Weeks 1 to 4 - design, contract and approval lodgement
The design is finalised, the contract is signed (with a deposit capped at 10%, a written scope and a 5 day cooling-off period), and the council approvals are lodged. Development Plan Consent goes in first.
The single best thing you can do for your timeline is start here early. Most lost summers come from lodging approvals too late.
Weeks 3 to 10 - council approval running in the background
Development Plan Consent typically takes 2 to 6 weeks and Building Rules Consent 2 to 4 weeks. They run while you finalise selections. Heritage, bushfire or coastal overlays can extend this to 12 to 16 weeks - factor that in if it applies to your block.
Weeks 8 to 12 - excavation and shell
With approvals through, the build starts. Excavation and soil removal come first - this is where site costs land. A fibreglass shell is then craned in; a concrete pool's steel, formwork and shell are built in place over several weeks.
Weeks 11 to 18 - plumbing, equipment and finishes
Plumbing and filtration are installed, electrical work is done by a licensed SA worker, and the interior finish is applied (built into a fibreglass shell; rendered, pebbled or tiled on concrete). Coping and the paving band follow.
Weeks 16 to 22 - fencing, inspection and handover
AS 1926.1 compliant fencing goes up - council will not sign the pool off until it passes. The completion safety inspection issues the Certificate of Compliance. The pool is filled, commissioned and handed over. A fibreglass build lands toward the shorter end of this range; a custom concrete build toward the longer.