Question 1

Do I need a permit for a small pool in Florida?

Accepted Answer

Usually not for ours. Florida's residential code treats a pool with a wall height of 24 inches or less as an above-ground recreational vessel, and most Florida jurisdictions don't require the pool permit an in-ground shell needs. Permitting is administered locally, so it's jurisdiction-dependent — confirm with your building department. Every Cocktail Pool is built to exactly 24 inches and ships with a code-citation letter and documentation pack you can hand to your county. We are not a permit service and do not pull permits for you.

Question 2

What if my HOA still wants approval?

Accepted Answer

Most do, and we make it painless. Every order includes a pre-filled HOA / ARC submission packet with the site plan, materials list, equipment specs, and a cover letter explaining the 24-inch exemption. Boards typically approve in one cycle.

Question 3

Does the 24-inch rule apply outside Florida?

Accepted Answer

Permit-exemption rules vary state-by-state. For DIY-kit orders shipped nationwide, we provide the same documentation pack so you (or your local installer) can confirm compliance with your jurisdiction. We don't make guarantees outside Florida.

Question 4

Will I need a fence around the pool?

Accepted Answer

Florida's residential pool barrier requirements (FBC R4501.17) apply to pools deeper than 24 inches. Because ours stop at the line, the state fence mandate doesn't trigger. Local ordinances and HOAs can still impose their own rules — we'll flag any we know about for your address.

Question 5

How long does the build actually take?

Accepted Answer

48 hours of on-site work for a turnkey install inside Florida. Day one: site prep, block walls, core fill, equipment trench. Day two: liner, coping, fill, equipment commissioning. Lead time from order to crew arrival is typically 2–4 weeks depending on metro.

Question 6

What does the site need to look like beforehand?

Accepted Answer

A roughly level patch of ground with vehicle access for a small skid-steer and pallet delivery. We confirm the exact pad spec after you upload a parcel survey at checkout — and we'll send a punch list of anything that needs to happen before our crew arrives.

Question 7

Can I install the DIY kit myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the DIY kit is engineered for a handy homeowner with a helper, or any general contractor. It ships palletized with cut-to-length rebar, the precision core box, liner, coping, equipment, and a step-by-step build manual. Average DIY build time is one long weekend.

Question 8

What's included with the architect-reviewed tiers?

Accepted Answer

Our on-staff Florida-licensed architect — the same one who authored the design standard every pool is built to — reviews your specific site plan and configuration, then issues a sealed PDF with their stamp and an HOA cover letter, with one round of revisions. Required by some HOAs and recommended for waterfront, sloped, or unusually visible lots. If you have no HOA and a flat, unremarkable lot, you probably don't need it. SLA is same-day to 3–5 business days depending on tier.

Question 9

Is the pool structurally engineered if no permit is required?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Permit-exempt is a code classification, not a shortcut on structure. A Florida-licensed architect on our staff authored the design standard behind every pool: wall assembly, reinforcement and core-fill schedule, coping detail, liner spec and equipment sizing, engineered for Florida soil, wind and water load. The configurator draws your shape against that standard rather than scaling something off a catalog. The optional sealed review puts that on paper with a state seal.

Question 10

Are you a licensed pool contractor?

Accepted Answer

No — and that's the point of the model. We sell an above-ground recreational vessel that stays at or under 24 inches above grade and assemble it with our own employees on a prepared pad. Nothing is excavated and nothing is permanently connected to your house, so the job stays outside licensed pool construction. If your project genuinely needs a licensed pool contractor, we'll tell you before you pay. Full detail on the How We Work page.

Question 11

Who does the electrical?

Accepted Answer

You do, through your own licensed electrician. Our equipment is specified to plug into an existing exterior GFCI-protected receptacle. We perform no electrical work on any job — no new circuits, no hardwiring, no bonding changes — and any permit that work requires is pulled by your electrician.

Question 12

What does it cost?

Accepted Answer

A typical 8×12 turnkey build in Florida lands between $14k and $19k all-in. The DIY kit for the same shape ships nationwide for roughly half that. Use the configurator for a real-time, itemized number based on your exact shape, equipment tier, and add-ons.

Question 13

How much maintenance does it take?

Accepted Answer

About 10 minutes a week — skim, check the cartridge filter, dose chlorine. The variable-speed pump runs a few hours a day on a timer. The 60-mil industrial liner is rated for 15+ years; coping pavers are essentially permanent.

Question 14

What's the warranty?

Accepted Answer

Two years on our own assembly labor (turnkey installs), one year on equipment, lifetime structural on the block-and-fill assembly. Liner carries the manufacturer's 15-year prorated warranty. It covers the kit and the work our crew performs — not electrical, plumbing or other trade work you arrange separately. Full terms ship with every order.

Question 15

Can I move it later?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's a feature of the above-ground classification. The block walls are not poured-in-place, so the pool can be drained, disassembled, and rebuilt at a new site. Most owners don't bother, but it's possible.

The questions we get every week.

Permits & HOA

Install & timeline

Cost, maintenance, warranty