Pre-Construction: The Planning, Engineering & Design Phase
Building a custom pool in Georgia is not the same as building a pool in Florida, Texas, or Arizona. Our environment presents a unique combination of heavy red-clay soil, steep elevation changes, dense tree roots, HOA-heavy neighborhoods, and fast-changing weather conditions. All of this means the planning phase of pool construction is not optional — it’s the foundation for whether your pool will perform beautifully for decades or develop structural issues far too soon.
At Alison Pools, we engineer pools specifically for Georgia. We don’t use national templates, generic designs, or one-size-fits-all construction plans. Every project begins with a deep assessment of the lot, the soil, drainage patterns, long-term usability, lifestyle requirements, and the architectural style of the home. This is why the planning phase is not a quick meeting — it is a true engineering process.
Below is the first part of your complete Georgia pool construction timeline: from the moment you reach out, to the moment you're ready for excavation to begin.
Initial Consultation & Site Assessment
Every successful pool starts with a site visit grounded in technical evaluation, not sales pitches. A quality assessment in Georgia requires more than simply looking at yard size — it involves understanding the backyard as a system.
During Alison Pools’ initial consultations, we evaluate:
✔ Slope and Elevation
Georgia backyards often have drainage channels, retaining walls, or steep slopes. Your pool must be positioned to stay structurally stable and allow proper runoff.
✔ Red-Clay Soil Conditions
This soil expands when wet and contracts when dry. If the wrong excavation or reinforcement approach is used, this movement can cause cracking, shifting, or plumbing strain.
✔ Access Requirements
In many Atlanta-area neighborhoods, access is tight. This determines equipment size for excavation and influences your timeline.
✔ Utility Mapping
We identify existing gas lines, water lines, irrigation, septic access, electrical routing, and root systems.
✔ HOA Rules & Setbacks
Communities in Cobb, Cherokee, Fulton, and Paulding counties often require:
Detailed drawings
Equipment pad placement
Drainage plans
Fence compliance
Material samples
Decking specifications
Ignoring HOA requirements is one of the top reasons timelines get delayed — which is why Alison Pools handles this early.
✔ Lifestyle Goals
Every family uses a pool differently — tanning ledges, spas, automation, water features, pool depth, sun exposure, nighttime lighting, safety, and entertaining zones all shape the future build.
This initial evaluation is one of the most important steps in building a pool that not only looks beautiful but performs correctly for decades.
Learn more about how we evaluate Georgia backyards here:👉 About Alison Pools
3D Design & Structural Planning
Once the site evaluation is complete, Alison Pools begins the design phase — a highly detailed process that incorporates engineering, aesthetics, and usability. Unlike builders who sketch on paper or reuse template designs, we create fully custom 3D renderings tailored to your yard’s topography.
Your 3D design includes:
✔ Pool layout & shape
Custom to your architecture, yard size, and sun pattern.
✔ Step systems, tanning ledges & seating benches
These aren’t aesthetic choices — they impact circulation and usability.
✔ Spa placement & elevation
Raised spas need precise height measurements to achieve the right spillway flow.
✔ Water features & hydraulic planning
Fire bowls, scuppers, water walls, and sheer descents must be calibrated for Georgia weather and wind.
✔ Depth profiles
Family use, diving safety, and heating efficiency are all considered.
✔ Decking & coping materials
Large-format porcelain decking, stone coping, and modern profiles are calculated for proper elevation and drainage.
✔ Lighting design
We place LEDs strategically so your pool looks stunning at night and maintains visual depth.
✔ Structural engineering
Especially important for clay soil, sloped lots, or areas prone to runoff.
Your full 3D design is then shared for review, where we fine-tune:
Tile colors
Finish materials
Coping profiles
Lighting colors
Spa geometry
Tanning ledge depth
Automation preferences
You can see examples of these 3D transformations here: Alison Pools Portfolio
Permits, HOA Approvals & Pre-Construction Prep
After your design is approved, we begin the paperwork and logistical planning needed before excavation can begin.
✔ County Permit Requirements
Each county across metro Atlanta has different regulations:
Cobb County — strict setback validations
Cherokee County — drainage and erosion control oversight
Fulton County — electrical & gas inspections
Paulding County — more lenient but still requires detailed plans
Permitting can take 1–6 weeks depending on:
Seasonal volume
County speed
Engineering requirements
Drainage or erosion plan reviews
Builders who don’t have experience with local permitting often stall projects for months.
✔ HOA Approval
Most Georgia HOAs require:
Scaled drawings
Material samples
Equipment pad location
Fence plans
Decking layout
Drainage strategy
Alison Pools prepares these packets so approval moves faster.
✔ Material Scheduling
During this phase, we order:
Tile
Coping
Decking materials
Equipment
Lighting
Plumbing components
Shotcrete
Steel
This ensures your project avoids supply delays.
✔ Pre-Construction Walkthrough
Before any machine touches the ground, we confirm:
Pool layout marked in your yard
Access path finalized
Utilities identified
Equipment location confirmed
Tree protection installed
This is where your timeline officially becomes predictable.
