Our Pool Construction Process
What to Expect When You Build with Clarkson Pools
We’ve refined our pool construction process over more than 35 years to make your pool-building experience smooth, informed, and enjoyable. From the first consultation to the final walkthrough, our team keeps you in the loop and your project on track every step of the way. We meet you wherever you are in your pool journey — whether you’re ready to fully design your dream outdoor living space or just starting to explore possibilities. If you’re not ready for a custom design, our Clarkson Classics collection is a great place to begin. It features streamlined, high-quality pool designs that highlight popular layouts, sizes, and features — all paired with clear pricing guidance to help you see what’s possible for your budget.
Dream Meeting
Your pool journey begins with a Dream Meeting — a chance to share your vision, ideas, and goals with our team. Whether you’re imagining a tranquil backyard retreat or a space for endless family fun, this is where we listen and learn about your lifestyle, preferences, and priorities.
During this stage, we’ll talk about how you plan to use your pool, consider your home’s architecture and style, review any HOA guidelines or site requirements, and discuss a budget range to help guide design decisions. From there, our designers use advanced 3D tools to bring your ideas to life, creating a plan that is beautiful, functional, and tailored to your space.
From day one, our focus is on turning your dream into a design plan that feels exciting, achievable, and uniquely yours.
Presentation
This is where your vision starts to take shape. Your design consultant will present a full backyard concept tailored to your needs, bringing together form, function, and the final vision for your space.
In this meeting, we will review your custom design in detail, walk through the project proposal, and outline what the build process will look like from start to finish.
It’s a low-pressure, collaborative conversation designed to give you space to ask questions, share feedback, and refine the plan with our team. Our goal is simple: to make sure everything feels aligned so you can move forward with confidence.
Get Ready
We know this is an important investment, and by now you’ve probably gathered all kinds of information. Our goal is to make sure you feel both comfortable and excited as you move forward.
This is your chance to schedule a visit to our Design Center and Showpool (if you haven’t already), get answers to any remaining questions, finalize materials and project scope, and lock in a firm estimate for your project.
At this stage, our team listens, refines, and ensures your backyard vision feels entirely your own. It’s the final step before saying “Let’s Go!” and moving into the sign-off stage.
Let's Go!
You’ve reviewed the design, approved the proposal, and now it’s time to make it official. This is the exciting moment when your vision becomes a plan and the pool construction process truly begins.
You’ve imagined it, refined it, and selected every detail. From here, our team will handle the rest — final paperwork, permits, and securing your place on the schedule.
You can relax knowing you’re in good hands. Clarkson Pools is ready to bring your backyard dream to life.
Pre-Construction Planning
Pre-construction planning is where the pool construction process truly begins. Before breaking ground, we take time to plan every detail of your pool construction process. Your Clarkson Pools design consultant and project manager will meet you on-site for a detailed final walkthrough — confirming layout, logistics, and answering any last-minute questions so your residential pool project is set up for success.
Behind the scenes, our team manages all permitting and HOA submittals, ensuring everything is in place for a smooth and timely construction start.
- Conduct an on-site walkthrough with your consultant and project manager
- Review and finalize layout details
- Submit stamped engineering plans
- Manage permitting and HOA approvals
- Confirm construction readiness and next steps
As we get ready to bring your pool design to life, there are a few important steps you can take to ensure the build starts smoothly. Make sure access to your backyard is clear, and remove any fence panels as needed. If irrigation lines run through the pool area or access path, have them cut and capped. Remove trees, bushes, or other obstructions in the pool, access, or equipment areas. Lastly, ensure power is available at the designated equipment location—this was determined during your pre-site meeting.
What to Expect During the Pool Construction Process?
Building your pool is an exciting transformation, and like any construction project, it comes with a bit of activity. This stage of the pool construction process involves crews working in different phases, equipment moving in and out, and materials being delivered as your backyard takes shape. While it may feel busy for a short time, each step of the pool construction process brings you closer to enjoying your finished pool — the outdoor space you’ve been dreaming of. Throughout construction, Clarkson Pools manages every step to keep your project on track.
