Designer Pools - Welcome!

All of North Los Angeles County, from the East Los Angeles interchange, North to the Ventura County line.
North Los Angeles County includes the Antelope Valley, California City, Lebec, Victorville and Apple Valley.
We also build in parts of Kern County (i.e. Rosemond, California City, Tehachapi, and Mohave).
We cover all of Ventura County.
We are now building through the Central Coast along highway 101, including Santa Barbara up to Paso Robles.
You will also find us in Modesto and Palm Springs.

A. The typical pools we build are based off our special package pools, such as our "Signature" Pool and "Islander" Pool. Please call for the latest pricing on these pool packages. The size of the pool you have in mind and the necessities of its construction in your backyard determine cost. Every backyard is different, we must see your property to give you a definite quote. Free standing spas even though smaller require excavation, steel, and gunite, as any project. Do not expect the cost for an unattached in-ground spa to be comparable to its fiberglass counterpart. We build only permanent solid structures.

A. Typically it will take 60 to 90 business days to complete the average pool, for instance our "Medallion" Pool. An "Islander" Pool typically takes only 30 business days. As per our contract with you, Designer Pools only receives payment after each phase of construction. You can be sure we want to keep moving along with your project. Among things that could delay construction include tardy city inspections, weather and heavy scheduling (which is during summer). Therefore, it is highly advantageous for you to start building during winter or early spring.

A. No, it is not any cheaper, the costs of material and labor unfortunately keep rising, see details of rising costs in an answer below. To ensure the best price, buy a pool as soon as you can. Keep in mind, summer is our busiest time of year, your construction will go faster during the off season, fall, autumn and early spring. It makes no sense to have us building when you want to be swimming, so have us start during the off season so you can enjoy your pool all summer.

Q. What are the advantages to an in-ground gunite pool verses vinyl liner or fiberglass?

A. An in-ground gunite pool is a permanent structure and the city sees it as an extension of your house, that is why your property will be worth more with a pool.

A vinyl liner pool will have a lower install cost verse a gunite pool. Vinyl pools have a durable steel shell framing the structure over which the liner is placed. The liner will need replacing approximately every 5-6 years, whereas plaster is 10-15 years. However, those are very conservative estimates and your experience is highly subject to your maintenance habits. Consider too that replacing a liner is much less expensive than re-plastering and you don't have a tile line that may need servicing. It is best to consult one of our representatives to discuss the solution that is best for you.

The cost savings of fiberglass verses a gunite pool are negligible, therefore we do not build them.

A. Generally you will only notice a nominal difference. If you are interested in free heat you will greatly enjoy the solar bubble cover we include for free with every pool and spa, which if used properly could give you a 10-15% increase in heat. Also, we highly suggest using solar panels or a heat pump to heat your pool, see our "Energy Savings" web section for more information.

A. Visit our "Design Center" where you can see, hear, and touch the available materials and features. To get started now please see our "Materials" web section, galleries, or the additional links provided at the bottom of this page.

A. There are four basic costs to pool or spa maintenance and operation, electricity, gas, chemicals, and water. Every pool is different, consult your Designer Pools representative for details concerning your plan. However, keep the following in mind. Your electrical costs are based mostly on pumps, how many, how big, and how long they run. Gas is solely based on the use of your gas heater, fireplace (firepit), or BBQ. Chemical maintenance includes the use of a form of salt or chlorine compounds, the needs of which are constantly changing. You already know the cost of water in your particular area, the biggest cost is filling the pool the first time, thereafter, technically you would only need to add water as it evaporates.

A. The shell of your pool (the gunite structure) is guaranteed for the life of your ownership. The plaster and equipment have a full warranty for 3 years under your ownership. There is a 10 year transferable warranty on the shell, the change of ownership most be provided to us in writing.

A. Designer Pools only asks for money after each phase of construction and the payments are broken into percentages. If financing, the bank will issue you 5 checks already filled with the correct percentage of payment. After excavation, steel and plumbing we request 30% of the total contract amount. After gunite we request 35% of the total contract amount. After decking (masonry of walk area) we request 25% of the total contract amount. After equipment we request 5% of the total contract amount. After Plaster we request 5% of the total contract amount. If you are paying in cash and financing we work out a payment plan with you, which will require the cash amount issued before the financing checks.

