Phase 2 — Steel • Homeowner Checklist • DIY Pools & Spas

Why this phase matters

The steel cage is the skeleton of your pool. Everything that comes later — plumbing, gunite, plaster — depends on it being placed exactly to plan. Walk the cage carefully, ask questions, and don't sign off until every feature is built in.

Customize first. Some items only apply to certain projects (spa, fountains, art rock, etc.). Toggle the Project Options below before printing or sharing.

Homeowner

Dig Date

Plan Ahead

Before This Phase

Coordinate the order of work with your subcontractors — typically steel goes before plumbing, but confirm with both crews so no one is waiting on the other.

Schedule your art rock crew to set their cages before gunite or inspection.

Pull up your engineering plans and review the rebar grid spacing (12" on center is typical, but yours may differ) and any soil-specific reinforcement noted there.

Make sure sonotubes are on site for bar stools or in-pool tables (confirm whether you or the steel sub is supplying them).

Walk the Cage

Day Of

Walk the cage with your sub before they leave: confirm the skimmer is surrounded in steel.

Confirm the spa-to-pool spillway is notched at the right width.

Confirm the spa dam wall is 12" wide with double-curtain steel (steel on both sides) so plumbing can run between with full coverage.

Confirm fountain/scupper notches are in the right spots.

Confirm bar stool/table bases are built into the cage.

Confirm bonding requirements with your local jurisdiction — number of whips, perimeter wire, bond beam wire — so the inspector signs off the first time.

After the crew leaves, do a quick walk-through and bend down any steel ties pointing up. This prevents rust marks bleeding through your plaster years later.

Optional

Pro Tips

Take photos of the finished cage from multiple angles — useful reference if anything needs to be matched later.

Confirm with your plumber and electrician who is responsible for bonding and the equipotential grid. One of them must own it.

Keep your engineering plans in a waterproof bin on-site so any sub can reference rebar specs as they work.

Optional

Notes

Steel inspection ready.

Cage is complete, features are built in, bonding is in place. You're set up for plumbing.