A clear, step-by-step look at how Peak Pools takes your project from “we’re thinking about a pool” to “we’re swimming.” Refined over 20+ years of Utah builds.
A pool build involves 14 specialized trades, 5–9 inspections, 6–14 weeks of construction, and roughly $80K–$300K of your money. The pool builders who do this well aren’t the most talented — they’re the ones with a process they actually follow.
This is ours.
Step 1 — Free Design Consultation (Day 1)
We come to your home. Not a Zoom call. We walk the yard, look at sun exposure, drainage, access, sight lines, and where your kids actually run around now. We talk about how you’ll use the pool: laps, family, entertaining, hot tub, year-round, summer-only.
You’ll leave knowing: pool type, realistic cost range, realistic timeline, permits needed, HOA hurdles. No pressure to sign at the consult.
Step 2 — 3D Design + Proposal (Week 1–2)
If you’re moving forward, we render your pool in 3D. Proposal includes final design + dimensions, all-in pricing, equipment specs, materials, payment schedule, timeline. Revisions are part of the process — we expect 2–4 design rounds.
Step 3 — Contract & Permits (Week 2–4)
You sign, we collect deposit, we file permits. Utah permitting timelines vary:
SLC, Provo, Ogden: 1–3 weeks typical
Smaller municipalities: 3–6 weeks
Park City + Wasatch Back: 4–8 weeks (sometimes longer)
HOA submittals: add 2–4 weeks if applicable
Step 4 — Excavation (Day 1 of construction)
Our in-house excavation crew arrives, stages dirt, digs to spec. Most pools dig in 1–3 days. We protect your yard with plywood pathways and clean up daily.
Step 5 — Steel & Plumbing (Days 3–7)
Rebar cage tied to engineered specifications. Skimmers, returns, drains, feature plumbing roughed in. First inspection: rough plumbing.
Step 6 — Shell Installation
Concrete (gunite/shotcrete): sprayed in a single day. Cures 7–14 days before tile.
Fiberglass: pre-molded shell craned into the hole in a few hours.
Vinyl liner: steel or polymer wall panels assemble in 2–4 days. Concrete bond beam pours after.
Step 7 — Tile, Coping, Decking (Weeks 3–6)
Waterline tile installed by hand. Coping (cantilever concrete, paver, travertine, or natural stone) set on the bond beam. Concrete decking poured (or pavers laid).
Step 8 — Equipment Pad (Weeks 5–7)
Pump, filter, heater, automation panel, salt cell or chlorinator, lighting wired in. Plumbing connected. Final electrical inspection.
Step 9 — Interior Finish (Week 6–10 for concrete; week 4–6 for fiberglass/vinyl)
Plaster, pebble, or aggregate applied (concrete only — fiberglass and vinyl have factory finishes). Curing follows.
Step 10 — Fill, Start-Up & Pool School (Final week)
We fill the pool, balance water chemistry, run equipment for 24–48 hours, verify everything works. Then pool school:
How to read your equipment
How to test water and add chemicals
How automation/timers work
What to do weekly, monthly, seasonally
What’s covered under warranty
Service schedule going forward
After the Build
You’re in our system for life. We service the pools we build, handle warranty work, and are your first call any time you have questions. Most clients call us back over the years for upgrades, equipment replacements, and (eventually) interior refinish.
Process FAQ
Q: How long is the whole process from sign to first swim? Fiberglass: 5–10 weeks total. Vinyl liner: 8–12 weeks. Concrete: 12–20 weeks. Add 2–4 weeks if HOA approval is needed.
Q: Can I be involved in the design? Absolutely. Some clients want us to design everything; some want to push specific ideas. Both work.
Q: What if I want to change something during construction? Possible but expensive. Changes after gunite or shell set cost significantly more. That’s why we do 2–4 design rounds before signing.
Q: How is payment structured? Deposit at signing, then payments at major milestones (excavation, shell, finish, completion).
