Building a pool is a big undertaking, no matter where you decide to add one. You will find that the process cannot be hurried along very much, even if the weather is ideal. So, what does that mean if you want to build a pool in the winter in a place that gets snow and lots of precipitation? Can you still build your dream pool and have it ready for use during the summer?
A skilled pool builder in Chicago can advise you about the process of building your pool from start to finish. No matter the season that you have decided to build in, you should be able to get good advice about your pool build from an expert team. This guide will help you to pick the right timing for your pool construction project to ensure that your pool is ready for the peak of the summer season.
What is the Best Time of the Year to Build a Swimming Pool?
As a rule of thumb, it is always easiest to build a swimming pool during the warmer months of the year. The soil is softer, which makes it easier to excavate for your swimming pool, and it is often far easier to navigate other portions of the construction process when freezing temperatures are not impacting the work that needs to be completed.
Snow, rain, and ice can impact the process of building a pool and can slow down the construction process significantly. However, extreme weather can descend on Chicago during seasons when it is not expected, so pool builders are often familiar with working on pools during surprise weather events like snow or ice storms.
Can You Build an Inground Pool During the Chicago Winter?
The answer is yes, you can build a pool in Chicago during the winter, but some extra measures must be taken to ensure that the pool-building team can actually work on the project despite the tough weather.
When the goal is to have a pool that is ready for the summer months, but there is a cold snap going on, construction can begin once the excavation process has been completed and snow and ice have been removed from the area. Frost protection will have to be laid to keep the ground from freezing solid. This can be done with hay or frost blankets in most cases.
Sturdy reinforcement will be needed to hold the walls of the excavated space in place despite the thawing and freezing process that is continual throughout the colder parts of the year. Well-draining soil and drainage solutions will also need to be in place in case a thawing period creates water runoff that could undermine the project.
Gravel is often necessary to preserve traction and to prevent issues with erosion in and around the construction area when you start building during the winter months. The pool itself will also need to be covered with a temporary roof made of plastic sheeting so that teams can work on essential prep and so that snow and ice don’t accumulate within the area of the inground pool itself.
All of these preventative methods can be discussed with your pool builder. This is so that you are familiar with how much they might slow down timelines, and so that you are aware of the added costs associated with these preventative measures being used to continue the construction project throughout the coldest months of the year.
Pool builders often offer discounts for building during the winter months, and this can be a means to offset the added costs of covers, excavation, and gravel placement, and more. You will need to ask about these possible discounts as you get a bid for your pool construction project.
Should I Build in the Winter or the Summer?
Ultimately, the decision to build in the summer versus the winter typically comes down to budget restrictions and other practical considerations. If your soil is very wet, even in the winter, it is likely going to be impossible to build a pool during the peak of the worst weather of the season. Likewise, if the ground is frozen too hard to excavate, you will have to push the project off until the summer months.
Your pool builder should be able to advise you about the limitations and added costs that might be associated with building a pool during the off season so that you are prepared for these complexities and how they will impact your pool construction undertaking. In many cases, it is cheaper and easier to wait until the summer to build a pool in the Chicago area. However, if you are dead-set on doing this so that your pool is ready for the coming summer, be sure that you check on the reality of handling this kind of work during the cold months before you do anything else.
Building Pools in the Winter is Possible, but Difficult
There are many reasons why summer is the perfect time to build an inground pool, but your pool builder might be able to help you make a plan to allow you to have your pool built early enough to be ready for the coming summer. There are often added costs, and the work is completed much more slowly in most cases, but that doesn’t mean that you cannot build a pool during the winter.
Always be sure that you get a quote that details each of the costs associated with your pool build. You might need to look in detail at the added expenses for a pool that is built in the winter if you need to keep to a tight budget for your pool construction job. Giving up on cool features of design notes for your pool just to have it built over the winter is often a silly trade to make. Planning in advance is important for all pool construction jobs, so be sure that you get complete bids and discuss any questions you might have with your construction team.
Holding a Master’s in Construction Management from Purdue University, William Ray has dedicated more than two decades to studying and applying construction principles. His professional journey includes a tenure with a prominent construction firm, where he specialized in project management and building technologies. William brought his knowledge to our team, providing in-depth insights into practical construction techniques. As the leader of our beginner’s guide to building since 2019, he has a knack for breaking down intricate processes into easily digestible content. When not involved in writing or onsite consultations, William enjoys woodworking and volunteering in community building projects, which aligns with his passion for hands-on construction and community service.