Want a Pool Design Engineered From Day One?
Alison Pools builds Georgia’s most structurally sound, visually stunning pools — starting with precise 3D planning and engineering.
Start Your Design ConsultationOnce planning, engineering, and permitting are complete, your pool project moves into the most exciting (and most visible) stage: construction. This is the part homeowners look forward to, but it’s also where quality varies dramatically between builders. In Georgia, especially across Atlanta’s suburbs, the construction phase requires strict attention to soil behavior, drainage, weather conditions, and the precise execution of structural plans.
With Alison Pools, every step is supervised with an engineering mindset. Here's how the major phases unfold.
Phase One — Excavation & Soil Preparation
Excavation is where your design becomes reality — and it’s also where major mistakes can occur if a builder lacks experience with Georgia’s clay soil.
Why Excavation Is Critical in Georgia
Unlike sandy states like Florida, Georgia’s soil is heavy, dense, and moisture-sensitive. Red clay expands significantly when saturated and contracts when dry. This means:
Over-excavation must be done correctly
Walls must be cut to proper angles
Sub-grade must be compacted properly
Drainage must be considered before the first scoop of dirt is removed
Cheap builders often rush or skip these steps, leading to:
Shell movement
Decking failure
Long-term instability
Access Challenges in Atlanta Neighborhoods
Many backyards in areas like Kennesaw, Marietta, and Woodstock have:
Narrow side-yard access
Hills or drop-offs
Retaining walls
Mature tree roots
Tight HOA-controlled layouts
Alison Pools evaluates access during planning so excavation can proceed efficiently.
Rock, Roots & Obstructions
It’s not uncommon to hit:
Large root systems
Buried concrete
Dense clay pockets
Rock layers
Our team adjusts excavation depth and reinforcement accordingly.
Proper excavation ensures the pool shell has the correct base — without this foundation, every other step is compromised.
Phase Two — Steel Reinforcement & Plumbing Framework
After the dirt is removed, your pool begins to take shape with steel reinforcement — the “skeleton” of your structure.
Steel Reinforcement
Georgia soil requires robust steel schedules. Alison Pools uses:
Rebar grids along walls and floor
Reinforced beams at the perimeter
Extra rebar for raised walls and spas
Thickened structural beams to resist soil movement
This prevents cracking, shifting, and shell deformation over time.
Plumbing Framework
While steel is being placed, the plumbing crew installs:
Main drains
Skimmers
Return lines
Spa jets (if applicable)
Water feature plumbing
Suction ports
Overflow lines
Pre-plumbing for automation and lighting control
Hydraulics are where many inexpensive builders cut corners. Poor planning leads to:
Weak water flow
Noisy features
Circulation dead spots
Inefficient heating
Difficult maintenance
Alison Pools uses hydraulic calculations for proper pipe sizing and flow velocity — crucial for features like tanning ledges, raised spas, and water walls.
Phase Three — Electrical, Gas Lines & Equipment Pad Setup
Electrical and gas connections must follow strict Georgia code, and the equipment must be placed where it’s both accessible and safe.
Equipment Pad Setup
The pad houses:
Variable-speed pump
Filter system
Heater or heat pump
Salt system
Automation panel
Lighting transformers
Optional booster pumps
We position the equipment pad for:
Proper ventilation
Service access
Noise reduction
Efficient plumbing routing
Gas & Electrical
Georgia building code requires licensed trades for:
Gas lines to spas and fire features
Electrical conduits
GFCI circuits
Automation power
Bonding and grounding
This is one of the most important safety stages in the entire build.
Phase Four — Shotcrete / Gunite Application
This is where structural integrity is truly formed. Gunite or shotcrete is applied to the steel cage to create your pool’s final shape.
Georgia-Specific Requirements
Because clay soil expands and contracts, shell strength is crucial. Alison Pools uses:
Gunite with industry-standard PSI
Properly cured shell (VERY important)
Thickened beams
Extra reinforcement at stress points
Accurate nozzle-angle application to avoid weak spots
Curing Timeline
Gunite must cure for at least 7–28 days, depending on temperature and humidity. This curing process:
Strengthens the shell
Reduces future cracking
Prepares the surface for tile, coping, and interior finish
Good builders never rush this phase.
Phase Five — Tile, Coping, Decking & Masonry
This is where the project begins to look like a finished luxury pool.
Tile
Georgia homeowners are choosing:
Glass mosaics
Porcelain tiles
Modern linear designs
Blended tones for water color enhancement
Coping
The most popular 2025 choices include:
Square-edge porcelain
Stone coping
Coordinated coping/deck designs
Decking
Large-format porcelain decking is the top choice due to:
Heat resistance
Slip resistance
Low maintenance
Modern appearance
Decking is also where drainage planning is critical. Georgia storms can cause flooding if slopes aren’t engineered correctly.
Masonry
This includes:
Fire bowls
Raised walls
Spillways
Decorative stone
Outdoor living features
These elements often require multiple crews with specialized skillsets — which is why experience matters.
Want to See a Real Alison Pools Build in Progress?
