You’ve been thinking about a backyard pool for a while. Maybe the kids have been asking all summer. Maybe you’re done watching your neighbors float while you mow the grass. Either way, you’re ready to move from thinking to building.
The first question most Florence homeowners ask us: how long does this actually take?
The honest answer is somewhere between six and fourteen weeks for most residential pools, depending on a few key factors. Here’s what goes into that timeline so you know what to expect before you call.
Design and Permitting Come First
Before a single shovel goes in the ground, your pool has to exist on paper. That starts with a design consultation where you walk through size, shape, placement, and the features you want.
Once the design is locked in, we pull permits from the city and county. This is the step that surprises most homeowners because it doesn’t feel like “real” progress. But it’s not optional, and the timeline depends on the local permitting office. In Florence County, expect two to four weeks for permit approval on a typical residential build.
Excavation and Shell Work
Once permits are in hand, the excavation crew moves in. Digging out a pool takes one to two days for most standard backyard footprints. After excavation comes the structural phase, which includes setting the rebar framework and placing the shell of the pool itself.
This phase usually wraps up within one to two weeks. Soil conditions and weather can push that in either direction, which is why summer builds in the Pee Dee can sometimes run a little faster than spring builds when the ground is still wet.
Plumbing, Electrical, and Equipment
Before the pool fills with water, it needs to function. That means rough plumbing for circulation and drainage, electrical work for the pump and any lighting, and equipment installation outside the pool deck area.
This phase typically takes one to two weeks. It runs parallel to some of the finish work, so days don’t always stack end-to-end. A lot of what looks like waiting is actually scheduled work happening in a specific order.
Interior Finish and Decking
This is the part that makes it look like a pool. The interior surface gets applied, and your surrounding deck area takes shape. Whether that’s stamped concrete, pavers, or another finish, this work usually takes one to two weeks.
Decking choices and add-ons like water features or LED lighting can affect how long this phase runs. If you’re adding anything beyond a standard package, factor in a little extra time here.
Fill, Start-Up, and Final Walkthrough
Once the shell is finished and cured, we fill the pool and balance the water chemistry. This takes a few days. Then comes the start-up process, which involves running the equipment, testing the water, and making sure everything is working the way it should.
You’ll get a final walkthrough before we hand over the keys to your backyard. By the time you’re done, you know how to use every piece of equipment and how to keep the water clean through the season.
What Can Slow Things Down
A few things can stretch a typical six-to-ten-week build into something longer:
- Permit delays caused by high application volume or plan revisions
- Rain or standing water after a storm
- Custom features that require additional lead time for materials
- Underground utility surprises that change the excavation plan
None of these are unusual, and a good builder will flag potential delays before you sign. The best thing you can do is start the process earlier than you think you need to.
Ready to Get Your Pool on the Schedule?
If you’ve been planning to build a pool in Florence, SC, the best time to start the conversation is before the season you want to swim in. Permit slots and build schedules fill up, especially heading into spring.
Dreamscape Pools serves Florence and the surrounding Pee Dee region. We’d love to walk you through what your build would look like. Contact us today to schedule your free design consultation.