Toluca Lake is small, old and tightly built, with 1930s and 1940s homes on lots that were landscaped long before anyone thought about getting a crew into the backyard. A pool builder working here plans access first and the pool second. This page covers building, remodeling and repair in the neighborhood, and what each costs.
Who Is the Pool Builder for Toluca Lake?
Spear Pool Equipment & Repair builds, remodels and repairs pools throughout Toluca Lake, including the older lots where access is tight. The company is licensed under CSLB #1143895, pulls permits through LADBS or the City of Burbank depending on the address, and gives a free written estimate.
Repair, Resurface or Build New?
Toluca Lake calls land in one of three places, and the shell decides which one:
| Option | What you are seeing | Cost | How long it holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair | One failed part, a leak, a cracked tile or two | $243 to $1,212 typical | Buys years on a sound shell |
| Resurface | Rough or stained finish, plaster past 10 years | $6,000 to $15,000 | 5 to 10 yrs plaster, 20+ pebble |
| Build new | No pool yet, or a shell past saving | $44,300 to $86,500 in-ground | Decades on the structure |
Pool Work We Handle in Toluca Lake
On lots this age, the pool is rarely the oldest thing in the yard. Mature planting, narrow side yards and original hardscape all shape how a job gets done.
Our pool remodeling crews cover finishes, tile, coping and decks. Equipment work runs alongside, and on these properties the pad is often wedged into a corner.
New Pools and Access Planning
Where a lot has room, we handle concrete pool construction from permits through start-up, and the access plan is part of the estimate rather than a surprise later.
Side yards under six feet change the equipment a crew can bring in, which affects both schedule and price. We look at that on the first visit.
“They repaired parts rather than try to stick me with having to completely replace equipment. The gentleman that came out was highly professional and courteous.”
★★★★★ Joe R., Marina del Rey, verified Yelp review
Resurfacing, Plaster and Tile
Older pools here are on their third or fourth finish. We handle interior resurfacing in plaster, quartz or pebble and price each against how long you plan to stay.
| Finish | Lifespan | Upfront cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaster | 5 to 10 years | Lowest | A straight refresh on a budget |
| Quartz | 15 to 20 years | Middle | Longer life without pebble pricing |
| Pebble | 20+ years | Highest | Fewer disruptive jobs on a tight lot |
Lifespans from HomeAdvisor and finish makers Pebble Technology International and SGM. Plaster is quoted at 5 to 10 years by cost guides and 7 to 10 by manufacturers, and water chemistry decides where a pool lands in that range.
Our guide to which pool improvements add value covers resale.
A full interior reset starts with a replaster, and hard water means waterline tile installation usually goes in at the same time.
“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
Decks, Coping and Drainage
Original decks on these properties are long past their service life, and a slab poured in the 1940s rarely drains where anyone would put it today.
We correct drainage before quoting edge stone replacement, then handle concrete deck resurfacing once the base is stable.
Equipment, Plumbing and Automation
Tight lots mean neighbors hear the pad, which makes pump noise a real consideration. That is our pool equipment repair and installation.
We handle repairs at the pad first, and switching to a variable-speed pump where a motor is finished, which runs markedly quieter as well as cheaper.
Automation needs panel and bonding work at the panel. Buried leaks get plumbing leak repair, and failing lines get a whole-system re-pipe.
Spas and Features
Cool evenings by the lake make adding a jacuzzi spa a frequent request on shared equipment.
Families ask for a built-in tanning ledge for shallow lounging.
Waterfalls and fire bowls are add-on pool features, easiest to add while the deck is already open.
Get a Free Toluca Lake Pool Estimate
Tell us what the pool is doing. Estimates are free, and most repairs are scheduled the same week.
Free visit. Written price. No obligation.
Toluca Lake Pools by the Numbers
- 140 pool permits were pulled in Toluca Lake from 2013 to 2020, per LA Department of Building and Safety records analyzed by Crosstown, a high count for a neighborhood this small.
- $44,300 to $86,500 is the range for a new in-ground pool, per HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data, with concrete builds running $65,000 to $120,000.
- $6,000 to $15,000 covers a full resurfacing, averaging about $11,000, from the same source.
