what surprised you most during installation of DIY pool kit?

I put in a DIY pool kit last year, and let me tell you, it was more work than I expected, but still totally worth it. A few things really caught me off guard during the process:
  • Ground prep was no joke. I thought I could level it out in a day or two, but it ended up taking almost a week. The slightest uneven spot caused trouble later.
  • The liner install was frustrating. Getting it to sit smooth without wrinkles in the heat was a real challenge. We had to pull it up and reset it more than once.
  • Help matters. I planned to do most of it solo, but having a friend (or two) to assist made a huge difference.

In the end, the pool turned out great. It took longer than planned, but we saved money and now it’s a big hit all summer. Just be ready to sweat a little!
 
Sean Whitaker said:
Anyone who’s installed a DIY pool kit, what surprised you most during the build, and did it turn out worth it?
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I’ve installed a DIY pool kit before, and what surprised me the most was how much time it actually took. The prep work, like leveling the ground and getting everything in place, took longer than expected. Also, some of the plumbing and electrical connections weren’t as straightforward as the instructions made them seem. But once everything was in, it was totally worth it. The satisfaction of having built it yourself, plus the savings, made it all worth it. If you’re up for the challenge, it’s definitely doable, but be prepared for some trial and error along the way!
 
Built my above-ground pool from a kit last spring, and let me tell you, I thought the hardest part would be setting it up, but nope. The real challenge was getting the ground perfectly level. It looked flat until I actually measured. Took me and my brother most of a weekend just digging, checking, and packing the soil. Looking back, that step made or broke the whole project.

Another thing I didn’t expect? The liner is more delicate than it seems. I rushed it a bit and ended up with a couple of creases. Nothing major, but if I did it again, I’d take more time smoothing it out and make sure it’s warm out so the material isn’t stiff.

Still, once the water went in and the pump started up, it felt pretty rewarding. It’s not perfect, but the pool’s been getting constant use and hasn’t given us any real trouble.

Would I do it again? Yeah, but I’d definitely plan for more time and maybe borrow a compactor to prep the ground better. Definitely not as easy as the box makes it look, but totally doable with some patience.
 
I went the DIY route a couple of summers ago, and let’s just say it was a learning experience. The biggest surprise for me was how much prep the ground actually needed. I figured a quick leveling job would do it, but it turned into a full weekend of digging, leveling, and rechecking everything. If the base isn’t right, nothing else fits properly, so that part took way more time than I expected.

Thing that caught me off guard was how helpful a second (or third) set of hands is. The instructions made it seem like a solo job was doable, but lining up the walls and getting the liner in without wrinkles was a two-person job at minimum. That said, once it was all together and filled, it felt great knowing we’d done it ourselves.

Looking back, yeah, it was worth it. Saved some money, and it’s satisfying having built it from the ground up. Just be ready to take your time and don’t rush through the setup. A little extra care early on makes a big difference in how it holds up later.
 
Sean Whitaker said:
Anyone who’s installed a DIY pool kit, what surprised you most during the build, and did it turn out worth it?
Click to expand...
I did a DIY pool kit a few years ago, and honestly, what surprised me most was how much time the prep work took. Leveling the ground and getting everything aligned properly took way longer than I expected. I also didn’t realize how many little details would pop up during the process, like making sure everything was plumb and square sounds simple, but it made a big difference.

Overall, it turned out to be worth it. I saved a good amount on labor and felt pretty proud of it. But it definitely wasn’t a breeze, and there were a few moments where I thought, “What did I get myself into?” haha. If you’re thinking about it, I’d just say, take your time, and don't hesitate to ask for help when you get stuck
 
Sean Whitaker said:
Anyone who’s installed a DIY pool kit, what surprised you most during the build, and did it turn out worth it?
Click to expand...
Many people are surprised by how much time and effort goes into getting the ground level—it’s crucial for the pool’s stability but can be a lot of work. Another surprise is the installation of plumbing and filtration, which can get tricky if you're not familiar with it. Despite the challenges, most people say it’s definitely worth it once the pool is set up. The satisfaction of completing it yourself, along with the long-term savings, makes it a rewarding project for many!

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