Most people start by asking how long the build will take, because timing shapes everything from budgets to planning around the seasons.
A simple concrete pool on the Gold Coast will usually take 4 to 8 weeks from excavation to handover. But, the exact timeline can shift with design, access and weather, and depending on your builder
The pace depends on how well each stage is managed. Some builders rely on separate external teams, while others keep key steps in-house. Builders with their own excavation crews, private certifiers and dedicated trades, like Aqua Living Pools, often move between stages with fewer delays.
This guide breaks down typical timelines, what affects them and how to keep your project running smoothly, giving you a clear understanding before you begin.
Pool Construction Timelines by Pool Type
The time it takes to build a pool depends on the type you choose. Each option has its own process, materials and sequencing, which affects how quickly the project moves once work begins.
Below is a simple breakdown of the typical timelines you can expect on the Gold Coast.
Concrete Pools: 4 to 8 Weeks
Concrete pools offer flexibility in shape, depth and finishes, which is why they remain a popular choice for Gold Coast homes. A simple design with good access can be completed in 4 to 8 weeks once excavation starts.
More detailed coping, custom features or wet weather can extend this timeframe though.
Fibreglass Pools: 6 to 10 Weeks
Fibreglass pools use a pre-made shell, so installation can be quicker once the shell is on-site. Most projects fall between 6 and 10 weeks, depending on delivery, site preparation, backfilling and the finishing work around the pool (the shell construction is the long part).
Plunge and Small Pools: 4 to 6 Weeks
Compact designs, including plunge pools, usually sit at the faster end of the timeline. With fewer materials and smaller excavation work, these pools are often completed within 4 to 6 weeks, especially when access is straightforward.
Complex or Custom Designs: 8 to 12+ Weeks
If your pool includes features such as an integrated spa, water walls, custom steps or premium finishes, allow extra time. These projects can extend beyond 8 to 12 weeks, as each stage requires more detailed work and precise sequencing.
Best, Typical and Extended Timelines
| Timeline | Concrete Pool Timeline | What Influences This |
| Best Case | 4–5 weeks | Simple design, dry weather, easy access, quick approvals |
| Typical | 6–8 weeks | Standard family pool, normal weather patterns, straightforward finishes |
| Extended | 8–12+ weeks | Complex coping, custom features, rain delays, rock excavation, limited access |
Most homeowners will sit within the typical range, but understanding all three scenarios helps you plan with realistic expectations. It also highlights how much difference good coordination makes.
Builders who manage excavation, approvals and trades directly tend to reduce downtime, which keeps the build moving even when conditions change.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Pool Building Process
Every pool follows a similar sequence once work begins. Knowing what happens at each stage helps you understand how the timeline progresses and where timing can shift.
Design and Quotation (1–2 weeks)
This is where your pool takes shape. You confirm the layout, finishes and equipment, and your builder prepares engineering requirements. Some builders will provide a 3D design of your pool project
At Aqua Living Pools, we use an in-house 3D design service and are the only builder in Queensland who can update designs live in front of clients. This speeds up decisions and keeps the project moving from the very first meeting because we don’t need to go back to an outsourced designer.
Engineering and Private Certifier Approvals (2–4 weeks)
Your plans are engineered and lodged with a pool certifier. Private certifiers generally move faster than council pathways, which keeps this stage on track. Clear plans and early selections help avoid revisions that may extend the timeframe.
Excavation and Base Preparation (up to 1 week)
Once approvals clear, excavation begins. Good access can make this stage very quick. Builders with their own excavation team, like Aqua Living Pools, often schedule this work without delays, which helps maintain momentum.
Steelwork, Plumbing and Concrete Shell (1–2 weeks)
The steel cage, plumbing and concrete shell are formed and installed. Spray application of the shell usually happens within 2–5 days under normal conditions. The remaining time in this stage depends on weather and trade availability. Builders with dedicated trades generally progress more smoothly.
Curing Period (2–4 weeks)
The concrete needs time to cure before any finishes can be applied. This timeframe stretches during wet weather, as tiling and interior work cannot begin until the shell is dry.
Tiling, Coping and Interior Finishes (1–2 weeks)
Your tiles, coping and interior surface are completed next. Simple coping moves quickly, while more detailed or premium finishes can add time.
