What to Expect During a Gunite Pool Build in Gilbert

Published July 1, 2026

Building a custom pool is one of the bigger projects a backyard will ever see, and it goes more smoothly when you know what each week brings. A gunite pool is built in a set order, and every phase has to cure or pass inspection before the next begins. Here is what actually happens from the empty yard to your first swim.

Design, Permit, and Excavation

Everything starts on paper. We finalize the shape, depth, and features, then submit for the Maricopa County permit. Once it clears, the crew marks utilities and excavates the hole to plan, usually in a day or two. Seeing the outline in the ground for the first time is when the project starts to feel real. If you are still weighing shapes and depths, our gunite pool construction page walks through the options.

Steel, Plumbing, and the Gunite Shell

Next a grade 60 steel rebar cage is tied to match the design, and the Schedule 40 PVC plumbing for the skimmer, main drain, and returns is roughed in. Then comes the day the shell is sprayed. Shotcrete is applied pneumatically over the steel and shaped by hand, and it needs to be kept damp and cured for about a week. This is the structural heart of the pool, so it is not a stage to rush.

Tile, Coping, and Decking

With the shell cured, the detail work begins. Waterline mosaic tile goes on, coping stone caps the edge, and the surrounding deck is poured or set in travertine, pavers, or stamped concrete. This phase often takes the longest because it is precise, hands-on work, and the finished look depends on getting it right.

Interior Finish and Startup

The interior is troweled with white plaster, quartz, or pebble aggregate to seal the surface. Quartz and pebble finishes last far longer than standard plaster, often 15 to 25 years. Then we install the variable-speed pump, filter, heater, and any salt system, add the self-latching safety barrier, and fill the pool. The first week of startup is careful chemistry work to bring the water into balance.

Plan for 8 to 12 Weeks

From permit to first swim, most gunite pools in Gilbert take 8 to 12 weeks, with weather and inspection timing driving the spread. Rain, a busy inspector, or a change order can add a few days, which is exactly why we give you a written schedule up front. When you know the sequence, the wait is a lot easier to enjoy.

Thinking about a pool for your Gilbert backyard? Contact us or call Onwardphoto at (480) 306-4622 for a free design consultation and a realistic timeline.