How Much Does Pool Resurfacing Cost? [2024 Data]

Pool Resurfacing Cost Factors

When planning a pool refinishing project, it's a good idea to get a sense of where your money is going so you can see if there's anywhere you can save or where you have room to spend a little more for a better or more durable end result.

Pool Size

The bigger the pool, the more it costs to repair. For example, resurfacing a concrete pool costs roughly $6,500 per 1,000 feet. So, if you have a 2,000-square-foot pool, you're looking at a total resurfacing cost of $13,000.

Pool Size	Average Cost to Resurface
6-by-8 ft.	$312
8-by-12 ft.	$624
8-by-20 ft.	$1,040
10-by-8 ft.	$520
12-by-20 ft.	$1,560
16-by-32 ft.	$3,328
18-by-36 ft.	$4,212
20-by-40 ft.	$5,200

Pool Type

Vinyl pools cost the least to resurface since you’re not technically resurfacing them, but actually replacing the pool liner. Concrete and fiberglass pools are more costly because of the time and materials required for the refinishing.

Finish Type

Tiles are beautiful and incredibly durable, but they're also the most expensive. So if you want a completely tiled pool, be prepared to invest more in your pool remodel cost. However, a tiled finish is easy to repair; if a tile breaks, you can just get that one replaced. If you want the beauty of tile without the sticker shock, you can just tile above the waterline and use a more affordable finish below. 

Paint is the lowest-cost, but least-durable option. Plaster is a good middle ground because it’s reasonably durable and cost-effective. Aggregate adds a luxury look and, while pricier than plaster, costs much less than tile.

Materials Cost to Refinish a Pool 

Plaster, if applied properly, lasts 10 years and costs $4 per square foot, while pebbles—one of the most durable aggregate options—have a lifespan of 20+ years and a cost of $10 per square foot. At the top end are tiles, which average around $25 per square foot but can climb up to $35 or more for high-end tiles. However, they typically last the longest.

Pool paint costs around $1 per square foot, but it won't last as long as other materials, with a lifespan of just two to five years. Even with perfect water chemistry and high-quality Epoxy paint, the hardest-wearing pool paint won't last longer than seven years before it needs reapplying. 

Overall, the cost of materials to refinish your pool varies significantly based on quality, lifespan, durability, and rarity.

Material	Average Cost (per sq. ft.)
Glass tile	$1 – $35
Large aggregate	$10
Paint	$1
Plaster	$4

Drain, Clean, and Refill

Getting someone to drain your pool costs between $175 and $225, plus another $250 for cleaning. Once the refinishing is complete, you'll need it refilled, which costs around $55 per 5,000 gallons. 

Labor Cost to Resurface a Pool

On average, it costs between $45 and $65 per hour in labor to refinish a pool. However, your costs may vary based on your location and the job's complexity.

Location

Both your geographical location and the location of your pool on your property will play a role in your pool resurfacing costs.

Geographical location matters because it affects supply and demand. In a warmer climate where swimming pools are far more popular, the demand for resurfacing is likely going to be greater, so prices will usually be a bit higher than average. In a cooler or moderate climate where pools and resurfacing are less in demand, the total could be below the national average.

Additionally, the location of your pool in your yard matters to some extent. If it’s set back far from the road, your pool resurfacing company will likely upcharge a bit for the added labor of moving machinery and materials to the job site. If you have landscaping features that make that more difficult, your price could climb even higher.

Customizations

If you’re just resurfacing a standard rectangular pool with a fixed depth, your cost should sit around the average of $6.50 per square feet to resurface. If you have a custom design with curves, unique angles, or large sets of steps, your price will likely increase because of the added labor cost to get the job done.

Customizations in the design itself could increase your pricing, as well. This is mostly a consideration only if you’re getting tile installed and want a custom mosaic in your pool. A good rule of thumb is that anything that takes longer to install will cost more because of the added labor.

Pool Resurfacing Cost by Type

After installation, resurfacing is one of the highest swimming pool costs you'll face, and how much it costs depends on the type of pool you have. Each pool type and finish has different time, labor, and material costs. Vinyl pools generally cost the least, with concrete (often called gunite) pools costing the most to resurface.

