How to Prepare Your Backyard for a Fiberglass Pool Installation

Installing a fiberglass pool can transform an ordinary backyard into a space for swimming, relaxing, entertaining, and spending quality time with family. However, creating the perfect backyard pool area involves more than simply choosing a pool shape and colour.

Proper preparation before installation can help the project move more smoothly and ensure that your new pool fits your property, lifestyle, and outdoor space.

At Simply Pools, the pool installation process is carefully planned around each property’s layout and the homeowner’s vision. With decades of pool installation experience and more than 1,000 fiberglass pool installations, Simply Pools provides pool design, installation, landscaping, and backyard solutions across the GTA and surrounding areas.

If you are considering a fiberglass pool, here are some important steps to take before installation begins.

1. Determine the Best Location for Your Pool

The first step is deciding where your pool will be located.

Your backyard may have several potential areas, but not every location will be suitable for a pool. Your pool installer will need to consider the property’s dimensions, existing structures, property lines, access, grading, utilities, and applicable municipal requirements.

Think about how you want to use your backyard once the pool is installed. Consider the location of:

• Your home
• Patio or deck areas
• Outdoor entertaining spaces
• Trees and gardens
• Fences
• Pool equipment
• Existing landscaping
• Outdoor structures

The placement of your pool can affect how the entire backyard functions, so it is important to plan the layout before excavation begins.

2. Review Your Property Survey

Before finalizing the pool location, make sure you have an up-to-date property survey or plat of survey available.

A property survey can help identify property boundaries, easements, setbacks, and other features that may influence where a pool and its equipment can be installed.

Simply Pools recommends reviewing your property survey during the planning process and considering municipal requirements before deciding on the location of the pool and equipment.

Providing this information to your pool professional can help the design and installation team understand the property more accurately.

3. Check Local Permits and Requirements

Pool installation is a significant construction project, and local requirements may apply depending on where you live.

Before installation begins, homeowners should understand the applicable permit, fencing, setback, electrical, and other municipal requirements.

Requirements can vary between municipalities, so it is important to confirm what applies to your property.

Simply Pools offers turnkey installation packages that can include permits and fencing, depending on the package selected.

Discuss these requirements with your pool professional early in the planning process rather than waiting until construction is about to begin.

4. Clear the Installation Area

Once the location has been selected, the area may need to be cleared before excavation.

Depending on your existing backyard, preparation could involve removing:

• Old landscaping
• Plants or shrubs
• Garden structures
• Patio materials
• Outdoor furniture
• Unwanted debris
• Sections of existing decking

Your pool installation team can help determine what needs to be removed and what can remain.

It is also important to consider where construction materials and equipment will be placed during the project.

5. Plan for Equipment Access

Fiberglass pools are manufactured as a finished shell and need to be transported to your property and positioned in the prepared excavation.

Because of this, access to your backyard is an important part of planning.

Your installer will need to determine how the pool shell, excavation equipment, and other construction equipment can reach the installation area.

In some properties, access may require special planning or crane delivery. Simply Pools showcases crane-delivered fiberglass pool installations as part of its installation process.

Before installation day, discuss access restrictions with your pool contractor, particularly if your backyard has narrow gates, fences, neighbouring properties, or other obstacles.

6. Plan the Pool Shape and Size

Fiberglass pools are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, so your pool should be selected according to the dimensions and layout of your backyard.

Simply Pools offers a range of fiberglass pool designs, including flat-bottom pools, sloped-bottom pools, pools with sun ledges, and athletic lap pools.

When selecting a size, think about more than just the available space.

Consider:

• How many people will regularly use the pool
• Whether you want a swimming area or lounging area
• Space needed around the pool
• The location of outdoor furniture
• Future landscaping
• Pool equipment placement
• Safety and access

A properly planned layout can help you make better use of your entire backyard.

7. Decide on Pool Features Early

One of the exciting parts of planning a new fiberglass pool is choosing the features you want.

Depending on your pool design and budget, you may consider options such as:

• Sun ledges
• Water features
• Pool lighting
• Handrails and ladders
• Mosaic inlays
• Salt chlorine systems
• Automatic pool cleaners
• Security covers
• Decorative pool finishes
• Additional concrete decking
• Hot tubs or spas

Simply Pools lists a variety of common fiberglass pool add-ons and features that can be incorporated into a backyard project.

Planning these features before installation can help ensure that the pool design, plumbing, electrical work, and surrounding landscape are coordinated properly.

8. Think About Pool Equipment Placement

Your pool needs equipment to circulate, filter, heat, and sanitize the water.

Equipment typically requires its own designated area, so this should be considered during the initial backyard design.

