Pool resurfacing can cost somewhere between $6,000 and $15,000 for most homeowners, with an average of around $11,000. Your exact price will depend on your pool type, its size, and the finish material.
If your pool is showing cracks, staining, or a rough surface, this guide will help you budget for what’s ahead and understand exactly what you’re paying for.
Table of Contents:
| Cost Level | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Typical Range | $6,000 to $15,000 |
| National Average | $11,000 |
| Low End (paint finish) | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| High End (tile or major repairs) | $20,000 to $30,000+ |
| Cost Per Square Foot | $6 to $30 (varies by finish) |
Most standard inground pools fall somewhere in the middle of this range. A basic plaster job on a 500-square-foot pool will run you far less than a full pebble or tile finish on a 1,000-square-foot pool.
Don’t forget to budget for draining and refilling too. When these services aren’t included in the resurfacing quote, draining adds around $150 to $500, cleaning and surface preparation can add $200 to $600, and refilling the pool costs roughly $50 to $500, depending on pool size and local water rates.
Costs vary with the type of pool you have. Interestingly, in some cases, “resurfacing” isn’t even the right term. Let’s find out more.
Gunite is the only pool type that goes through (and needs) true resurfacing. The old finish, that’s usually plaster, gets chipped or sandblasted off and a brand-new surface is applied over the solid concrete shell.
The estimated resurfacing cost goes around $6,000 to $15,000, depending on the finish you choose. Basic plaster lands on the lower end, while pebble and tile push the price up significantly.
Concrete pools need resurfacing every 10 to 15 years. This frequency can also change. How often your pool needs resurfacing comes down to how well you maintain your water chemistry and which finish material you started with.
Did you know fiberglass pools aren’t actually resurfaced? They’re actually just refinished. The original gel coat is a factory-applied layer that can’t be replicated in the field. So when a fiberglass pool needs work, contractors sand it down and apply a new coating like thermoplastic polymer (EcoFinish), aggregate, or paint over the top to make it new.
This costs somewhere around $7,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of the pool and the finish used. EcoFinish and polymer coatings are the most popular choices because they bond well to the fiberglass shell and hold up long-term.
If your fiberglass pool is just showing minor fading or surface scratches, you can simply go for a gel coat touch-up with a painted topcoat. This runs as low as $1,000 to $1,200 and your pool will be as good as new.
Vinyl pools don’t get resurfaced at all because there’s no solid shell to apply a new finish to. So when the liner wears out, tears, or starts leaking, you replace it. That’s the only real option you have with vinyl pools.
Estimated cost for liner replacement is about $3,500 to $8,000 for an inground pool, depending on pool size and liner thickness. Above-ground pool liners run a little cheaper, averaging around $2,000 for a full replacement.
Small tears can sometimes be patched for $100 to $500, but if your liner is old and brittle, a full replacement is almost always the smarter call.
Our experts can inspect your pool and recommend the right solution for your surface and budget.
| Finish Material | Cost Per Square Foot | Cost for a 1,000 sq. ft. pool |
|---|---|---|
| Epoxy paint | $1 to $3 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Basic plaster | $6 to $8 | $6,000 to $8,000 |
| Quartz aggregate | $7 to $12 | $7,000 to $12,000 |
| Pebble finish | $10 to $20 | $10,000 to $20,000 |
| Tile | $15 to $30 | $15,000 to $30,000 |
$1 to $3 per square foot; $1,500 to $3,000 for a 1,000 sq. ft. pool
Epoxy paint is the most affordable resurfacing option and it also goes on fast. You’ll find most jobs to wrap up in a day or two. But there’s a downside too. Epoxy paint only lasts 5 to 7 years before it needs to be redone and it’s sensitive to unbalanced water chemistry too.
One important thing to know is that epoxy and latex pool paints don’t stick to each other, so whatever type of paint is on your pool now determines what you can use next. It’s the cheapest route, but you’ll be back at it sooner than with any other finish.
Cost: $6 to $8 per square foot; $6,000 to $8,000 for a 1,000 sq. ft. pool
Standard plaster, also called marcite, has been the go-to pool finish for decades. It’s made from a mix of cement, marble aggregate, and sand, and it gives pools that classic white or light blue look.
Generally, a good plaster job will last you around 10 years with proper chemical maintenance. It’s prone to staining and can feel rough on bare feet as it ages, but if you want a durable and cost-effective finish without going premium, plaster is hard to beat.
Cost: $7 to $12 per square foot; $7,000 to $12,000 for a 1,000 sq. ft. pool
Quartz plaster is a step up from basic plaster. It’s made with colored quartz fragments mixed into a cement base to give the surface a speckled appearance. The mix also makes it more resistant to staining and chemicals.
It lasts around 12 years on average, which is longer than standard plaster, and it also holds its color better over time. If you’re looking for something more refined than basic plaster without jumping all the way to pebble, then quartz is a solid middle ground for you.
Cost: $10 to $20 per square foot; $10,000 to $20,000 for a 1,000 sq. ft. pool
Pebble finishes (from brands like Pebble Tec, PebbleSheen, and BeadCrete) are among the most durable options you can put in a pool. Its smooth, rounded pebbles are very comfortable underfoot and hold up extremely well against UV exposure, pool chemicals, and heavy use.
A quality pebble finish lasts 15 to 25+ years and makes it cheaper in the long run compared to plaster that needs replacing every decade. Pebble is the smartest choice if you plan to stay in your home long-term despite its relatively bigger upfront investment.
Cost: $15 to $30 per square foot; $15,000 to $30,000 for a 1,000 sq. ft. pool
Full tile resurfacing is the most expensive and most labor-intensive option, but it’s also the longest-lasting. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are the most affordable, while glass mosaic tiles sit at the top of the price range.
The biggest advantage of tile is that individual broken pieces can be replaced without redoing the entire pool. If you want the look of tile without the full cost, use it as accent tile at the waterline only, pairing it with a less expensive interior finish below the surface. That approach can save you thousands.
The most common signs that a pool needs resurfacing include:
If your pool surface is more than 10 years old and showing any of these signs, it’s time to get it looked at.
Fall and winter are the best times for two reasons. First, demand for pool contractors drops, which can mean better pricing and faster scheduling. Second, you’re not losing swim season, and your pool gets resurfaced during the months you’d be using it least, and it’s ready to go by spring.
Pool resurfacing costs between $6,000 and $15,000 for most pools, but the real number depends on your specific pool. Its size, current condition, and the finish you want will decide the final price.
If your pool is showing signs of wear, get a free quote from Luxury Pools Guide. We’ll take a look at your pool, walk you through the right finish options for your situation, and give you a clear price before any work begins.
