How Long Does A Pool Remodel Take?

Are you thinking about a pool remodel, but aren’t sure where to start? It can be daunting to think about the remodel process, but we are here to help!

California Pools & Landscape was founded 35 years ago and has had the pleasure of completing over 35,000 projects. We’ve done countless new builds, and many, many remodels. Here, we share some of our experience on remodeling and answer some of our most frequently asked questions!

There are two questions every customer asks before they start a project:

• How much is it going to cost?
• How long is it going to take?

With remodeling, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Remodels can be uncomplicated and quick – like a simple resurfacing job. This is where the pool interior and waterline tile are replaced and the pool deck is repainted. They can also be more complex jobs like complete renovations, which involve demolition and rebuilding both the structure and decking.

Aside from just timing, we also want to address potential pitfalls and some of the challenges that remodels present. Taking some time to learn about the remodeling process will save you time and money and help you enjoy the process more than if you had gone in blind! By the end of this blog you’ll have a clear understanding of the timeline you can expect for your pool remodeling project.

Where Do You Start On A Pool Remodeling Project?

It’s relatively easy to address people’s aesthetic vision for their remodel. Most prospective customers come to pool builders with an idea of how they want their pool to look and how they plan to enjoy it.

Some are inspired to remodel because they are aware of some fundamental problems with their pool. Maybe your pool is leaking, you’ve seen rust stains, the interior is delaminating, or you have drainage or structural problems with the deck.

In all situations, when planning a remodel it’s best to do it holistically and look at both structural and aesthetic goals.

Tip #1: Address The Fundamentals

What you don’t see in before and after photos are fundamental issues that need to be addressed when remodeling. Photos often don’t reveal if a pool had structural cracks or problems with underground plumbing or electrical components. Checking the condition of lights and other equipment is also critical.

When remodeling, it’s essential to focus on more than just looks and lifestyle upgrades. If you don’t address fundamental issues correctly, you may end up doing it more than once. This will end up costing you time and money.

Choosing A Pool Contractor

When you start your remodel, it’s very important that a qualified professional meet with you to survey the entire job and carefully assess all issues. This should include the aesthetic issues that you would like to change as well as the fundamental components of your pool.

Tip #2 Look Beyond The Obvious

When you’re planning your remodel, it can be very easy to get excited about a new interior or pretty tile. These aesthetic updates can give your pool a beautiful facelift, but make sure your contractor is every bit as concerned about core issues as they are about the attractive and fun components.

Tip #3 Budget For Surprises

Once you begin demolition and a chip out of the interior, your family is committed. It’s very important to understand what could be discovered during this process. You might find a leak in the pool, electrical issues or structural damage. If surprises appear, it can be devastating to both your budget and the timeline of your project. It’s always best to anticipate surprises – and the best surprise will be no underlying issues!

How Long Does It Take To Remodel A Pool?

Planning Process (2 – 3 Weeks)

It’s good to give the planning a design process at least a few weeks. You will want to interview several contractors, choose the one you trust, and then move forward once you are comfortable and understand the scope of work.

By the end of this planning process, you should have a clear understanding of:

• Work that is scheduled
• How much it will cost
• What the warranty will include

Your agreement should also detail the items that are not included and will be looked at once the demolition phase is over – so you will be prepared for what might be charged should it be necessary.

Your Remodel Construction Timeline

When construction starts on a remodel, you need to take a few steps back before we can move forward – meaning, there is always a demolition phase.

Demolition (1 – 2 Weeks)

Demolition can include everything from chipping the interior to removing the tile and deck. Larger scope jobs can require major demolition where your pool has to be broken apart to change its shape, depth, or features. In any case – the demolition phase can take 1-2 weeks.

Construction On Your Pool (1 – 3 Weeks)

If you are only doing a surface remodel, you are only a week or two from being complete! However, if you are doing a major renovation with added masonry features or changing your pool’s shape, your work has just begun. If your pool is being reshaped, made larger, or adding something like a Baja step or a spa, there is going to be excavation, steep, and shotcrete work, which can take 2-3 weeks.

Replacing Your Pool Deck (1 – 3 Weeks)

When looking at the timeline for replacing your pool deck, there is a wide range of possibilities. If you are just re-topping existing decking with an acrylic-type topping, it can generally be completed within a week. When making major changes, like adding a new type of deck, such as travertine, pavers, or artistic pavers, you can expect to wait 2-3 weeks. This will need to coordinate with the masonry part of the remodel.

General Timing Guidelines Of Pool Construction

When thinking about masonry – things like barbecues, rock waterfalls, shade structures, or extensive decking – a great rule of thumb is to plan on one week of construction per every $10,000 of work. For instance, here at California Pools we do remodels that cost $200,000-$300,000 and they will take 20-30 weeks. Conversely, we do remodels that cost $20,000-$30,000, and those take 2-3 weeks.

Although that rule of thumb is a good one, timelines do vary a lot between different companies, different jurisdictions within an area, and different regions of the country. Other factors that could impact your timeline include weather, labor shortages, and the materials you choose. If your contractor runs into labor shortages due to extreme heat or illness, this could set your project back weeks. At California Pools, we have over 40 crews dedicated to serving our customers. We aim to meet every commitment we make to finish your project by the proposed timeline.

Start Planning For Your Remodel

There is a lot to consider when you are planning your remodel project. If you are ready to start the model process for your pool and backyard just remember:

• Expect the unexpected
• Shortcuts never payoff
• Budget for the unexpected

Remember, a quality remodel will last 15-25 years, so it pays to do it right!

We hope this helps you plan your remodel. If in doubt, just remember, pools are fun! If you enter this process with a company that cares about you, listens to you and understands you – and if you have proper expectations and understand what a remodel entails, the end result will be phenomenal!

Are you ready to request an estimate or meet with a designer to discuss your remodel project?

Click here to get your remodel project started today!