5 Things to Ask Your Pool Builder About Excavation

When it comes to installing a swimming pool, one of the most important stages happens before construction even begins: pool excavation.

What many people sometimes don’t initially think about is that the construction of an in-ground pool requires pool excavating the ground beforehand to make space for the pool, and that process has its own unique set of considerations. If you’re currently interviewing pool builders, make sure you ask them these five questions not only to see if they can give you satisfactory answers but also to establish expectations and create a productive working relationship.

1. What Can I Do to Prepare My Yard for Pool Excavation?

Start by removing or relocating outdoor furniture and grills, potted plants, play structures or trampolines, gardening tools, debris, and any other movable items that could interfere with excavation and construction. Your yard should be as clear as possible to accommodate workers and the heavy equipment required for the job.

If you have immovable backyard features such as planters or an outdoor kitchen, a competent pool builder will take precautions to protect them from damage. To access your yard and remove dirt, it may also be necessary to temporarily remove gates or fencing. Builders should take steps to avoid damaging underground utilities such as gas or water mains, irrigation systems, septic tanks, or sewer lines, but it is always a good idea to ask how these issues are handled.

2. How Long Will the Pool Excavation Process Take?

Pool excavations can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The timeline is largely affected by the size of the pool. Larger pools require larger excavations, which naturally take more time.

Weather and soil conditions can also delay the process. Depending on your yard’s layout, demolition may be required if existing cement or masonry is present in the pool area. In a small percentage of excavations, particularly in rocky areas, crews may encounter large rocks that standard equipment cannot remove. In those cases, hammering or blasting may be required, which can add time and expense. While uncommon, this is something homeowners should be aware of.

3. What Do You Do With All of the Excess Dirt?

Pool builders use excavators to remove dirt and create the space for the pool. While some excavators are quite large, compact machines such as a Bobcat are often used to navigate side yards and tight backyard spaces.

Once soil, sod, rocks, or gravel are removed, some of the dirt may be reused during the backfilling process around the finished pool. Any excess dirt that cannot be reused is hauled away by dump trucks for disposal or use at other locations. Homeowners do not need to worry about removal, as reputable pool builders handle this as part of the standard excavation process.

4. How Will the Pool Excavation Process Affect My Neighbors?

There’s no sugar-coating it: Pool excavation is a messy and noisy job. Moving tons of dirt with large machinery generates a fair amount of dust and racket. Luckily, as discussed above, excavation does not take long, so the impact on your neighbors is not drawn out. It’s a good idea to speak with your neighbors ahead of time and inform them when the excavation and construction of your pool will be happening.

5. Can I Save Money by Digging the Hole Myself?

With a lot of research and know-how, it might be possible to save some money by excavating yourself, but the cost of pool excavation relative to the other parts of the process is fairly minor. Also, keep in mind that a pool excavation is a big job and usually involves obtaining permits from local agencies. We generally recommend to our customers to leave the excavation process up to the builder. An experienced pool builder will know the safest and most time- and cost-effective ways to complete an excavation.