each project. The table shows the phases for a NewStyle Boston concrete pool.
| Phase | Timeframe or responsibility |
|---|---|
| Quote, 3D design and order | a few days |
| Delivery of materials | 15–30 working days |
| Excavation and reinforced concrete slab | customer’s responsibility, in parallel with delivery |
| Siphon and its pipework | up to 2 working days, in parallel with pouring the slab |
| Installation of the EPS blocks | 5–12 working days |
| Filling the blocks with concrete and reinforcing | customer’s responsibility, in parallel with the installation of the blocks |
| Applying waterproofing | 6–14 working days |
| Installation of the built-in equipment – skimmers and nozzles | 3–8 working days |
| Connection to the filtration equipment | 2–5 working days |
| Laying the lining and grouting | 7–15 working days |
| Testing, commissioning and training | 1–2 working days |
| Backfill, cladding around the pool and landscaping | customer’s responsibility |
Installation work is carried out at temperatures above 10 °C and without precipitation. Days with unsuitable weather conditions are not included in the timeframes.
Payment for NewStyle Boston is made in four parts – 50%, 20%, 20% and 10% – according to the stages of the work.
For RockPool Ohio, the timeframes by phase are the same, and installation of the panels takes 5–12 working days. Payment is also made in four instalments.
What each type of pool costs is described in the article how much it costs to build a pool.
How is a pool built from RockPool concrete panels?
With RockPool, the walls arrive ready-made – self-supporting fibre-reinforced concrete panels that are set up by hand on a concrete slab.
- The excavation is made to the size of the pool plus working space, and a reinforced concrete slab is poured at the bottom.
- The outline of the pool is marked on the slab and guide battens are nailed down.
- The panels are stood up one by one against the batten and anchored to the slab with bolts.
- Adjacent panels are bolted to each other, and buttresses are placed on the outside.
- The perimeter is closed, the ladder is fitted and the support plates for the coping are glued on.
- The vertical joints are covered on the inside with tape before the lining is applied.
- The pool is lined with reinforced liner, mosaic or ceramics, and with mosaic and ceramics, waterproofing is applied beforehand.
- Finally, the coping stone is glued on, the backfill is done and the paving around the pool is laid.
The manufacturer states one day for assembling the panels of a standard pool. The entire pool – with waterproofing, built-in parts, lining and commissioning – takes several weeks.
All the steps, with installation videos, are on the RockPool technology page, and the ready-made models are in the RockPool concrete panel pools category.
How is a pool built from NewStyle EPS blocks?
With NewStyle, the walls are built from formwork blocks of expanded polystyrene (EPS), reinforced and filled with concrete.
Filling 1 m² of wall takes only about 0.15 m³ of concrete, and the density of the blocks is 30 kg/m³. The blocks allow standard and non-standard shapes with no size restrictions, and the walls retain the heat of the water.
The waterproofing is MapElastic, and the grout is the epoxy Kerapoxy Design by Mapei.
If you want to build the pool yourself, choose a ready-made package of Poolsana Linea polystyrene blocks. The package is for self-assembly following detailed instructions.
How is a prefabricated or fibreglass pool built?
Ibiza prefabricated in-ground pools are built in a matter of days – without formwork or waterproofing.
All Ibiza in-ground pools are installed only built into the ground. They require an excavation to the exact dimensions, a stable and level base and backfilling according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
For Royal panel pools, assembling the structure takes 2–3 days. The excavation and the preparation of the base, which depend on the terrain, are added to this time.
The fibreglass pool arrives as a ready-made shell. When the excavation is ready, the shell is placed and connected in one day.
What is different about building a concrete pool versus a prefabricated pool?
A concrete pool is made to a design in any shape and size. A prefabricated in-ground pool is a ready-made model with faster installation.
| Indicator | Custom concrete pool | Prefabricated in-ground pool |
|---|---|---|
| Shape and size | Any shape and size | Ready-made models – round and oval Ibiza, rectangular Royal up to 12.00 × 6.00 m |
| Construction | EPS blocks filled with concrete or RockPool concrete panels | Steel wall with a liner |
| Cladding | Reinforced liner or glass-ceramic mosaic | Optional liner |
| Base | Reinforced concrete slab | Stable and level base |
| Waterproofing | Applied with mosaic and ceramics | Not needed |
| Timeframe | Agreed for each project | Days, and the Royal structure takes 2–3 days |
| Price | Determined by the design and quote | For Ibiza – considerably lower than a concrete pool |
The overall comparison of the two types is in the article prefabricated or built-in pool – an honest comparison, and the advantages and disadvantages of all types are in the article on pool types.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build a concrete pool?
The timeframe for building a pool is agreed for each project. RockPool pools made of ready-made concrete panels are built faster than those with EPS blocks. For the EPS pool Boston and for RockPool Ohio, delivery of the materials alone takes 15–30 working days.
Which pool is built the fastest?
A fibreglass pool is installed in one day with a ready excavation. Ibiza prefabricated in-ground pools are built in days, without formwork or waterproofing.
What does the customer prepare before installation?
In quotes from the 3D calculator, the excavation, the foundation slab (the floor), the power supply to the control panel and the water for filling are the customer’s responsibility. The excavation is made to the corresponding dimensions.
How do you build a pool yourself?
Self-assembly is possible with a ready-made package of Poolsana Linea polystyrene blocks or with German MTH pools in a package. Both types come with detailed installation instructions.
