Pool Remodeling in Lakewood
Pool remodeling in Lakewood typically starts with the same set of problems: plaster that has roughened over the years, waterline tile crusted with scale, a pump that runs loud through the day, and a deck that has cracked and shifted. It is not surprising given the city’s history. Nearly all of Lakewood’s homes went up between 1950 and 1953, with the city incorporating in 1954, so pools in areas like Lakewood Village, Carson Park, Mayfair, and Lakewood Park are often on their second or third finish and still carrying original-era equipment. What we do is rework the pool already on your property: resurfacing, tile and coping replacement, decking, a new equipment pad, and the safety upgrades a permitted remodel requires, all planned together and built under a single contract.
Services We Offer
Our Pool Remodeling Process in Lakewood
Pool remodeling in Lakewood begins with a walk-through of the pool, deck, equipment pad and yard, where we note what is worn, what is failing and what you want to change. Because nearly every home here was built between 1950 and 1953 to one of a small number of repeated plans, the backyard layouts tend to be similar in size and orientation, which helps us frame the pool work within the full outdoor space early. You choose the interior finish, waterline tile, coping and decking before anything is removed, and we work through the required drowning prevention features with you so the plans go in complete. Permits are submitted to the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division, and we handle plan check responses through that process.
Once the permit is issued, the pool is drained and the old tile, coping and deck come out. The shell gets a close inspection, and any structural repairs are done before plumbing, equipment, electrical and gas work proceeds. Tile, coping and the new deck follow, and the interior finish goes on last. The pool is filled and carried through the start-up period the finish manufacturer specifies, then final inspection confirms the safety features are in place and we walk you through operating the new equipment.
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Most of the pools in Lakewood date from roughly the same era as the houses themselves. The city went up almost entirely between 1950 and 1953, and pools added to those single-story tract homes in the decades that followed were built under standards that have since changed considerably. When permits go through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department today, the governing factors are the current building code and the age of the structure, since no unusual local overlay applies here. We sort out which triggers apply at the design stage, because not every scope of work requires a permit. Adding a spa, altering the shape or depth, repairing the structural shell, installing a new heater, or running new gas or electrical lines are the common ones, and the building department makes that determination.
Any permitted pool or spa remodel at a single-family home brings California’s Swimming Pool Safety Act into play under Health and Safety Code 115922. The pool must have at least two of seven listed drowning prevention features before the inspector signs off. Those features include an enclosure that isolates the pool from the house, removable mesh fencing with a self-closing and self-latching gate, an approved safety cover, exit alarms or self-closing self-latching devices on doors leading to the pool area, and a pool alarm. Drain covers are handled separately. Under the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Act, any drain cover sold in the United States must meet the anti-entrapment standard, so we replace old covers with compliant ones as part of the standard scope.
Equipment replacement brings its own requirements. Replacement dedicated-purpose pool pump motors of 0.5 total horsepower or more manufactured on or after July 19, 2021 must be variable-speed under California Energy Commission Title 20 rules. California’s 2025 energy code also limits the heat source for newly installed pool and spa heating, though an exception applies to alterations on pools that already have an existing heating system. New equipment, new lights, and any metal near the water must meet the bonding and GFCI requirements in the California Electrical Code, so a licensed electrician verifies the existing bonding grid when the deck comes up.
Draining the pool is when we get a clear look at the shell. Surface crazing is expected on older finishes, but structural cracks in a gunite or shotcrete shell, or a failed bond beam beneath the coping, get addressed before any new finish goes on. That repair is written into a change order before work begins. Because Lakewood’s housing stock was built to a limited number of repeated plans, the pool configurations in areas like Lakewood Village, Lakewood Park, Carson Park, and Mayfair tend to follow familiar patterns too, but HOA review of decking, fencing, and equipment placement still varies by association, and we schedule that approval alongside the building permit so neither holds up the other.
Other Remodeling Services We Offer
A kitchen remodel touches more trades than any other room in the house: layout, cabinetry, plumbing, electrical, ventilation and finishes. Horizon designs and builds kitchen remodels under one contract, from the measured layout to the final inspection.
Whether you envision a classic Southern California pool or a fully customized backyard oasis, Horizon Construction & Remodeling delivers the highest level of quality and service. Our comprehensive pool design and remodeling services cover everything from layout and decking to built-in BBQs and final touches like landscaping. Let Horizon be your trusted partner in transforming your backyard into the perfect outdoor retreat.
If you are planning a complete bathroom remodel or simply want to change your tub, shower, update your plumbing fixtures, or make the space more efficient, our team at Horizon will help you through the process with expert advice, professional craftsmanship, and affordable options with beautiful results. Learn more about our bathroom remodeling services.
