--- title: "What to Expect During Pool Construction | West Palm Beach" type: "post" slug: "what-to-expect-during-the-pool-construction-process" modified_at: "2026-05-09T14:31:52+00:00" url: "https://rpdfl.com/what-to-expect-during-the-pool-construction-process/" markdown_url: "https://rpdfl.com/what-to-expect-during-the-pool-construction-process.md" excerpt: "Planning a pool in West Palm Beach? RPD Custom Pools walks you through every construction phase, from permitting to first swim, so you know what to expect." --- # What to Expect During the Pool Construction Process RPD Custom Pools May 9, 2026 Custom Pool Guides, New Pool Installation, Pool Construction ![](https://rpdfl.com/ported/rpd-custom-pools1-1024x737.webp) Building a pool is one of the most rewarding home investments you can make in South Florida, but the process between signing a contract and taking your first swim is one most homeowners have never seen up close. At RPD Custom Pools, we work with homeowners across [West Palm Beach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West%5FPalm%5FBeach,%5FFlorida) who want a clear picture of the journey ahead. This guide walks you through every key phase, from permitting to handover, so nothing comes as a surprise. ## **Step 1: Design, Engineering, and Permitting (4-8 Weeks)** The construction timeline does not begin the day equipment arrives: it begins the day your permit is submitted. In Palm Beach County, all inground pools require review by the building, plumbing, and electrical departments. A licensed structural engineer must stamp the plans before the county will accept them. This phase typically runs 4 to 8 weeks and is the most common source of schedule variation. Finalizing your finish, tile, coping, and equipment choices before submission avoids amended permits and keeps the clock moving. See how we guide homeowners through this process on our [Google Business Profile](https://www.google.com/maps/place/RPD+Custom+Pools/@26.7024917,-80.1006958,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88d8e20b048efd19:0x66d83a56d1776b3f!8m2!3d26.7026451!4d-80.1037213!16s%2Fg%2F1td6t0bg?entry=ttu&g%5Fep=EgoyMDI2MDUwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)**.** ## **Step 2: Excavation and Steel (About 1 Week)** Once permits are approved, visible work begins quickly. The pool layout is staked precisely to the permitted plans, and an excavator removes soil to the engineered depth: typically completing the dig in one to three days. From there, a steel rebar framework is tied across the full shell: walls, floor, benches, and steps. Crews then install and pressure-test all underground plumbing lines. A county rough-in inspection is required and must pass before the next phase begins. This inspection is your protection against plumbing issues that would otherwise be buried inside a concrete shell. ## **Step 3: Gunite and Shell Curing (1-2 Days + 28-Day Cure)** Gunite is pneumatically applied concrete sprayed onto the rebar framework to form the structural shell. For homeowners in [Lake Worth Beach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake%5FWorth%5FBeach,%5FFlorida) and across the county, this is often the most exciting day to see in person: it is the moment the pool takes its permanent shape. After application, the shell requires a minimum 28-day curing period, during which it must stay moist. Surface cracks during curing are normal and are addressed when the interior finish is applied. ## **Step 4: Tile, Coping, Decking, and Equipment (2-5 Weeks)** With the shell cured, work shifts to the surfaces that define the finished look. Waterline tile is applied first, followed by the coping: the cap material at the pool’s edge. Travertine, limestone, and porcelain are the most popular choices in South Florida. The surrounding deck is then laid, and the equipment pad is set. All mechanical systems, pump, filter, heater, salt system, and automation, are installed and wired by a licensed electrician. Florida energy code now requires variable-speed pumps on most new pool installations, which significantly reduces monthly operating costs. ## **Step 5: Interior Finish, Fill, and Startup (1-2 Weeks)** The interior finish, white plaster, quartz aggregate, or a pebble finish like PebbleTec, is the final surface applied to the shell. Once applied, filling begins immediately. A standard residential pool holds 20,000 to 30,000 gallons and fills in 24 to 48 hours. A startup technician monitors water chemistry continuously during the fill to protect the new finish during its critical curing window. Final county inspections covering building, plumbing, and electrical are scheduled during this phase. A certificate of completion must be issued before the pool is officially handed over: do not accept a finished pool without it. Browse finished pool photos from our recent builds on our Business Profile. ## **Factors That Cause Delays and How to Avoid Them** - **Permit Delays:** Incomplete permit submissions restart the review clock. Choose a builder who submits accurate, complete packages the first time. - **Change Orders:** Design changes after permit submission require amended plans. Finalize all decisions before the application goes in. - **Rainy Season:** South Florida’s wet season (June through September) can slow excavation and outdoor finishing. Projects that begin permitting in late winter typically hit construction before peak rain. - **Inspection Queues:** Builders with clean permit records and established relationships with county inspectors move through the queue more efficiently. ### **The RPD Custom Pools Approach** Homeowners in [Palm Beach Gardens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm%5FBeach%5FGardens,%5FFlorida) and throughout South Florida work with RPD Custom Pools because we manage the entire process under one roof: design, permitting, construction, and startup. Every client has a dedicated project manager and receives regular schedule updates from contract through completion. You will see your finished backyard in 3D before a single permit is filed. Visit our [Google Profile](https://www.google.com/maps/place/RPD+Custom+Pools/@26.7024917,-80.1006958,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88d8e20b048efd19:0x66d83a56d1776b3f!8m2!3d26.7026451!4d-80.1037213!16s%2Fg%2F1td6t0bg?entry=ttu&g%5Fep=EgoyMDI2MDUwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) to browse completed projects and read reviews from homeowners across the region. ## **Frequently Asked Questions** **How long does pool construction take in West Palm Beach?** Total timeline from signed contract to first swim is typically 16 to 26 weeks. Permitting accounts for 4 to 8 weeks; physical construction runs 10 to 16 weeks depending on scope and weather. **Do I need to be home during construction?** You do not need to be present daily, but your availability for key decisions, finish selection, change approvals, affects the schedule. Your project manager should have a clear process for reaching you when a decision is needed. **What warranty should I expect?** A reputable builder should provide a structural shell warranty of at least 10 years, a workmanship warranty of 1 to 3 years, and pass-through manufacturer warranties on all equipment. Review all warranty terms in writing before signing. To see how RPD Custom Pools approaches warranties and post-build support, visit our [local service updates](https://www.google.com/maps/place/RPD+Custom+Pools/@26.7024917,-80.1006958,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88d8e20b048efd19:0x66d83a56d1776b3f!8m2!3d26.7026451!4d-80.1037213!16s%2Fg%2F1td6t0bg?entry=ttu&g%5Fep=EgoyMDI2MDUwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). **Can I make changes after construction has started?** Changes are possible during construction but become progressively more expensive and disruptive the further along the project is. Changes before gunite are relatively straightforward. Changes after the shell is poured, especially to plumbing or pool shape, can require significant rework. The best way to avoid costly change orders is to finalize every decision, including finish, tile, coping, and equipment, before the permit is submitted. **What is the difference between gunite and fiberglass pools?** Gunite pools are built on-site by spraying concrete onto a steel framework, allowing full customization of shape, size, depth, and features. Fiberglass pools are pre-manufactured shells delivered and dropped into an excavated hole: faster to install but limited to standard manufacturer shapes and sizes. In South Florida, gunite remains the dominant choice for custom residential builds because of the design flexibility and long-term durability in the local climate. 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