Swimming Pool Construction Time: How Long Does It Really Take?

• Product Review: The Time It Takes to Build a Swimming Pool (Start to Finish)

• Planning a Pool? Here’s How Long It Actually Takes to Finish One

It’s Finally Here! Your Complete Timeline for Swimming Pool Construction

When clients ask about building a swimming pool, the second-most common question after cost is: “How long will it take?” The answer depends on several factors like pool type, location, materials, and weather conditions.

In this post, I’ll break down the realistic timeframes for different types of pools, based on my experience working with contractors across Kerala and South India. Whether it’s a simple above-ground pool or a luxury infinity pool, I’ve seen it all—and I’ll help you set accurate expectations for your project timeline.

Swimming Pool Construction Time – What to Expect at First Look

At first glance, you might think building a pool is just about digging and filling, but it’s much more than that. The construction timeline includes design planning, excavation, structure building, plumbing, tiling, and testing.

Here’s an average timeline based on pool type:

Pool Type	Estimated Time to Complete
Above-Ground Pool	3 – 7 days
Fiberglass Pool	7 – 14 days
Inground Concrete	30 – 90 days
Plunge Pool	15 – 30 days
Modular Pool	10 – 20 days
Infinity Pool	45 – 120 days (depends on site)
Natural Pool	45 – 90 days
Spool (Spa + Pool)	15 – 30 days

The concrete inground pool takes the longest due to waterproofing, curing time, tiling, and customization.

How We’ve Tested Timelines in Real Projects

I’ve worked on dozens of projects in Trivandrum, Kochi, and Chennai, from small plunge pools to elaborate infinity designs. Here's what I’ve seen:

• A standard 12x24 ft inground pool in Trivandrum took 45 days to complete, including curing and tiling.

• A fiberglass pool for a homestay near Kovalam was installed in just 10 days – the fastest I’ve witnessed.

• A natural pool with a planted filtration zone in Wayanad took 72 days, largely due to landscaping and ecosystem balance.

• A spool in a luxury villa took 3 weeks, combining spa jets, heating, and tiled seating zones.

  
  

The main delays often come from rain, material availability, or changes to the design mid-project.

Pros, Cons & Alternatives

Here’s a comparison table to help you decide based on speed vs. customization:

Pool Type	Speed	Customization	Best For
Above-Ground	Very Fast	Low	Budget-friendly & quick setup
Fiberglass	Fast	Medium	Low maintenance & aesthetics
Inground Concrete	Slow	Very High	Luxury, durability, full custom
Plunge Pool	Medium	High	Compact luxury, villas
Spool	Medium	Medium-High	Spa lovers, small spaces
Infinity	Slowest	Very High	Resorts, sea views
Modular	Fast	Medium	Quick install with good quality
Natural Pool	Slow-Medium	High	Eco-lovers, nature settings

Alternatives: If you need a fast setup (e.g., for events or rentals), prefabricated above-ground or modular pools are the best choices. For long-term luxury, go with custom concrete pools—but plan for at least 2 months.

Final Score – Is the Wait Worth It?

With years of working in the swimming pool industry, I can confidently say that yes, the wait is worth it, if you choose the right type for your goals.

Here’s how I’d rate them based on speed vs. satisfaction:

• Fiberglass Pool – ★★★★★ (Speed + Looks)

• Modular Pool – ★★★★☆ (Speed + Durability)

• Concrete Pool – ★★★★★ (Ultimate customization)

• Above-Ground – ★★★★☆ (Quickest setup)

• Natural Pool – ★★★★☆ (Eco beauty, longer wait)

• Spool – ★★★★☆ (Small & smart)

  
  

👉 Want help estimating a timeline for your project? Contact Eternity Pools today for a free consultation.