Neighborhoods and Local Conditions in Toluca Lake
We service pools throughout Toluca Lake: the streets around the lake itself, the blocks off Riverside Drive, the properties near Forman and Moorpark, and the homes toward the Burbank line.
Access defines the work. Narrow side yards, mature hedging and short driveways all limit what equipment reaches the backyard, and a job that takes three days on an open lot can take longer here.
Jurisdiction is worth checking early. Most of the neighborhood is City of Los Angeles, while addresses on the Burbank side permit through that city instead, and the two run different queues.
“The staff is very knowledgeable and efficient. Scheduling is easy and appointments kept to the time scheduled.”
★★★★★ Andy Wedemeyer, San Fernando Valley, verified Google review
What Drives the Price of Pool Work in Toluca Lake
Quotes here move on four things:
- Access. Side yard width decides what equipment can be used.
- Age. Original plumbing and decks add scope to a remodel.
- Finish choice. Longer-lived finishes mean fewer disruptive jobs.
- Permits. Los Angeles or Burbank, depending on the address.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Pump motor repair | $50 to $300 |
| Heater repair | $160 to $730 |
| In-ground leak repair | $350 to $2,700 |
| Full resurfacing | $6,000 to $15,000 |
| New in-ground pool | $44,300 to $86,500 |
National ranges from HomeAdvisor 2026 cost data. Toluca Lake quotes depend on access and what we find once the pool is drained.
Comparing bids? How to vet a renovation company covers what to ask.
“Have used Spear for several years, very happy with their service. Richard is very knowledgeable and thorough.”
★★★★★ carole cunha-brodbeck, San Fernando Valley, verified Google review
Meet the Owner
Ran Neuman owns Spear Pools, Inc. and brings 18 years of hands-on pool repair and construction experience.
On remodels he meets the homeowner, explains each step and stays involved from demolition through start-up. Connect with Ran on LinkedIn.
Read what customers along the Riverside corridor say on our Google Business Profile.
“I’ve used SPEAR for many years and I’ve never been disappointed. The office is always great and the techs are genius!”
★★★★★ Mark Randall, San Fernando Valley, verified Google review
Nearby Areas We Serve
East over the line the streets open up, and we handle Burbank pool remodeling there.
South over the hill we work throughout Studio City. West along Magnolia, homeowners call us for pool repair in Valley Village.
See where else we work across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deepest a pool can be in California?
Depth in California is set by code and by use rather than by a single statewide maximum, with diving requiring specific depth, slope and length under the building code. Most residential pools finish between 3 and 8 feet, and anything deeper drives up excavation and water volume fast. On a compact Toluca Lake lot, depth is usually limited by setbacks before code becomes the issue.
What kind of pool can I get for $100,000?
A hundred thousand dollars buys a full custom concrete pool in this area, since HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data puts gunite builds at $65,000 to $120,000. At that level you are choosing between size, a raised spa, custom tile, water features, automation and decking. On a tight lot, difficult access absorbs part of the budget before any of those features do.
What is a good size pool for a backyard?
A good backyard pool leaves usable deck on at least two sides and respects the setbacks, which on older Toluca Lake lots is the real constraint. Sizes around 14 by 28 and 16 by 32 feet suit most families. Smaller pools cost less to heat, treat and eventually resurface, so a modest pool on a compact lot is often the better long-term choice.
What does a $10,000 pool look like?
Ten thousand dollars does not buy a new in-ground pool, which HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data starts at $44,300, but it does buy meaningful repair work. It covers a full resurfacing on a smaller pool at the low end of the $6,000 to $15,000 range, or a pump and heater replacement with money left for tile. It is a refresh budget, not a build budget.
Is it expensive to own a house with a pool?
Owning a pool costs money steadily and then in lumps. Chemicals, water and electricity run all year, while resurfacing at $6,000 to $15,000 arrives every 5 to 20 years depending on the finish, and pumps and heaters need replacing every 8 to 12 years. Budgeting for the lumps in advance is what separates an enjoyable pool from a stressful one.
Ready to build, remodel or repair your Toluca Lake pool? Call (818) 719-9059 and Ran will look at access, the shell and the equipment together.