Part 1: Form - Dig - Steel - Shoot
This is when your backyard begins its transformation. We’ll start by preparing the area, pre-grading the yard, and forming the walls according to your approved design. Using an excavator, our crew will dig the pool and haul away the dirt, revealing the exact shape and depth of your new space.
Next comes the “steel” phase, where we install the internal reinforcement and pre-plumb the in-pool fittings. Finally, we create the pool shell using a process called shotcrete — a high-velocity application of concrete that ensures a strong, lasting structure. This step involves larger crews and equipment, but it’s an exciting milestone because your pool’s foundation is now in place.
Part 2: Plumbing - Electrical - Equipment
With the pool shell in place, it’s time to bring your pool to life. Our team will install all plumbing lines and electrical conduits between the pool and the equipment area, then set up your filtration, heating, and cleaning systems.
Your equipment location was determined during your pre-site meeting, and we’ll make sure it meets clearance requirements for safety and efficiency.
During this stage of the pool construction process, you may see trenches created for plumbing and electrical lines—these are carefully planned and installed to ensure everything runs smoothly once your pool is operational.
Part 3: Tile - Coping - Deck - Stonework
At this stage, your pool’s personality really begins to shine. We’ll install the waterline tile, coping, decking, and any stonework you’ve chosen—bringing the design details to life. The finish line is in sight!
We start by setting the waterline tile. While it’s being installed, it’s important to avoid touching it so it can set properly without chips or damage. Next, we’ll add the coping—the beautiful edge that frames your pool and transitions into the deck.
Once the tile and coping are complete, we’ll move on to your decking. As the stone and deck take shape, you’ll really start to see your vision come together.
Part 4: Prep - Plaster - Startup
We’re in the home stretch—just a few final steps before you can dive in!
We’ll start by giving the pool surface a thorough clean and prep so it’s ready for plaster.
Next, our plaster crew will hand-trowel your chosen finish, bringing your pool’s final look to life.
Once the plaster is complete, your pool will begin filling with water. Let it fill continuously until the water reaches the tile line.
After filling, our team will complete the official startup process to balance your water chemistry and get your equipment running smoothly. With this final step of the pool construction process, your pool will be ready for its first swim.
Life of the Pool Commitment
Even after construction wraps up, we stay by your side. At the end of your project, one of our service professionals will walk you through everything you need to know during Pool School. You’ll learn how to operate your pool’s systems, automation controls, and how to care for your new space with confidence.
We also stand behind our work through our Life of the Pool Commitment — a promise that your relationship with Clarkson Pools continues well beyond the final walkthrough. Whether you have questions, need service, or want to upgrade years from now, we’ll be here.
What’s Included:
- A hands-on Pool School with one of our service team members
- Equipment orientation and feature walk-through
- Water care and maintenance guidance
- Long-term service and renovation support
- A lasting relationships build on trust and quality
The Clarkson Pools pool construction process is built to give homeowners across Northeast Florida a clear path from vision to reality. And when it comes time to update or modernize, our renovation services follow the same proven approach with Clarkson Quality at every step. Contact Clarkson Pools today to begin your pool construction process and bring your backyard vision to life.
Residential Pool Renovation
Clarkson Pools offers professional pool renovation services for homeowners ready to upgrade or transform their existing pool. From new tile and resurfacing to modern features, lighting, and equipment, we handle the entire process with precision and care. Our experienced team delivers high-quality, lasting results that improve both the beauty and functionality of your backyard space. Let us help you love your pool again.
Commercial Pool Renovation
As a licensed commercial pool builder with extensive knowledge of DOH requirements, Clarkson Pools specializes in renovating pools for communities, multifamily developments, and hospitality properties. We manage the entire process, including planning, permitting, construction, and compliance. Our team ensures your project meets all state and local codes while delivering high-quality, lasting results.
Contact Us
Clarkson Pools | 600 St. Johns Bluff Road N., Jacksonville, FL 32225 | info@clarksonpools.com | (904) 223-4050
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If you’d like to learn more about what to expect during the buying process, please watch this short video detailing just how easy it is to design and buy your dream pool with Clarkson Pools.