Stage: design & build
Pool Construction
From the first sketch to the final fill, we manage every step of building an in-ground pool on your Ottawa-area property.
A new pool changes how a backyard gets used, so we start with the property rather than a catalog. The first visit covers sun exposure, drainage, soil type, access for equipment and how the finished pool should relate to the house and existing landscaping. Clients walk away from that visit with notes on shell type, rough depth options and a starting-range estimate.
Once a design is approved, construction proceeds through excavation, steel or liner-wall installation, plumbing and electrical rough-in, decking, and equipment commissioning. Each stage is inspected before the next begins, and the City of Ottawa's building and electrical inspections are scheduled at the appropriate points — we coordinate those visits but cannot set the municipality's own timeline.
Most in-ground builds run six to ten weeks depending on shell type, weather and permit processing. Vinyl-liner pools tend to move faster than poured-concrete shells, which need curing time before decking can start.
Electrical bonding and grounding around the equipment pad and any metal fixtures is part of every build, inspected alongside the rest of the electrical rough-in — it's a code requirement in Ontario, not an optional add-on, so it's priced into the standard estimate rather than appearing as a surprise line item later.
Who this fits
Bare-yard builds
Properties with no existing pool, starting from grading and landscaping design.
Pool replacement
Owners removing an old above-ground or liner pool nearing the end of its life.
Spa additions
Clients adding an in-ground or attached spa alongside an existing or new pool.
Build sequence
Site assessment
Soil, drainage, access and sun exposure reviewed on-site.
Design & permit
Shell type, layout and decking confirmed; permit application submitted to the City.
Excavation
Ground opened to the agreed depth and shape.
Shell & plumbing
Structure, steel and plumbing rough-in installed and inspected.
Decking & equipment
Surface material laid; filtration, pump and sanitation system commissioned.
Fill & walkthrough
Pool filled, water balanced, and the completed project reviewed with the owner.
What's included
- Excavation and shell installation
- Filtration, pump and sanitation equipment
- Decking in the agreed material
- Permit coordination with the City of Ottawa
- First-season maintenance visits
- Project walkthrough and equipment orientation
Quick answers
Concrete or vinyl?
Concrete shells last longer and allow custom shapes; vinyl liners cost less upfront and build faster.
Who pulls the permit?
We prepare and submit the application; approval timing is set by the City of Ottawa.
Can we landscape at the same time?
Yes — see our Pool Landscaping notes on the services page, or ask during the site visit.
Does winter stop construction?
Excavation pauses in deep frost; most builds are scheduled spring through fall.
Can I add a spa during the same build?
Yes, an attached spa is easiest to plumb in during the original excavation rather than afterward.
How deep does a typical pool go?
Depths vary by design, but most residential pools run from a shallow end around one metre to a deep end near two metres.
A few terms, plainly explained
- Gunite
- Sprayed concrete used to form a custom in-ground pool shell.
- Liner
- A vinyl membrane fitted inside a wall-and-floor structure, replaceable over time.
- Coping
- The capping material at the pool's edge, where deck meets water.
- Bonding
- Electrical grounding required by code around pool equipment and metal fixtures.
- Turnover rate
- How long it takes the filtration system to circulate the pool's full volume once.
- Skimmer
- The inlet at water level that pulls floating debris toward the filter.
Ready to start with a site visit?
Request Consultation