A custom swimming pool should provide more opportunities for you to use your property, not eliminate them. The right design can unify all of these elements into a single, finished look, and incorporate the necessary functions of building a pool.
The design and construction of custom swimming pools and outdoor living spaces by Hillside Pool Builders is limited to selected communities of Southern California, including Orange County.
All swimming pools, spas, and other water features can be designed and built in a variety of styles to harmonize with your home and your lifestyle. We make every effort to understand your desires and needs, interpret your desires creatively, and bring your visions to life in a functional manner.
We are based in Sherman Oaks, but service all of Orange County. We do not maintain a separate office location for each city.
Planning a custom swimming pool in Orange County?
The first consideration when building a pool is not the shape of the water, but rather how the completed backyard would allow you to utilize your space.
Some homeowners want to create an area that allows them to cool off in the pool and have a shaded patio nearby. Others may want a spa, or an outdoor kitchen or area for entertaining. If you have a lovely view from your backyard, your pool layout may need to be designed to preserve that view.
From this, we will be able to decide the pool size and placement in relation to the rest of your backyard.
Our custom pool construction services focus on developing a pool around the home and its available outdoor space rather than choosing a standard design and trying to make it fit.
Some Orange County properties can be difficult to excavate due to changes in elevation and/or restricted access for construction.
Solutions for the difficulties posed by sloping hillsides for swimming pools may require additional structural evaluation and/or specialized construction methods.
Retaining walls and/or caissons may need to be constructed on some sloped properties; however, they may not be necessary for all sloped properties.
Visit our hillside pool construction page to understand how terrain can affect planning.
An inground pool can facilitate many activities from swimming to lounging to backyard get-togethers.
Depending on design choices, an inground pool can include many features such as built-in seating, a spa, or an area with shallow water to step into. However, these features can take up space within the swimming area, and space remaining around the pool.
Homeowners should consider how they will travel between the house, pool, and patio before making final decisions on measurements.
Learn more about our inground pool construction services.
Great luxury pool design is the sum of its environment and how the elements work together.
Each element of the design should integrate together to complete the architecture rather than adding unrelated features.
A modern home may require a simpler, geometric design with coordinating paving while a traditional home may be enhanced with a more elaborate design featuring multiple outdoor living areas and a water feature.
A great design combines elements to bring positive pleasure and harmony to people, their lifestyle and their environment.
Our luxury pool construction service explores these architectural and functional considerations in greater detail.
A pool is just the beginning. Depending on your intended use of the space, there are a number of features that can complement your pool project.
The addition of a spa creates a dedicated seating area for relaxation. Access, location, and circulation all need to be considered in the design as well as the relationship to the pool and pool heating.
An infinity edge creates a drawing effect to the edge of the property and can help expand the visual perception of space. It requires special considerations of the structure and hydraulics of the design.
Surfaces need to provide adequate circulation, as well as comfortable and safe passage to the pool.
The use of landscape and planting can provide privacy and help soften and frame views.
The addition of outdoor living and dining areas can help to expand the entertainment area.
Explore our pool landscape design and outdoor kitchen services if your project includes these improvements.
Cost for pool construction is dependent on the scope of work for the project. Things like the pool dimensions, site conditions, structure and materials required, and equipment needed for the project can all impact the budget for a project.
The following are some of the general factors that affect the estimate:.
| Cost factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Pool dimensions and depth | Affect excavation, structural work, and materials |
| Backyard access | Limited equipment access can change construction methods |
| Slope and soil conditions | May introduce engineering or additional site preparation |
| Pool and spa features | Add plumbing, equipment, finishing, and installation requirements |
| Interior finishes and coping | Material selections influence the finishing scope |
| Heating and automation | Affect equipment specifications and installation |
| Permits and inspections | Depend on the jurisdiction and project requirements |
| Decking and landscaping | Expand the work beyond the swimming pool itself |
A good proposal must clearly show what is included, what is left to choose, and the potential for additional work to be determined after site visits.
For example, when a homeowner evaluates two bids, if both don’t specify the same pool equipment and finish, decking, and site work, how can a comparison of total prices be made? The scope of work may be significantly different.
Before trusting online, generic cost estimators for your job, we suggest you talk about your property and what you want with a design-build professional.
Because there are multiple cities and other jurisdictions in Orange County, pool construction requirements may vary depending on the location of the property. It is not sufficient to verify the requirements with a countywide checklist.
The location, design, and layout of a proposed project may affect whether and how it is approved and built.
There are three circumstances where homeowners need to especially pay attention.
Some coastal properties may have additional development requirements depending on the location and the type of work proposed.
Various coastal exposures may impact selection and maintenance of materials and equipment.
Not all ocean-adjacent properties share the same regulatory and/or environmental conditions.
Abrupt changes in elevation affect excavation and drainage. Site-specific engineering may make the construction method finalized.
Certain residential communities require architectural approval for swimming pools, various kinds of landscaping, fencing, and other kinds of backyard improvements.
Association approval and municipal permits are separate requirements. Homeowners should obtain both prior to construction.
Hillside Pool Builders considers custom pool projects across Orange County. The communities below provide starting points for homeowners seeking more location-specific information.
