15 Steps of pool building

  • STEP 1 – PERMIT, ENGINEERING PLANS & HOA

    We shall acquire the permits for the construction of the pool. All plans must comply with state, local and HOA building requirements. The homeowner is required to get the HOA approval unless otherwise agreed upon.

  • STEP 2 – LAYOUT

    A representative from IPS will come to your home and lay the pool out that you approved. This layout will indicate the shape, size and location of your pool in your yard for the excavation crew.

  • STEP 3 – EXCAVATION

    The excavation crew will come in with some heavy equipment within a couple days and dig the pool to the engineering plans. We will push any decorative rock to the side to gain access to the dig area.

  • STEP 4 – PLUMBING & EQUIPMENT SET

    The plumbing for each pool is designed specifically to give it the best circulation and filtration for crystal clear water and ease of maintenance. We perform hydraulic calculations to ensure that all equipment and piping are of the correct size to combine water clarity and energy conservation. An experienced plumber will plumb in all of the filtration equipment for the pool, including water feature pumps and other optional equipment.

  • STEP 5 – STRUCTURAL STEEL

    Structural Steel is the steel reinforcement structure for the shell of your pool to give it added strength per the engineering plans. It consist of a series of bars placed horizontally and vertically specifically engineered for you pool design requirements. The shell of your new pool is warrantied for life from any cracks or defects to the original home owner.

  • STEP 6 – ELECTRIC & GAS

    Our master electrician will trench and install electrical conduit/wire from the houses main electrical box to the equipment and all other locations specified on the plan. If utilizing a gas heater or BBQ, gas lines will be run from the main gas meter in the front of the house to the designated equipment.

  • STEP 7 – CITY ELECTRICAL INSPECTION

    Upon completion of the electrical stage we are required to have a city inspection before we can proceed. This is the first of two city inspections and depending on the city it can take a few days.

  • STEP 8 – SHOTCRETE

    Shotcrete is concrete that is shot through a high pressure hose to create the shell of your new pool. We will then need to wait another 5-7 days before we can begin the next step to allow the concrete to cure properly.

  • STEP 9 – TILE/COPING/WATER FEATURES

    At this step we will install the waterline tile, coping around the pool edge and any water features such as waterfalls, water sheer, rain descent, deckjets, laminars, etc. The time required will depend on the number of features and their complexity.

  • STEP 10 – DECKING

    The two most popular decking options are concrete or pavers. Concrete can be coated with a texture such as Cool Deck, stamped, acid wash or many other options. Concrete decking will be poured and then the finish applied. Pavers have become the most desirable because of the beauty, longevity and maintenance free. Pavers come in brick pavers, concrete pavers and tumbled travertine. The number of square feet of decking will determine the number of days it will require.

  • STEP 11 – OUTDOOR LIVING

    This phase encompasses the construction of outdoor living features such as outdoor kitchen/BBQ, fireplaces, sitting areas, ramadas, pergolas, etc. One of our primary goals is to “bring the indoors outside”. By creating structures that accommodate the way you live your life, your backyard can be enjoyed and utilized 365 days a year. The complexity of your project will determine the amount of time needed to complete this phase.

  • STEP 12 – FINAL CITY INSPECTION

    Before we can apply the pool surface we must call in the final city inspection. The home owner will be required to be home for this inspection because the inspector will need access to the home. He will need to verify that all barrier codes to the pool area have been met.

  • STEP 13 – FINAL CLEAN UP

    At this point, the project is nearing completion. We will now remove all extraneous construction materials and waste from the construction site and prepare the pool interior to be finished.

  • STEP 14 – POOL SURFACE

    Your pool project is almost complete. The most popular finish is Pebbletech which is a finish that it shot out of a high pressure hose and comes in a variety of colors. After applying the finish it requires 24 hours to cure before we come back and perform an acid wash. Once we complete the acid wash will will start to fill the pool up with water.

  • STEP 15 – FILLING & START-UP

    A little patience will be needed as our staff starts up all the equipment and starts to balance the water chemistry. Start up crew is there to get the water moving as quickly as the pool can get filled so you can begin to enjoy your new pool. A technician will set up a convenient time to go over all the equipment and care instructions with you.


Your backyard will be overrun with staff and swimming pool construction equipment it will become a construction site and will look like one until the end of the process when your dream becomes a reality. This process has many moving parts and at times we will be waiting on city inspections, weather or other scheduling before work can continue. Please be patient and understand that it is not the journey but the end result. Through this process please ask your Project Manager with any questions you may have.