HOW LONG DID YOUR POOL MAKEOVER REALLY TAKE?

HOW LONG DID YOUR POOL MAKEOVER REALLY TAKE?

Did you ever feel like every time one thing got sorted, another popped up?

That’s the story of every reno I’ve ever done. Pools are their own beast, though. There’s something about digging a giant hole in your yard that seems to invite chaos. For me, it was a domino effect: first the old liner came out and revealed some “surprise” cracks, then the plumbing needed updating, then the weather decided to get involved… you get the idea.

I totally get what you mean about second-guessing tile choices. I spent way too many nights scrolling through photos of mosaic patterns, convinced that if I picked the wrong shade of blue it would haunt me forever. Now? Nobody even notices unless I point it out - and even then they just nod politely.

Here’s how my pool reno timeline actually played out (roughly):

1. Demo & prep: 2 weeks (should’ve been 1, but rain delays…)
2. Structural fixes: 3 weeks (cracks + surprise rebar issues)
3. Plumbing/electrical: 1 week (miraculously on schedule)
4. Tile & coping: 2 weeks (mostly because I changed my mind halfway through)
5. Plaster & fill: 1 week

All in, it was about two months start to finish, but honestly felt like six. The weird part is, once it was done and I finally got to swim, all those little setbacks kind of faded away. Maybe there’s something to your point - delays do make it sweeter in the end? Or maybe we just forget the pain once we’re floating with a drink in hand.

If I had to do it again, I’d probably still overthink every detail… but maybe stress less about the stuff nobody notices after week one.

I hear you on the overthinking - tile choices nearly broke me, too. It’s wild how much time you can spend debating shades of blue, only for everyone else to just see “pool.” For us, the timeline stretched out because we tried to reuse as much as possible and went with recycled glass tiles. That added a couple weeks, but honestly, I don’t regret it. The eco stuff can be a pain up front, but it’s worth it when you’re floating around guilt-free. And yeah, once you’re in the water, all the chaos fades out... mostly.

It’s wild how much time you can spend debating shades of blue, only for everyone else to just see “pool.”

- Been there. I once spent three days with a client holding up tile samples in different lights - morning, midday, sunset - just to end up picking the first one we liked.
- Recycled glass is a great call. Adds character you don’t get from standard stuff, even if it drags out the process.
- The “eco pain” is real, but I’ve noticed people feel better about their choices long-term.
- Honestly, most visitors never notice the details, but you will every time you swim. That’s worth a couple extra weeks in my book.

Totally get it. I once spent an entire afternoon with a client just watching how the water changed color as the sun moved, trying to decide if “sea glass” blue was too green or not blue enough. In the end, we went with a recycled glass tile that took forever to source, but now it catches the light in such a cool way. Most people don’t notice, but my client still mentions it every summer. Worth the hassle, honestly.

In the end, we went with a recycled glass tile that took forever to source, but now it catches the light in such a cool way. Most people don’t notice, but my client still mentions it every summer. Worth the hassle, honestly.

That’s exactly the kind of detail that makes all the difference, even if most folks don’t realize it. I’ve been through similar rabbit holes - spent way too long comparing grout samples under different lights just to get that “almost invisible” look.

- My last pool redo (just me and my partner, no pros) took about 7 weeks start to finish. That included demo, prepping the shell, tiling, and new coping.
- Tile selection was hands-down the slowest part. We changed our minds twice after seeing samples outside at different times of day. Sunlight really does mess with your color choices.
- Sourcing unique materials can drag things out. Our mosaic border tiles were backordered for nearly a month. At one point I considered just painting a border and calling it a day... glad I didn’t.
- Actual install time was pretty reasonable - about 2 weeks for tile and grout - but waiting on materials ate up most of our timeline.

I get what you mean about “worth the hassle.” There’s something satisfying about knowing you obsessed over those details - even if only you (or your client) ever notice them.

If anyone’s trying to estimate how long their own project might take, I’d say:
- Add at least 30% more time than you think for material delays and indecision.
- Don’t rush picking finishes. You’ll stare at them every summer for years.
- If you’re DIY-ing, factor in weather delays and sore backs.