Transform your space with our expert interior work services. We offer a comprehensive range of solutions — from space planning and custom design to the selection of high-quality finishes and materials. Our team of experienced professionals works closely with you to create a space that’s both functional and stylish, tailored to your unique needs, goals, and budget. Whether you’re updating a single room or overhauling your entire interior, we bring precision, creativity, and craftsmanship to every project.
At Horizon, we believe your home is more than just four walls — it’s where life happens. It’s the place you relax, gather with family and friends, and create lasting memories. That’s why we offer a full range of exterior work services designed to elevate your outdoor living space. From patios and hardscaping to custom decks and exterior renovations, we help turn your vision into a dream yard that complements your lifestyle and enhances curb appeal.
At Horizon Construction & Remodeling, our expert team includes a dedicated design and planning division that works hand-in-hand with licensed architects and structural engineers. We take care of everything — from detailed plans and blueprints to securing city permits — so you don’t have to deal with delays or red tape. Our goal is to streamline the process and provide a fully approved set of documents that aligns with both your vision and city regulations, saving you time and stress.
Why Choose Horizon Remodeling For Pool Remodeling in Lakewood
Horizon Construction and Remodeling is a licensed and bonded Class B general building contractor, and our license has been active since 2009. We approach pool remodeling as part of broader backyard construction rather than a standalone trade, which matters in a city like Lakewood where the building code and the age of the structure are the primary factors governing what gets approved. Permits for this kind of work go through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division, and we manage that process from submittal through final inspection.
Coordinating multiple trades under one contract is how we keep a project from unraveling. The pool work, decking, hardscape, equipment pad, patio cover, or outdoor kitchen all live on the same plan from the start. That way a gas line or electrical run does not require cutting through new concrete after the fact. Pool-specific work is performed by appropriately licensed subcontractors we coordinate directly.
Lakewood’s tract homes were built quickly to repeating plans, and backyards tend to follow similar dimensions across neighborhoods. We write proposals line by line so you can see exactly what each part of the job covers and decide what fits your budget and timeline now versus later. Contact us to request a free estimate.
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Pool Remodeling FAQ
How do I know if my pool in Lakewood needs resurfacing or just a repair?
A single damaged step or a handful of loose tiles may need only a targeted repair, but when the surface across the whole pool is rough, stained, flaking, or sounds hollow underfoot, resurfacing is the more practical answer. Water loss that outpaces normal evaporation is another sign worth investigating. Because Lakewood homes date to the early 1950s, pools from that era can carry decades of wear in the shell itself, so we always inspect in person and assess the structure once the pool is drained, since cracks in the finish and cracks in the shell call for very different scopes of work.
Does a pool remodel need a permit?
Most pool remodeling projects in Lakewood do require a permit. Work such as adding a spa, altering the shell, making structural repairs, or touching gas or electrical systems typically triggers a permit application through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department. A straight replaster with no other changes may not. The building department makes that call, and we manage the application, plan check, and inspections regardless. A permitted remodel also brings the state’s drowning prevention requirements into the scope.
How long does a pool remodel take?
Pool remodeling timelines in Lakewood vary by scope. A resurface with new tile and coping typically wraps up within a few weeks once crews are on site. Add a new deck, spa, equipment pad, or shell repair and the construction phase alone often runs two to three months. Design work, plan check through the City of Lakewood, and any HOA review come before that and affect the overall schedule. The interior finish also needs a start-up period after the pool fills, and we account for that time upfront.
What drives the cost of a pool remodel?
Cost for a pool remodel in Lakewood is driven first by waterline scope, your interior finish, and the shell’s condition once drained. Equipment choices range from a pump swap to a full pad with filter, heat pump, automation and replumbing. A spa addition, deck area and material, safety features, and permit and plan check time with the City of Lakewood all add to the total. Our written proposal breaks each item out line by line.
Do I have to switch to a variable-speed pump?
Yes, if your pool pump motor fails and needs replacing, California’s Title 20 rules require any dedicated-purpose pool pump motor of 0.5 total horsepower or more to be variable-speed. That means the choice is already made for you. A variable-speed pump filters the water at a slow, steady pace and ramps up when the spa, a cleaner, or a water feature needs the extra flow. Many Lakewood homeowners handle the swap during a broader remodel, while the equipment pad is already being rebuilt.
Will I have to add pool safety features if I remodel?
California law requires at least two of seven listed drowning prevention features on any permitted pool or spa remodel at a single-family home, such as mesh fencing with a self-closing gate, a safety cover, door exit alarms, or a pool alarm, though certain pairings do not qualify as two distinct features. Because Lakewood’s tract homes were built to a handful of repeated floor plans, the relationship between the back door, the yard, and the pool tends to follow a predictable layout, which makes it easier to plan compliant features early. We work through the right combination with you during design so it suits how your family uses the yard and clears final inspection.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Lakewood and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.