Steps to Building a Pool in the Twin Cities

Building a pool in the Twin Cities? Here's what you can expect during the process.

Building a pool in Minnesota is an exciting investment that transforms your backyard into a personal oasis. At Plan Pools, we understand that the process might seem overwhelming at first, but with our streamlined approach, we make it straightforward and rewarding. This guide walks you through what to expect when building a pool in the Twin Cities area, from Eden Prairie to Prior Lake, from initial design to your first splash.

Understanding the Twin Cities Pool Season

Before diving into the construction process, it's important to understand the practical realities of pool ownership in Minnesota. In the Twin Cities, the swimming pool season typically runs between April and October, giving you about seven months of swimming enjoyment each year. While our climate presents unique challenges, a well-designed pool with the right features can maximize your swimming season and provide years of enjoyment.

The Plan Pools Design-Build Process

1. Initial Consultation and Site Assessment

Our process begins with your address. Using topographical data and Google Maps, we measure your lot and create a starter estimate. This allows us to understand the landscape we're working with before any physical work begins. During this stage, we'll discuss:

  • Your vision and goals for the pool
  • How you plan to use the space (recreation, exercise, entertaining)
  • Special features you might want
  • Your budget expectations

2. Custom 3D Design Creation

Our design team, working collaboratively with our preferred landscape contractors, will develop a precise 3D design and plan for your project. This gives you a realistic visualization of exactly what your backyard will look like when completed. You'll know precisely what your pool will cost and how all elements will appear. This crucial design phase typically takes 3-10 days.

Unlike other companies that might present vague concepts, our 3D renderings show you exactly what to expect, allowing you to make informed decisions before any construction begins.

3. Permitting and Approvals

Once the design is finalized, our full-time family staff handles all the necessary permitting with local municipalities. We've perfected the process of navigating city bureaucracy and addressing any potential issues that might arise. This critical step ensures your pool meets all local building codes and regulations.

The permitting process takes time, which is why starting early is crucial if you want to enjoy your pool during the upcoming swimming season. By handling this complex process for you, we eliminate a major source of stress from the project.

4. Excavation and Site Preparation

Once permits are approved, construction begins with excavation. Our experienced crews will:

  • Clear and prepare the site
  • Excavate to the appropriate depth based on your pool design
  • Ensure proper drainage considerations are in place
  • Address any unexpected site conditions

Minnesota's winter conditions require special consideration in pool construction. The freezing and thawing of ground can cause shifting, which means pools must be built with proper design and construction techniques to withstand these extremes. Our expertise in local conditions ensures your pool is built to last through Minnesota winters.

5. Pool Construction

The actual construction time for a typical pool is usually around 2½ to 3 weeks, depending on the complexity of your particular project. During this phase, we:

  • Install insulated concrete forms (ICF) rather than steel walls, providing better energy efficiency, customizability, and longevity
  • Set up the most dependable salt-water system
  • Include premium automation, pool covers, and systems as standard features

Our construction team works efficiently while never compromising on quality. We take ownership of finding solutions to any challenges that arise, whether related to trees, weather, water, or other factors.

6. Pool Equipment Installation

Once the pool structure is complete, we install all necessary equipment:

  • Energy-efficient pumps and filters
  • Heating systems to extend your swimming season
  • Water purification systems
  • Automated controls for ease of maintenance
  • Safety features and covers

In Minnesota, pool heaters are indispensable for extending your swimming season, and automatic covers help keep heating costs down while keeping debris out.

7. Decking and Landscaping

When it comes to your project, your pool will be built first, with the rest of the landscaping following afterward. This sequential approach ensures the pool construction isn't compromised by other work happening simultaneously.

Working with our preferred landscape contractors, we integrate your pool seamlessly into your overall outdoor living space, including:

  • Pool decking and patio areas
  • Landscaping elements that complement your pool
  • Outdoor kitchens or entertainment areas (if included in your design)
  • Lighting and other finishing touches

8. Final Inspection and Education

Before we consider the project complete, we conduct thorough inspections to ensure everything meets our high standards. We also provide comprehensive education on:

  • How to operate all pool systems and equipment
  • Basic water chemistry and maintenance
  • Seasonal opening and closing procedures
  • Troubleshooting common issues

Timeline Considerations

Several factors affect the total time between your initial idea and your first swim:

  1. Seasonal Timing: In the Twin Cities, the pool-building season runs from April through October in most years, with weather being the controlling factor. Once winter arrives and the ground begins to freeze, pool construction generally stops, except for indoor pools.
  2. Planning Ahead: If you're thinking about adding a pool, it's advantageous to contact pool builders during fall or winter to plan and design your pool. This allows for construction to begin early in the season, maximizing your first year's enjoyment.
  3. Fall Construction: Building your pool in the fall can be a great way to get a jump on the next year's swim season. For pools built in the fall, they'll be ready to use as soon as warm weather arrives the following spring.
  4. Weather Considerations: Weather is the main factor that can slow down installation, and these unforeseen delays are impossible to predict far in advance. Our team works diligently to stay on schedule despite Minnesota's sometimes unpredictable weather.

Why Choose Plan Pools for Your Twin Cities Pool Project

We're passionate about delivering the best value pool solution in the industry. Unlike most pool contractors who might get you hooked and then use change-orders, "gotcha" upgrades, or problematic technology to build profit, we take a different approach.

We deliver the most sensible setup that will outlast our competitors and lead to the best experience throughout the life of your pool. We install the same equipment in your pool that we put in our own backyards.

For a pool with Plan Pools, you should expect to invest between $90,000 - $125,000. This includes premium features that we highly recommend, meaning you won't need many upgrades. The price may be impacted when your project requires significant earth-moving or includes extensive landscaping and outdoor living options.

Ready to Take the Plunge?

Building a pool in the Twin Cities, from Lakeville to Minnetonka, is a significant investment that adds value to your property and quality to your lifestyle. With the right builder guiding you through the process, it can be an exciting and rewarding journey.

At Plan Pools, we're committed to transparency, quality, and delivering exceptional value. We handle every aspect of your pool project, from initial design through construction and beyond, ensuring a smooth process and outstanding results.

Contact us today to begin your pool-building journey. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll be enjoying your own backyard paradise in the Twin Cities!

Plan Pools | Pool and Concrete Blog | Twin Cities

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