When Is the Best Time to Build a Pool in Florida?
Florida is an ideal place to have a swimming pool in your backyard. Between the outdoor climate that allows for year-round use and the enormous return on investment, building a new pool in a place like Tampa is a smart decision.
However, once you’ve made that decision, there’s still a lingering question: when is the best time to build a pool? Do you start now to prepare for summer? Or is there a secret time of year when you’ll get faster service?
The short answer is that the sooner you start, the sooner you swim. You could argue that any season is worth it when you look at things that way. However, examining Florida’s weather patterns and spending time pre-planning will help you anticipate fall and winter.
Let’s break down the seasonality of pool building and why timing your project correctly can lead to less stress and a faster completion time.
How the Florida Weather Factor Impacts Pool Building
While other parts of the country might experience four seasons, most of Florida has two distinct ones: the “dry” and “wet” seasons. Fall and winter are considered the ideal seasons to build a pool because the weather is dry.
The wet season (usually May through October) brings consistent thunderstorms. The storms are a double-edged sword; they cool things down, but they’re a major headache for construction and can cause expensive setbacks.
The Perks of Dry Season Construction
Experts agree that the dry season is the best for pool building. There’s usually much less rainfall from November through April, so there are fewer rain delays for the crew and a more predictable timeline. Additionally, dry soil is easier to work with. This means that mud and moisture won’t make the structural phase of your build a logistical nightmare.
It’s also cooler this time of year, making things easier on construction crews. When temperatures hit the high 90s, crews need breaks to find shade and rehydrate. Pool builders can work more efficiently in agreeable weather, and that could shave time off of your build and keep more money in your pocket.
Beat the Summer Rush
Although summer is not always the best option for pool building, it is a busy time for pool builders. As the temperatures warm up, people wish they had a pool, and Florida pool contractors’ schedules fill up in a flash. Everyone sees the forecast, remembers how hot it gets, and decides they need a pool immediately. Even waiting until spring is risky for scheduling; you may have already missed your ideal window by the time you call.
Starting your project in fall or winter gets you a pool now so you can enjoy it when the weather is ready. If you ask an expert when is the best time to build a pool to guarantee you’re having a Memorial Day pool party, they’ll always answer fall or winter.
What About Cost and Materials for Your Pool Build?
Fall and winter are the best times to build your pool for many reasons, but saving money on materials is rarely one of them. There’s a common misconception among homeowners that you’ll get a massive discount for building in winter, but the reality of construction costs shows a different picture.
Material pricing isn’t something that sticks with Florida’s schedule. These prices change on a global scale. Many manufacturers will often adjust their pricing at the beginning of a new year. This means that “waiting until prices drop” isn’t always a winning strategy, since there’s no real way of knowing when or if that will happen.
Yet building a pool during the dry seasons is still financially sound. You’ll usually lock in material and labor pricing for the current year, so you won’t deal with the inflation adjustments that might hit in January or February.
Labor is often cheaper during this time, too. Not because the labor itself is discounted, but because there’s a lower chance you’ll run into Florida weather-related snags that force your hand into spending more and extending the timeline.
Design Considerations for Year-Round Use
Regardless of when you build your pool, it’s good for Tampa homeowners to consider design options that make year-round enjoyment possible. The weather isn’t always going to be perfect, but you can account for that with pool features like:
- Integrated spas for the chillier winter mornings and evenings
- Heating systems that focus on energy efficiency
- Fire bowls or fire pits for extra warmth
Talk with your pool designer about how you can enjoy your pool the moment it’s complete, even if that day lands in mid-February.
Why “Now” Can Also Be Considered the Right Time To Build a Pool
So does all of this mean you should never build in spring or summer? No. Those seasons might be less convenient because of weather or temperature factors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build a pool then if your circumstances are right.
Remember that professional pool builders in Tampa are industry experts. They know how to use a tarp during a storm or schedule inspections to ensure everything is moving along. And since the swimming season doesn’t have a set end in Florida like it might in other states, you can still enjoy your pool well into November and December with the right pool heater.
The right time to build a pool will always be when you’re financially and emotionally ready to tackle the project. Waiting for the “perfect” season only to have your timeline warped by unexpected rainfall simply proves that there’s no such thing as perfect.
When Is the Best Time to Build a Pool? Fall and Winter Take the Gold
The better weather and lower potential stressors make fall and winter the obvious winners. But from a lifestyle standpoint, the best time is whenever you’re ready, even if that’s right now.
The team at Tampa Bay Pools is used to building pools year-round. Whether it’s rainy or dry, we’ve fine-tuned our construction process to design and build quality pools. If you’re ready to explore your options and get a professional assessment, contact our team to learn more today.