By Jeremy Ruben, Founder of LANDOVA Design & Planning · October 19, 2026
A finished pool hides much of the work that made it possible. Understanding the major stages helps you ask clearer questions, recognize important handoffs and know which records to request.
This guide follows one illustrative in-ground concrete pool from planning through homeowner handoff. Use the stage selector or the next button to watch the same pool develop. The sequence is an overview; your qualified project team determines the actual work and schedule.
Explore the pool, one stage at a time
Good construction starts with a defined project
The first stage should bring the layout, site information, selections and responsibilities together. Ask what is approved, what is included in the agreed scope and which decisions still need attention. An attractive pool image is useful for discussing the goal, but the project also needs the drawings, specifications and reviews appropriate to the work.
Before excavation, clarify how access will be protected and what happens if the ground reveals an unexpected condition. Keep the process for documenting and approving a change understandable to everyone involved.
Pay attention before work is covered
Reinforcement, embedded piping and related connections become harder to see after concrete is placed. Ask the responsible professionals which inspections, tests and photographs belong in the project record before those elements are covered.
The American Shotcrete Association’s pool position papers address topics including reinforcement, substrates and qualified crews. They show why the visible shape alone cannot establish the quality of a concrete shell.
Curing deserves a place in the schedule
Concrete curing is active care, not simply waiting for the next trade. The ASA’s curing guidance explains why moisture and protection affect the surface, durability and later finishes.
For your project, ask who is responsible for the specified curing plan, how it will be carried out and how completion is recorded. The correct requirements belong to the project professionals and specified materials; a generic online calendar cannot establish them.
Finishing the surface is not the same as finishing the project
Equipment, utility connections, surrounding surfaces and the interior finish need coordination. Filling and startup bring another set of instructions and checks. Ask the contractor to explain the finish-specific startup process, equipment demonstrations and required approvals before use.
A clear handoff should leave you with operating instructions, equipment information, warranty contacts and a care routine. Record remaining work and who is responsible for it. “The pool is full” and “the project is ready for handoff” are different milestones worth naming.
Use the guide to ask better questions
You do not need to manage every construction detail yourself to stay informed. At each stage, ask three things: what is being completed, what must be confirmed before the next step, and what record will show that confirmation?
LANDOVA helps connect your design, scope and decisions so the construction conversation starts with a clear direction. Qualified contractors handle the construction, while the applicable professionals and authorities address technical requirements and approvals. Weather, site findings and material availability can change the sequence and timing.
