Can you dig your own inground pool?
A skilled operator will have an easier time than one who is not, however, if there is room to move around, even amateurs can successfully dig a pool. An experienced operator can dig out an average pool in a day or two, but digging the same hole with a shovel would take weeks. So if you don’t know how to operate excavating equipment and will be digging by hand, you probably don’t want to DIY anything larger than a small swim spa or plunge pool. While it’s possible to rent your excavator or skid steer, an excavating contractor will be able to do it more efficiently and precisely unless you’re already proficient with the machines and have dug pools before.
Excavating is a noisy and dusty job; getting it done sooner means you’re less likely to annoy your neighbours. After the pool is installed and ready to fill with water, the space around the pool needs to be backfilled. One drain has a one-way valve in it to allow escape of groundwater into the pool when the pool is empty to equalize pressure. River Pools is a brand of inground fiberglass pools produced via the River Pools division of the manufacturing facility in Fortville, IN.
Many folks think they can save big bucks doing the pool excavation themselves and have the pool contractor do the rest. Due to the unprecedented and historic growth of the River Pools brand, this website contains an abundance of information that has been created over the last decade. Lastly, the cost of excavation is relatively minor compared with the pool’s overall cost, especially if a fancier pool is to be installed. A more complex shape may take longer, and if your pool is sloped and has a hopper at the bottom, you need to be more precise when grading.
If you’re excavating for a pre-made pool, the manufacturer may void the warranty if the pool isn’t professionally excavated and installed. Mini excavators and wheel loaders will help you dig your hole and move the dirt away from the pool site. Without a soils test (which 999 of 1000 customers don’t get), pool contractors never really know what they’ll hit when digging in your backyard. Say good-bye to most or all of the grass around the pool as well as a 20’x20’ area for piles of material and the entire access lane if through the yard.
Pool professionals, and all professionals for that matter, often forget that the common customer lacks the depth of knowledge that they have taken years to acquire. So you’re getting an inground pool or swim spa, but you’re wondering if you could save some money by excavating it yourself. Remember that you always have to dig wider, longer, and deeper than the actual dimension of the pool to accommodate the base, backfilling, and accessories such as plumbing and electrical.