This isn't a cost. It's an investment.
The figures on this page are real and we don't hide them — that's how AE operates. But we want to be honest about how to read them. Your pools & spas project isn't a line-item expense; it's an investment in your home's value, your family's daily experience, and a space you'll use for the next twenty to thirty years.
When you compare bids, compare what you're investing in — the spec, the crews, the warranty, the company that will still be standing in year ten — not just the price tag. The lowest bid is almost always the most expensive build over time.
How long does it take to build a pool in Arizona?
The full contract-to-first-swim timeline for a standard Phoenix-area pool, broken down phase by phase, with the real delay risks at each step.
Educational estimate, not a quote. Ranges shown are Arizona-market planning estimates. Final pricing depends on site access, size, materials, engineering, drainage, utilities, permits, equipment access, existing conditions, and final scope. Binding pricing is only valid in a written proposal signed by an AE representative.
The 8 phases (typical timing)
- 1. Design + material selection — 2–3 weeks
- 2. Engineering + city submittal — 1–3 weeks
- 3. Permit issued + pre-construction meeting — 1–2 weeks (varies by jurisdiction)
- 4. Excavation + steel — 1 week
- 5. Shotcrete + plumbing rough — 1 week
- 6. Tile, coping, deck — 3–5 weeks
- 7. Equipment set + start-up — 1 week
- 8. Barrier inspection + plaster + fill — 2 weeks
What usually adds time
- HOA review — some HOAs take 30–60 days on their own timeline
- Rock or caliche during dig — 1–3 extra days plus change order
- Weather (monsoon, hard freeze) — plaster and deck work pauses
- Custom coping / tile / equipment on backorder — 2–8 week impact
- Change orders mid-build — every added scope resets 1–2 weeks
What we do to protect the schedule
- Selections locked before permit submittal — no ordering surprises
- Trades scheduled in a fixed sequence, not first-available
- Permit and barrier inspection dates coordinated by our project lead
- Weekly progress update by phone, text, or email — you pick
Common questions.
Plan before you sign anything.
See your real timeline
Every pool proposal from AE includes a phase-by-phase Gantt with named dates before you sign — not vague 'we'll try for spring.'
Start My Project PlanWhy this is an investment, not a cost.
An AE backyard is engineered to add daily livability and long-term home value. We publish honest ranges and build to code with a licensed and bonded Arizona crew. AE provides project-specific workmanship and manufacturer-warranty information in the signed agreement. Website summaries are for planning only.
- Licensed, bonded & insured in Arizona. ROC 340966 (R-62) · ROC 341002 (R-3) · ROC 347738 (KA-5) · ROC 211530 (CR-21). Most Arizona contracting work valued at $1,000 or more — or requiring a permit — must be performed by a properly licensed contractor, subject to statutory exemptions. Verify the legal entity, license status, and classification with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
- Real ranges, itemized scope. You see materials, finishes, equipment models, and a line-item budget before you sign — not a one-line "pool — $90,000."