Most people think a pool starts with writing a big check and hoping it all goes right.
It makes sense to feel that way, because you're about to hand someone a lot of money for something that doesn't exist yet, but California has rules about when that money changes hands.
The down payment is capped
For a typical California home improvement contract, and that includes your pool, the down payment is limited to $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. On one of our pool builds, that's $1,000, and that's what it takes to get started.
There are limited exceptions for contractors furnishing qualifying bonds or an approved joint-control arrangement. If someone asks for more up front, ask for documentation that the exception covers your project. CSLB explains this in its swimming pool construction guide.
Every payment after that follows the work
Under the standard rules, after the down payment, a contractor can only collect for work that's already done or materials that are already delivered. The required contract notice puts it plainly:
“IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR A CONTRACTOR TO COLLECT PAYMENT FOR WORK NOT YET COMPLETED, OR FOR MATERIALS NOT YET DELIVERED.”
The contract lays out a schedule of progress payments, and each one names the phase, describes the work, and shows the amount down to the dollar. You see all of it before you sign. These requirements are set out in California Business and Professions Code section 7159.
How ours lines up
A typical contract of ours starts with the $1,000 down payment, then seven progress payments, each tied to a phase of the build:
- Plans and engineering
- Demo and excavation (demo only if there's something to tear out)
- Steel, plumbing, and shotcrete
- Tile and coping
- Hardscape
- Interior finish
- Punch list (the last details before it's done)
Your contract sets the exact scope and amounts for your yard. A phase appearing on the schedule doesn't mean it's paid in advance.
The bigger payments land in the middle, because that's where the steel and shotcrete go in. The reinforcement your pool needs depends on the site, engineering, and approved plans.
Some payments line up with materials instead of labor, like when your equipment or tile gets delivered, and the same rule applies, so the materials have to actually be there before you pay for them.
Where allowances and changes fit
Your contract sets allowances for material selections, and if you stay within an allowance, there's no extra charge for that selection. If you pick a tile or a finish above it, the difference needs to be accounted for in writing, which is worth knowing before you fall in love with a tile.
Changes to the scope can also change the price. A written change order spells out the work, the cost, and any effect on the payment schedule, and is signed by both sides before that changed work begins.
Where financing fits
If you'd rather not pay for your pool out of savings, financing may be an option. We work with four financing partners, with approval, rates, loan limits, and terms set by each lender.
Financing doesn't change our payment schedule, and every payment still follows the work. Confirm with your lender when funds will be available for each milestone.
If you want to see your pool before you pay a dollar, start with a free 3D design consultation.
Payment rules checked against California Business and Professions Code section 7159.5 and CSLB guidance on September 23, 2026. Your signed contract sets your project's scope and payment amounts.