HOW LONG DID YOUR POOL MAKEOVER REALLY TAKE?

We aimed for six weeks but it stretched to three months - budget was tight, so every delay felt like a gut punch. I totally agree about backup materials though. Wish I'd known to pick a second-choice tile before ours was discontinued mid-project... lesson learned, right?

Three months sounds rough, but I totally get it - our pool reno was supposed to be “done by Memorial Day” and we barely made it by Labor Day. The tile thing bites; we had a similar issue when our coping stones arrived in the wrong color and then the right ones were backordered. Ended up compromising on a style I wasn’t wild about, but now I barely notice. Funny how the stuff that felt like a huge deal fades once you’re actually swimming.

POOL TIMELINES ARE NEVER WHAT THEY PROMISE

Three months feels endless when you’re staring at a half-finished pool, but it’s wild how quickly the frustration fades once you’re actually using the space. I’ve seen so many projects where the “perfect” tile or stone gets swapped last minute because of delays or stock issues - honestly, most people end up loving the result anyway, or at least stop noticing the compromise. Sometimes those unexpected changes even add a bit of character.

It’s tough in the moment, though. I always tell clients to expect at least one thing to go sideways during a reno. The important part is that you get to enjoy it in the end, even if it’s not exactly what you pictured. Once you’re floating with a drink in hand, all those little details just kind of melt away...

TOTALLY RELATE TO THE NEVER-ENDING TIMELINE

- Delays are almost a guarantee - weather, permits, or that one tile you fell in love with suddenly being “discontinued.”
- Funny how the “second choice” materials often end up being the thing people compliment most.
- I’ve seen clients stress over grout color for weeks, only to never mention it again once the pool’s filled.
- End of the day, it’s about making memories out there, not obsessing over every little hiccup.

CAN’T BELIEVE HOW LONG IT DRAGGED ON

Seriously, I thought my kitchen renos were slow, but the pool was next level. Did you ever feel like every time one thing got sorted, another popped up? I kept second-guessing tile choices too - funny how nobody even notices now. Is it just me, or do delays almost make the finished product feel more satisfying?