Signs your pool needs resurfacing
- Rough, sandpaper-like plaster that scrapes feet and swimsuits.
- Stains and discoloration that acid washing no longer removes.
- Chips, spalling and ‘pop-offs’ exposing the grey gunite underneath.
- Check-cracks spidering across the surface.
- Rising water loss and constant chemical demand — a failing surface is porous.
Plaster/marcite typically lasts 7–12 years in Florida’s year-round-use climate; if yours is in that range and showing these signs, it is time.
Cost by finish type
- Plaster / marcite (white) — $4 – $6 /sq ft; $5,000–$9,000 for an average pool. Shortest lifespan (7–12 yrs) but lowest cost.
- Quartz aggregate — $5 – $8 /sq ft; $7,000–$12,000. Harder, more stain-resistant, 12–18 yrs.
- Pebble (e.g. exposed-aggregate) — $7 – $11 /sq ft; $9,000–$18,000. Most durable, 15–25 yrs, best stain resistance.
- All-tile interior — $20 – $40 /sq ft; $25,000+. Longest life, highest cost, usually only the waterline is tiled.
Because a resurface is a drain-down job with a hard weather window, most Port St. Lucie owners schedule it with a local pool company in the drier months and bundle any tile or equipment work into the same shutdown.
Pool refinishing cost by finish (average ~450 sq ft interior, 2026)
| Finish | Cost per sq ft | Typical total | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaster / marcite | $4 – $6 | $5,000 – $9,000 | 7 – 12 years |
| Quartz aggregate | $5 – $8 | $7,000 – $12,000 | 12 – 18 years |
| Pebble finish | $7 – $11 | $9,000 – $18,000 | 15 – 25 years |
| Waterline tile (add-on) | $25 – $50 /lin ft | $1,500 – $4,000 | 20+ years |
Totals include drain, chip-out, bond coat, finish and startup. Coping and equipment replacement are separate.
What the job includes
A full resurface is: drain the pool; chip out or prep-bond the old surface; repair any hollow spots and cracks in the shell; replace waterline tile if included; acid-etch and apply a bond coat; trowel on the new finish; and a careful startup — 28 days of daily brushing and staged water chemistry that largely determines how the finish cures and how long it lasts. Expect the pool out of service for 1–2 weeks.
Common add-ons quoted at the same time: new waterline tile ($1,500–$4,000), replacing the coping ($1,500–$5,000), and equipment (pump, filter, salt cell) since the pool is already down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Figures on this page are 2026 Florida-region ranges gathered for planning purposes only. Confirm pricing with itemized quotes for your own property before you commit a budget.