Do-it-Yourself: Build an Inground Swimming Pool

Digging was tough with the backhoe. I would use a front-end loader or bobcat if I were to do this again. The backhoe made it difficult to maintain a uniform base. It left a lot of loose soil in the bottom and I ended up driving down into the hole to compress it. The second time I did that I got stuck. It took me about 20 minutes, using the backhoe arm, to finally get out. I could have dug a ramp, but I was trying to avoid further digging - and darkness was setting in.

That's me in the hoe and a future DIY swimming pool owner, Evan, helping me determine correct depth...