Explore how our engineered approach transforms Georgia backyards with precise excavation, reinforced structures, and flawless finishes.
View Our PortfolioAt this stage in the pool construction journey, the structure is complete, the decking is installed, and the design is finally taking shape. What remains are the finishing touches — the elements that turn a shell into a polished, functional, and safe swimming environment. These final phases are where careful engineering and attention to detail make the difference between a pool that lasts a lifetime and one that requires constant repair.
This is also the part homeowners are most eager for. After weeks of watching heavy machinery, steel, concrete, tile, and stonework take over your yard, it’s almost time to fill the pool, activate your automation, and enjoy that first swim.
Below is the final stretch of your Georgia pool construction timeline.
Phase Six — Interior Finish (Plaster, Pebble, Quartz, or Aggregate)
The interior finish determines your pool’s water color, surface durability, and long-term performance. Georgia’s climate demands finishes that resist:
UV exposure
Heat fluctuations
Humidity
Chemical variations
Freeze–thaw cycles during colder months
Popular Interior Finishes for Georgia Pools
1. Pebble Aggregate
Most durable
Textured, high-end look
Excellent for longevity in red-clay regions
2. Quartz
Smooth, vibrant
Mid-level durability
Color-rich appearance
3. Standard Plaster
Least expensive
Requires more maintenance
Shorter lifespan
At Alison Pools, we walk homeowners through finish samples and explain how each material behaves in Georgia’s unique climate.
The Plastering Process
Prep & bond coat
Application of finish
Hand-troweling for consistency
Thorough cleanup
Start-up instructions for owners
Once the finish is applied, the pool is ready to be filled — immediately.
Phase Seven — Filling, Balancing, and System Startup
With the interior finish complete, water can begin filling your pool. This process typically takes 24–48 hours, depending on size and water pressure.
Start-Up Chemistry (VERY Important in Georgia)
Georgia’s water tends to have higher mineral content. Proper chemistry protects your:
Finish
Plumbing
Equipment
Salt cell
Heater
Tile
Alison Pools performs a structured start-up that includes:
pH balancing
Alkalinity adjustment
Calcium management
Circulation testing
Filter priming
Automation Configuration
Your smart pool system (lights, pump speeds, spa controls, water features, schedule modes) is fully programmed and calibrated. Georgia homeowners particularly benefit from:
Rain-mode (post-storm settings)
Pollen-season programming
Energy-efficient pump schedules
Winter heat maintenance settings
Safety & Equipment Testing
We test:
All pumps
Heater & spa integration
Water features
LED lighting
Auto-fill systems
Skimmers
Drains
Circulation patterns
Once everything checks out — your pool is officially swim-ready.
Want a Smooth, Predictable Construction Timeline?
Alison Pools builds engineering-led, stunning pools across Georgia with consistent project flow from excavation to your first swim.
Start Your ProjectPhase Eight — Final Walkthrough & Homeowner Training
This is where we prepare you for long-term enjoyment and care of your pool.
What We Cover During the Walkthrough
How to operate your automation system
How to adjust pump speeds
How to heat the spa
How to manage lighting zones
How to clean filters
How to test basic chemistry
How seasonal changes affect your pool
We also discuss:
Winter settings
Rainy-season precautions
Summer operation cycles
How to protect the finish
Warranty details
Long-Term Maintenance Guidance
We provide guidance on:
Weekly maintenance
Monthly checks
Yearly servicing
How to keep your water crystal-clear in Georgia’s high pollen season
A high-quality walkthrough empowers homeowners to feel confident and independent from day one.
What Can Delay a Construction Timeline in Georgia?
Even with a highly structured process, certain Georgia-specific issues can affect timelines:
1. Weather
Heavy rain
Soil saturation
Cold temperatures during plaster season
2. Permitting Delays
Some counties move faster than others.
3. HOA Revisions
Design changes, fence changes, or drainage approvals may take time.
4. Access Issues
Narrow yards or steep slopes may extend excavation.
5. Supply Chain
Custom stone, tile, and porcelain may require lead time.
6. Change Orders
Design modifications mid-build extend timelines.
What Speeds Up the Timeline? (Alison Pools Advantage)
Alison Pools keeps projects on track by:
Using an engineering-first design approach
Providing accurate 3D visualizations
Ordering materials early
Scheduling reliable subcontractors
Building year-round
Maintaining consistent communication
Understanding Georgia soil better than most builders
A pool built with precision planning is a pool built on time.
CONCLUSION
Building a custom pool in Georgia is a major investment — and the timeline reflects the care needed to ensure structural integrity, long-term performance, and lasting beauty. When engineered correctly, your pool becomes a permanent part of your outdoor lifestyle, adding value, relaxation, and enjoyment for decades.
From initial design to excavation, steel, plumbing, shotcrete, decking, plaster, and startup — every step matters. With Alison Pools, you get a team that understands the unique demands of Georgia soil, climate, and residential layouts. We build pools the right way: engineered, intentional, elegant, and built to last.
Your backyard paradise is not just a construction project — it’s a lifetime upgrade. And your first swim is only the beginning.
