Pool Resurfacing Cost
Resurfacing an average 15 × 30 ft pool runs about $8,500 in white plaster and $14,000–$22,000 in pebble. The gap is smaller than it looks once you account for how long each finish lasts.
Typical national range
$8,500–$22,000
Average 15 × 30 ft pool (about 945 sq ft of interior surface), white plaster at the low end and pebble at the high end, including drain, chip-out, refill and start-up.
What this project needs measured
Measurements are only requested when they change the price of the work you selected. Everything below is collected inside the estimator — you can enter dimensions you already know or measure as you go.
Required
Pool interior surface area
Resurfacing and finish work are priced by the square footage of the interior shell.
Only if it applies
Attached spa
An attached spa is a separate surface and is usually quoted as its own line item.
Only if it applies
Pool perimeter (linear feet)
Tile and coping are priced by the linear foot around the pool edge.
Cost by size and finish
| Pool size | Interior surface | Plaster | Quartz | Pebble |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 20 ft | ~470 sq ft | $5,000–$8,000 | $6,200–$9,700 | $7,600–$13,000 |
| 15 × 30 ft | ~945 sq ft | $8,500–$13,700 | $10,900–$17,000 | $14,000–$22,000 |
| 20 × 40 ft | ~1,460 sq ft | $12,700–$20,600 | $16,300–$25,500 | $21,000–$33,000 |
| 25 × 45 ft | ~1,895 sq ft | $16,100–$26,200 | $20,800–$32,500 | $27,000–$43,000 |
What is in the price
A resurfacing quote is not just material. Roughly a quarter to a third of a plaster job is work that happens before any finish is applied.
| Line item | Typical share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior finish material and labour | 55–70% | Priced per sq ft of shell; varies most by material |
| Drain, chip-out and disposal | 15–25% | Fixed-ish; barely scales with pool size |
| Surface preparation and bond coat | 5–10% | Determines whether the finish lasts its full life |
| Refill and chemical start-up | 5–10% | Water plus a few weeks of controlled chemistry |
| Structural repair allowance | 0–15% | Only known once the shell is exposed |
Cost per year, not cost per job
The comparison that actually matters. Every resurfacing carries the same $2,400–$4,700 of drain, chip-out, refill and start-up, whatever finish goes in — so a cheaper finish that lasts half as long means paying that fixed cost twice.
| Finish | Typical cost | Service life | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| White plaster | $8,500–$13,700 | 7–12 years | $710–$1,960 |
| Quartz aggregate | $10,900–$17,000 | 10–15 years | $730–$1,700 |
| Pebble aggregate | $14,000–$22,000 | 15–20 years | $700–$1,470 |
What is not included
- Waterline tile. $35–$70 per linear foot. Most people add it, and it is far cheaper done now.
- Coping. $40–$85 per linear foot.
- Structural repair. $500–$3,500, discovered at chip-out rather than quoted upfront.
- Deck work. $6–$26 per square foot depending on resurface or replace.
- Equipment. Pumps, heaters, lights and automation are all separate.
- Permits. Varies by jurisdiction; usually triggered by structural or electrical scope.
- Water delivery. Where a hose fill is impractical or restricted.
Regional differences
The same scope moves by roughly a quarter between the cheapest and most expensive markets PoolSavr models, driven almost entirely by labour rates and permitting overhead rather than material.
| Market | Adjustment | 15 × 30 ft pebble resurfacing |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | −5% | $13,300–$20,900 |
| Jacksonville, FL | −5% | $13,300–$20,900 |
| Houston, TX | −2% | $13,700–$21,600 |
| National baseline | — | $14,000–$22,000 |
| Austin, TX | +5% | $14,700–$23,100 |
| Miami, FL | +12% | $15,700–$24,600 |
| Sacramento, CA | +15% | $16,100–$25,300 |
| San Diego, CA | +25% | $17,500–$27,500 |
How to read a PoolSavr estimate
- Step 1
Instant estimate
Based on your project selections and general pricing assumptions. Useful for deciding whether a project is realistic.
- Step 2
Measured estimate
Uses your pool, spa, or deck dimensions to price the work against the areas actually being resurfaced, tiled, or replaced.
- Step 3
Contractor proposal
Prepared by a licensed professional after inspecting the site. This is the only number that becomes a contract.
PoolSavr is an estimating and matching platform. We do not perform pool work ourselves — licensed local professionals do. Contractors pay PoolSavr for qualified project leads, which is how the estimating tools stay free for homeowners. A PoolSavr estimate is a planning range, never a guaranteed quote — read thefull estimate disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to resurface a pool?
- For an average 15 × 30 ft pool, roughly $8,500–$13,700 in white plaster, $10,900–$17,000 in quartz and $14,000–$22,000 in pebble — all including the drain, chip-out, refill and start-up. Small pools start near $5,000 and large ones can exceed $40,000.
- Why is resurfacing so expensive for a small pool?
- Because roughly $2,400–$4,700 of the job is drain, chip-out, refill and chemical start-up, and that cost barely scales with size. A small pool pays nearly the same fixed cost as a large one, spread over far less surface area.
- Is pebble worth the extra cost over plaster?
- On pure annualized cost, the two are close to a wash — pebble costs more but lasts longer. Pebble wins clearly if you have hard water, use the pool year-round, plan to stay long-term, or would rather not manage chemistry closely. Plaster wins if upfront budget is the binding constraint or you want that specific bright-white look.
- Does the quote include filling the pool?
- Usually yes for the refill and chemical start-up, and usually not for trucked water delivery where a hose fill is impractical. Confirm which is being quoted, particularly in areas with water restrictions.
- How much should I hold back for surprises?
- A 10–15% contingency is sensible on any resurfacing, because the shell cannot be inspected while it holds water. Structural crack repair, the most common surprise, typically adds $500–$3,500.
Ready to see what your project costs?
Start with the work you are considering. You will get a preliminary range before anyone asks for your phone number, and you decide whether to request a contractor review at the end.