So you’ve decided concrete is the way to go. Smart choice. But now comes the part where most homeowners feel a little overwhelmed, understanding what actually goes into building one of these things. At RPD Custom Pools, we’ve walked hundreds of families through this process, and honestly? Once you understand the basics, it’s way less intimidating than you’d think.
The Concrete Advantage: Why We Specialize in This Method
Let me tell you why we fell in love with concrete pool construction in the first place. About 15 years ago, we were doing all types of pools: fiberglass, vinyl, concrete, you name it. But we kept coming back to concrete because it offered something the others couldn’t: complete creative freedom.
When someone comes to us with a challenging yard, maybe it’s sloped, or oddly shaped, or has mature trees they don’t want to remove, concrete lets us design around those obstacles. We’re not trying to shoehorn a prefab shell into a space it wasn’t designed for.
Understanding Shotcrete vs. Gunite (And Why It Matters Less Than You Think)
People get hung up on this debate. “Should I get gunite or shotcrete?” Here’s the honest answer: both methods produce essentially identical results. The difference is in the application process, not the final product.
Gunite is a dry mix that gets water added at the spray nozzle. Shotcrete arrives already mixed. We use shotcrete for most projects in Palm Beach County because it’s more efficient in our humid climate and gives us better quality control. But a properly installed gunite pool is just as good.
What matters way more than the method is the crew doing the work and the quality of materials. We’ve seen gorgeous gunite pools and terrible shotcrete pools, and vice versa. Focus on the builder’s reputation, not the technical specifications.
Soil Conditions in South Florida: What We’re Working With
Here’s something most people don’t think about until they’re knee-deep in construction: Florida soil is… interesting. We’ve got everything from sandy soil near the coast to limestone layers further inland. Sometimes we hit rock, sometimes we hit water table issues.
The good news? We’ve built enough pools in this area that we rarely encounter surprises. Before we even give you a quote, we research your specific lot. We pull records, check with the county, and use our experience from nearby projects to anticipate what we’ll find underground.
When we do hit unexpected conditions, and occasionally we do, we handle it. That’s part of what you’re paying for: experience that turns potential problems into minor adjustments.
The Engineering Behind a Pool That Lasts 50+ Years
Ever wonder why some pools last forever while others start cracking within a few years? It comes down to engineering and execution.
Proper Steel Placement The rebar grid inside your pool isn’t decorative: it’s what prevents cracking and structural failure. We follow engineering specifications that account for soil pressure, water weight, and ground movement. Cutting corners here saves maybe a thousand dollars upfront but costs tens of thousands in repairs later.
Adequate Shell Thickness Residential pools typically need 8-10 inches of concrete in the walls and floor. Some builders try to save money by going thinner. We don’t. The additional cost is negligible compared to the structural benefit.
Proper Curing Concrete doesn’t dry: it cures through a chemical process that takes time. Rush it, and you get weak concrete that’ll crack. We protect the shell during curing, maintain proper moisture, and don’t let anyone pressure us into skipping steps.
Dealing with Setback Requirements and Permits
Every municipality around West Palm Beach has rules about how close your pool can be to property lines, structures, and utilities. These setback requirements exist for safety and access reasons.
We handle all the permit applications and coordinate inspections. You won’t be standing in line at the building department or trying to decipher code requirements. That’s our job.
Fair warning: permits do add time to your project, usually 2-3 weeks before we can break ground. But this protects you. An unpermitted pool becomes a nightmare when you try to sell your property or need insurance coverage.
Pool Size Planning: Bigger Isn’t Always Better (But Usually It Is)
The most common regret we hear from homeowners? “I wish we’d gone bigger.” Pool construction is expensive, and the incremental cost of going from a 12×24 pool to a 14×28 pool is relatively small. But expanding later requires basically rebuilding the entire pool.
That said, you need to balance size with:
- Available yard space (you still need room to walk around)
- Your actual usage patterns
- Maintenance time and cost
- Budget constraints
We help clients find that sweet spot where the pool feels spacious without dominating the entire backyard.
Depth Considerations for Different Uses
How deep should your pool be? Depends entirely on how you’ll use it:
For lap swimming: You want consistent depth of 4-5 feet throughout. Deeper is fine, but doesn’t add functionality and increases heating costs.
For families with young kids: A large shallow area (3-4 feet) is ideal, with a gradual slope to deeper water.
For diving: You need at least 8-9 feet deep, positioned appropriately from the diving board. Local codes are very specific about this: we make sure everything’s compliant.
For water sports: Games like volleyball work best in 4-5 feet of water where most adults can touch bottom.
Most families end up with pools that range from 3-4 feet at the shallow end to 6-7 feet at the deep end. This accommodates everyone without being excessive.
Dealing with Utility Lines and Access Issues
Before we dig anything, we have utilities marked. You’d be surprised how many pipes, cables, and lines run through typical properties. We’ve encountered everything from forgotten septic systems to abandoned wells.
Access for equipment is another consideration. Our excavators need to get to your backyard. Most properties have side yards that work fine, but some require creative solutions, like bringing equipment through the house (yes, we’ve done it) or crane-lifting it over structures.
These aren’t deal-breakers, but they affect planning and sometimes cost. We identify access issues during the initial site visit so there are no surprises.
Weather Considerations During Construction
Building in Boca Raton and surrounding areas means dealing with afternoon thunderstorms, especially during summer. Rain delays are frustrating but unavoidable.
The good news: most construction phases aren’t hugely affected by rain. We can’t pour concrete in a downpour, but excavation, steel work, and plumbing can proceed in light rain. We build weather buffers into our 10-week timeline so typical weather patterns don’t derail the schedule.
