Do It Yourself Inground Pool

Having a fiberglass swimming pool in your backyard is a dream for many, offering endless enjoyment and memories. However, fiberglass pool installation costs often tempt people to consider the DIY route. While it might seem like a cost-saving option, DIY pool installation comes with significant risks and potential hidden costs that can far outweigh the initial savings.

 

Is it possible to build an inground swimming pool yourself? 

The short answer is yes, it is possible to build your own inground swimming pool. With the demand for inground pools surging, many people believe they will save money and get their fiberglass pool installed faster if they opt for a do-it-yourself inground pool installation. Still, the reality is that installing a DIY inground pool, whether you put it in by yourself or with the help of friends, can be dangerous, cause issues with your pool, and be more expensive when all is said and done.

 

Are DIY inground pool kits worth it?

The initial cost of inground pool kits may save you money over purchasing an installed pool. However, you might spend a lot more money and experience more delays or setbacks in the long run than if you left it up to an experienced professional. It’s important to mention that we are strictly a fiberglass pool manufacturer. Thursday Pools does not offer fiberglass inground pool kits. Our fiberglass pool shells are only available through independent dealers. Additionally, independent dealers install the pools in customers’ backyards.

 

What are some cons to installing a DIY inground pool?

The complexity of the installation process means that a DIY approach is rarely as simple or cost-effective as it might initially appear. Some known cons of installing a DIY inground pool include:

 

• High installation equipment costs. Typically, homeowners will not have the equipment needed to install a pool, so you will have to purchase or rent the equipment yourself. This equipment can be expensive and not easy to find. Knowing which equipment to get and having the resources to obtain them is extremely important. Without the proper equipment, you cannot correctly install the fiberglass pool and risk expensive repair costs if something goes wrong.
  

 

• Installation materials problems. When installing a pool, you will need access to the correct stone “backfill” material and know how much to use. If you use the wrong type of stone or not enough of it, your pool won’t be correctly  backfilled, resulting in an unstable pool that moves, cracks, and leaks.
  

 

• Expensive mistakes. We have seen YouTube videos and heard stories of pools being dropped or crashing into the homeowner’s house. The materials needed to install a pool can be heavy and hard to transport. Stone material and the fiberglass inground pool shell must arrive safely with the proper equipment to pick up and move the pool. If not, you may drop and crack your pool before it gets put in, and that’s on you!
  

 

• Incorrect pool equipment. Selecting the right pool equipment can be overwhelming because there are many options. A professional pool installer will ensure you have the correct equipment for your pool’s size and type, including the pump, filter, water sanitation system, and heater. If this equipment is not compatible with your pool, leaks can happen, and pipes can crack. Additionally, many equipment manufacturers only provide a limited warranty when non-professionals purchase and install it. Dealers may offer extended warranty plans when the manufacturer or retailer installs this equipment. It is expensive to replace if it breaks and is not under warranty.
  

 

• Incorrect component placement. Knowledge of where to place the skimmer, returns, and lights for maximum efficiency is essential. Installing your lights, skimmer, and returns at the wrong height or location can cause poor water circulation and unbalanced water chemistry, which ultimately causes poor water health and damage to the pool’s surface.
  

 

• Excavation issues. When installing a fiberglass pool in your yard, there are things a typical homeowner wouldn’t consider, like drainage, easements, and access. The layout and hole need to be the proper slope and depth. An uneven excavation can cause the fiberglass pool to not be parallel to the house, out of level, and not adequately connected to the base material.

 

• Electrical dangers. Obtaining the correct permits is critical for safety. The wrong permits can lead to improper electrical installations and inspections. A professional installer will ensure your fiberglass pool and equipment are bonded to prevent the transmission of any harmful electrical voltage to pool equipment, people, and pets.

 

• Void warranty. Having a manufacturer’s  warranty on your fiberglass pool is extremely important. The manufacturer’s warranty is automatically void with our pools if an independent dealer does not install your pool. While we can’t be 100% sure, we believe most, if not all, pool manufacturers do not honor a manufacturer’s warranty on a pool that a professional didn’t install. Check with your pool’s manufacturer’s warranty. If anything goes wrong with your pool, it may not be covered. 

 

• Concrete problems. Pouring concrete around a fiberglass pool is trickier than regular flatwork. Inexperienced concrete contractors can set the concrete too close to the pool wall with their equipment, causing the pool walls to move if not done correctly. Concrete can also get into the pool, which can be a nightmare to clean!

 

• Longer than expected install time. Fiberglass pools are the  quickest type to install when a professional installs the pool. If you install it yourself, you may run into delays and roadblocks along the way. Additionally, you should take into account that you will most likely be doing this as a side project on the weekends while still working your regular job throughout the week, making the project take longer.

 

The bottom line:

Use a professional pool installer that you’ve vetted. A professional dealer’s installation knowledge will help install the fiberglass pool correctly, ensuring your manufacturer’s warranty remains intact. Additionally, most pool builders provide a workmanship warranty over the entire project. 

 

Dealers in our independent dealer network have formed relationships with professionals who can perform the specific tasks you need to install a pool so you can plan to relax in your pool stress-free in no time. 

We may not be able to give you DIY inground pool cost figures, but we will recommend speaking with an installer. You can always let them know what budget you have in mind and see if these are parameters they can work in. If you’d like to spend more time planning your budget first, our  inground fiberglass pool cost calculator tool can give you a ballpark estimate on your project based on your needs!