Vinyl pools are the least expensive for installation thanks to the relatively low cost of vinyl pool liners. However, vinyl liners do not last as long as fiberglass or concrete designs, which could balance out the cost of the pool overall depending on its size.

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.

An aboveground pool should be level within 1 inch—and it starts to become unsafe after a couple of inches. Any slope will lead to an uneven distribution of water, which will put pressure on your pool’s structure, wearing down the pool liner. In certain cases, it could cause your pool to collapse. Even if you’re within a safe window, you may still notice that the water level is uneven.

You should add one 3-inch chlorine tablet for every 5,000 gallons of water in your pool. If you have a smaller pool, it’s better to use 1-inch chlorine tablets so you don’t accidentally add too much chlorine. Alternatively, you can add two to three ounces of powdered chlorine or half a gallon of liquid chlorine for every 5,000 gallons of water.