Get matched with top above ground pool installation pros in Ledyard, CT

Small backyards are not a reason to write off fun upgrades like an above ground pool. You can find both soft and hard-sided above ground pools as small as 8 feet in diameter as well as 9-by-18-feet rectangles or 10-by-16-feet ovals. You will need at least 2 to 3 feet around the outside of your pool for additional support and for placing pool equipment, but a professional pool installer can help you find a model that's right for your tiny outdoor space.

The total time to install an inground pool typically ranges from 8 weeks to 4 months. This timeline can be influenced by several factors, including permitting, site preparation, and the construction process itself.

Key phases and their typical durations include:

• Permits: Obtaining necessary permits can take anywhere from two to six weeks.

• Excavation and Site Preparation: This phase takes about a week but can be extended by problematic soil, unexpected ground conditions, or the need to move underground utility lines.

• Construction: The actual build, including plumbing and electrical work, often takes one to two months. The pool material is a major factor here; a concrete pool needs about 30 days to cure, while installing a fiberglass or vinyl liner is much faster.

External factors can also cause significant delays:

• Contractor Availability: Spring and summer are busy seasons, and high demand can lead to long waitlists, potentially adding months to your start date. It is often recommended to start planning and getting estimates up to a year in advance.

• Other Delays: Weather, material shortages, complex designs, and other unforeseen challenges can extend the project timeline.

At noon, when the sun is at its highest point, sunlight can naturally increase the temperature of a pool by 0.7 degrees each hour, but this can depend on other external factors. For example, evaporation caused by the sun will cause a pool to lose up to 5 degrees for every 1/2 inch of water evaporated. Using a water heater will produce more reliable results.

You cannot DIY a gunite pool—unless, of course, you’re a homeowner who happens to also be a professional pool installer. And even pros need to have experience with gunite pools, in particular, before installing one. Only a skilled gunite pool technician can install this type of pool—it’s not a project you can do yourself.