Licensed Pool Contractor  ·  CSLB #974163
Quick answer

What a pool costs in Los Angeles

A new in-ground gunite pool in Los Angeles typically costs $55,000 to $130,000, a pool with a raised spa $95,000 to $160,000, and an engineered hillside or infinity-edge pool $150,000 to $300,000+. Resurfacing an existing pool runs about $7,000 to $18,000, and a full remodel $15,000 to $50,000+. The biggest swing factors are site access, soils and slope, size, finishes and permits.

ProjectTypical LA range (2026)Typical timeline
New gunite pool$55,000 – $130,0003–5 months incl. design & permits
Pool + raised spa$95,000 – $160,0003–5 months
Hillside / infinity-edge pool$150,000 – $300,000+4–7 months (engineering)
Resurfacing (plaster / quartz / pebble)$7,000 – $18,000+5–7 working days
Full remodel$15,000 – $50,000+6–12 weeks
Repairs$200 – $5,000+Same day to 2 weeks

Planning ranges for Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley in 2026, based on typical project scopes. They are not a quote: your price depends on site access, soils, size, finishes and permits, and we confirm it in a free, itemized estimate after a site visit.

New pools

New pool construction costs

Every new pool we build is a steel-reinforced gunite shell designed for your yard. These ranges cover the pool itself: design, permits, excavation, steel, plumbing, gunite, equipment, tile, coping and interior finish.

Pool typeTypical rangeBest for
Plunge pool / spool (about 8×12 to 10×16 ft)$55,000 – $85,000Small lots, courtyards, cold-plunge & lounging
Mid-size family pool (about 15×30 ft)$70,000 – $130,000Most flat Valley backyards
Pool with attached raised spa$95,000 – $160,000Year-round use, entertaining
Hillside, infinity-edge or engineered pool$150,000 – $300,000+Slopes, caissons, retaining, view lots

Planning ranges for Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley in 2026, based on typical project scopes. They are not a quote: your price depends on site access, soils, size, finishes and permits, and we confirm it in a free, itemized estimate after a site visit.

What drives the price of a new pool

  • Access and haul-off: narrow side yards, tight hillside streets or crane access add labor and equipment time.
  • Soils, slope and engineering: expansive clay, fill or a slope can require deeper steel, caissons or retaining walls. See hillside pools.
  • Size and depth: more surface area means more gunite, more finish and more tile.
  • Features: spas, tanning ledges, water features, vanishing edges and LED lighting each add cost.
  • Finish and tile: pebble finishes and glass tile cost more than plaster and ceramic, but last longer.
  • Equipment: variable-speed pumps, heaters and automation cost more up front and less to run.
  • Safety and permits: state-required drowning-prevention features, fencing and plan check.
Remodeling & resurfacing

Pool remodel and resurfacing costs

Most Valley pools were built 20–40 years ago. A remodel can be as simple as a new interior finish or as complete as new tile, coping, equipment, lighting and deck.

Remodel scopeTypical rangeTimeline
Replaster / resurface only$7,000 – $18,0005–7 working days + start-up
Waterline tile + coping replacementQuoted by linear foot and material1–2 weeks
Equipment upgrade (variable-speed pump, filter, heater, automation)$1,500 – $8,000 per major component, installed (e.g., pumps, filters, heaters, automation)1–3 days
Full remodel (finish, tile, coping, equipment, lighting, deck)$15,000 – $50,000+6–12 weeks

Planning ranges for Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley in 2026, based on typical project scopes. They are not a quote: your price depends on site access, soils, size, finishes and permits, and we confirm it in a free, itemized estimate after a site visit.

Resurfacing: plaster vs. quartz vs. pebble

FinishTypical cost (standard pool)Typical lifespan*Look & feel
Standard white / colored plaster$7,000 – $10,0008–12 yearsSmooth; most affordable; shows etching and staining sooner
Quartz aggregate$9,000 – $14,00010–15 yearsSmooth with more stain and chemical resistance; wide color range
Pebble aggregate (e.g. Pebble Tec-type finishes)$11,000 – $18,000+15–20+ yearsTextured, natural look; the most durable of the three

*With balanced water chemistry and normal use. Lifespan varies with sun, chemistry and maintenance.

Learn more on our pool resurfacing & replastering page or in our guide to choosing a pool finish.

Repairs & equipment

Pool repair and equipment costs

Repairs are priced after we diagnose the cause. Fixing a symptom without finding the source is how small problems become big ones. Here is what common repairs usually cost in Los Angeles:

RepairTypical range
Minor plumbing / valve repair$200 – $500
Drain or fitting repair$300 – $800 (major work $2,500+)
Underground line repair (may need deck cut-out)$1,500 – $5,000
Pump or filter replacement$1,500 – $3,500
Leak detection & pressure testingQuoted after inspection (depends on pool size, lines and access)
Crack repairSurface cracks are patched; structural cracks are engineered and quoted after inspection

Planning ranges for Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley in 2026, based on typical project scopes. They are not a quote: your price depends on site access, soils, size, finishes and permits, and we confirm it in a free, itemized estimate after a site visit.

