It's all the recent developments in prefabricated pools that has given do-it-yourself pool builders a big boost. So now more people than ever before are saying to themselves, "Hey I can do that", and starting up with plans to save a bunch of money by building their own inground pool from start to finish.
Even so, given the size and the complexity the job it's not without its own share of pitfalls - potential mistakes along the way that if not avoided work to make the job more difficult and expensive than it should be. So just keep on reading, and you can learn from those who have gone before you.
Wrong Time of Year to Excavate
Timing is everything when it comes to dig a giant hole in your backyard. Once you start to dig you need to have the pool done and filled with water before the winter rains sets in or you'll have big problems. Underestimate the time that it will take you to complete the job and start late and you can end up with a giant mud-hole where you thought you were going to have a pool.
So don't start painting yourself up as a 'Superman' when you're planning your job because even professional estimators get it wrong all the time. In fact people make a good living as job estimators because all they know how to do is get the timing right. So being that it's your first excavation job give yourself plenty of leeway when you're trying to calculate a how long it will take you to finish it.
Unforseen Underground Surprises
Another common blunder that first-time do-it-yourself pool builders can make it simply assuming that there's just dirt under the ground that they they have to dig up. Excavating soft ground is a big enough job but all you have to do is to run into hardpan, or even worse yet, bedrock or large boulders, and you'll have real problems on your hands.
The only way to remove large boulders or bedrock is by blasting and you're sure not going to be doing that yourself. Blasting is incredibly expensive to have done, so make sure that you have a pretty good idea of what's underground before you take it upon yourself to start in excavating. Look at the geology around your area and talk to other people who have had pools dug.
Thinking You Can Dig By Hand
Then another all too common mistake that 'ambitious' do-it-yourself pool builders make, is thinking that they're going to dig the pool by hand with a pick, shovel and wheelbarrow. Now with a very small prefabricated inground pool it is possible, but even if it is still a massive job that can take weeks. Keep in mind though, that this is the very smallest of pools.
Larger pools are going to require a backhoe and a dump truck to remove the dirt but this doesn't necessarily mean that you need to hire a contractor. This is because you could buy DVDs online that show you step-by-step how to operate a backhoe, and you don't need any kind of special license to rent one down at your local heavy equipment rental yard.
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