Understanding Your Pool Payment Schedule: Why the Numbers Make Sense

John AndersEn, CFO 
Emerald Custom Pools 

Building a custom pool is one of the most exciting investments you can make in your home. You’ve signed the contract, you’re counting down the days until your backyard transformation begins, and you’re ready to see your dream take shape. 

But as construction progresses, you might find yourself asking: 
“Why have I paid 65% when only 25% of my pool appears complete?“ 

It’s a question we hear often, and it’s one we take seriously. The truth is, your payment schedule isn’t random—it’s carefully structured to align with the actual costs we incur throughout your project. Let’s walk through exactly what happens at each phase and why the draw schedule makes financial sense for everyone involved. 

The Investment Before You See Results 

Some of the most expensive parts of your pool project happen before you can actually see much progress in your backyard. 

Initial Excavation (35% Payment) 

When we arrive to dig your pool, we’re not just showing up with a shovel. This phase represents massive mobilization: 

Planning and Preparation: 

• Engineering (as needed), plan creation for construction 

• City permits and fees 

• Design finalization and material specifications 

• Scheduling and coordination of in-house crews   

Equipment and Labor Costs: 

• Professional grade excavation equipment 

• Shuttle equipment for material removal 

• Multiple crew members and operators 

• Fence removal and storage 

• Dump trucks for excavated material haul-offs 

Materials Already Ordered: 

• Steel rebar for your pool structure 

• All plumbing materials (pipes, valves, returns, drains) 

• Pool equipment (pumps, filters, heaters, automation systems) 

• Electrical components for equipment and lighting 

• Finish materials (tile, coping, countertops) 

• Specialty items such as grills, appliances, slides, etc. 

After the dig is completed – and before the next payment is due – we install the steel rebar and all plumbing inside and around your pool.   

Gunite (30% Payment) 

The Gunite phase is where your pool truly becomes permanent. This is one of the most critical—and most expensive—stages of construction. 

What Makes Gunite So Costly: 

• The Gunite material itself: high-strength concrete pneumatically applied at minimum 4500 PSI 

• Specialized equipment and trained crews to shoot the shell of your pool 

• Walls built 8-10 inches thick, floors 10-12 inches thick 

• Structural warranty for the lifetime of your pool 

• Quality control and curing requirements 

Hidden Complexity: 

• Precision work to ensure proper depth, shape, and structural integrity 

• Integration of all plumbing already installed during dig phase 

• Attention to drainage, slope, and water flow dynamics 

When you receive your pool shell, you’re getting a structure that’s built to last decades. That level of quality and permanence comes with significant material and labor costs. In fact, the Excavation and Gunite phases combined can represent more than 60% of the total construction cost—which is why 65% of your payment has been made by this point. 

 

Understanding the “Visibility Gap” 

Here’s where perception and reality can diverge. At the Gunite phase, your backyard might still look like a construction zone. You’ve got a gray concrete shell in the ground, some equipment staged nearby, and a lot of cleanup still ahead. Visually, it might feel like 25% complete. 

In reality, you’re actually much further along than it appears. 

By the time Gunite is complete: 

• Your pool’s permanent shape and structure are set 

• Some of the most expensive materials have been purchased and installed 

• The riskiest phases of construction (excavation and structural work) are behind us 

• Equipment that represents a significant portion of your contract value is onsite 

• All the “invisible” work (plumbing, electrical rough-in, etc.) is in place 

The remaining phases—tile, coping, decking, outdoor living/structures, plaster—are certainly important and highly skilled work. But from a pure cost perspective, they typically represent a smaller portion of your total investment than the foundational work that’s already complete. 

Why This Payment Structure Protects You 

You might wonder: couldn’t we just structure payments differently to match your visual perception of progress? Here’s why the current structure serves your interests: 

1. Material SecurityWhen wepurchase your materials early in the project, we’re committing to supplier relationships and securing pricing on your behalf. Steel, Gunite, plumbing, equipment, finish materials, and any specialty items are ordered specifically for your pool. If payment were delayed until later phases, it could not only delay your project, but it could prevent us from ensuring your contracted pricing remains accurate. 
2. Subcontractor SchedulingPool construction requires coordination withour in-house crews with just a few outside specialized crews. These professionals need to be paid promptly to maintain their commitment to your timeline. Delaying payment creates scheduling conflicts and project delays. 
3. Quality Over SpeedOur payment structure allows us to focus on quality craftsmanship rather than rushing to visible milestones.We’re not incentivized to cut corners on the structural work just to get to the more visible phases faster. 
4. Financial StabilityReputable buildersmaintain proper cash flow to ensure your project never stalls due to financial issues. This payment structure is standard across the pool industry because it reflects the actual cost curve of construction. 

Let’s complete the picture by looking at what the remaining of your investment covers: 

Deck Preparation (30% Payment) 

• All masonry work complete (tile, coping, water features, etc.) 

• Deck Forms and Steel in preparation for the concrete pour 

• Concrete for up to square footage in your contract 

• Additional drainage systems 

• Steps and elevated features 

• Finish preparation and grading 

• Any outdoor living structures (pergolas, outdoor kitchens, cabanas, etc.) 

Final Payment Before Plaster (5% Payment) 

• Final grade and clean-up completed 

• Plaster application 

• Pool school and startup 

These phases transform your pool from a concrete shell into a beautiful, functional backyard oasis. They’re highly visible and exciting—but they represent the finish work on top of the foundation you’ve already invested in. 

Transparency Is Our Standard 

At Emerald Custom Pools, we never want you to feel uncertain about where your investment is going. Here’s our commitment to you: 

Open Communication: Your project manager is always available to walk you through exactly what’s been completed and what’s coming next. 

Detailed Contracts: Every line item in your contract represents real materials and real labor. 

Progress Photos: We document your pool throughout construction so we can see the progression, even during phases that don’t look dramatic. 

Quality Guarantee: The quality of work and commitment to you backs up the investment you’ve made, giving you peace of mind that your pool is built to last. 

The Bottom Line 

When you’re at the Gunite phase and you’ve paid 65% of your contract, here’s what that money has purchased: 

✅ Complete excavation and site preparation
✅ All steel reinforcement for structural integrity
✅ All plumbing infrastructure
✅ Complete Gunite shell with lifetime structural warranty
✅ Pool equipment (pump, filter, heater, automation)
✅ Electrical materials and rough-in work
✅ Engineering, permits, and compliance
✅ Skilled labor from multiple specialized trades
✅ Project management and quality oversight 

✅Procurement of finish materials (tile, coping, countertops) 

✅ Specialty items (appliances, slides, diving boards, etc.) 

You haven’t just paid for a gray shell in the ground. You’ve invested in the permanent, structural foundation of your pool—the part that will hold water, maintain its shape, and provide decades of enjoyment for your family. 

The beautiful tile, sparkling plaster, and stunning decking are coming. Those final touches are what you’ll see and enjoy every day. But they rest on the foundation you’ve already built—and that foundation represents the lion’s share of your investment. 

Questions? We’re Here to Help 

If you ever feel uncertain about your payment schedule or have additional questions, please let your project manager know. We’re not just pool builders—we’re your partners in creating a backyard you’ll love for years to come. 

Building a pool is a journey, and we’re committed to making sure you understand every step along the way. Your trust in us is something we never take for granted, and we’ll always be transparent about where your investment is going. 

Ready to start your pool journey with a builder who values transparency? 
Visit emeraldcustompools.com to schedule your consultation today!