If you only start thinking about your pool during summer, it’s too late. Breaking ground when the heat hits means you’ll only be able to enjoy your pool the following year. So why not start building a pool in winter?
Timelines, demand, and construction efficiency all shift during colder months. Starting construction in winter has both pros and cons; this post will guide you through everything and help you decide if a winter pool build suits your plans.
Pros of Building a Pool in Winter
Faster Construction Timelines
For most pool builders, winter falls in an off-peak season. As a result, crews have more availability, leading to fewer scheduling delays. Since you’ll likely find less competition for labor, projects often end up moving faster from excavation to final inspection. Lastly, you’ll also avoid the spring rush bottlenecks making winter one of the best times to purchase a swimming pool.
More Time for Landscaping & Yard Recovery
Yes, construction can be messy and could lead to a disruption in your yard. Starting your pool build in winter gives your garden ample time to recover in time for spring and be ready in time for pool season.
Another pro to building a pool in winter: landscaping integrates more naturally with the build when done in dormant months.
Basically, homeowners benefit from a “finished backyard” by the time warm weather arrives.
Potential Cost Savings
A lot of homeowners ask, “Is it cheaper to build a pool during winter?” Well, nothing is guaranteed, but reduced demand during winter can mean better availability of materials and fewer price spikes. Winter tends to be a more cost-stable period than spring/summer, potentially leading to cost savings.
Have Your Pool Ready for Summer
Planning and starting a build well in advance ensures you can dive in the second summer hits. Starting in winter means construction will be done before peak season. You’ll be swimming while everyone else has just started their builds. Plus, you’ll avoid the long waitlists that often start in spring.
Better Builder Availability & Attention
In spring and summer, pool construction companies often tend to be very busy. During the winter months, pool construction companies often aren’t struggling with as many simultaneous projects, leaving the builders space to be more attentive to your project.
Overall, winter months can offer a more personalized service, faster communication, and more flexibility. Plus, you may have an easier time locking in your preferred builder and design team during the off-season.
Cons of Constructing a Pool in Winter
Weather-Related Delays
Depending on where you live, the winter climate can hinder a pool construction project. Things like heavy rain, frozen ground, or storms can slow excavation or concrete work, making the process far more challenging. So, even though pool builders can work through cold conditions, extreme weather may extend timelines and bring unforeseen costs.
Concrete/Curing Limitations in Certain Climates
One of the biggest cons of building a pool in winter is if you live in a state with very low temperatures. In these cases, pools often require additional curing steps or heating solutions.
A good pool construction company will have winter-construction experience and can mitigate the risks, but this may add to the overall cost of the pool.
Limited Design Consultations Outdoors
Fully envisioning what your pool will look like Summer can be hard if you start the pool construction process in winter. The measurements and designs drawn during the initial consultations will still be accurate, but the final result will be harder to visualize the backyard with everything dormant or covered. The process in this case will require more imagination from the homeowner.
However, a way to mitigate this: contact a pool construction company during summer to get your plans drawn up but break ground when winter comes.
Possible Inconvenience for Holiday Season
With winter comes the festive season, a very inconvenient time to have construction equipment and noisy disruptions in your back yard, especially if you plan on hosting or have kids at home for the holidays and want to use your backyard.
Another thing to consider is that many companies close over the festive season, which can cause delays.
If you aren’t okay with yard disruption during November/December or would prefer the end of your year to be slower and quieter, a winter pool build might not be for you.
Not Ideal If You Want Immediate Use
If you dream of diving into your pool as soon as it’s done, winter may not be the best time to start construction since the build will likely finish a few months before summer. But for planners who want to make certain everything will be ready as soon as the warm weather hits, it’s a great time to start.
Best Time of Year to Build a Pool
The “best” time of the year to start building your pool depends on a few factors, namely cost, speed, convenience, and climate. The right timing also hinges on where you live and the weather conditions for each season.
- Winter: Often the sweet pot for stable costs, open schedules, and getting your pool ready just in time for summer fun.
- Spring: The perfect time of year for fresh design inspiration, but expect longer timelines, and your pool may not be ready for pool season.
- Summer: Most popular season but also the busiest, slowest, and sometimes priciest.
- Fall: Probably the best time of year to build a pool due to the transitional weather. In Fall, people often experience fewer delays than winter, and your pool will be in time for the summer sun.
If you want your pool to be ready for summer, you must start planning early. Pool construction companies fill up fast, so if you know you want a pool, get in contact well in advance. At Shoreline Pools, our experts specialize in year-round luxury pool construction that blends beauty, function, and longevity. Call us today at (203) 357-1544 or contact us online, and let’s get your pool ready in time for summer.