Filtration Setup, Water Balance and Handover (1 week)
The pool is filled, the filtration system is commissioned, and the water is balanced. Final checks, fencing compliance, and certifier approval take place before you can swim. Most pools are ready shortly after this stage is complete.
Gold Coast builders like Aqua Living Pools, who coordinate design, approvals, excavation and construction in-house, tend to move between stages with fewer delays. This can make the overall process smoother and help keep the timeline within the expected range.
What Factors Extend the Pool Build Timeline on the Gold Coast
Pool builds follow a clear sequence, but the timing of each stage can shift with conditions on-site and around your home. The factors below are the most common reasons a project may move faster or slower than expected.
Weather Conditions
Weather plays a major role in the pool building timeline. Excavation, concrete spraying, tiling and interior finishes all require dry conditions. Heavy rain stops crews from working in the shell and delays tasks like tiling and pebblecrete.
This is one of the biggest variables in any Gold Coast pool build.
Access to Your Yard
Wide, clear access helps excavation and material movement run smoothly. Yards with narrow side paths, tight corners or steep slopes take longer and require small machinery. Builders who manage their own excavation equipment can often adapt quickly, but access will always influence the pace.
Design Choices and Finishes
Simple designs move through construction faster. Premium finishes, detailed coping, integrated features or custom steps add more time. These features often require extra labour and more precise sequencing.
Engineering Requirements and Approvals
Most projects pass through engineering and private certifier approvals without issues. If changes are needed or documentation has to be resubmitted, this stage can extend. Starting with accurate plans helps prevent delays.
Site Conditions
Rock, tree roots, old structures and underground services can slow excavation. A BYDA search or council mapping check helps identify issues early.
Trades and Scheduling
Coordinated scheduling keeps the build moving. When builders use regular, familiar trades, handovers between stages are usually smoother. In-house teams and established trade partners often reduce gaps between tasks.
Material Availability
Some finishes or custom materials take longer to source. Choosing your tiles, coping, and interior surface early helps avoid delays once construction begins.
Understanding these factors helps you plan for both the best-case and typical timelines. While some variables sit outside your control, good preparation and clear decisions can reduce the chance of delays and keep your build moving steadily.
How Gold Coast Weather Impacts Pool Construction
The weather is one of the main variables that can adjust a pool’s timeline. Several stages rely on dry conditions, so even short wet periods can pause work and shift the schedule.
Rain Slows Key Stages
Excavation, concrete spraying, tiling and interior finishes all require dry conditions. If the shell is wet, crews need to wait before moving to the next stage, or they risk a poor-quality pool, which could run into big issues down the track.
Clear Weather Speeds Up Progress
Dry conditions allow teams to move through excavation, structural work and finishes without interruption. When the weather holds, simple pools often sit at the faster end of the timeline.
Seasonal Patterns Are Helpful, Not Critical
Winter can offer more predictable weather, but summer builds are still practical. The Gold Coast’s long warm season means many pools started early in the year are still completed in time for several months of swimming.
Planning with these patterns in mind helps set expectations, but the biggest advantage comes from working with a builder who can adjust scheduling quickly when conditions change.
Planning Your Pool Build Across the Year
Choosing the right time to start your pool build can make the project feel smoother, but the “best” time depends on your goals. The Gold Coast’s long warm season gives more flexibility than most people realise, and each part of the year has its advantages.
Spring (September–October)
Spring is one of the most popular times to start a pool. Beginning in September or early October gives you the best chance of swimming in the same warm season, especially with a simple design and good access. The weather is usually stable, which helps the build progress without long pauses.
Summer (January–February)
Many people avoid summer because of storms, but summer builds are still practical on the Gold Coast. Once weather windows open, progress moves quickly, and the region stays warm through to April, giving you several months of swimming even if your project begins early in the year.
Autumn (March–May)
Autumn offers a balanced mix of warm days and generally reliable conditions. It’s a good choice if you want the build completed before winter so you can use the cooler months to plan landscaping, paving or other outdoor upgrades.
Winter (June–August)
Winter is often considered the ideal time to build because the weather is predictable and crews are rarely interrupted by rain. Starting in winter positions your pool to be ready for the upcoming summer, although winter builds aren’t essential for meeting that timing on the Gold Coast.