Simply Pools recommends thinking about the equipment pad and its location before finalizing your pool placement. Its guidance notes that homeowners should consider property surveys, municipal requirements, equipment clearances, and heater exhaust locations.

A well-planned equipment area can keep the mechanical components accessible without allowing them to dominate your backyard design.

9. Plan Your Pool Deck and Patio

The area surrounding your pool is just as important as the pool itself.

You will need to decide how much decking or patio space you want and how you plan to use it.

Consider whether you need space for:

• Lounge chairs
• Outdoor dining
• Umbrellas
• Poolside entertaining
• Walking areas
• Outdoor furniture
• Access to the home

Simply Pools offers installation packages that can include concrete decking and final grading, as well as more comprehensive turnkey solutions.

Planning your decking at the same time as your pool can help create a more cohesive backyard design.

10. Consider Drainage and Grading

Proper drainage is an important part of backyard preparation.

Water should be directed appropriately away from your home and other structures. The finished grade around the pool also needs to be carefully planned.

During fiberglass pool installation, the process includes excavation, preparing the hole, setting the pool, backfilling, and completing the surrounding installation.

Your pool professional can assess the existing backyard grade and determine what preparation or adjustments may be required.

11. Think About Landscaping Before Installation

If you want a complete backyard transformation, consider landscaping before construction begins.

A pool project can include much more than the pool shell itself. You may want to incorporate:

• Garden areas
• Privacy plants
• Retaining walls
• Decorative stone
• Water features
• Walkways
• Outdoor seating
• Softscaping
• Additional patio areas

Simply Pools combines pool installation with landscaping services and offers options such as premium stone, waterfalls, stone features, and softscaping.

Planning these elements together can help create a backyard that feels cohesive rather than like a pool was simply added to an existing yard.

12. Prepare for the Excavation Process

Excavation is one of the major stages of fiberglass pool installation.

The pool layout is marked, the ground is excavated to the required dimensions, and the excavation is prepared before the fiberglass shell is placed.

Simply Pools describes its installation process as including careful layout marking, excavation, preparation of the hole, setting the pool, backfilling, filling the pool with water, and installation of plumbing and electrical equipment.

Homeowners should be prepared for construction activity, equipment movement, soil removal, and temporary disruption to the backyard.

Your installer can explain what to expect and how the construction process will affect your property.

13. Decide What Installation Package Fits Your Project

Before work begins, understand what is included in your pool installation package.

Simply Pools offers different installation packages. Its standard package includes the fiberglass shell, shipping, pool equipment, excavation, setting the pool, backfill, filling the pool, and installation. More comprehensive packages can include concrete decking, final grading, pool cleaning, fencing, permits, and other components.

Understanding what is included can help you budget appropriately and avoid confusion about responsibilities during the project.

Ask your pool contractor about:

• Excavation
• Pool installation
• Equipment
• Plumbing
• Electrical work
• Decking
• Grading
• Fencing
• Landscaping
• Permits
• Cleanup

14. Prepare Your Home and Family for Construction

Pool installation can temporarily affect your normal backyard routine.

Before construction begins, move valuable outdoor items to a safe location and make sure children and pets cannot access the construction area.

You may also want to discuss:

• Construction access
• Working hours
• Temporary fencing
• Equipment storage
• Soil removal
• Noise
• Access to the backyard
• Expected project stages

Being prepared can make the installation experience more organized for everyone involved.

15. Work With an Experienced Fiberglass Pool Installer

Choosing the right installation company is one of the most important decisions you will make.

Fiberglass pool installation requires careful planning, excavation, pool placement, backfilling, plumbing, equipment installation, and finishing work. Experience can make a significant difference when dealing with the unique conditions of each property.

Simply Pools states that it has more than three decades of pool installation experience and more than 1,000 fiberglass pool installations. Its team includes design, installation, landscaping, and administrative professionals who work together on pool projects.

Working with an experienced team can help you move from initial backyard planning to completed pool installation with a clearer understanding of each stage.

Create Your Backyard Oasis With Simply Pools

Preparing your backyard properly is an important part of a successful fiberglass pool installation. From selecting the pool location and reviewing your property survey to planning access, equipment, decking, drainage, landscaping, and permits, every detail can contribute to the finished result.

A fiberglass pool can become the centrepiece of your outdoor living space, providing an area for relaxation, exercise, family activities, and entertaining throughout the swimming season.

Simply Pools provides fiberglass pool design and installation services across communities including Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Mississauga, and surrounding areas, with pool and landscaping solutions designed to turn backyard plans into complete outdoor spaces.

Ready to start planning your fiberglass pool? Contact Simply Pools today to discuss your backyard, explore available pool designs, and begin creating your own backyard oasis.