June 24, 2026
Building a custom pool is an exciting journey, and at Craft Master Custom Pools, we believe an informed client is a happy client. Below is a general overview of each stage of the construction process so you know what to expect as your new favorite space takes shape.
Pre-Site
Before any digging begins, your dig foreman will visit your property to pre-site the job. During this visit, he or she will pin the pool layout directly on the ground. This serves as a physical guide for the excavation crew and gives us the opportunity to confirm that site access is ready before work begins.
Excavation
Once pre-site is complete, our crew will come out to excavate your pool. We carefully dig with attention to the surrounding environment, accounting for any underground utilities, drainage considerations, and site-specific conditions. After the dig, we form the pool using lumber that sets the grade and acts as a guide for the steel crew.
Steel
With the form in place, our steel crew gets to work tying in rebar throughout the structure. Rebar is the industry standard for strength and durability, and this stage prepares the pool for its first inspection.
Gunite
Gunite is the concrete composition that forms the shell of your pool. Unlike poured concrete, gunite is pneumatically applied — essentially shot onto the rebar framework — creating a dense, strong, and seamlessly shaped shell that will stand the test of time.
Strip
After gunite cures, we return to strip away all of the lumber forms and haul them off your property. This clears the way for the next phase of construction.
Backfill
During backfill, we compact the soil around the exterior of the pool shell. Proper compaction is essential for stability and sets the stage for the decorative work ahead.
Brick and Tile
This is where your personal selections start to come to life. During this phase, we install the coping and waterline tile you chose during your tile selection appointment. The craftsmanship applied here sets the tone for the finished look of your pool.
Plumbing
With brick and tile complete, we move on to plumbing. Our team digs the necessary trenches, places all plumbing lines, and then pressure-tests the system in preparation for your plumbing inspection.
Deck Grade
Before any deck work begins, we compact and level the area where your deck will be installed. A properly graded surface is the foundation for a long-lasting, beautiful deck.
Deck Layout
Depending on your deck type, this phase looks a little different. If you have footers for pavers or a concrete base under pavers, we lay out and form those now. For a full concrete deck, we form the entire deck at this stage. An inspection is completed before we move forward.
Pour and Pavers
Following the deck inspection, we schedule and complete the concrete work. A concrete deck — including the equipment pad — will be fully poured at this time. If you have pavers, installation begins now as well.
This is also a great time to coordinate with any outside contractors you may be working with. If you have a screen enclosure company, this is the point to give them the green light to get started, especially if you are managing that relationship directly. If you are having a baby fence installed, now is the time to reach out to that company as well.
Prep
Once the deck is done, a crew comes out to thoroughly clean the interior of the pool and prepare the surface for the upcoming plaster application.
Equipment Set
After prep, our plumbing team returns to set all of your pool equipment — heaters, salt systems, pumps, filters, and more. Our licensed electrician will follow to wire everything up properly and safely.
Final Grade and Yard Cleanup
With equipment in place, we send a team out to do a final grade and general cleanup of your yard. Once this is complete, you are clear to bring in your landscaper and/or irrigation specialist for any finishing work on your property.
This is also an important milestone for safety and compliance. If you are having a fence installed, now is the time to move forward with that. Make sure any door alarms and baby fencing are in place as well. It is worth noting that most homes in South Florida require a final electrical inspection before water is introduced to the pool — we will help keep you informed on where things stand with inspections throughout the process.
Plaster
Plaster day is one of the most anticipated moments of the entire build — this is when your pool receives its interior finish in the color you selected during your tile appointment. Water begins filling the pool on this same day.
One important note: turn the water off when it reaches the halfway point on your tile. Our team will return a couple of days after plaster to start up your system, complete a final cleanup of the pool area, and begin balancing your water chemistry in preparation for your final inspection.
A Note on the Process
Pool construction is exactly that — a process. Each phase must be completed with care before the next can begin, and we take that responsibility seriously. There will be days when things move faster than anticipated, and there will be days when weather, inspections, or other factors cause a brief pause. Our commitment to you is that we will communicate as promptly as possible, and any delays will be addressed by getting you back on the schedule in the next available slot.
We always appreciate hearing from our clients and we are here to help every step of the way. If the person you are trying to reach is unavailable, please know that your call matters and you will hear back as soon as possible with answers and next steps.
Thank you for trusting Craft Master Custom Pools to bring your new favorite space to life. We are honored to be part of it.