Our Gunite Pool Construction Process
We've spent over forty years perfecting our construction process. Here's how it goes.
Consultation, Design & Contract
First, we meet on your property, do a brief site evaluation (of access and terrain), and discuss your vision. Are you building to entertain? For exercise? To impress the neighbors with an incredible fire and water display? We can make it happen. This initial meeting is a chance to brainstorm and explore special features and design options, and we also share financing options and discuss your budget.
When you're ready to solidify your dreams into custom-made plans, we progress through design development: handling material samples, visiting our existing pools, and revising scaled drawings for your property. Renderings include all the details that make your project perfect. We don't rush this.
Once we finalize the design, we build your contract and make our financial agreement. Cochran Pools is an approved builder with the best pool financing companies in the industry.
Pre-Construction
Cochran Pools handles all standard building permit applications. We assist with HOA approval and call 811 for the marking of underground utilities.
At your pre-construction meeting, we discuss construction phases, timelines, and expectations, and review your responsibilities as the homeowner. We create a group text for clear communication during construction. If your property needs site preparation before construction (like bringing in dirt), this is when it happens. Once the scene is set and grades are shot, we get your final approval on the layout.
Dig to Shoot
First we frame the pool with wooden forms, straight or arched, to define the outer edge and elevation of your pool. Then we carefully excavate your pool with heavy equipment.
Next, we control for ground water as required by the property and begin steel reinforcement of the pool's shell. We tie everything and use more rebar than code requires, creating a framework that will soon be encased in gunite concrete, which is key to long-term structural integrity.
Through this rebar shell, we rough in plumbing for drains, returns, lights, and more, then prepare for the shoot by calling for our bonding inspection. All exposed metallic items are bonded per electrical code for safety. Clients are welcome to visit and ask questions at every stage.
Built to Last, Step by Step
Every phase inspected and documented, so nothing is rushed on the way to your finished pool.
Shoot, Shell & Deck
Shoot day is one of the most exciting days of your pool build. Stay home and watch if you can. We apply gunite with hoses to form the monolithic shell of your pool, then maintain proper hydration during curing so the shell gains strength slowly.
Next we remove forms and apply waterline tile and coping (or coping forms), then trench and run plumbing, conduit, and specialty lines (including ground wire) from the pool to the equipment pad. Lines are pressure tested for leaks before the trenches are backfilled and compacted.
Deck work includes wire mesh and rebar installation as required, running ground wire, bonding the deck, and setting deck forms, followed by our pre-deck bonding inspection to national and municipal code. Once the deck is installed in your chosen material, pool equipment installation begins at the pad, including electrical and gas/propane hookup.
Safety, Finishing & Start-Up
This is the point to call your fencing professional: barrier requirements are the homeowner's responsibility, and we're happy to coordinate with your fencing contractor to meet local safety codes.
We prepare the pool interior for plaster day by completing accent tile and mosaic installation and thoroughly cleaning the shell, then mix and apply the quartz aggregate plaster of your choice.
Pool fill and start-up is a critical 28-day process that begins the moment we start the hose. Fill water should run continuously unless we say otherwise, and once full, homeowners should brush the pool twice daily in different directions for the smoothest finish. Don't use robotic cleaners, heaters, salt, or a pool cover during this period. Our technicians balance water chemistry and maintain sanitization with traditional chlorine until salt is added 28 days after fill.
Final Inspection, Pool School & Handover
Once start-up is complete, you can safely swim and use every feature of your pool and spa. In Pool School, we walk through your equipment, features, salt system, automation, heaters, chillers, and cleaners, and cover routine maintenance, operation, and basic chemistry. We cover a lot, so we recommend recording a video for reference.
Next we hand over all warranty information and equipment manuals and introduce you to our support team, so you know when to call for service and never feel left to protect your investment on your own. As Vance Cochran puts it: "You have my number."
Final inspection is performed once all safety codes are met.
Timeline Expectations
6 to 8 weeks, depending on your project. Could be affected by:
- Weather
- Inspections
- Material availability
- Change orders
- Unforeseen site conditions
Long-Term Expectations
We complete your custom construction with pride, service it indefinitely, and are there when you need us in the future. We've built a reputation we're proud of among our clients, friends, and neighbors here on the Coast.