100 Days ‘til Summer, 100 Days ‘til POOL!
Can your life change in 100 days? We know so!
After talking with many homeowners in North Texas over the decades we’ve been designing and building pools, it is no surprise that many people believe (and have heard horror stories) that building a backyard pool can take an extraordinarily long time. While unfortunately that has been the case for some homeowners, we are thrilled to share that the entire process at Canyon Oak Pools takes (on average) just 100 days.
As of mid-march, we are just 100 days away from the official start of the summer season. And it is absolutely NOT TOO LATE to make your dreams of pool ownership come true this year.
Our homeowners enjoying their custom pool in Blue Ridge, TX.
Follow along with us as we take our homeowners from dream to reality:
The call.
You’re taking the plunge. You and your family have dreamed of building your own pool for years and you decide to give us a call and learn about your options. While we know this step can be intimidating, rest assured that our friendly team loves nothing more than talking pools! We are here to answer any preliminary questions you may have about the timeline, process, and cost. We will get a general idea of what you’re looking for, where you live, and what your schedule looks like in order to set-up an initial consultation. This consultation will happen at your home, so that our designers can meet you in-person, take measurements of the dimensions and elevation of your lot, as well as take note of project access. We will also get a thorough understanding of what is important to you in regards to your custom pool design. Everyone’s style and functionality preferences are different, which is why we take a hands-on approach to getting to know exactly what you expect from your pool.
Examples of both a freeform and a geometric pool.
Our company as a whole prides itself on core-values of integrity, communication, and quality craftsmanship, so you will never feel pressured to make a decision quickly. We know that building a pool is one of the biggest decisions of any homeowner’s life, and take that seriously.
After our initial consultation, your designer will spend the next couple of days creating a 3-D interactive rendering of your custom pool. This rendering will include every aspect of your design, including water features, decking, landscaping, and any additional amenities such as an outdoor kitchen or shade structure. We can even add in your family and pets for an extra realistic vision of what your life could look like! This is where the fun begins. And while some homeowners fall in love instantly, it often takes a couple revisions to get your design EXACTLY the way you envisioned it - and in alignment with your budget. We take your budget seriously, and will always be up-front with the realities of what’s possible, and what may be outside the current scope of work.
Take a peek at one of our homeowner’s 3-D renderings!
The revision process can take as long as you need it to in order to nail your vision perfectly. On average, within a couple meetings we will have your custom pool design finalized and ready for you to look over, as well as a thorough bid detailing everything you can expect from our build team. We encourage you to take your time and even consult different builders to ensure that you feel Canyon Oak Pools is the perfect fit to build your backyard pool. When comparing bids, be sure to understand what is included, as well as what is not included in each company’s proposal, as that can drastically influence the sticker price. We will also have you over to our office to look over your choices for materials. This includes tile, coping, decking, plaster and more! The sky is the limit when it comes to designing your pool!
Once your decision has been made, it’s time to enter the permitting process. At Canyon Oak Pools, our team handles this step from start to finish. Different neighborhoods in North Texas fall under different permitting regulations, and your designer will be sure to inform you beforehand on what to expect during this time. For example, older historic neighborhoods such as Highland Park often require more rigorous oversight which can lead to a longer wait time prior to excavation. On the other hand, some areas move through the permitting process quite quickly. On average, you can expect to wait about a month to get your pool permit approved.
A beautiful roll-neck spa on a Canyon Oak pool.
Let’s DIG!
Once your permit is approved, it is officially time to build your pool! Every custom pool build starts with Excavation, lovingly referred to as “dig day”. This is one of the most exciting phases, and we love to include your family in the process. Prior to dig day, we will walk you through any additional tasks that need to be handled, such as getting irrigation systems rerouted. Excavation is usually completed in just one day, but can take longer if your lot has rock or requires mini equipment due to access issues.
Within one or two days of a completed excavation, our crews will be back on-site to get your steel and plumbing in place. We move quickly at Canyon Oak Pools because we prioritize quality over quantity. Our small team takes on only as many builds as we can personally oversee, and our Owner - and your project manager, Larry Parnell - personally ensures that each phase is done right.
Our team after winning the BBB Torch Award for Ethics in 2024.
After your pool has steel and plumbing, we will be back to perform your gunite shoot. Gunite is technically a “dry mix” that is combined with water at the last second under high pressure to build and reinforce the floor and walls of your pool. We set a goal of having your pool gunited by day 5 of your pool build. This way, your gunite will have more than adequate time to cure to ensure the strongest shell for your pool. In less than a week after excavation your pool is starting to take shape!
Following gunite, your pool will get it’s electric! Your pool will need electricity to power your lighting, control systems, pump, and motor. This step is usually completed same-day. After that, our crews will get to work bringing your material selections to life! Watch as your tile and coping choices beautifully highlight your pool design and give it its own unique personality.
Check out these material selections vs. the completed Canyon Oak pool!
Soon after, another one of your selections will begin to take form! Your choice in decking will be formed and then poured or installed to show the true footprint of your backyard oasis. At this stage we also create any features included in your design such as outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fountains, kitchens, and more. Get ready to get a true vision of what your family will soon enjoy for years to come! The time this stage takes will differ based on the complexity of design, but expect at least a week or two.
Let’s clean her up and get ready for plaster!
Once all decking and additional features are done, it’s time to get your backyard cleaned and ready for plaster! *Please note that inspections are performed at various stages of the build, and can impact the timeline. However, we’ve found that most often inspections cause little or no delays. After a pre-plaster inspection, we are officially on the home stretch! The color of your pool’s plaster is what determines the stunning color and impact of your water. After plaster day, your pool will get an acid-wash, followed by any turf, spray decking, or additional landscaping.
“BEST EXPERIENCE EVER. Although this was our first experience with a pool builder, it is definitely not our experience with a contractor. We received several quotes from other pool builders and from the very beginning, Canyon Oak Pools had far exceeded our expectations. Mike Woodfin, our pool designer was with us every step of the way from design to execution. Communication and availability was top notch. The owner of Canyon Oak Pools, Larry Parnell, also provided the best service we had ever experienced from any business owner. He was on-site daily and welcomed any questions we had! His workers were always on time, clean, and fast and efficient! We would absolutely use Canyon Oak Pools again in a heartbeat, should the need for another pool arise. If you need a pool, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND Canyon Oak Pools!”
It is officially time to fill your pool with water and complete any remaining punch-list items. Our team will meet with you after your pool is filled to start “Pool School”, which ensures that you feel empowered to maintain your pool and that you understand all aspects of how to use it. We know that even the most informed homeowners will sometimes encounter scenarios that bring about questions, such as extreme weather events, and we will continue to be just a phone call away.
A recently completed Canyon Oak pool.
And just like that, you have gone from “maybe, one day…” to a pool owner in around 100 days! We hope that this post helps give you a feel for what the pool building process and timeline looks like, and helps demystify and squash any fears or concerns you may have.
So here we are, 100 days from summer. Will you make the call?
