Phase 4 — Electrical • Homeowner Checklist • DIY Pools & Spas

Why this phase matters

Electrical is small but critical — the power feed, the panels, and especially the bonding system that keeps your pool safe. Confirm who's responsible for what, double-check every conduit and connection, and don't backfill until everything passes inspection.

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

Confirm with your contractor who's providing all materials — breakers, conduit, wire, panels. If you're providing any, have them on-site the day before.

Coordinate conduit and gas line trench placement with the plumber to avoid conflicts.

Re-confirm with your local jurisdiction what bonding they require: equipotential grid (#8 copper wire halo), steel grid, or copper bonding grid.

Confirm whether the plumber or electrician is handling the bonding and the equipotential grid (one of them must own it).

Verify & Test

Day Of

Confirm clearance requirements for any electrical components (pumps, panels) per manufacturer and code.

Make sure every metallic component is bonded — slides, handrails, diving board jigs, J-boxes, scupper bodies, equipment. Anything metal.

Test every circuit before backfilling — pumps, lights, valves, automation. Don't bury problems.

Confirm conduits are labeled so they can be identified later if anything needs to be traced.

Optional

Pro Tips

While the electrician is on-site, ask them to add extra weatherproof outlets anywhere else in the yard you might want them — much cheaper now than later.

If you have steps anywhere in the deck, ask your mason about low-voltage step lights on a time clock — safer at night, easy to install now.

Confirm a 50-amp breaker panel is in for the heat pump — heat pumps need their own dedicated panel.

Make sure electrical passes inspection before gunite.

Optional

Notes

Electrical is in. Inspection ready.

Power is run, bonding is tied, every conduit is labeled. Schedule your pre-gunite inspection.