Exploring the Phases of Pool Construction

The design of a pool can be a lengthy process. When every detail is perfect and you’ve approved the final design, the construction process can begin. The construction may take several months, depending on the scale of the project, its features, and any unexpected challenges that may arise. However, the construction of every pool will follow the same general process.

Excavation

The first step in the process is the excavation of the site (for those pools not on structure). The engineer will plan the excavation to suit the soil conditions. In some cases, the floor of the site may need to be excavated beyond the planned depth of the pool in order to account for settling and expansion. If this occurs, the floor will be filled with the ideal type of soil and compacted. In extreme circumstances anyone, or combination of, helical piers, piles and grade beams may be required.

Structural Steel Grid

A structural steel grid is then assembled onsite. The steel reinforcement lends greater strength to the pool. Since the steel “cage” is custom-built at the site, the engineer can adapt to the unique shape of the pool, if applicable.

Plumbing

Once the steel grid is in place, the plumbing technicians can get to work. Trenches will need to be excavated and shaded with sifted fill to house the pipes. The plumbing trades ensure that the correct size and type of pipes are used in accordance with the aquatic consultant’s design ensuring no water velocity exceed 8 fps on the suction-side of the system and 6 fps on the pressure-side.

Electrical

Parts of the electrical phase may actually be interwoven throughout other phases, depending on the demands of the particular project. An electrical engineer will ensure that all electrical components are safely wired according to code. All circuits will be bonded to an equipotential bonding grid for extra protection and in accordance with the National Electric Code.

Concrete or Shotcrete

The next phase of pool construction may involve the use of poured concrete, shotcrete, or gunite. Concrete that is poured in place requires the placement of forms to enable the concrete to maintain the desired shape while it hardens and cures. Shotcrete also uses concrete, but the application method is different. It involves spraying a wet-mix concrete out of a pneumatic hose. Gunite is applied in a similar fashion but as a dry-mix that is mixed with water at the nozzle. Gunite is typically recommended in lieu of shotcrete if the batch plant is located more than a 45-minute drive from the job site. For best results, it’s important to have an American Concrete Institute (ACI) Certified Nozzleman present for the shotcrete phase as well as an inspector monitoring the vertical placement of the concrete.

When you partner with Aqua Design International to build your world-class pool, you will be fully informed of each phase of the process. Our team is comprised of expert aquatic designers carrying professional registrations who understand the intricacies of designing and building a pool on-time and within budget. If you have any questions about the construction of your pool, you can reach us at our corporate headquarters in Tucson at (520) 219 8929.

What to Know About Project Cost Projections

Designing and constructing a world-class pool or water feature is a major undertaking. One of the first things an owner will want to know is what the project will cost so they can solicit sufficient financing for design and construction. However, a projected cost cannot be developed until the details of the project are hammered out. The owners and/or owner’s representatives may wish to inform the aquatic consultant of their budget so that the project can be designed to fit within those parameters.

Construction Cost Projections

The cost to construct a pool is dependent on many factors, including its size, features, materials used in construction and geographic location. The approximate cost per square foot can vary dramatically from as low as $180/sqft to as high as $900/sqft. Material costs vary dramatically both domestically and internationally as can labor rates, even in different regions in the U.S. Rules governing prevailing wage rates coupled with shifting supply and demand curves account for much of this variation. However, we can produce Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) costing early on in the project, typically in the Schematic Design phase.

Once the baseline is established, the cost of special equipment can be discussed and added to the baseline. Such expenses might include corona discharge ozone generators, medium and low-pressure UV systems, hyper-dissolved oxygen systems, enzyme pre-treatment systems, CO² systems for pH control, play equipment, material finishes, chemistry control devices, et al.

Long-Term Cost Projections

Investing in a pool or water feature is not a one-time expense. Property owners should understand that they will have ongoing expenses, including maintenance, water treatment, repairs as well as gas and electricity costs. Generally speaking, higher up-front costs for the equipment listed above can significantly diminish the projected operational cost and result in as little as a 2-3 year pay-off.

At Aqua Design International, our project managers are experts at developing project cost projections, and our projects typically fall within 10% of our rough-order-of magnitude projections in Schematic Design—an uncommonly accurate range. It’s thanks to our expertise in designing large scale projects and our background in pool construction, which provides us with the unique insights necessary to maintain a responsible budget throughout the process. Call us at our headquarters in Tucson at (520) 219 8929 to discuss your pool project.