Location

• Select the ideal location for your pool based on criteria such as, maximum daily sun exposure, no overhanging trees or power lines and within direct line of sight from your home. Avoid locations near dusty roads, or nearby fields that produce crops that need spraying. Airborne debris such as pollen or seeds will increase your cleaning effort, chemical usage and filter time. Avoid hillside rainwater-runoff locations, which could erode your sand base that you will have under the pool.
  
  

The Ground

• Plan to remove the top layer of grass and soil in an effort to achieve a perfectly level location. Using fill dirt to raise the height of any portion of the area is a mistake, due to compaction once the weight of the water comes into play. Solid ground is an absolute necessity. Insure that it is root, rock and critter free prior to the installation. Use a transit to achieve level ground, because the integrity of the pool structure depends on it in order to distribute the exerted water pressure evenly.
  
  

Down Under

• Consider your foundational material and plan ahead. Pour a concrete pad if that is your choice, but make it large enough to extend past the perimeter of the pool all around for landscaping, decking or patio plans. Concrete is not necessary, most people use patio blocks every 4 ft., buried to ground level. These blocks are located around the perimeter of the pool to each accommodate a pool upright support beam. Use a large, black plastic covering to act as a weed barrier, followed by masonry sand. The sand should provide an even bed of around 4-inches. Wet and tamp the sand until firm. Place sheets of pool floor foam inside the pool area to absorb footprints and cushion bather's steps.
  
  

The Liner

• Limit sun exposure to your new liner. Unfold and let the sun warm the vinyl for a few minutes and then proceed with the installation. Initial sun makes it pliable, prolonged exposure begins to shrink the vinyl. Sprinkle the liner with a garden hose throughout the installation, especially on a sunny day. Plan to fill the pool the same day as the liner installation to avoid shrinking problems. Avoid cutting holes in the new liner for the skimmer and return fitting until water fills most of the pool. In case your liner was not flush against the pool floor and wall when you measured, it could leave you with a miscalculation and two misplaced, game breaking holes that are not repairable.
  
  

Water

• Test your source water ahead of time if possible, for alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness, iron and other metals. Plan accordingly by having the necessary amounts of chemical additions on hand to eliminate or correct any situations and raise all necessary levels to within their ideal range before sanitizing.