Swimming Pool Calculator
Build your pool, see the ROI
A California inground gunite pool averages $80–$150/sqft. Adds roughly 7% to home value in Southern California.
Project inputs
450 sqft surface
$135 /sqft
$18,000
$12,000
$950,000
Total pool cost
$98,040
Adds about $66,500 to your home value (~7% SoCal premium).
Shell & equipment
$60,750
Soft costs (12%)
$7,290
Deck & coping
$18,000
Features
$12,000
Home value lift
$66,500
Maintenance
$2,640/yr
Net value created
$53,300
Home value lift minus 5 years of estimated maintenance.
The math, step by step
Transparent formulas using 2026 California market averages. No hidden assumptions.
- 1
Shell & equipment
450 sqft × $135/sqft = $60,750
- 2
Soft costs (design, permits, plaster)
12% of shell = $7,290
- 3
Deck & coping
+ $18,000
- 4
Features (spa, lighting, waterfall)
+ $12,000
- 5
All-in total
$98,040
- 6
Home value lift
$950,000 × 7% = $66,500
- 7
Operating cost
$220/mo × 12 = $2,640/yr