Hurricane season (June through November) requires extra vigilance. If a storm approaches while we’re mid-construction, we secure everything and resume afterward. In 20+ years, we’ve never had a project suffer significant storm damage.
Coordinating with Other Outdoor Projects
Often, pool installation is part of a larger backyard renovation. Maybe you’re also adding an outdoor kitchen, redoing landscaping, or building a cabana. Timing matters.
Generally, we recommend doing the pool first. It’s the most disruptive part of the project, and you don’t want heavy equipment driving over newly installed pavers or landscaping. Once the pool is complete, other contractors can work around it.
We coordinate with other trades regularly and can help sequence everything so projects flow smoothly without contractors tripping over each other.
Budgeting for the Unexpected
No matter how well we plan, occasionally something unexpected happens. We hit rock that requires special excavation equipment. Utility lines aren’t where records indicated. The property grade requires more dirt removal than anticipated.
Responsible builders include contingencies in budgets for these situations. We’re transparent about what’s included in your quote and what could potentially cost extra. Most projects come in at or very close to the initial estimate, but it’s smart to have a small financial cushion.
The Value of Experience in Pool Construction
Here’s something that’s hard to quantify but incredibly important: experience. We’ve built enough pools to know what works and what doesn’t. We’ve made mistakes (years ago) and learned from them. We’ve refined our processes until they’re nearly foolproof.
When you hire an inexperienced builder to save money, you’re essentially paying them to learn on your property. That rarely ends well. Experienced builders cost more upfront but save you money and headaches over the pool’s lifetime.
Post-Construction: The First Few Months
Getting through construction is exciting, but the first few months of ownership are critical. Your pool finish needs to properly cure, which requires specific maintenance procedures. We provide detailed instructions and support during this startup period.
New pools sometimes develop minor issues: a light that needs adjustment, a timer that needs reprogramming, or water chemistry that needs dialing in. We stay involved until everything is perfect. That’s part of our warranty and commitment to customer satisfaction.
Why Location Matters When Choosing a Builder
There are national pool companies that’ll build anywhere. There are also local builders who know the area intimately. We’re the latter, and it matters more than you might think.
We know local code requirements without having to look them up. We have relationships with inspectors and permit offices. We understand the specific soil conditions in different neighborhoods. We’re familiar with which suppliers stock what materials. And if something needs attention after construction, we’re 20 minutes away, not calling in from another state.
Making the Final Decision
Choosing a pool builder is a big decision. You’re going to work with these people for 10 weeks, then rely on their workmanship for decades. Take your time. Get multiple quotes. Check references. Look at completed projects.
Ask hard questions about warranties, what happens if problems arise, and how they handle disputes. Any builder who gets defensive about these questions isn’t the right choice.
When you’re ready to move forward, we’re here. We’ve built our reputation on delivering exactly what we promise, and we’d love to show you what that looks like in your backyard.
Final Thoughts on Concrete Pool Construction
Building a concrete pool isn’t the simplest home improvement project, but it’s one of the most rewarding. When done right, with proper engineering, quality materials, and experienced construction crews, you get a backyard feature that enhances your property and lifestyle for generations.
We’ve seen pools bring families together, provide therapy for injuries, give athletes training venues, and create gathering spaces for decades of memories. That’s what this is really about: not just a hole filled with water, but a central feature of your home life.
If you’re considering concrete pool construction, reach out to us. Even if you’re not ready to build tomorrow, we’re happy to educate you about the process, answer questions, and help you understand what’s possible for your property.
Five More Questions People Actually Ask
What’s the real difference between a $50,000 pool and a $100,000 pool?
Size is the biggest factor: a larger pool costs substantially more. But beyond that, you’re paying for features (spas, waterfalls, specialty lighting), premium finishes (pebble vs. plaster), high-end equipment (automation, advanced heating), and construction quality. Cheap pools often cut corners on steel reinforcement, shell thickness, or cure time. Those corners come back to haunt you within a few years. We build pools in various price ranges, but we never compromise on structural integrity or construction standards.
Can I act as my own general contractor to save money?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it unless you have construction experience. Coordinating excavation, steel installation, shotcrete application, plumbing, electrical, tile work, and finishes requires expertise. Missteps cost more to fix than you’d save. Plus, permit offices scrutinize owner-builder permits more carefully. If you’re trying to save money, we’d rather work with your budget to design an appropriately-sized pool than have you attempt self-management.
How does Florida’s limestone affect pool construction?
Limestone is common throughout South Florida, and while it makes excavation more challenging (and sometimes more expensive), it’s actually excellent for pool stability. Rock provides a solid foundation that doesn’t shift like sandy soil. We have specialized equipment for cutting through limestone. The main impact is potentially adding 2-3 days to excavation and some additional cost. We assess this during site evaluation so you know what to expect.
What happens if we want to finance our pool?
Many homeowners finance pools through home equity loans, HELOCs, or specialized pool financing programs. We can recommend lenders we’ve worked with, though we’re not involved in the financing process itself. Some financing options require certain documentation from us during construction. We’re experienced with these requirements and provide whatever paperwork lenders need. Payment schedules typically follow construction milestones rather than all upfront.
Is it better to build during certain times of year?
Florida weather is relatively consistent, so there’s no bad time to build. That said, winter months (November through March) have less rain and are slightly more predictable for scheduling. Summer means afternoon storms that can occasionally delay concrete pours. But we build year-round successfully. The bigger consideration is permitting timelines, starting the permit process before holidays can sometimes mean delays as county offices have reduced staff. We help you choose optimal timing based on your specific situation and schedule.
Do you have questions about installing a concrete pool? Give us a call! 561-955-8980
