How Long Does It Take To Install A Fibreglass Pool?
One of the most common questions we get asked here at Barrier Reef Pools New Zealand is "how long does it take to install a fibreglass pool?" Unlike some other pool types, fibreglass pools are premade and extremely straightforward to install. If all goes to plan, you could have a fibreglass pool installed in as little as a week however, sometimes unexpected delays occur and this can extend the timeframe slightly. Here are some things that potentially delay your fibreglass pool installation.
Contributing factors that may delay your pool installation:
The season you choose to have your pool installed
Some times of the year are busier than others. For example, summertime is always the busiest season to install a pool. The weather warms up and everyone wants a pool for swimming in during the silly season. This time of year is when we receive the largest influx of enquiries, and it’s the busiest time of year for pool installations as well. Unless you have booked reasonably early, it’s unlikely that you will get your pool installed at the exact time you may have hoped. If you would like your pool installed in the summertime or in the lead-up to the hotter months, we recommend contacting your preferred pool builder a year in advance at the minimum.
In the lead-up to Christmas, there is usually a surge in construction-related projects, everyone wants to get their building work done before they finish up for the year. If you want to wait the least time possible, it’s a good idea to look at a winter installation. This is when people least likely want a pool installation as they typically won’t be using it as much during this time. Installing a pool at this time does have its advantages. The main one is that it will be entirely finished as soon as the warmer weather starts.
Local council approval delays
Almost all new pools in New Zealand require a building consent. In most instances, an application will need to be lodged and approved before any work can commence. Your pool builder will typically take care of the permit approvals for you or at the very least, provide you with detailed information on how to navigate through the process, including what you’ll need and what is involved.
The time it takes to receive approval back can vary. Again, in summer, council authorities are likely to receive a high volume of applications so it may take longer than normal. While your pool builder should submit your application early, delays are uncontrollable and sometimes they do occur regardless of how early the paperwork has been sent off ahead of time. If this does happen, unfortunately, your pool builder cannot legally start your pool installation until they have received this back.
Curious to see our pool production process? Check it out here!
How easily your backyard can be accessed and the condition or terrain of the ground that the pool is to be installed on
The simplest and quickest fibreglass pool installations are usually ones with easy access and a flat block. When there is good access to the pool site, the machinery can get straight into the location where the pool is to go. When there is not a lot of room to access the backyard, machinery may need to be lifted into the backyard. When the block is flat, this can minimise the amount of groundwork that is needed to even out the site to make way for the pool. If your ground has a lot of rock in it, this can consume more time and a more robust type of machinery may be needed to dig it up.
Other contractors working on your installation
Contrary to popular belief, there are several other contractors involved when installing a swimming pool. Some of these include fencers, electricians, and concreters. In an ideal world, the contractors would be on-site at the exact time when required however, this doesn’t always go to plan. If a contractor is needed and they are unavailable, this can push back the completion date. The good news is that our team here at Barrier Reef Pools New Zealand work closely with all our contractors, and we try our best to ensure that we align everything so there are no delays.
Rain
There’s not a great deal you can do when rain has set in for a prolonged period of time, and this can disrupt the pool finishing timeline.
Here are some common questions about fibreglass pool installations
How secure is a fibreglass pool once installed?
Fibreglass pools are structurally very strong and hard-wearing. Once installed by a reputable and licenced pool builder, the chances of your pool moving or slipping even millimetres is very rare. You should know that quality pool builders will have no hesitation in offering an extended warranty with their pools. All Barrier Reef Pools New Zealand fibreglass pools have a lifetime structural guarantee.
What's involved when installing a fibreglass pool?
Our fibreglass pools are constructed in a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, and when you choose to get a pool installed with us, you simply pick one from our extensive collection, and it gets delivered to site rather than built on site. The best location will be chosen for your pool, and then the ground will be inspected and measured. The ground will be excavated to make way for the pool shell.
A strong foundation is laid as the base for the pool to sit on. The shell will be lifted into position using a crane, and it will be meticulously measured and levelled to ensure it is exactly where it needs to be. Backfill is placed around the pool and then compacted. Timber boxing will be built around the pool and concrete will be poured. The boxing is typically lower than the pool so that when your pavers are laid they are flush to the pool. Plumbing and electrical will be fitted, and then your pool can be filled with water.
The process of installing a fibreglass pool is simple, and you could be swimming much sooner than you think. If you have any questions about our pool installations that we did not cover in this post, feel free to reach out to our friendly team at Barrier Reef Pools New Zealand.