A. Now. As soon as we create a plan with you, sign contracts and secure your financing (if applicable) we schedule a dig date that works best for you. We require you to attend the ground breaking, as you will have a chance to change the pool shape and size before we are locked into the design. Dig dates get filled up quickly during the summer so act now.

A. We take care of the city, fire, and soil permits. Only under rare circumstances which we have arranged with you would we ever have you pull permits. You do have the option to pull them yourself if you choose.

A. Designer Pools will comply with all HOA's requests but will not contact your HOA on your behalf. You are responsible for your pool design being in compliance with your HOA. If neccessary we will give you any materials requested by your HOA. Your HOA has the authority to halt construction if they have reason, we require you to get your plans approved by your HOA before construction.

A. In most cases you are responsible for the gate on your pool perimeter, but we have contractors we can recommend to you. The pool perimeter being the fencing that encloses the pool area, usually your property fence will be sufficient as a pool perimeter. Typically all that is required is a 5' high self closing/self latching gate, wood or wrought iron that has no horizontal bars closer than 45" together. Before we can finish a pool a city inspector will require you to have a gate that passes code.

A. Please call us directly at 1-888-559-POOL, ask for the expediter scheduling your project. Your salesperson is always a phone call away to help you through your pools progress, however, they are usually not directly in charge of construction scheduling. For a faster resolution speak with your expediter.

A. Yes, Southern California has extremely expansive soil. This means your soil is prone to swell when it comes into contact with water or moisture and shrink when dry. The swelling causes concrete to lift, these stresses cause cracking. In all likely hood, yes, you will get hairline cracks in your concrete. The concrete is a non-pliable material and it rests on your volatile dirt. In areas of extreme weather and temperature change, especially the Antelope Valley, cracking can happen weeks or sometimes even days after we pour cement. This is not a fault of materials or craftsmanship. For more information you can read the material prepared by the city of Torrence by clicking on the link below. We recommend using pavers.

A. If you ask your parents how much they paid for their pool, you’ll find it to be a significantly different number than costs today. Inflation plays a very small part of increased cost, mostly you are seeing the dramatic rise of material, labor, and insurance fees. At Designer Pools we understand the importance of your investment in the construction of your pool. The following briefly describes major contributors to the rising costs for a new pool.

Your pool shell is made of gunite, a type of cement, and we pour concrete around most pools so that you may have a walking area, this adds up to quite a lot of cost in concrete alone. Unfortunately, the cost of the material is rising at a tremendous rate. After foreign markets flooded the cement market with cheaper material, China became one of the top exporters to United States, according to the Portland Cement Association, a trade association. As a result, our own domestic production slowed considerably. Over the past few years as China’s domestic needs have dramatically increased, they have equally decreased their cement exports. This leaves our nation with the burden of price increase based on supply and demand. During the fist half of 2004 rates for the material increased 13%.

Steel is added to strengthen the shell of your pool, and like concrete, it has similarly been effected by foreign markets. Adding to the problem, tariffs and sanctions have made the American steel market highly volatile. In 2004 different sectors of the steel mill industry saw their own cost increases exceeding 60-100%.

I could include detailed information about the rising costs of crude oil products such as gas and diesel, but I’m sure your wallet has already given you this. Designer Pools is not immune and is billed weekly for fuel surcharges for every truck and tractor that comes to your home during construction. Remember when diesel used to be cheaper than gas?

Construction labor wages for Southern California increased more than 25% from 1995-2005. Most of the skilled workers who are in your backyard constructing your Designer pool are paid higher wages than that of industry averages. We pay a higher premium to ensure a lasting work relationship with the highest skilled laborers and craftsmen available. We pride ourselves on making high quality pools and provide a team capable of performing to your expectations.

Did you know between 1995 and 2002, the average medical cost per worker compensation claim in California more than doubled? Among other factors, this led California’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) to ask for a totaled 63.8% rate hike during that same period. Rates continue to fluctuate and will rise on the need of insurers to increase their loss reserves.

Every day our sales staff at Designer Pools are asked, “when is the best time to buy a pool.” I am confident after reading this segment and doing your own research you will come to the same conclusion. The best time to build a pool, with your family’s budget in mind, is now.

A. Use this calculation:

Longest length of pool * Widest width of pool * Average Depth * 7.5 = Gallons

Information about the 3M™ Colorquartz™ Ceramic-Coated Crystals plaster we offer:

Information about Paramount Pool & Spa Systems PCC 2000 in-floor Cleaning & Circulation System: