A pool should feel like the best room in your home. It should also last for decades without trouble. Stout Design Build designs and builds pools and spas around Century Hills and the wider Westside. We have shaped backyards from Cheviot Hills to Rancho Park for more than 30 years. One team runs the design, the engineering, and the build. We build the pool and the space around it together. The water, the deck, the spa, and the planting all fit one plan. That is why our pools look built for the home, not dropped into the yard.
How long does it take to build a pool and spa?
Most pools take two to four months. The build moves in clear stages. First we design and permit the project. Then we dig, shape the shell, and set the equipment. Rain and city review can push the date. We map a clear schedule before any digging starts. A pool is a structure, not just a hole. We build the shell in gunite, a sprayed concrete that lasts. Gunite handles our soil and our small earthquakes well. We can shape any form with it, from a clean rectangle to a curved spa. Steel and gunite together give you a pool that holds for decades.
What kind of pool lasts the longest?
Gunite pools last the longest in our area. The sprayed concrete shell resists cracks and shifting soil. Vinyl and fiberglass cost less but wear out sooner. We finish gunite with plaster or pebble for a smooth surface. With care, a gunite pool serves your family for 30 years. Many families want a spa beside the pool. A spillover spa sends warm water into the pool below. We also build tanning ledges, benches, and water features. LED lighting then turns the pool into an evening centerpiece. Every feature runs from one simple control.
Can you add a spa to my existing pool?
Often, yes. We check your current shell, plumbing, and equipment first. Then we design a spa that ties into the pool. We match the finish and the coping so it looks original. The result feels planned, not added on.Good equipment keeps a pool cheap to run. We fit variable-speed pumps, efficient heaters, and smart controls. California Title 20 now requires variable-speed pumps on new pools. These pumps cut power use and lower your bills. You run the pool from your phone, wherever you are.
Is a saltwater pool better than chlorine?
It depends on what you want. Saltwater systems make their own chlorine, so the water feels softer. They also mean fewer stored chemicals at home. Traditional chlorine costs less to install upfront. We help you weigh both against your budget and use.
Every pool in the Century Hills area needs a permit. The city reviews the plans for safety and drainage. On a slope near Cheviot Hills, we engineer the shell to hold. California law also requires a safety barrier around the pool. We build fences and covers that meet the state Swimming Pool Safety Act.
Do I need a permit to build a pool?
Yes, always. The City of Los Angeles requires permits for the pool, gas, and electrical work. The plans must show safety barriers and proper drainage. We handle every document and submission for you. That keeps your build legal and your family safe.
The old way used two crews that rarely talked. A pool builder dug the hole, and a separate landscaper fixed the yard. Seams showed, and blame moved back and forth. The new way is one design-build team. We plan the pool and the yard as a single project. You get a clean result and one point of contact.
We build every pool to a national standard. The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance sets the codes we follow. Our crews know soil, slope, and water on the Westside. We hold a California contractor license and full insurance. Thirty years of local pools stand behind our work.
Why choose Stout Design Build for pool and spa construction?
We design and build the pool and the yard as one. We engineer each shell for our soil and slopes. We follow Title 20, state safety law, and national pool codes. Most of all, we build pools your family will use for years.
