Excavation: Why Your Backyard Looks Wild During the First Phase of Pool Construction

If you’ve ever wondered what happens during the early stages of building a concrete (gunite/shotcrete) pool, the excavation phase is where the transformation begins—and it’s not subtle. In fact, this stage is famous for making a backyard look like a construction documentary and an action movie all at once.

Dramatic? Yes.

Chaotic? Absolutely.

Exactly what’s supposed to happen? Without question.

Excavation is the most “invasive” phase of the entire project, but it’s also one of the most exciting because it’s the moment the pool finally starts taking physical shape.

What Exactly Happens During Excavation?

The excavation phase typically includes four key components: digging, forming, steel installation, and plumbing. Each one plays a critical role in creating a strong, long-lasting pool structure.

1. Excavation — The Big Dig

This is the part most people picture when they think of pool construction. Heavy machinery arrives, and crews begin carving the pool out of the earth.

• It’s loud.

• It’s messy.

• It moves surprisingly fast.

By the end of the day, the rough outline of the pool is clear. Although the yard may look like controlled chaos, professional builders follow precise measurements and techniques during every step.

2. Forms — Turning the Design Into a Real-World Blueprint

Once the pool is excavated, builders install wooden forms around the perimeter. These forms show:

• The edges

• The steps

• The depths

• The contours

• The transition areas

Think of it as placing a mold around the future pool shape. It may look like a strange wooden sculpture, but this structure ensures the pool shell is built exactly to plan.

3. Steel — The Skeleton of the Pool

Steel reinforcement (rebar) is placed throughout the excavated shell to create the pool’s internal skeleton. This steel grid gives the concrete its long-term strength.

Without steel, a concrete pool wouldn’t be able to withstand soil pressure, water weight, or long-term structural movement. The steel cage may look like a giant metal spiderweb, but it’s one of the most crucial elements of a structurally sound pool.

4. Plumbing — The Circulatory System of the Pool

Before concrete is applied, plumbers install the main lines that will move and filter the water:

• Main drains

• Skimmers

• Return lines

• Plumbing for future water features

• Optional additions like spa jets or in-floor cleaning systems

During this stage, pipes may appear to be sticking out in all directions—totally normal. These access points are temporary and will be properly connected and buried later.

Proper plumbing is essential for keeping the pool clean, energy-efficient, and long-lasting.

Why This Phase Looks So Intense

For anyone new to pool construction, excavation can be surprising. In a single day, a calm, ordinary backyard transforms into an active construction zone. Dirt piles appear, trenches open up, and forms rise from the ground.

But beneath the seeming chaos, the process is highly organized. Skilled builders follow precise engineering specs and construction sequences to ensure the pool is structurally sound and built to last.

From Chaos to Creation

Although excavation looks wild, it’s also one of the fastest phases of the entire project. Within a short period of time, the pool takes on a recognizable form with a shape, a structure, and the beginnings of personality.

This phase marks the moment a design stops being theoretical and becomes real. For many homeowners, this is when the excitement truly begins—when they can finally stand in the yard and say, “This is really happening.”