Find the Best Pool Companies in San Diego, CA

Pool design and installation in San Diego

Year-round warm weather and a competitive housing market make pools popular throughout San Diego. In neighborhoods and suburbs where more families live, like Chula Vista, Escondido, Poway or Del Cerro, it’s very common to find backyard pools.

For those installing a swimming pool, there is an overwhelming variety of options. Before making a purchase, you’ll need to decide whether you want an inground or above ground pool. Inground swimming pools increase your home’s property value but may make it less attractive on the housing market. Above ground pools are less durable, but many people with smaller backyards find them to be the ideal size.

Inground vs. above ground swimming pools in San Diego

Most above ground pools are made of aluminum, steel or resin and have a vinyl interior liner. Inground pools are made from concrete, fiberglass or vinyl, and each material has its own benefits and drawbacks.

Types of pool materials used in San Diego

• Concrete pools are highly customizable, durable and often used as the centerpiece to backyard landscaping. These swimming pools take longer to build, however, and they are more expensive to maintain than fiberglass pools.
• Fiberglass pools can be installed quickly and are easy to maintain but cannot be easily customized. Because the shells are pre-built by manufacturers, buyers are limited to the sizes and shapes sold by their chosen builder.
• Vinyl pools have the lowest upfront cost and are somewhat customizable but expensive to maintain. The liner of these pools must be replaced every six to 12 years, which costs an average of $4,500. Vinyl is also not as durable as other options.

Maintaining your pool in San Diego

Once your pool is installed, you’ll need to purchase supplies to maintain it. To keep the water safe for swimming, you’ll need to add chemicals to regulate its pH balance. You should also have a kit to test the water’s pH, and you need to add chlorine to the water to keep it clear of algae and bacterial growth.

While you can hire a company to clean the pool, you’ll likely need to perform some daily tasks yourself. To keep your pool clear of debris, be sure to have:

• Leaf skimmer
• Pool vacuum
• Algae brush

Choosing a pool builder in San Diego

Contractors who do pool installation or construction in San Diego must hold a C-53 license from the Contractors State License Board. The license number should be on the website or readily available when you call. Customers can verify a company’s license with the CSLB.

Reputable pool contractors typically belong to trade organizations that provide certification courses and set standards for quality work. Inground pool builders in San Diego should also be familiar with earthquake safety regulations for excavation and construction.

When contacting pool builders in San Diego, some questions you might want to ask include:

• What is your C-53 license number?
• How much experience does your company have?
• Does your company specialize in working with a specific construction material?
• Do you provide financing options?
• Do you have design and material samples I can see?
• Does your company provide a guarantee on labor or materials?

Inground pool installation in San Diego is subject to safety regulations and requires a municipal building permit. You or the builder must submit a building plan along with the permit application. Pool builders in San Diego must also comply with water use restrictions in the city.

Aboveground pools must also comply with fencing and safety regulations. Residents in unincorporated parts of the county must comply with county regulations for all backyard pools. Pool builders in San Diego should also be familiar with applicable laws and municipal regulations and should be able to help you with permits and plans.