When Should You Install an Inground Pool? Is it in the Fall, Winter, or Spring

Winter fiberglass pool installations vs. spring fiberglass pool installations: When is the best time to buy?

Winter is approaching and you’re on the fence about getting a fiberglass pool installed, this is almost the most common question we get. “When is the best time to buy and install my fiberglass pool?

Not going to lie (says the greasy slicked back hair salesperson) We have been called “Cowboys” “Fiberglass Pool Idiots” “Rookies” “Scammers” and the list goes on… but we have been called this by other pool installers… WHY? Because we do things differently, we have been doing this for awhile, we only use pool manufactures that have good quality pools and I guess most importantly we warranty the installation for up to 5 years. 

Let’s get back to the main focus…

Well, the answer to the best time to install a fiberglass pool, at least in most cases, is relatively simple. As soon as you have the budget and if you could pick it would be the winter season.

We are going to explore the advantages of each season in detail… (the disadvantages will follow)

Is it best to install a pool in fall, winter, or spring?

End of summer season called fall or winter fiberglass pool installations generally offer the lowest prices, most if not all manufactures increase their prices in first quarters being Jan to March, so getting in early would save you 4% to 8% on pool and equipment costs. It also allows more time for the grass and shrubs to grow back since they are in hibernation mode (my grade 9 biology is kicking in) and not to mention the contractors are not rushed and actually enjoy working outdoors and not being cocooned in their homes all season. 

It’s Fall & Winter, the winner of the best time to install a fiberglass pool.

Advantages Fall/Winter Fiberglass Pool Installation

1. Lowest price
2. Cost of good increases
3. Landscaping
4. Backyard is not in use

Lowest Price

For the average pool builder, the cold weather can be quite depressing, (usually we take a week or two down south) especially knowing that even though work might stop, the bills never do. This is why pricing is almost always lower during the fall and winter time periods.

Cost of Good Increases

With each New Year comes the annual ‘cost of goods’ increase from suppliers and manufactures. Take for instance, Hayward and Jandy have had 5% increases yearly, Imagine Pools & Latham Pools also and the list goes on and on. 

Landscaping

September and October are great times in many areas of the country for planting grass and plants around the pool. Because the installation of a swimming pool will always cause some damage to a yard, it will take some time to re-grow the grass/vegetation around the pool area. This is why it’s typically better to give yourself 4–6 months for proper landscaping and vegetation growth versus 1–2 months in the spring.

Not Using the Backyard

Unless you have an outdoor skating rink, most backyards are not utilized in the fall and winter. So instead of staring and dreaming of backyard oasis… get one!

Advantages to a Spring Inground Pool Installation

1. Some savings
2. Less time looking at the pool

Some Savings

Although prices are not as good as they were 4–6 months previous, you can find some deals especially on pool models that are instock and maybe get last years price on them. Installation might not be as discounted, it’s simple math every pool builder has a capacity and once it’s full it’s full.

Less Time Looking at the Pool

Frankly, this is the only advantage I can honestly think of when debating over whether to have a fall/winter pool installation versus a spring installation. For some consumers, the thought of having to wait 4–7 months before they can use their pool after its completion is too much to bear. For others, the money saved makes the wait well worth it.

But for all of you who are contemplating a pool in your backyard I can make you one promise:

Once you get the pool, you will be so happy that you did!