Adding a jacuzzi to an existing pool in Los Angeles means building a spa that shares the pool’s water and equipment, either raised with a spillover or level with the deck. It usually needs a heater, extra plumbing and sometimes a larger pump, so the equipment pad is checked before anything is quoted.
Work is done by Ran Neuman, who owns Spear Pools, Inc. and brings 18 years of hands-on pool repair and construction experience. Licensed and insured under CSLB #1143895. Free written estimate, and most repairs are scheduled the same week.
“Called Spear, talked to a gentleman named Damion. Set up an appointment, he was on time, tooled around for 25 minutes, fixed the heater for $160.”
★★★★★ Jay D., Santa Monica, verified Yelp review
Can You Add a Jacuzzi to an Existing Pool?
Yes, on most concrete and gunite pools. There are two ways to do it:
- Inside the pool. The spa is built within the existing shell, usually in a corner or at one end. It uses part of the pool’s area but needs no new excavation.
- Attached outside. A new spa shell is dug and built beside the pool, then spills over into it. It keeps the full pool but adds excavation and deck work.
Which one fits depends on the size of the pool, the room around it and how the yard is laid out.
Raised Spillover or Level Spa?
A raised spa sits above the pool’s water line and spills over its edge into the pool. The sound and movement are part of the appeal, and the raised wall is a natural place for glass tile or stone.
A level spa sits flush with the deck. It reads cleaner and more modern and keeps sight lines open across the yard.
| Spa option | What’s involved | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Attached spa on shared equipment | New shell, plumbing and a spillover into the pool | About $17,000 on average |
| Raised spa with spillover or glass tile | More structure, tile and stone work | Quoted per project |
| Spa with its own heater and jets upgrade | Added equipment and electrical | Quoted per project |
Source: HomeAdvisor, 2026 cost data. Your price depends on the pool, access and what we find on site.
“Called in and Mike booked me an appointment asap. Week later Richard was down here at exactly the time he said he would be. Fixed my heater in 30 minutes and left.”
★★★★★ Rebecca C., Los Angeles, verified Yelp review
Seating and Size
The size of the spa decides how it gets used. A small spa heats fastest and suits two or three people. A larger one fits a family or guests but takes longer to heat and more space from the pool or yard.
Inside, we plan the bench height, a footwell deep enough to sit comfortably, and where the jets land on your back. A step or seat at the spillover edge makes getting in and out easier.
What Changes at the Equipment Pad
A spa shares the pool’s water, so the equipment has to switch between them:
- A heater, since a spa only works hot. Many pools without one need it added.
- Valves that move water between pool mode and spa mode.
- Jets, which may need a second pump if the main pump cannot drive them.
- Controls, so the spa can be heated and started from a panel or phone.
Heaters and pumps are covered under new equipment installation. We check the pad before quoting, so there are no surprises once the spa is built. Spa lighting, blowers and valve controls are wired under our pool electrical services.
How We Add a Spa
- Design the size, shape, seating and spillover.
- Drain and prepare the pool so new concrete bonds to the old shell.
- Frame and plumb: steel is tied in and the spa lines are run to the pad.
- Shoot the shell in gunite.
- Tile, coping and finish, usually resurfacing the pool at the same time so both match.
- Start up the equipment and set the spa controls.
Spillovers pair well with other water features, and both are easiest to plan together.
Add a Spa During a Remodel
The cheapest time to add a spa is when the pool is already being drained. If the finish is worn, one project covers the spa and a new pool surface, and the two match from day one. Tile and coping can be updated in the same visit.
What Adding a Jacuzzi Costs
Adding a spa to an existing pool costs about $17,000 on average, including labor, according to HomeAdvisor. A raised spa with glass tile or stone costs more than a simple level spa, and a pad that needs a new heater or second pump adds to the total.
We compared hiring a pro versus doing it yourself on cost.
“Excellent service. Damian is a fantastic, smart and kind technician.”
★★★★★ Diana Wallace, Los Angeles, verified Google review
Running Costs and Safety
A spa holds far less water than a pool, so it heats in a fraction of the time. Heating the spa for an evening costs much less than keeping the whole pool warm, and a cover keeps that heat in. With automation, you can start heating the spa from your phone before you get home.
Keep the water at or below 104°F, the maximum the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends. Children, pregnant women and anyone with heart or blood pressure concerns should use lower temperatures or check with a doctor first.
Why Spas Get Used So Much Here
Los Angeles evenings cool off quickly even in summer, which is why a heated spa gets used far more months of the year than the pool beside it.
Cool evenings drive the demand, which is why spa additions in Toluca Lake are a steady part of our work. We fit them on shared equipment for Encino spa additions too.
At Spear, we add spas to existing pools across Los Angeles, working out of the west San Fernando Valley and covering the Valley, the foothills and the Conejo Valley.
Get a Free Spa Addition Estimate
Tell us about the pool and where you picture the spa. We check the equipment pad first so the quote covers everything the spa needs.
Free visit. Written price. No obligation.
Ready for a spa you will use year round? Call (818) 719-9059 and speak to Ran.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to add a spa to an existing pool?
Adding a spa to an existing pool costs about $17,000 on average, including labor, according to HomeAdvisor. The price rises for raised spas with stone veneer, spillovers or custom tile, and when the equipment pad needs a new heater or a larger pump. Building a spa during a remodel, while the pool is already drained and the deck is open, costs less than adding one on its own later.
How difficult is it to add a spa to an existing pool?
Adding a spa to an existing pool is a major project, but it is very doable for an experienced pool contractor. The work includes excavating beside the pool, building the spa shell, running plumbing and jets, and tying everything into the pool’s equipment. A heater is usually needed, and the pump may need an upgrade. It is easiest during a larger remodel, when the deck is already open and the pool is drained.
Is adding a spa to a pool worth it?
Yes, adding a spa to a pool is worth it for most Los Angeles homeowners, because a heated spa gets used far more months of the year than the pool alone. Evenings here cool off quickly, and a spa makes the backyard usable year round. It can also add appeal when you sell. The main trade-offs are the upfront cost, about $17,000 on average according to HomeAdvisor, and the added heating cost.
Can I convert my existing pool into a hot tub?
No, you usually cannot convert an entire existing pool into a hot tub, because a pool holds far too much water to heat efficiently to spa temperatures. What you can do is build a separate spa into or beside the pool so the two share water and equipment. Some owners of very small pools add jets and a heater to create a warm plunge pool, but it still heats much more slowly than a true spa.
Still have a question about your pool? Ran will look at it and give you a written price, free.