Top Rated on Google, Yelp, & More
San Diego's Custom Pool Building & Pool Remodeling Experts
From custom 3D design to the final build, our fully licensed team handles the pool and every trade that touches it under one contract. Schedule a free consultation to see why we are a top-rated San Diego contractor.
- We Handle All HOAs & City Permits
- Pools, Decks, Patios, All Designed Together
- Quality Control Specialists
- $0 Financing Options Available
CA State License #1117768 | B - General Building Contractor
Request a Custom Pool Project Consultation
- Zero Cost
- No Obligation
- Fast Quote
- Fill Form or Call To Book Your Appointment
- We will never sell your personal information
San Diego Homeowner Approved:
TIME FOR AN UPGRADE
Common Pool Issues We Hear About
Whether you're starting from scratch or rescuing an outdated pool, here's what San Diego homeowners bring to us most.
Failing Plaster, Tile, or Coping
Cracked tile and shifting coping are signs your pool is overdue for a remodel. It's not just dangerous, but is often a sign of other structures failing.
Cracks & Leaks
The ground shifts a ton in San Diego County, leading to cracks and sinking for many pools. We fix the root of the issue and set you up for success.
HOA Approval & Permit Concerns
San Diego HOAs often require detailed plans, material specs, and drainage drawings. We've seen it all and have you covered.
Pool Doesn't Match Yard
A refreshed pool surrounded by a sunken patio or cracked deck looks worse than the old one did. We rebuild the pool, coping, and surrounds as one project.
Questions About Yard & Remodeling in San Diego?
PREMIUM MATERIALS, BUILT TO LAST
Our Pool & Outdoor Remodeling Services
We design and build outdoor spaces that transform the entire look of your home.
New Pool Construction
We design and build custom gunite pools as part of full backyard projects. Site plan, 3D rendering, structural calculations, and permits handled in house
Remodeling & Resurfacing
Old plaster, dated tile, or peeling coping? We resurface and rebuild existing pools and tie the refresh into your surrounding deck and hardscape.
Pool Tile & Coping Replacement
Waterline tile and coping are the first details your eye lands on. We match materials to your deck, palette, and full yard design.
Full Yard Remodels
A pool is a lot more fun with some shade, lighting, and entertaining areas. Make your backyard a gathering place.
Pool Houses & Cabanas
A detached pool house requires structural plans, electrical sub-panels, and plumbing. This is Class B General Contractor work, not a pool builder's scope.
Custom Spas, Lighting, & Water Features
Spillover spas, raised spas, sheer descents, and water bowls integrated into the pool design or added during a remodel.
Project Gallery
Recent Pool & Backyard Pool Projects
Our No-Surprises Approach
We know construction can be stressful. We've optimized our process so you know exactly what is happening, when it's happening, and what it costs.
1
On-Site Consultation
We visit your property, evaluate the slope, and listen to your goals. No pushy sales tactics.
2
Transparent Pricing
You get a detailed quote covering everything from permits and 3D design to demolition and cleanup.
3
Owner-Led Build
Simon and the team are on-site daily. You receive weekly progress updates until the job is done perfectly.
Our 5-Star Team Gets The Job Done Right, The First Time.
Reviews & Testimonials
See why San Diego homeowners trust us with their biggest backyard & pool remodeling projects.
Full Yard Remodel with Pavers, Turf, Retaining Wall, & Hardscape
Backyard Remodel
with Grass, Patio, Landscaping, & More
Complete Backyard Remodel with Outdoor Kitchen, Patio, & More
Flexible Financing Available
Bring your dream outdoor space to life on any budget. We work with top lenders to offer up to $0 down, instant approvals, and low monthly payment plans.
We Partner With Most Major Lenders Including:
What Permits Are Needed For Backyard Pools in San Diego?
New Age Design & Build - San Diego, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Not finding what you're looking for?
Q: What is the difference between a pool builder and a Design & Build General Contractor for a pool project?
