Pool and spa inspections in San Diego
A pool is not covered by a standard home inspection. We will check yours alongside the house, or on its own.
Pools and equipment
Field notes from the inspectors.
Booked with an inspection or on its own
A pool is the second most expensive thing on the property and it is not covered by a standard home inspection. We will look at it alongside the house or as a standalone visit.
Recently had Joe help us with our home inspection. He was phenomenal!
What we check
Vessel, plaster and waterline tile, pumps, filters and heater, valves and controls, lighting, bonding and GFCI protection, skimmer and drain covers, spa blower, plus the fencing and barrier protection that has to be there by law.
What's Included
Everything below is in the written report.
- Pool and spa shell, interior surface (plaster, pebble, tile, fiberglass, or vinyl), coping, and visible cracking or delamination
- Decking, expansion joints, and trip/settlement hazards around the pool perimeter
- Circulation system pumps, filter (sand, cartridge, or DE), valves, and visible plumbing for leaks and proper flow
- Pool and spa heater operation, venting, and condition (gas, heat pump, or solar)
- Skimmers, main drains, returns, and anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB compliance)
- Electrical safety GFCI protection, equipment bonding and grounding, and panel/sub-panel condition
- Lighting, timers, automation controls, and accessible equipment-pad components
- Safety barriers fencing height and gaps, self-closing/self-latching gates, and door alarms where present
- Spa jets, blower, controls, and spa-side heating performance
- Visible signs of past or active leaking, ground saturation, and equipment-pad corrosion
- Auto-fill devices, chemical feeders, and accessible water-feature equipment
- A same-day digital report (typical) with photos and prioritized findings
Standalone, or added to a home inspection on the same visit.
Pool and spa inspections
- Standalone Inspection$475
- With a Home Inspection$375
Cheaper as an add-on to a home inspection than on its own.
Home inspection
- Single family, from$475
- Condominium unit, from$395
- Townhome or attached, from$425
- Raised foundation+ $150 / $245
ADD $150 for all raised foundation type properties under 2,000 sq ft, $245 over 2,000 sq ft
Pool and spa inspections: questions we get
Is a pool inspection included in a standard home inspection?
No. A general home inspection covers the pool only in a limited way, if at all. A dedicated pool and spa inspection evaluates the equipment, plumbing, electrical safety, and barriers in real depth.
Can you tell if my pool is leaking?
We document visible signs of leaking, such as equipment-pad drips, persistent ground saturation, and unusual water loss indicators. If we suspect a hidden plumbing or shell leak, we'll recommend specialized leak-detection testing as a next step.
Do you check pool safety barriers and drain covers?
Yes. We assess fence height and gaps, self-closing and self-latching gates, and anti-entrapment (VGB-compliant) drain covers, all of which are central to drowning prevention.
How long does a pool and spa inspection take?
Most residential pool and spa inspections take roughly an hour, depending on the size and number of features, and same-day digital reports are typical.
Can you inspect a spa or hot tub on its own?
Yes. We inspect spas and hot tubs independently or alongside a pool, including jets, controls, heating, and electrical safety.
What is a pool and spa inspection?
A pool and spa inspection is a visual evaluation of your pool, spa, and their related equipment to document condition and safety concerns. In San Diego, our InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector checks the pool shell, decking, pumps, filters, heaters, and visible plumbing, then reports defects so you understand the system before you buy or after a season of heavy use.
Who needs a pool or spa inspection, and when?
Anyone buying a San Diego home with a pool or spa should get one during the escrow inspection period, since pool repairs are often costly. Current owners also benefit before listing, after a major leak, or following years of coastal salt-air exposure. Scheduling it alongside your home inspection gives you one coordinated visit and a clearer picture of total maintenance costs.
What does a pool and spa inspection include?
We visually inspect the pool and spa shell, surface, coping, and decking; the pump, filter, and heater; visible plumbing and electrical bonding; and accessible safety features like fencing and gates. We note leaks, cracks, equipment age, and corrosion. We do not perform engineering or destructive testing; significant structural concerns are referred to the appropriate specialist.
Your home is a major investment.
Protect it with San Diego's certified, 5-star-rated inspectors.