Fiberglass Pool Resurfacing Cost

Fully resurfacing fiberglass pools costs an average of $6,500 per 1,000 square feet. If, however, you just want a new gel coat with a painted topcoat, which is enough to cover minor scratches and dings, you'll pay around $1,000 to $1,200.

Available finishes for fiberglass pools include:

• Paint: Epoxy paint is a popular finishing option that you can do yourself or hire a pro to take on for you. It's relatively affordable compared to other finish types and typically costs $1 to $2 per square foot, including labor.

• Aggregate: Aggregate finishes usually comprise quartz, pebbles, glass beads, and/or crushed stone. This finish type typically costs $5 to $7 per square foot.  

• Tile: Tile is among the most expensive finish types, but it's also the most durable and long-lasting. It usually costs anywhere from $4 to$30 per square foot depending on the type.

Concrete/Gunite Pool Resurfacing Cost

Concrete pools usually cost around $6,500 per 1,000 square feet, but costs vary depending on the finish you choose. Choosing pricier materials, and those that need a lot of time or labor to install, can quickly rack up costs, so make sure you speak to a local pool repair pro for an accurate quote.

Available finishes for concrete/gunite pools include:

• Paint: Paint finishes are also available for concrete/gunite pools and typically costs $1 to $2 per square foot. 

• Plaster: Plaster is usually composed of marble aggregate, sand, and cement. It typically comes in white, but some manufacturers offer additional colors. This finish type costs between $5 and $6 per square foot.

• Aggregate: Aggregate is comparable in price to plaster, usually costing around $5 to $7 per square foot, but some aggregate types can cost more. 

• Tile: You can expect to pay anywhere from $4 to $30 per square foot to finish your pool in tile. Glass tiles are usually the most expensive, while ceramic and porcelain are most affordable. 

Vinyl Pool Resurface Cost

You don't technically refinish vinyl pools. Instead, you replace the whole liner, which costs between $1,000 and $3,500 per 1,000 square feet. It’s sometimes possible to carry out repairs instead if you find a leak in a pool liner, but a full replacement might be more cost-effective in the long run.

Cost to Resurface a Pool by Finish

If you have a high-end swimming pool, you’ll want to show it off in the best possible way, so you might want a finish that really sets it apart. But if your pool is more for fun family time than hosting an elegant poolside event and you're working with a tight budget, you likely want a solid finish that doesn't break the bank.

Cost to Repaint a Pool

Painting a pool surface costs around $1,500 per 1,000 square feet, including labor. It's a quick and easy job and a good choice if you decide your pool needs a facelift before your upcoming party. However, pool paint has a short lifespan at five to 7 years, and it's more susceptible to damage from poor water chemistry, which can further shorten its lifespan.

Cost to Replaster a Pool

Replastering a pool costs $5,500 per 1,000 square feet on average, including labor. Good-quality plaster, when properly installed, should last around 10 years, assuming you maintain healthy water chemistry.

The standard color is white, but some contractors offer the option to add pigment in blue, gray, or black. Adding pigment may result in an additional charge but allows you to create a custom look.

Cost to Resurface a Pool With Aggregate Finishes

The average cost of polished and rough aggregate pool resurfacing, including quartz, pebble, and crushed stone, is $6,500, including labor. Aggregates have a long lifespan, with quartz lasting around 12 years and glass beads lasting more than 20 years.

Cost to Refinish a Pool With Tiles 

If you want to resurface the whole pool in tile, expect to pay around $30,000 per 1,000 square feet. If you want the high-end look of tile but want to spend less, go for tile edging to make a statement, then install something less costly, like colored plaster, below the waterline. 

• Porcelain tiles: $4 per square foot*

• Ceramic tiles: $6 per square foot*

• Glass tiles: $25 per square foot*

*plus $45–$65 per hour for labor

Tiles are the most expensive option because the installation process is so labor-intensive, but they're also the longest-lasting, with most tiles lasting around 20 years or more.

Additional Costs to Consider

In addition to basic resurfacing prices, it's helpful to consider associated costs that might come with a resurfacing project. For instance, if you're making other repairs or installing additional features, you'll want to factor those costs into your overall budget.

Repairs 

The cost to repair a swimming pool usually ranges anywhere from $200 to $1,200, but it might be more or less expensive depending on the repairs you need. Minor repairs, like pump motor repairs, typically cost between $50 and $300, while replacing a pool filter usually costs $1,500 to $2,000.