A typical pool builder holds a C-53 Swimming Pool specialty license. Per the California Contractors State License Board, a C-53 contractor is limited to the pool itself. Decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, retaining walls, fire features, and other surrounding structures fall outside that scope and require a separate contractor. New Age Design & Build holds a Class B General Building Contractor license #1117768, which lets us manage the pool plus every trade around it under a single contract. CSLB confirms a Class B General Building Contractor may contract for swimming pool work when working with a licensed pool specialty contractor. The result is one design, one permit package, one HOA submission, and one accountable team across the full project.
Q: Do you build new pools or just remodel existing ones?
Both, as part of a backyard project. We design and build new custom gunite pools when they are part of a full backyard remodel, and we remodel existing pools including resurfacing, tile, coping, decking, and equipment upgrades. We do not take on standalone pool repairs or crack remediation. If your pool needs structural repair without a broader remodel, a specialty pool repair contractor is the right call.
Q: What kind of pools do you build?
We build gunite (shotcrete) pools, which are the standard for custom pools in San Diego. Gunite allows any shape, size, depth, and integrated feature. We do not build fiberglass or vinyl liner pools.
Q: Do I need a permit to build a pool in San Diego?
Yes. The City of San Diego Development Services Department requires a building permit for all in-ground residential pools per Information Bulletin 712. The package includes site plan, structural details, equipment layout, safety barrier plan, electrical, gas, and plumbing details. We handle the entire permitting process in house.
Q: Do I need a permit for a pool remodel or resurfacing?
Often, yes. A resurfacing-only project with no new gas or electrical work may be exempt, but any remodel that involves new equipment, gas line work, or electrical changes requires a permit. California Health and Safety Code Section 115928(d) also requires anti-entrapment drain cover upgrades whenever a remodel permit is issued. We evaluate scope during the consultation and pull permits when they apply.
Q: What does the California Pool Safety Act require?
Any new pool or permitted pool remodel must include at least two approved drowning prevention features under the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (SB 442), updated by SB 552 effective January 1, 2025. The seven approved features include a code-compliant pool enclosure, removable mesh fencing, an approved safety pool cover, exit alarms on doors providing direct pool access (now also on windows under SB 552), self-closing self-latching access doors with release at least 54 inches above the floor, an ASTM F2208 pool alarm, and a separate pool enclosure isolating the pool from the home. Your project must include at least two. We design compliance into the build from day one.
Q: Are there new California rules for pool heating in 2026?
Yes. Under the 2025 California Title 24 Energy Code, effective January 1, 2026, gas heaters are no longer permitted as the primary heat source for new residential pools. Primary heating must come from a heat pump pool heater, solar thermal, or a qualifying renewable system. Gas may serve as a supplemental source. Existing pools replacing a broken gas heater are generally exempt. We specify heat pump or solar primary heating into new builds and explain the options during design.
Q: What are the setback requirements for a pool in San Diego?
Per San Diego Municipal Code Section 145.3110, pools less than three feet above grade require a minimum three-foot setback from front, side, and rear property lines. Pools more than three feet above grade require a four-foot minimum rear yard setback. Pool equipment above grade requires four feet from side and rear property lines. Equipment fully below grade with a permanent cover has no setback requirement. We confirm setbacks against your actual lot during site evaluation.
Q: Will I need a soils report for my pool?
Possibly. The City of San Diego requires a geotechnical report when the pool wall retained height exceeds six feet, when expansive soils or fill material are present, when slope instability or groundwater is a concern, or when the project does not qualify under the SD master plan pool conditions. Expansive clay soils are documented across multiple San Diego County zones. We coordinate the geotechnical report and engineering during design when your site requires it.
Q: Do I need HOA approval for a pool project?
Most San Diego HOA communities require architectural approval before construction begins. Approval typically requires a full site plan, elevation drawings, material samples, fence specifications, and drainage plan. We prepare and submit one integrated HOA package covering the pool and everything around it. When a pool builder and a separate hardscape contractor submit two different applications, HOAs frequently flag inconsistencies in materials or palette and delay both approvals. One application solves that.
Q: How long does it take to build a new pool in San Diego?
