New pool construction in Los Angeles runs $44,300 to $86,500 for an in-ground pool per HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data, with concrete and gunite at $65,000 to $120,000. Expect roughly two to three months from permit to first swim, with City of Los Angeles plan review happening before any digging starts.
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.
“They booked our appointment showed up on time and sent us an amazing technician. He reviewed our entire pool install and was very thorough and knowledgeable.”
★★★★★ Tommy Creed, San Fernando Valley, verified Google review
How a New Pool Gets Built
A concrete pool is built in stages, and each one has to pass before the next starts:
- Design. Size, shape, depth, spa and features are set, often with a 3D rendering so you see the pool before anything is dug.
- Engineering and permits. Plans are drawn and submitted. Hillside lots also need soils and structural engineering.
- Layout and excavation. The pool is marked out and dug to the planned depth.
- Steel and plumbing. Rebar is tied into a cage and the suction and return lines are run to the equipment pad.
- Gunite. Concrete is sprayed over the steel to form the shell, then kept damp while it cures.
- Tile, coping and deck. The waterline tile, the edge and the surrounding deck go in.
- Equipment and electrical. The pump, filter, heater, lights and controls are installed and wired.
- Finish and start-up. The interior finish is applied, the pool is filled and the water is balanced.
Inspections happen along the way, so a well-run schedule plans around them rather than waiting on them.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Pool?
Construction of a concrete pool takes about 8 to 12 weeks, according to Angi, once design and permits are done. Plan review comes first, and in the City of Los Angeles plans are reviewed before any digging starts.
Hillside engineering, a crowded inspection schedule or a wet winter can stretch that timeline. Simple layouts on flat, accessible lots finish fastest.
“His crew like family, polite, cordial and clean educates my simple mind every step of the process.”
★★★★★ Howard Teba, San Fernando Valley, verified Google review
What a New Pool Costs
| Pool type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| In-ground pool, all types | $44,300 to $86,500 |
| Concrete or gunite pool | $65,000 to $120,000 |
Source: HomeAdvisor, 2026 cost data. Your price depends on the pool, access and what we find on site.
A new in-ground pool runs $44,300 to $86,500, according to HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data, with concrete and gunite pools at $65,000 to $120,000. The biggest drivers are size, access for the excavator and concrete truck, hillside engineering, the finish and the features you add.
Designing a Pool for Your Yard
The best design starts with how you will use the pool. Lap swimmers want length. Families with young children want a large shallow area, and families often ask for a Baja shelf in the design. Planning a spa into the original design is simpler than attaching a spa later, because the shell, plumbing and equipment are sized for it from the start.
Sun, shade and views decide where the pool sits. Space for the equipment pad matters too, ideally away from bedroom windows. Waterfalls and fire bowls are covered under custom pool features, and they cost far less to plan in now than to add later. For layout ideas, browse recent Spear projects by city.
Choosing the Interior Finish
The finish is the surface you see and swim against, and it sets how long before the pool needs resurfacing. Standard plaster lasts about 5 to 10 years, quartz 15 to 20, and pebble more than 20. On a new build, choosing the longer-lasting finish costs far less now than resurfacing later.
Building on a Hillside Lot
A pool on a slope needs support the soil alone cannot give. Engineers set the design, and deep piers are often drilled into the hillside to carry the shell. That work adds cost and time, but it is what keeps a hillside pool from shifting.
Access is the other challenge. Narrow canyon streets and steep side yards can limit the equipment that reaches the backyard.
Permits and Pool Safety Rules
A new pool needs a building permit, and the plans are reviewed before construction begins. California’s Swimming Pool Safety Act also requires new pools to include at least two drowning-prevention safety features, such as a qualifying fence, a safety cover or an alarm, and the rule applies whenever a building permit is issued, including remodels. We design those in from the start.
Rebuilding After a Fire
When a shell does not survive a fire, the rebuild becomes new construction, often on the same footprint. Rebuilds are behind many Altadena pool builds right now.
The same applies on the coast, where we handle pool rehab in Pacific Palisades. Farther up the coast, owners rebuilding in Malibu face their own city’s rules.
The First Weeks After Start-Up
A new finish needs care while it cures. The pool is brushed daily for the first couple of weeks and the water chemistry is watched closely. You get a walk-through of the equipment and controls, so you know how to run the pool from the first day.
Choosing a Pool Builder
Ask for a written scope that lists each stage, the finish, the equipment and the permit. Ask who will be on site and who you call with questions. Our checklist of what to ask a pool builder is worth a read before you sign.
“Spears was the only who provided me with a written outline of the services to be performed. I made a good decision by hiring them and you will to.”
★★★★★ Ms. Rita Harris, Los Angeles, verified Google review
Larger lots still leave room to build, so new pools in Granada Hills remain a regular project. At Spear, we build new pools across Los Angeles, working out of the west San Fernando Valley and covering the Valley, the foothills and the Conejo Valley. See every area we serve.
Get a Free New Pool Construction Estimate
Tell us about the lot and the pool you have in mind. We check setbacks and access before quoting, and put every line in writing.
Free visit. Written price. No obligation.
Ready to start planning the pool? Call (818) 719-9059 and speak to Ran.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to put in a new pool in Los Angeles?
Putting in a new pool in Los Angeles costs $44,300 to $86,500 for an in-ground pool, according to HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data, with concrete and gunite pools running $65,000 to $120,000. Los Angeles builds tend toward the higher end because of labor costs, permitting and hillside lots. Decking, a spa, lighting and landscaping are usually priced on top. We give a written quote that lists each part of the build.
What are the stages of pool construction?
The stages of pool construction are design, permits, excavation, steel and plumbing, gunite, tile and coping, decking, equipment, and the interior finish. The pool is dug and framed with steel, then gunite is sprayed to form the shell and left to cure. Tile, coping and the deck go in next, followed by the equipment and electrical work. The interior finish is applied last, and then the pool is filled and started up.
What is the best size pool for a family of 5?
The best size pool for a family of 5 is usually about 15 by 30 or 16 by 32 feet, which leaves room for swimming, games and a shallow area for younger kids. For a family with small children, a shallow end or a Baja shelf matters more than extra length. Your lot’s size and required setbacks set the real limit, so we measure the yard before recommending a size.
Is a 15×30 pool a good size?
Yes, a 15 by 30 foot pool is a good size for most families and fits many Los Angeles backyards. It gives enough length for swimming and enough width for games, while leaving room for a usable deck. At about 450 square feet, it costs less to heat, treat and resurface than a larger pool. It is also big enough to include a shallow shelf or steps without crowding the swimming area.
Still have a question about your pool? Ran will look at it and give you a written price, free.