Our service-area coverage should be confirmed for the individual property before a project is accepted.
Irvine: Explore pool-and-spa layouts, usable backyard space, and applicable association requirements.
Tustin: Review pool placement, construction access, and outdoor living considerations for established residential properties.
Costa Mesa: Consider how new pool construction can share a backyard with patios, landscaping, and entertaining areas.
Santa Ana: Explore planning considerations for residential pool construction and available outdoor space.
Newport Beach: Learn about outdoor comfort, property views, and coastal considerations where applicable.
Corona del Mar: Consider pool design in relation to property layout, views, and construction access.
Laguna Beach: Review planning considerations for properties with varying elevations and site conditions.
Huntington Beach: Explore inground pool layouts and coordinated backyard improvements.
Coto de Caza: Consider custom pool designs, property characteristics, and applicable community requirements.
Lake Forest: Explore pool construction options and how swimming areas can work with existing backyard features.
Mission Viejo: Review pool placement, landscaping, and outdoor gathering space.
San Clemente: Consider coastal exposure, views, and site-specific construction requirements.
Anaheim: Explore new pool construction and practical backyard planning.
Buena Park: Consider swimming space, patio dimensions, and existing landscape features.
Fullerton: Review custom pool options for different residential layouts.
Yorba Linda: Explore pool construction considerations for properties with varied space and terrain.
If your location is not listed, contact us with your property ZIP code so we can confirm whether your project falls within our current service area.
Homeowners typically don’t need completed architectural plans in the preliminary discussions for a new swimming pool. At this point, the goal is to learn more about the property, the pool features and the overall scope.
Systems testing may be conducted to allow client use of the pool.
Depending on the client’s location, proposed project schedule, design changes, payments, and the process for modification of the project may not be clearly defined or discussed.
Responsibilities should be defined.
Please share your address/zip code, conditions of your back yard, use, and features of your desired pool.
Consideration is given to location of the pool, overall dimensions, circulation, pool materials and connections to the outdoor living areas.
Engineering and construction documentation may be necessary depending on project scope.
Depending on location of the pool and project scope, permitting may be required and the construction process may involve sitework, excavation, construction of pool/spa structures, plumbing and electrical work.
Tests of the pool equipment and associated systems are performed to familiarize the client with operation of the systems and equipment.
You don’t need a construction dictionary to have the initial backyard discussion. There are a few details that can optimize the first meeting.
your City, ZIP code, or project address.
backyard pictures showing space, access, and obstructions.
swimming, exercise, relaxing, entertaining, family fun, etc.
spa, tanning ledge, infinity edge, patio, landscaping, outdoor kitchen, etc.
slopes, access, existing structures and/or obstructions, HOA concerns.
investment range, desired time frame.
The above can assist in preparing the right set of questions for design and pricing discussions.
When choosing a pool contractor, reviewing pictures of completed pools is not enough. There are a number of key documents to review, including insurance and contractor’s licenses. It is also critical to review project experience of the contractor and understand the scope of work.
The California Contractors State License Board provides a resource for checking contractor license information.
When reviewing proposals, ask whether the following have been clearly addressed:
A well-defined proposal makes it easier to compare the actual work rather than relying on a single headline price.
Hillside Pool Builders constructs new custom swimming pools, including projects that involve sloped properties and other integrated outdoor improvements.
We provide custom and inground pool construction, luxury pool design and hillside projects, as well as spas, decks and other outdoor features.
We focus on how the pool relates to the property, and consider the pool in the context of the entire site, versus treating water as an isolated feature.
Prospective homeowners should be prepared to address practical questions when discussing a pool project. For example, where would the pool be placed on the property? How would the pool be accessed? What parts of the property should be left open? Would the proposed pool and other features be in scale with and appropriate to the site and home?
The cost of building a pool can vary. Size, construction methods, equipment, finishes, excavation conditions, and the property and surrounding improvements can all effect the cost of constructing a pool. Generally, the more precise the description of the property and design, the more accurate the estimate can be.
In general, inground means that a pool is constructed within the ground. Custom pool construction, on the other hand, is more about the design and construction of the pool in relation to the property and the homeowner's preferences. So, all custom pools are inground pools but not all inground pools are custom pools.
Generally, building a new pool will require building permits and inspections. The exact requirements depend on the local jurisdiction and the project. Certain property may also require other approvals.
These elements may be designed simultaneously. Construction of various improvements on a property may be limited by available space, construction requirements, and the agreed-upon scope.
Not all hillside properties are viable for swimming pool construction. The adequacy of a particular site for the construction of a swimming pool is dependent on many factors including but not limited to access, site grading, soil conditions, structural engineering, and permitting.
The construction time for a swimming pool varies and depends on many factors, including the complexity of the project, the time required for inspections, and the climate. The construction time may be better estimated after the scope and specific conditions of the site are better defined.
Hillside Pool Builders assesses swimming pool projects in a selection of Orange County cities. Contact the team to determine availability based on your specific city.
Your backyard has lots of spaces that can be used in different ways. The key is to understand how they can work together.
We can design and build custom inground pools and luxury designs with spas or take on larger outdoor living projects.
Tell us about the location of your property and send a few pictures of your backyard. Let us know what you have in mind.