Our pool construction process
Our highly trained team of designers will present a vast array of design options to create harmony between your home and nature.
The completion time of all of our custom pools will vary, and depends upon the design chosen and the complexity of the project. Below is a general timeline used to reference our unique pool building process.
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Phase 1: Custom Design & Pre-Planning Consultation
Every Backyard Oasis pool begins with an in-depth collaboration between you and our expert design team to align your lifestyle, budget, and outdoor space.
- On-Site Property Assessment: We evaluate your backyard's topography, elevation, soil conditions, drainage patterns, property lines, and existing structures to determine optimal pool placement.
- 3D Virtual Design Experience: Utilizing state-of-the-art Pool Studio 3D rendering software, we build a realistic digital twin of your pool, spa, decking, and outdoor living features so you can preview materials, water elements, and lighting before construction begins.
- HOA, Permitting & Financial Alignment: We handle the complex permitting process across Greater Houston municipalities (including Tomball, The Woodlands, Cypress, and Montgomery County) and assist with HOA design submissions to ensure full compliance prior to digging.
- Project Approval & Post-Construction Plans: Our team will lay out your project in your backyard so you can visualize and approve the plans before we begin construction. We will also schedule a pre-construction meeting with our team at our office to review the complete set of plans and provide you with a copy for your personal records.
Phase 2: Excavation, Steel Structure & Gunite
Once permits and HOA approvals are secured, we transform your design plan into a physical structure built for Texas soil conditions.
- Excavation: Heavy equipment carefully carves out the precise shape and depths of your custom pool according to engineered site plans.
- Steel Reinforcement: We install a rigorous grid of steel rebar crafted specifically to counter soil expansion and contraction, creating a structurally independent rebar cage.
- Pre-Plumbing & In-Wall Infrastructure: Main drains, skimmers, return lines, and spa jets are positioned within the steel framework before concrete application.
- Gunite Application: High-velocity pneumatic concrete (gunite) is applied over the steel framework to create a dense, highly durable monolithic shell. The shell is cured over several weeks to ensure structural integrity.
Phase 3: Tile, Coping, Decking & Utility Hookups
With the concrete shell cured, our craftsmen apply the decorative and functional elements that define your pool's aesthetic.
- Tile & Coping Installation: Custom waterline tile and hand-selected stone, travertine, or concrete coping are precision-cut and set around the pool edge.
- Equipment & Utility Integration: Licensed tradesmen connect high-efficiency pumps, filtration systems, natural gas/propane heaters, automation controls, and low-voltage LED lighting.
- Custom Decking & Surrounding Hardscapes: Patio decking, sun shelves, outdoor kitchens, or fire elements are poured, paved, or installed around the perimeter.
Phase 4: Interior Finish, Water Fill & "Pool School" Start-Up
The final phase turns a construction site into an inviting backyard retreat.
- Plaster or Pebble Finish Application: The interior coating of your choice (such as premium PebbleTec® or smooth plaster) is applied and hand-troweled.
- Immediate Water Fill & Initial Clean: Water filling begins immediately following interior finish application to allow proper curing under pressure.
- Chemical Balancing & Equipment Start-Up: Our technicians initiate circulation, calibrate filtration, balance initial water chemistry, and test all automated features.
- Pool Training: We walk you through every aspect of operating your pool—from winterization and chemical testing to controlling your pool features.
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, custom gunite pool construction takes 8 to 16 weeks from excavation to fill, depending on the complexity of the design, custom features (such as rock waterfalls, infinity edges, or outdoor kitchens), and weather conditions. Additional time should be factored in upfront for HOA approval and county/city permitting, which typically takes 2 to 4 weeks before digging begins.
Total project cost is driven primarily by pool size and depth, structural engineering required for your soil type, decorative finishes (e.g., travertine decking vs. stamped concrete, PebbleTec vs. standard plaster), and added features like luxury spas, fire elements, swim-up bars, raised walls and water features, integrated automation systems and riverflow systems for lazy rivers. We provide a fully itemized 3D design proposal so you know exactly where every dollar goes before construction starts.
Homeowners are responsible for ensuring clear access to the construction zone (removing temporary yard obstacles or gate sections if needed), identifying underground private lines (like irrigation or invisible dog fences), monitoring the pool fill once interior plaster/pebble is applied, and maintaining basic water level and sanitation following our initial start-up handoff.
The permits that must be obtained are set by city codes and may differ, depending upon location. Backyard Oasis manages the entire permitting process for you. We prepare and submit all necessary engineering plans, plot plans, and documentation required by your city/county municipality as well as your specific Homeowners Association.
Beyond the bottom-line price, evaluate:
- Structural Engineering & Warranty: Thickness of gunite, steel rebar schedule.
- Warranty Coverage: Look for a comprehensive warranty alongside clear terms for equipment coverage. Key details to check include whether warranties are transferable if you sell your home and if equipment is backed directly by the manufacturer.
- Equipment Specifications: Compare component quality, including pump efficiency, heater capacity, automation capabilities, dedicated pumps for water features, and the total lighting package.
- Appropriate Proposal Scope: A proposal should be proportionate to the size of the job. A single page document cannot clearly define everything in your project scope.
- Drainage Details: Builders often omit drainage details from their quotes. A complete proposal should specify the exact drainage plan, including the type of drains, total linear footage, and discharge location (for example: 150 linear feet of 4” PVC piping draining to the street).
- Logistical & Site Access Details: The proposal should address site access logistics. Check for details on equipment clearance, whether a smaller excavator is required (which can add cost), and if neighbor access agreements are necessary.
- Turnkey Scope: Verify that the quote covers the entire job from start to finish, including site cleanup, final grading, electrical hookups, plumbing, and permitting.
- Builder Stability & Track Record: Look for established local experience, A+ BBB accreditation, and verified customer testimonials. Backyard Oasis brings over 25 years of local pool-building expertise in North Houston.
While most people think the price is the most important thing, it's actually not. A builder’s time and stability in the industry are both important factors to consider, as well as the potential to create a bond or personal relationship between the customer and the builder. After all, a pool can be the second or third biggest major investment that a homeowner will make, so you want to make sure that your builder is reliable.