Pool Installation cost in Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica homeowners typically pay $48,300 – $117,300 for pool installation. Local labor and materials price 38% above the national average.
Santa Monica average
$78,700
Typical low
$48,300
Typical high
$117,300
Per square foot of pool
$69 – $205
Sample ZIP
90401
What drives Santa Monica pricing
Local labor
Licensed Santa Monica contractors carry California workers' comp and prevailing wage pressure, and crews here quote roughly 38% above the national labor average. Demand in the Los Angeles market peaks in spring, so booking early usually beats a rush premium.
Permits & code
Santa Monica follows the California Building Standards Code, so most structural, electrical, plumbing and re-roof work needs a permit from the Santa Monica building department plus Title 24 energy compliance. Seismic bracing and soft-story retrofit rules apply to many older LA-area properties, and hillside lots trigger extra geotechnical review.
Climate & conditions
Santa Monica sits in a warm Mediterranean climate with intense summer sun, so expect UV-stable, heat-tolerant materials and shaded scheduling in peak summer.
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Estimated project cost
$4,950 – $15,750
Most homeowners pay around $10,350
Compare pool type
Cost by material in Santa Monica
Installed Santa Monica pricing per square foot of pool.
| Option | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Above ground | $4,150 – $16,600 |
| Vinyl liner | $48,300 – $89,700 |
| Fiberglass | $62,100 – $117,300 |
| Gunite / concrete | $82,800 – $207,000 |
Where the money goes in Santa Monica
A typical $78,700 Santa Monica project, broken down by line item.
- Excavation and shell40% · $31,480
- Labor22% · $17,314
- Decking and hardscape18% · $14,166
- Equipment and plumbing13% · $10,231
- Permits, fencing and landscaping7% · $5,509
Common add-ons
Extras that show up on Santa Monica quotes but rarely in the headline price.
Attached spa
Heater
Saltwater system
Automatic cover
Waterfall or fountain
Pool automation and lighting
Safety fence
Ways to save in Santa Monica
- Choose a standard fiberglass shape over a custom gunite design — same swim, far less money.
- Phase the project: pool and minimum deck now, spa, cover and landscaping later.
- Build in fall or winter when pool crews discount to keep working.
- Do your own landscaping restoration after the crews leave.
- Get quotes on the complete project including deck, fence and equipment so bids are comparable.
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Pool Installation cost near Santa Monica
Pool Installation cost in Los Angeles, CA
$43,400 – $105,400
Pool Installation cost in Long Beach, CA
$42,700 – $103,700
Pool Installation cost in Pasadena, CA
$44,800 – $108,800
Pool Installation cost in Glendale, CA
$43,750 – $106,250
Pool Installation cost in Santa Clarita, CA
$40,600 – $98,600
Pool Installation cost in Torrance, CA
$43,050 – $104,550