Honestly, sometimes I wish I could just pick something off a shelf and be done... but then I see how the light hits that tile at sunset and forget all about the headaches.

SOMETIMES QUICKER DECISIONS PAY OFF

I get the appeal of obsessing over every detail, but honestly, I’ve found that being decisive can be just as rewarding - especially if you’re looking at resale value down the line. On a few of my projects, I went with high-quality but readily available materials and wrapped up in half the time. Most buyers care more about overall vibe and condition than whether you spent weeks sourcing a rare tile. There’s definitely a balance between personal satisfaction and practicality... sometimes “good enough” really is good enough, especially if you’re juggling timelines or budgets.

There’s definitely a balance between personal satisfaction and practicality...

I get where you’re coming from, but sometimes taking a bit longer really does pay off. I spent extra time picking out unique finishes and, honestly, it made my pool feel way more “me.” Not sure buyers always notice, but I do.

HOW LONG DID YOUR POOL MAKEOVER REALLY TAKE?

- Took me about 7 months, start to finish. That’s with a couple of “life happened” delays and some scope creep (kept seeing new ideas on Pinterest…)
- Spent a lot of time going back and forth on tile and coping. Wasn’t just about color, but texture, too. I probably spent 2 weeks just ordering samples and holding them up in different light.
- Honestly, I get the urge to rush it, especially when you just want to swim already. But every time I tried to cut corners or pick the “easy” option, I’d regret it later.
- I do question how much buyers care about the details. My neighbor sold his place with a basic pool reno and got about the same per sq ft as houses with fancier finishes. But for me, I notice every little thing I chose. Makes a difference when you’re out there every day.
- Did all the tiling myself. Not gonna lie, that part took way longer than I thought. YouTube makes it look fast, but getting those lines straight and the grout perfect is a pain.
- One thing that surprised me: waiting for custom parts. The waterline tile I wanted was backordered for 6 weeks. That threw off my whole schedule.
- If I had to do it again, I’d probably spend less time agonizing over little stuff, but I wouldn’t skip the unique touches either. The pool feels like mine, not just something out of a catalog.

All in all, yeah, it took longer than planned. But every time I’m out there, I’m glad I didn’t just settle for “good enough.”

Funny you mention the details - my partner thought I was nuts obsessing over grout color, but now it’s one of my favorite things about the pool. Did you ever have a moment where you almost scrapped a design idea but stuck with it anyway?

Funny how those little details end up mattering the most. I almost ditched the mosaic tile border because it was a bit pricier, but I’m so glad I didn’t cave. Sometimes sticking to your gut - even if it seems minor or a bit extra - really pays off in the long run. Your grout color obsession totally makes sense to me.

STICKING TO THE DETAILS REALLY DOES PAY OFF

- Totally get what you mean about those “little” details turning into the big wow factor. I’ve seen so many projects where people want to trim costs by skipping things like a mosaic border, but honestly? That’s often the one thing everyone ends up commenting on.

- Reminds me of a backyard pool job I worked on last year. The homeowners went back and forth for weeks over whether to go with a unique glass tile or just standard ceramic. It was more expensive, and there were definitely a few “is this really worth it?” moments. They stuck to their guns, though, and I swear, every single guest who’s been over since has asked where they got the tile from. No one ever notices the basic stuff in the same way.

- Grout color is another one that seems minor but can totally make or break the look - so your obsession makes perfect sense. I’ve watched clients agonize over fifty shades of white (who knew there could be so many?), but when you see it all come together, you realize it’s not nitpicking at all.

- On timing: honestly, those decisions sometimes add a bit to the timeline because suppliers might need to special order or there’s a delay in getting exactly what you want. But I’ve never had anyone regret waiting an extra week or two for a detail that makes them smile every time they walk outside.

- If you’re going to invest in something as big as a pool makeover, why not make sure it feels right? Sometimes “a bit extra” is exactly what ties everything together.

Funny how we sweat those choices in the moment, then end up loving them most once it’s all done...

Totally agree about the grout color - why is picking white so much harder than it sounds? I swear, I’ve spent more time staring at grout samples than actual tile sometimes. But you’re right, those “tiny” decisions end up being the ones people notice most. I always tell clients: if you’re going to be floating around in your pool all summer, shouldn’t you love every detail? Waiting a bit longer for the perfect tile or border is worth it. Who remembers if it took an extra two weeks once you’re sipping lemonade by the water?