What Matters Most
While each season offers different advantages, the biggest gains usually come from early preparation and a builder who can keep the project moving between stages. A well-coordinated process often has more impact on the timeline than the season you choose.
How to Speed Up Your Pool Build
There are several steps you can take before and during construction to help your pool progress smoothly. These actions reduce avoidable delays and give your builder a clear path to move through each stage.
Prepare Access to Your Yard
Excavation moves fastest when access is straightforward. Confirm you have an entry point of at least 1.5 metres and clear any obstructions before work begins.
If access is tight, neighbours may need to give temporary permission. If necessary, sorting this early can prevent day-one delays.
Complete Checks for Easements and Underground Services
A quick BYDA search or Gold Coast City Council map check reveals stormwater lines, easements and underground services that may affect the design or excavation.
Identifying these issues now avoids last-minute changes during approvals or digging. Your pool builder can help with this but getting in early is a bonus.
Plan Skip Bin and Material Areas
Decide where the skip bin, equipment and materials will sit during the build. Keeping these areas clear helps trades move efficiently on-site.
Select Your Finishes Early
Selecting tiles, coping, and interior surfaces early helps engineers and certifiers work with accurate information.
It also ensures materials are ready when the shell is complete, preventing gaps between stages.
Secure Pets and Maintain Clear Work Zones
Secure pets, clear pathways and maintain easy access for trades. A tidy, accessible site keeps the project flowing and reduces time lost to avoidable interruptions. Fences will be down and we don’t want any run aways!
Organise Other Renovation Work Around the Pool Build
If multiple projects are underway, consider letting the pool lead. Competing trades, shared access points, and overlapping timelines can slow progress if not coordinated.
Confirm Your Builder’s Credentials
Checking that your builder is QBCC-licensed and has strong reviews provides confidence that the project will be handled consistently. Builders with their own excavation crews, certifiers and regular trades often move more smoothly between stages.
Taking these steps gives your project the best chance of staying within the expected timeline while helping your builder work efficiently throughout each stage.
Landscaping, Fencing and Final Certification
Once the main construction stages are complete, there are a few final steps that bring the project together before you can use the pool. These steps vary between homes but generally follow the same pattern.
Fencing and Safety Compliance: Your pool must meet safety standards before anyone can swim. The fencing is installed, checked for compliance and reviewed by a certifier. This is a mandatory step, and the project cannot progress to handover without this approval.
Landscaping and Surrounds: Landscaping usually takes place after the pool is complete. Simple designs may only take a week, while more detailed surrounds, decking or paving can add several weeks depending on scope and weather. Planning your landscaping early helps avoid delays once the pool is ready.
Electrical and Earthing Requirements: An electrician will complete the necessary earthing, lighting and power connections around the pool. This is essential for safety and must meet current compliance standards. Some builders provide an electrician, while others allow you to supply your own.
Final Certification and Handover: Once the fencing, landscaping access points and electrical work are complete, the certifier conducts a final inspection. After approval, the pool is filled, any pool equipment is commissioned, and the water is balanced. Homeowners can swim shortly after this final sign-off.
This stage brings your project to completion and ensures the pool is safe, compliant and ready for everyday use.
What Sets Aqua Living Pools Apart From Other Pool Builders on the Gold Coast
Pool construction timelines often vary because each builder manages the process differently. Some rely on multiple external teams, while others keep key stages in-house, which usually creates a smoother and faster build. Aqua Living Pools works within this second approach.
Our team handles design, approvals, excavation and construction completely in-house to reduce the gaps that can slow projects down. In-house excavation and design studio helps the build start on schedule, our private certifier keeps approvals moving, and our regular trade partners mean we’re first in every time.
This combination of planning and coordination is why many of our builds sit at the faster end of the typical Gold Coast timeline while still meeting the high-quality homeowners expect.
If you want a pool builder who focuses on efficiency and clear communication from start to finish, our pool builders on the Gold Coast are ready to help. We offer a turnkey product that takes the hassle out of building your resort from home.
Contact us today or call 1300 931 300 to talk to our friendly team about your project today.
