How Much Does it Costs to Build a Pool in San Diego?

Factors Affecting the Cost of Building an Inground Pool.

1. Pool Size

2. Pool Materials

3. Jobsite Preparation

4. Jobsite Topography

5. Pool Features & Accessories

6. Your Pool Contractor

If you're considering adding a new swimming pool to your home's outdoor living space in San Diego, CA, you might be wondering about the cost.

In 2025, the typical price range for installing just an inground pool and spa in San Diego starts from $75,000 to $100,000.

However, it's essential to recognize that most pool projects extend beyond the basic installations, incorporating features such as hardscaping, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, patio covers, and landscaping.



For a more comprehensive pool and backyard project in San Diego, homeowners should anticipate starting costs between $115,000 and $125,000.

Remember, these estimates are baseline figures, and the final cost can vary significantly. Depending on the construction requirements, chosen features, material quality, and additional amenities, expenses can escalate well past $200,000, potentially reaching up to half a million dollars.

Below, we've provided an article to help explore the common factors influencing construction costs and offer insights on avoiding costly mistakes when planning and budgeting for your new swimming pool.

If you've been thinking about starting a project click the button below to schedule your complimentary design and estimate consultation.

Understanding what factors affect swimming pool construction pricing is the most important part of your new pool journey. Having a solid understanding of these factors will help you not only make educated decisions but will also prevent you from being blindside by over the top estimates.

Let's start by getting a solid grasp on these main factors:

1. Pool Size and Shape
2. Materials
3. Site Preparation
4. Site Topography
5. Features & Accessories
6. Weather
7. Your Contractor

While generally the larger the pool is the more expensive it will be it doesn't mean that small pools can't carry higher price tags - we'll get more into this later.

An important thing to remember when deciding on the total size of your pool is assessing your needs and wants for the pool. You should pick something that is fun yet functional. If staying within budget is a main priority we recommend deciding what is the most important reason for building a pool. Is it for swimming laps, hosting lots of guests for parties, or just casual place to relax and cool off in the summer.

Too often we see homeowners go bigger than they need to. Eventually realizing they built a pool they don't fully use and wishing they could get back some of their outdoor living space.

Building a large oversized pool can easily increase your costs by 10-20% so be sure to have a solid estimate for everything you want that will fit in your budget.

Don't forget about depth! This is factor many homeowners gloss over because they don't realize the financial implications it can have. If you're set on your pool being a certain depth, be prepared for the possibilities of change orders. When excavating your pool and the contractor hits boulders or granite it will quickly become an expensive change order to demo and remove this rock.

So just ask that simple question, does your pool really need to be 10 feet deep?

Not all pools are designed the same, and they definitely are not built the same. Choosing the material make up and finishes of your swimming pool is an extremely important step in budgeting for your project.

From coping and tile to plaster, all of these material selections need to not only be thought out from a visual design perspective but also from a functionality and budget perspective.

For a homeowner looking for an economical and budget friendly pool, we suggest going with pour in place concrete coping, standard 6 inch ceramic waterline tile, and standard white plaster. These material options will give you the lowest price range possible while still providing you with a beautiful and quality product.

If a budget isn't a main concern for you, then your options are endless. Coping and tile options can be substituted from standard materials to more "fancy" finishes like porcelain, travertine, glass, and even marble.

From there you can even start dialing in the exact color of the water you want by upgrading from plaster to pebble. Not only does pebble give homeowners a wide range of water colors and shades, but the product also provides a superior and longer lasting finish than plaster.

We recommend researching and picking out your swimming pool finishes early in the process. By doing this your contractor can order the items early and avoid delays in availability and shipping.

An often oversight when budgeting for your new swimming pool, your existing and current space where the pool will be located can quickly add extra costs for your project. Existing patio covers, concrete slabs, and other items will all need to be demoed prior to excavation. Be sure your contractor includes this work in your estimate and contractor so you are not surprised with an expensive change order.

The most common factor we see that can make a new swimming pool unaffordable for San Diego homeowners is the topography of their property. Slopes and hillsides more than often will require extra engineering, retaining walls, and other safety measures to ensure the pool and land around does shift. Be prepared for these factors to be the most expensive items affecting the pricing of your project and even the possibility of sidelining your entire project.

So you want to add water features and fire bowls to your project? That's great and we highly recommend adding these features to bring out the beauty of your project but don't forget about the added cost with these items. When adding features like these the extra costs goes beyond just the items themselves. Secondary required items such as extra pumps, plumbing, and gas lines all add significant costs to your project.

Last but not least, the contractor and company you choose for your project can be the deal sealer or the journey to find someone cheaper. Just remember, not all contractor are created equally. If the deal sounds too good to be true or is substantially cheaper than other companies, you might want to question whether you want to sign your name on their dotted line.