Guide - What You Need Locally — Inground Pool Kit


Pre-Build Planning
What You'll Need
To Source Locally

Your Poolzilla kit ships everything needed to build the pool structure itself. But a complete inground pool installation requires additional materials and contractors that are always sourced and managed locally. This guide tells you exactly what to plan for — and what it typically costs — so there are no surprises.

We'll help you plan this before you order. Call or text us and we'll walk through your specific yard, shape, and site conditions to give you a realistic picture of local costs before you commit to anything.

Kit Contents at a Glance
What Ships vs.
What You Source
📦
Included in Your Kit
  • Steel wall panels + all hardware
  • Track coping
  • 20 mil custom-fit vinyl liner
  • Variable speed pump (sized to pool)
  • Sand filter
  • Pool steps (shallow end)
  • Deep end ladder
  • Entry railing
  • Safety rope + floats + anchors
  • Wide mouth skimmer kit + fittings
  • Step-by-step installation manual
🏗️
Sourced & Managed Locally
  • Excavation (digging + hauling)
  • Concrete collar + footer
  • PVC pipe + fittings + glue
  • Main drain assembly
  • Electrical wiring + breaker
  • Backfill material (vermiculite or sand)
  • Wall foam (optional but recommended)
  • Pool deck or patio (concrete, pavers, etc.)
  • Building permits + inspections
  • Opening chemicals (first fill)

What to Plan For
Each Local Cost
Explained
🚜
Excavation

Hire: Excavator / Site contractor


Digging the hole to your pool's dimensions plus 2–3 feet of working space around the perimeter

Hauling away the excavated soil — typically by the truckload

Grading the bottom to the correct shallow/deep end slope (typically 3'–5' depth)
Most significant local cost. Get 2–3 quotes. Expect $3,000–$8,000 depending on soil type, access, and how far soil needs to be hauled.
🏗️
Concrete Work

Hire: Concrete contractor or experienced builder


Concrete collar poured around the base of the pool walls during backfill — locks the structure in place

Vermiculite or sand bottom — the pool floor material that the liner sits on

Optional: pool deck (concrete, pavers, travertine) — typically done as a separate phase after pool is filled
Concrete collar is non-negotiable — it's what makes this a permanent inground pool. Budget $800–$2,500 for the collar and floor material. Deck is a separate project.
🔧
Plumbing (PVC)

DIY-friendly or hire a plumber


2" PVC pipe from skimmer and main drain to equipment pad

Return line PVC from equipment pad back to pool returns

PVC fittings (elbows, tees, unions) + PVC primer and glue

Main drain assembly (anti-entrapment compliant)
One of the more DIY-friendly parts of the build. Total materials typically $300–$700 from a local plumbing or hardware supply. We'll send you a plumbing diagram with your kit.
Electrical

Hire: Licensed electrician — required by code


Dedicated 240V circuit + breaker for the variable speed pump

GFCI protection — required within 20 feet of water by NEC code

Bonding wire run around pool perimeter and connected to all metal components

Optional: lighting circuit, automation system wiring
Do not DIY electrical. Licensed electrician required by code in all states. Budget $800–$2,000. Permits and inspections are part of this cost.
📋
Permits

You apply — contractor may assist


Building permit for pool construction — required in virtually every municipality

Electrical permit — usually pulled by your electrician

Zoning check — setback requirements from property lines, structures, utilities

HOA approval if applicable
Apply before you dig. Permit fees vary widely — $150 to $1,500+ depending on your municipality. Your local building department website will have the requirements.
🧪
Opening Chemicals

DIY — local pool store or online


Chlorine shock (calcium hypochlorite) for initial startup

pH adjuster (pH up and pH down)

Alkalinity increaser

Calcium hardness increaser (if filling with soft water)

Cyanuric acid (stabilizer) if using unstabilized chlorine
Budget $150–$300 for a full opening chemical kit. Your local pool store can test your fill water and recommend exactly what you need. We're also happy to walk you through startup.

Budget Planning
Realistic Local Cost
Estimates

These ranges are based on national averages for a standard 16×32 inground pool. Your actual costs will vary based on location, soil conditions, access, and local labor rates. Use these as planning estimates — not quotes.

Item Low Estimate High Estimate DIY Possible?
Excavation + soil haul $3,000 $8,000 No — requires equipment
Concrete collar + floor $800 $2,500 Experienced builders only
PVC plumbing materials $300 $700 Yes — DIY-friendly
Electrical (licensed) $800 $2,000 No — code requires licensed
Permits + inspections $150 $1,500 Yes — you apply
Wall foam (recommended) $150 $300 Yes — DIY-friendly
Opening chemicals $150 $300 Yes — DIY-friendly
Total Local Costs ~$5,350 ~$15,300 Varies by project

Before You Start
Six Things to Do
Before You Order
01
Call 811 First

Before any digging, call 811 (or your state's dig-safe line) to have underground utilities marked. It's free, required by law in most states, and prevents catastrophic — and expensive — accidents.

02
Check Your Setbacks

Most municipalities require pools to be set back a minimum distance from property lines, fences, and structures. Check with your local building department before finalizing pool location.

03
Get 3 Excavation Quotes

Excavation prices vary dramatically by contractor. Get at least three quotes. Ask specifically about soil haul-off — some contractors quote excavation only and charge separately for hauling.

04
Hire Your Electrician Early

Licensed electricians book out weeks in advance during pool season. Lock in your electrician before your kit ships — waiting until the pool is built means delays before you can fill and run the pump.

05
Plan Your Equipment Pad

Decide where your pump and filter will sit before you dig — the equipment pad location determines where your plumbing runs. It should be within 6–8 feet of the pool, on a level concrete pad, accessible for maintenance.

06
Call Us Before You Start

We've helped hundreds of owners plan their builds. A 15-minute call with us before you begin can save you real money and prevent common mistakes. We're available by phone or text — we actually pick up.

Questions Before
You Order?

We'll walk through your specific yard, soil, and site conditions and give you a realistic picture of what to budget locally — before you commit to anything.