Why Fall Is the Perfect Time for a Pool Installation

As we wrap up yet another “hottest summer ever,” many of us are making plans to beat the heat next year. Virtually every new year is bringing record heat, and since the COVID pandemic, people are looking for ways to keep cool in the comfort of their own homes. There’s no better way to do that than by taking a dip in the pool.

If you’re thinking about giving your family a fun way to stay cool and bond with each other next summer, an inground or above ground pool installation may be just the ticket. Let’s take a look at the different types of pools out there and some of the reasons why fall is a perfect time for your installation.

Inground vs. above ground pool installations

There are two main types of swimming pools. Inground and above ground. In a pinch, you can throw a little kiddie pool out in your yard to cool off. It’ll do the trick to keep you cool for an afternoon or two, but you can’t fit many people in there, and you certainly can’t swim in it. If you’re looking for something more substantial, you’ll have to decide which route you want to go.

Inground pools

If you’re really serious about swimming, you may want to go with an inground pool. They are great for large parties, swimming laps, and practicing your dives. A beautiful concrete pool or fiberglass swimming pool with elegant landscaping is a relaxing retreat when you are home alone and a great focal point when you are entertaining. Add some swimming pool lights, and your parties can stretch late into the night.

However, they can be quite expensive to install or remove. A lot of work goes into preparing the site, digging the hole, and pouring concrete. People who purchase inground pools usually have a vision in mind. They may swim to stay fit or have grand plans for those epic pool parties. They also tend to be the kind of people who are willing to put in the time and effort to maintain it or hire someone to do so. For someone who won’t use the pool all that much, maintenance can be such a chore that they experience buyer’s remorse. 

Above ground pools

If you mainly want a place to hang with your friends or cool off with the kids in the summer, above ground pools are a great option. They strike a nice balance between the cost and maintenance of inground pools and those small swimming pools we throw in the yard on hot days to cool off on a budget. With thoughtful planning and landscaping, you can get many of the benefits of an inground pool without locking yourself into something quite so permanent.

Speaking of permanence, above ground pools may be either temporary or permanent. A temporary pool can usually be assembled and disassembled relatively easily by the homeowner and stored off-season. They’re an excellent option for those with short summer seasons or those who use the pool more infrequently.

A permanent pool is made of more sturdy materials than a temporary one and requires a bit more preparation and skill to install. Many people who go the permanent above ground pool installation route add decking around the pool. This allows for great pool parties on a smaller scale and opens up the opportunity to install an above ground pool slide or diving board.

What makes fall such a great time to install pools?

Pools can be installed in most seasons, with spring and summer being the most popular. It’s understandable. People want to use the pools right away. But, if you can wait, there are great reasons to consider fall pool installations.

The main factors that make fall such a good time of year for any type of pool installation are the favorable weather and ground conditions and the increased availability of installation professionals after the busy summer season has passed. Beyond that, there are many other benefits to a fall inground or above ground pool installation. 

Fall months are generally dry and cool

Fall weather conditions are perfect for all types of outdoor projects, due in no small part to the relative dryness of fall. Spring and summer storms can delay projects. Even small inground pools and permanent above ground pools take a considerable amount of time from start to finish, so it’s great to tackle these projects when you’ve got a strong likelihood of an extended stretch of nice weather. The cooler weather is also easier on laborers, so they are more efficient in their work. This will save you time and money.

The whole process moves faster in the fall

As you could have probably guessed, summer is the busy season for pool companies. They perform numerous installations on multiple different types of pools, but they spend the hot months performing an array of services that keep their customers’ pools in tip top shape. By scheduling your install for the fall, you likely aren’t competing for appointment times with nearly as many others. When you get into large renovation projects like this, your place can be a bit of a mess for a while. The less time spent in disarray, the better.

You may be able to find discounts in the fall

Since your local installation professionals aren’t as busy, they may offer deals when you have your pool installed in their off-season. You can probably get supplies cheaper as well. Many retailers discount products at the end of the season to clear inventory, so you can score some great deals in the fall. A pool is a big investment, and even a slight reduction in price is helpful for the bottom line. Who knows, you may even save enough to cover the cost of your pool cover, diving board, or above ground pool heater. 

Fall is a great time to landscape

If you’re going to the trouble to install a pool, chances are you’ll want a beautiful landscape to accent it. Planting perennial flowers and shrubs in the fall has many advantages. The weather is cool and comfortable while the ground is still plenty warm through the night, allowing your plants to grow without stress. If you’re keeping any of your existing plants, doing the work when they are dormant gives them a better chance of coming back strong. If you’re installing a pool in a small backyard, this is especially important since the close quarters can result in additional stress to the plants. Install in fall, and by the time your first pool season rolls around, your landscape will already be looking fantastic.

Fall installations give us time to familiarize ourselves with the pool

When we build our pools in spring and summer, the natural tendency is to dive right in and start enjoying our new toy. No one can be faulted for this natural excitement. Don’t let it distract you from your maintenance duties, though. Fall installations give us a season to make sure what we’re doing before the fun begins. There are multiple types of pool algae that can suspend our fun quickly if we don’t take care of our pools. Do a little research, and consult with your local professionals to keep your pool functioning and looking beautiful for years to come.

Your first season is a full season

Nothing is as frustrating as getting a new toy and only having a short window of time to enjoy it before packing it away until next year. When you have your pool installed in the spring or summer, you may get to start using it that same year, but the season will be a very short teaser. If you plan pool parties, weather delays may result in their cancellation. If you don’t plan any parties, the chances are that you have other summer plans and won’t get to use it as much as you’d like without cancelling those plans. Installing your pool in the fall lets you avoid all that potential disappointment.

Taking the plunge with inground or above ground pool installation

It doesn’t matter if you’re planning an inground or above ground pool installation. Fall is a fantastic time to grab some discounts and make the most of your first season as a pool person. You’ve just got to take the plunge.

If you’ve decided that you want a pool, there’s no time like the present to start the planning process. There are seemingly infinite pool designs and cost considerations, so make sure you’ve got a great team to work with. Our pool and landscaping professionals can help you get the property of your dreams on time and within budget.