Maintenance

All types of pools require some time and money for upkeep. However, the material you choose for your pool resurfacing project will affect your ongoing maintenance costs and the amount of effort you’ll need to put in. 

Pool paint is likely going to require the most maintenance to prevent fading, chipping, and peeling. The repairs will be time-consuming, but they will be the most affordable.

Plaster and aggregate are durable and shouldn’t require frequent repairs, but when they do need repair, you’ll need to call in a professional and pay a few hundred dollars, on average. Repairing pool tiles is going to cost about the same, but the repairs needed should be few and far between. Because plaster, aggregate, and the grout between tiles are porous, they tend to encourage algae growth, necessitating frequent cleaning.

Vinyl is one of the easiest pool surfaces to keep clean because it is smooth and non-porous, so it naturally limits algae growth. But repairing a vinyl liner will usually be the most expensive, averaging between $200 and $600, depending on the extent of the damage and where it’s located. 

Cost of Common Pool Resurfacing Add-Ons

While beautifying your pool with a new surface, maybe you want to enhance it even further with additional features. Common add-ons include lighting, decking, and fencing. 

• Lighting: New pool lights cost anywhere from $20 to $1,700, but most homeowners will pay around $625 per light. LED pool lights usually cost the most, while incandescent bulbs cost the least. Additional features, like color-changing technology, will further increase costs.

• Water heater: If you want to extend your swimming season or simply make it more comfortable, consider installing a pool heater. Pool heaters cost between $1,700 and $4,000 to install based on the size and type of pool you have.

• Decking: A new deck can enhance the look of your pool while making it safer and more comfortable to walk around it. Pool decks cost between $3,000 and $12,000 depending on the deck's size.

• Fencing: Pool fences can help prevent accidents so they're an important safety measure, especially for households with kids and pets. The cost of pool fencing ranges from $1,500 to $10,000 based on the fence's size and materials.

• Water features: You can add water features to your pool to make it more fun and inviting, such as a waterfall, waterslide, or fountain. Depending on the type you choose, you can expect to pay between $450 and $1,900. 

How Much Does It Cost to Resurface a Pool Yourself?

Expect to save $45 to $60 per hour on labor costs by DIYing your pool surface—but most pool resurfacing jobs are best reserved for the pros. The only full resurfacing option that most homeowners can do themselves is repainting, and even that requires a certain amount of skill and experience. 

If you want to hire a local pool resurfacing professional but also want to minimize costs, you can take care of the draining, cleaning, refilling, and water rebalancing yourself. You'll save approximately $200 for draining the pool and around $250 for a thorough clean. However, remember that you'll increase your water utility costs for the refill plus the cost of pool chemicals if you choose to rebalance the water yourself. 

These tasks are time-consuming and the savings are minimal, so unless you're certain you have the time and skills required, you'll likely be better off doing something fun and leaving pool refinishing to the professionals. Plus, if you botch the job, you'll end up paying more to fix the problem and complete the refinish than if you'd hired a pro to begin with.

However, most homeowners can patch small areas of their pool surface using DIY kits that cost less than $50. The same goes for replacing broken or missing tiles. No need to re-tile the whole area or get a pro. With minimal know-how, you can easily replace a tile or two.

Ways to Save Money on Pool Resurfacing Costs

Resurfacing your pool can get expensive quickly, sometimes reaching up to $50,000 or more. There are a few things you can do to save money upfront and in the long run.

• Choose a more affordable finish. You can expect to pay around 20 times more for tile than you would for pool paint, so opting for a less expensive finish material can drastically reduce your expenses. In order from least expensive to most expensive, your options are paint, vinyl, aggregate, plaster, and tile.

• Consider maintenance costs. Upfront cost is important, but you should also consider your ongoing expenses. You might pay significantly more for plaster or tile than you would for paint, for example, but they’ll last much longer and might end up costing you less over time in terms of maintenance. 

• Opt for add-ons at the same time. Finally, if you’ve been yearning to add lighting, a pool heater, decking, or some other improvement to your pool, you may be able to save money by bundling the job in with your resurfacing project.

Kelly Weimert contributed to this piece.