Funny how grout color can hold up a whole project, right? I always wonder - do you think it’s the lighting in showrooms that makes whites look so different at home? Or is it just that there are way too many “whites” to choose from?

HOW LONG DID YOUR POOL MAKEOVER REALLY TAKE?

Lighting in showrooms is definitely suspicious, but I’m starting to think it’s just the ridiculous number of “white” options that messes with my brain. I spent an hour staring at “Frost,” “Snow,” and “Eggshell” grout samples and they all looked identical until I brought them home - then suddenly one looked almost beige, and another kind of blue-ish? Is it the paint companies trolling us, or is it my eyes?

I’ve read somewhere that natural light vs. showroom LEDs can totally shift undertones, but then again, how do you even test grout color in your actual pool before committing? I tried holding up sample sticks against our tiles outside at different times of day... felt like a science experiment gone wrong. And then there’s the pressure - once you pick, you’re stuck with it for years. My partner thinks I’m overthinking it (maybe true), but after seeing how grout can change the whole vibe, I’m convinced it matters.

Curious if anyone else ended up regretting their grout choice after install? Or maybe everyone just stops noticing once the pool’s filled and you’re actually swimming instead of obsessing over tiny color swatches. Either way, picking “the right white” turned out to be way more stressful than choosing tile in the first place.

I tried holding up sample sticks against our tiles outside at different times of day... felt like a science experiment gone wrong.

That’s exactly how I felt picking grout for our pool reno last year. I thought I was being overly analytical, but honestly, the color shifts are real. I even made a spreadsheet to track which “white” looked best at noon vs. sunset (my partner rolled their eyes so hard). It’s wild how “Frost” can look crisp in the morning and then almost yellowish by evening.

I totally get the pressure - once it’s in, it’s not like you can just swap it out. I worried I’d regret my choice, but after the pool was filled and we started using it, I stopped noticing the grout as much. The water and sunlight kind of distract from the details. Still, I don’t think you’re overthinking it. The little things do add up, especially when you’ve put so much time and money into the project.

If it helps, I haven’t met anyone who was 100% happy with every detail, but most people seem to forget about grout drama once they’re actually swimming.

- Totally relate to the spreadsheet thing - I did the same for tile samples and lighting scenarios.
- Honestly, I’m still stressing about the grout color.
- Curious, did your pool reno take as long as planned? Our contractor keeps adding “just one more week”... starting to think it’s never-ending.
- Did delays mess with your material choices at all?

Oof, the “just one more week” thing is way too familiar. Ours was supposed to be 6 weeks, ended up closer to 11. The delays definitely forced us to swap out a couple materials - tile we wanted went out of stock, so we had to pivot last minute. Honestly, I’d say expect some curveballs. And grout color? I obsessed over it too, but once it’s in, you barely notice.

Yeah, the timeline thing is wild. Ours was quoted at 8 weeks, but between rain delays and a surprise plumbing issue, it dragged out to almost 13. I get what you mean about the grout color - spent way too long debating between “pearl” and “mist,” and now I honestly can’t tell the difference. The material swaps are rough, though. We had to settle for a different coping stone when ours was backordered. In the end, it’s all about rolling with the punches, I guess.

“spent way too long debating between ‘pearl’ and ‘mist,’ and now I honestly can’t tell the difference.”

Story of my life. I once had a client agonize over “alabaster” vs. “ivory” grout for weeks - then when it was installed, their dog tracked in mud and no one noticed the original color anyway. The timeline thing is always a moving target. I’ve never seen a pool project finish on schedule, rain or shine. And don’t get me started on backorders... At this point, I just tell people to expect a few “happy accidents” along the way.

Yeah, the color debates crack me up - my partner and I spent an hour arguing over “seafoam” vs. “sage” for our pool tile, and now I couldn’t tell you which one we picked if my life depended on it. The real kicker was waiting three weeks for a “special order” pump that ended up being backordered twice. By the time everything was done, we were just happy to have water in the pool, never mind what shade the grout was supposed to be. Timelines are more like suggestions in this business...