What to Expect During the Pool Construction Process

Building a custom pool is one of the most exciting home improvement projects you can undertake — and one of the most misunderstood. Most homeowners have never been through the process before, and the uncertainty of what to expect can make an already big decision feel even bigger.

This guide walks you through every stage of pool construction, from the first phone call to the day you take your first swim. Our goal is simple: no surprises.

Stage 1: The Consultation

Everything starts with a conversation. At Torvex Design & Build, we offer free consultations for homeowners in the Indian Trail, Landis, and greater Charlotte area. During this visit, we:

- Walk your property and assess the space - Listen to your vision — what you want the pool to look and feel like - Discuss your budget range honestly - Identify any site-specific considerations (slope, soil, access, utilities) - Answer every question you have

A good consultation isn't a sales pitch. It's a planning session. You should leave with a clear sense of what's possible, what it will cost, and what the timeline looks like.

**How long it takes:** 1–2 hours at your property.

Stage 2: Design and 3D Rendering

Once you decide to move forward, our design team gets to work. We create a custom 3D rendering of your pool and surrounding outdoor space so you can see exactly what you're getting before construction begins.

This stage is where the real creative work happens:

- Pool shape, size, and depth profile - Interior finish selection (plaster, quartz, pebble) - Tile and coping choices - Water features (waterfalls, fountains, tanning ledges) - Deck and hardscape design - Integration with any outdoor kitchen, patio, or landscaping

We revise the design until it's exactly right. You won't be locked into anything until you've approved every detail.

**How long it takes:** 1–3 weeks depending on design complexity and revision rounds.

Stage 3: Permitting

Before a single shovel hits the ground, your project needs permits. In North Carolina, pool construction requires approval from your local municipality — and in some cases, HOA approval as well.

Permitting involves:

- Submitting construction drawings to the county - Waiting for plan review and approval - Scheduling required inspections throughout the build

This is often the stage that surprises homeowners the most. Permit timelines in Union County and surrounding areas typically run **6–10 weeks**. This is exactly why we recommend starting the process in fall — so permits are approved and ready to go when construction season begins.

At Torvex, we handle all permitting on your behalf. You don't fill out a single form.

**How long it takes:** 6–10 weeks (varies by county and project scope).

Stage 4: Site Preparation and Excavation

Once permits are approved, construction begins. The first step is site preparation — clearing the area, marking utility lines, and setting up equipment access.

Then comes excavation: the process of digging the pool shell to the exact dimensions of your design. This is the most dramatic-looking phase of the project. In a matter of days, your backyard transforms from a flat lawn into a large, shaped hole.

What to expect during this phase:

- Heavy equipment on your property (excavators, dump trucks) - Significant soil removal — typically 50–100+ tons for a standard pool - Temporary disruption to your yard and landscaping

This is normal. It looks chaotic, but it's controlled and purposeful.

**How long it takes:** 2–5 days for excavation; 1–2 weeks for full site prep.

Stage 5: Steel and Plumbing

After excavation, the structural skeleton of your pool takes shape. Our crews install:

- **Rebar framework:** A grid of steel reinforcing bars that gives the pool shell its structural strength - **Plumbing rough-in:** All the pipes for circulation, filtration, drains, jets, and water features are installed before the shell is poured - **Electrical conduit:** Wiring pathways for lighting, pumps, and automation systems

This phase requires inspections at multiple points. Our team coordinates all inspections with the county so the project stays on schedule.

**How long it takes:** 1–2 weeks.

Stage 6: Shotcrete or Gunite Shell

This is the moment your pool starts to look like a pool. Shotcrete (or gunite) is a high-strength concrete mixture that is pneumatically applied over the rebar framework to form the pool shell.

The process is fast — a full pool shell can be sprayed in a single day — but the curing process takes time. The shell must cure for several days before the next phase begins.

**How long it takes:** 1 day to spray; 5–7 days to cure.

Stage 7: Tile, Coping, and Decking

With the shell cured, the finishing work begins. This is where your pool starts to look like the design you approved:

- **Waterline tile** is installed around the perimeter of the pool - **Coping** (the cap stone around the pool edge) is set - **Decking** is poured or laid — whether that's concrete, pavers, travertine, or stamped concrete

This phase also includes any water features, such as waterfalls or fountains, which are built and plumbed during this stage.

**How long it takes:** 2–4 weeks depending on scope and materials.

Stage 8: Equipment Installation and Electrical

Your pool's mechanical systems are installed during this phase:

- **Filtration and circulation equipment** (pump, filter, heater) - **Automation systems** (so you can control your pool from your phone) - **Lighting** (LED underwater lights, landscape lighting) - **Final electrical connections** and inspection

This is also when any outdoor kitchen appliances, fire features, or other integrated elements are connected.

**How long it takes:** 1–2 weeks.

Stage 9: Interior Finish (Plaster, Quartz, or Pebble)

The interior finish is the final surface of your pool — the smooth, waterproof layer you see and touch. Depending on the finish you selected, this is applied by hand or machine in a single day.

After application, the pool is immediately filled with water. The fill process takes 12–24 hours for most residential pools.

**How long it takes:** 1 day to apply; 24 hours to fill.

Stage 10: Startup and Walkthrough

Once the pool is filled, our team performs the startup process:

- Balancing water chemistry - Testing all equipment and automation systems - Checking every light, jet, and water feature - Final inspection with the county

Then comes the walkthrough. We walk through every detail of your new pool and outdoor space with you — how to operate the equipment, how to maintain the water chemistry, what to watch for in the first few weeks.

You don't take ownership until you're completely satisfied.

**How long it takes:** 3–5 days for startup; 1–2 hours for the walkthrough.

Total Timeline: What to Realistically Expect

From signed contract to first swim, most custom pools take **12–20 weeks** total. Here's a rough breakdown:

| Phase | Typical Duration | |---|---| | Design and revisions | 1–3 weeks | | Permitting | 6–10 weeks | | Excavation and site prep | 1–2 weeks | | Steel, plumbing, shell | 2–3 weeks | | Tile, coping, decking | 2–4 weeks | | Equipment and electrical | 1–2 weeks | | Interior finish and fill | 1 week | | Startup and walkthrough | 1 week |

The permitting phase is the longest single variable — and the one most homeowners underestimate. Starting in fall means your permits are approved and your build slot is reserved before the spring rush.

Why Fall Is the Best Time to Start

If you want to be swimming by Memorial Day, you need to start planning now. Homeowners who begin consultations in October and November are typically in the water by May or June. Those who wait until March are often looking at a July or August completion — if they can get on a builder's schedule at all.

The best pool builders in the Charlotte area book out months in advance. Securing your spot now means you get the timeline you want, not the one that's left over.

Request your free consultation today and let's start planning your project. No pressure, no obligation — just a straight conversation about what it takes to build the pool your family deserves.