See pool repair, leak detection and pool equipment for details.

Permits

Permits and safety requirements that affect cost

Who issues your permit depends on where you live, and getting it right is part of the job. We pull permits for every build and for remodels whose scope requires one.

  • City of Los Angeles (Sherman Oaks, Encino, Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, Studio City, Tarzana and most Valley neighborhoods): permits come from LADBS. A new pool needs a building permit plus electrical and plumbing permits, and plans go through plan check. Hillside lots can also need grading review and structural engineering. LADBS has a dedicated information bulletin on the design and construction of swimming pools.
  • City of Calabasas: pools need approval from both Planning (zoning clearance) and Building & Safety. Typical submittals include a site plan, pool plans, a drainage plan, a soils report and a storm-water (SWPPP) plan.
  • Oak Park and other unincorporated Ventura County areas: pool and spa permits are handled by Ventura County Building & Safety (East County office). Water-district sign-off can also be part of the process.
  • Every jurisdiction — California Swimming Pool Safety Act: when a permit is issued to build or remodel a residential pool or spa, the finished pool must have at least two of seven state-listed drowning-prevention features (for example an isolation fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate, an approved safety cover, or door and pool alarms). Drains must also meet federal anti-entrapment (VGB Act) requirements.

Replastering on its own is handled differently from a remodel that moves lights, replaces skimmers or changes the shape. We confirm the exact permit path with the building department for your scope before we start.

Smart budgeting

How to compare pool quotes

  1. Ask for an itemized quote: excavation, steel, gunite, plumbing, electrical, equipment (brand and model), tile, coping, finish, deck, permits and start-up, each listed.
  2. Confirm who pulls permits and whether engineering and plan check are included.
  3. Check the licence: pool builders in California need a CSLB C-53 Swimming Pool licence. GWP Builders is licensed under CSLB #974163.
  4. Look at the payment schedule: payments should follow completed milestones, not get ahead of the work.
  5. Compare finishes and equipment like for like: a cheaper bid often means plaster instead of pebble or a single-speed pump instead of a variable-speed one.
  6. Ask about allowances: rock excavation, hauling and unforeseen soil conditions should be explained before you sign.

Prefer monthly payments? Qualified homeowners can finance up to $200,000 with terms up to 30 years through Lyon Financial.

Good to know

Pool cost questions

How much does it cost to build a pool in Los Angeles?
Most new in-ground gunite pools in Los Angeles fall between about $55,000 and $130,000 for the pool itself. Adding a raised spa usually moves a project into the $95,000–$160,000 range, and hillside or infinity-edge pools that need engineering commonly run $150,000 to $300,000 or more. Decking, landscaping and outdoor kitchens are priced separately.
Can I get an inground pool for $30,000 in LA?
Not a permitted, built-in-place gunite pool. Excavation, steel, gunite, plumbing, equipment, finish and permits alone exceed that in Los Angeles. If budget is the priority, a compact plunge pool with a simple finish is the most affordable way to get a real in-ground pool.
How much does it cost to resurface a pool in Los Angeles?
Most standard-size pools cost about $7,000–$10,000 to replaster with plaster, $9,000–$14,000 with quartz and $11,000–$18,000 or more with pebble. Size, depth, tile work and how much prep the old surface needs move the number.
How much does a full pool remodel cost?
A full remodel that combines a new finish, waterline tile, coping, equipment and lighting typically runs $15,000 to $50,000 or more. Changing the shape, adding a spa or rebuilding the deck pushes it higher.
Do permits add much to the cost?
Permit fees are a small share of the total, but plan check, engineering and, on hillside lots, grading review add time and design cost. We include permits in every new-pool quote and tell you up front if your remodel needs one.
How long does a new pool take to build?
Plan on roughly three to five months from first meeting to first swim: a few weeks for design, engineering and plan check, then about six to ten weeks of construction depending on weather, inspections and finishes.
Is financing available?
Yes. Through our partner Lyon Financial, qualified homeowners can finance up to $200,000 with fixed-rate terms up to 30 years (625+ FICO). See our pool financing page.
Why do quotes for the same pool vary so much?
Bids differ in what they include: engineering, permits, equipment brands, tile and coping, deck, electrical runs and start-up. Ask every builder for an itemized quote with the same scope so you are comparing like with like.
Local coverage

Pool construction & remodeling near you

We provide pool construction & remodeling across the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles. Find local permit notes, neighborhoods and projects for your city:

Get an exact number for your yard

Free, itemized quotes from a C-53 licensed pool builder. No pressure and no surprises.

Call Now Button