How pool resurfacing cost is worked out
interior sq ft = length × width + 2 × (length + width) × average depth · cost = sq ft × price per sq ft
Resurfacing is priced by the area that gets the new finish: the floor and all four walls. A 16x32 pool, 3.5 ft at the shallow end and 7.5 ft at the deep end, has a 5.5 ft average depth, 512 sq ft of floor and 528 sq ft of walls, 1,040 sq ft in all. At 6 USD per sq ft that is 6,240 USD; at 12 USD, 12,480 USD. Round pools: floor = 0.785 × diameter², walls = 3.14 × diameter × average depth. Steps, benches and an attached spa add area, so a quote can come in a little above the result.
| Pool (avg depth) | Epoxy or rubber paint | White plaster | Quartz plaster | Pebble finish | Full tile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12x24 (4.5 ft, 612 sq ft) | 612-1,224 | 2,448-4,896 | 4,284-6,120 | 4,284-9,180 | 4,896-18,360 |
| 15x30 (5 ft, 900 sq ft) | 900-1,800 | 3,600-7,200 | 6,300-9,000 | 6,300-13,500 | 7,200-27,000 |
| 16x32 (5.5 ft, 1,040 sq ft) | 1,040-2,080 | 4,160-8,320 | 7,280-10,400 | 7,280-15,600 | 8,320-31,200 |
| 18x36 (5.5 ft, 1,242 sq ft) | 1,242-2,484 | 4,968-9,936 | 8,694-12,420 | 8,694-18,630 | 9,936-37,260 |
| 20x40 (5.5 ft, 1,460 sq ft) | 1,460-2,920 | 5,840-11,680 | 10,220-14,600 | 10,220-21,900 | 11,680-43,800 |
Which finish: price and life
| Finish | HomeGuide (USD/sq ft) | Angi (USD/sq ft) | Lasts (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epoxy or rubber paint | 1-2 | 1-2 | 5-7 |
| White plaster (marcite) | 6-8 | 4-6 | 7-12 |
| Quartz plaster | 7-10 | 5-7 (aggregate) | 10-15 |
| Pebble finish | 7-15 | 10 | 15-20+ |
| Polymer coating (EcoFinish type) | 10-15 | – | long |
| Full tile | 8-30+ | 25 (up to 35+) | longest |
Paint costs least but needs redoing after about 5 to 7 years. White plaster is the standard on concrete and gunite pools; quartz adds colour and resists stains; pebble costs more but lasts 15 to 20 years or longer, against 7 to 12 for plaster (HomeGuide). Vinyl pools are not resurfaced: the liner is replaced. After a new finish the water starts from scratch: refill time and water cost are in the pool fill time calculator, and fresh plaster needs balanced water, so check it with the pool LSI calculator and the calcium hardness calculator. Paying over time: the pool loan calculator.
Prices: HomeGuide, "Pool resurfacing cost" (April 25, 2025): paint 1-2, plaster 6-8, quartz 7-10, pebble 7-15, polymer 10-15, tile 8-30+ USD per sq ft, national average 11,000 USD, drain and clean 600-650 USD, lifespans. Angi, "How Much Does Pool Resurfacing Cost? [2026 Data]" (updated August 1, 2026): plaster 4 (5-6 on concrete), aggregate 5-7, pebble 10, tile about 25 USD per sq ft. The calculator's range runs from the lower to the higher source. Prices include labour and vary by region; get local quotes. Read October 23, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to resurface a pool?
HomeGuide puts the national average at 11,000 USD, with most jobs between 6,000 and 15,000 USD; Angi gives the same range for a 1,000 sq ft pool. A 16x32 pool with a 5.5 ft average depth has 1,040 sq ft of floor and walls: 4,160 to 8,320 USD in plaster, 7,280 to 15,600 USD in pebble.
Is pool resurfacing expensive?
It is a large bill but a rare one. Plaster lasts about 7 to 12 years, quartz 10 to 15 and pebble 15 to 20 or more (HomeGuide), so a 6,000 to 8,000 USD replaster comes round about once a decade. Paint costs only 1 to 2 USD per sq ft but needs redoing every 5 to 7 years.
Can I plaster a pool myself?
Not realistically. The old finish has to be chipped or blasted off first, and plaster must go onto the whole pool in one session before it sets, which is why crews of several finishers do it in a day. Epoxy pool paint is the finish owners apply themselves, at 1 to 2 USD per sq ft.
What time of year is best to resurface a pool?
The off-season: in late fall, winter or early spring contractors are less busy and you lose no swimming days. Avoid freezing nights and the hottest weeks, when plaster dries too fast. Plaster and pebble are refilled right away and cure under water; epoxy paint needs several dry days before the pool is filled.
How do I measure my pool for resurfacing?
Add the floor and the walls: length × width + 2 × (length + width) × average depth. A 16x32 pool, 3.5 ft shallow and 7.5 ft deep (5.5 ft average), has 512 sq ft of floor and 528 sq ft of walls, 1,040 sq ft in all. Steps, benches and a spa add area.