Construction itself typically runs three to four months once excavation begins. Permit review and HOA approval add four to five months of pre-construction time in HOA communities. Plan for six to twelve months from signed contract to swimming. We give you a project-specific timeline during the consultation.
Q: How long does a pool remodel take?
A resurface-only project typically runs two to four weeks once we start. A full remodel including resurface, tile, coping, and deck work runs four to eight weeks. Permit and HOA review can add additional time when they apply.
Q: What surfacing material is best for San Diego pools?
San Diego has hard water, meaning high mineral content. Standard white plaster etches and stains faster here than in softer-water regions, with a typical lifecycle of five to ten years. Quartz aggregate finishes generally last ten to fifteen years and resist staining better. Pebble aggregate finishes typically last fifteen to twenty years and stand up best to San Diego conditions. Glass tile and glass bead finishes are premium options for luxury applications and can last over twenty years. We walk through the options with material samples during design.
Q: Do you replace pool equipment as part of a remodel?
Yes. Pumps, filters, heaters, and lighting are commonly upgraded during a remodel. As of September 29, 2025, any replacement pump motor over 1.15 total horsepower must be variable speed under federal Department of Energy rules. LED conversion from incandescent or halogen lighting is also standard practice and significantly reduces energy use. We coordinate equipment scope with the rest of the remodel.
Q: Can you build a pool house as part of the project?
Yes. A detached pool house over 120 square feet requires a building permit and structural plans in San Diego. Pool houses with dedicated lighting, outlets, refrigeration, plumbing, or HVAC require electrical sub-panels and plumbing permits. A pool house is genuinely Class B General Contractor scope; a C-53 pool license does not cover habitable structures. This is core to what we do.
Q: Do you build pools on hillside or sloped properties?
Hillside pool projects require additional geotechnical investigation, structural engineering, and sometimes deep foundations or caissons to resist slope movement. Slope creep is a documented cause of structural distress in hillside pools across San Diego County. We coordinate the geotechnical, structural, and construction teams as one integrated process.
Q: Do you handle drainage and grading around the pool?
Yes. Pool drainage and deck drainage have to be engineered together. When a pool contractor and a separate hardscape contractor grade independently from different base plans, water often ends up flowing toward the house, pooling behind coping, or draining onto an adjacent property. We grade the entire site under one drainage plan.
Q: What is your warranty?
We provide a workmanship warranty on all labor, and many material manufacturers offer their own product warranties on top of that. Warranty terms are covered during your consultation. We stand behind our work and address any post-installation concerns directly.
Q: What does your pool design process look like?
We start with an on-site consultation. We walk your property, review your existing pool or site conditions, take measurements, and listen to your goals. From there we develop the project plan and pricing. Once you move forward, we create detailed 3D renderings of your pool and surrounding yard so you can see exactly how everything will look before construction begins. We walk you through the design, refine until it is right, then build it.
Q: Will a pool increase my home value in San Diego?
Generally, yes, particularly in San Diego markets where buyers expect outdoor living space. A pool combined with quality decking, shade, and integrated outdoor entertaining areas adds market appeal. The actual return varies by neighborhood, project scope, and finish quality. We can speak to specific resale considerations during the consultation.
Q: Do you offer financing for pool projects?
Yes. We partner with top lenders to offer flexible financing options including $0 down plans. You can build or remodel your pool without draining your savings.
Q: What areas of San Diego do you serve?
We serve all of San Diego County. Our crews work throughout North County (Carlsbad, Encinitas, San Marcos, Escondido, Poway, Rancho Bernardo), coastal areas (La Jolla, Del Mar, Pacific Beach), central San Diego, East County (La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee), and South County (Chula Vista, Bonita).
Q: Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. New Age Design & Build is fully licensed (License #1117768) by the California Contractors State License Board as a Class B General Building Contractor and carries general liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. Pool work is performed in coordination with a licensed pool specialty contractor under our Class B contract per CSLB guidelines.
Q: How do I get started?
Simply contact us to schedule your free consultation. We will assess your property, listen to your goals, and provide a clear, honest estimate.