“I will always talk a customer out of doing something that I think is a waste of money, and I’ll always give them my best professional advice on installing a product or a pool finish or anything, not just to make money, but for their best interest.”
What counts as a pool remodel?
Resurfacing replaces or restores the interior finish. A remodel can go much farther. It may combine the new finish with tile, coping, decking, hardscape, plumbing repair, structural repair, changes to steps or shallow areas, water features, lighting, landscaping or surrounding outdoor-living work.
Some pools need only a facelift. Others look cosmetic at first but reveal a leak, crack, void, failed plumbing line or movement that should be corrected before the final finish goes on.
Plaster, quartz, pebble, polished finishes, glass finishes, EcoFinish, new waterline tile and updated color choices.
Steps, benches, tanning ledges, bubblers, water features, access improvements and changes that make the pool easier to use.
Leak-related access, damaged plumbing, structural cracks, shell movement, erosion-related voids and finish restoration after repairs.
Start with what is actually wrong
Matt does not like spending a customer's remodel budget on cosmetic work while a known problem remains underneath. If the pool is losing water, cracking, moving or showing signs of a failed substrate, that problem belongs at the front of the conversation.
For major shell cracks, see our dedicated structural pool crack repair page →
What can you change during a pool renovation?
Switch from older plaster to quartz, pebble, polished aggregate, glass-bead systems or EcoFinish when appropriate for the pool and budget.
Replace dated waterline tile, update coping and coordinate the materials with the finish and surrounding deck.
Existing pools can sometimes be modified to add more usable shallow space, seating or easier entry. Feasibility depends on the shell and layout.
Repair or replace worn deck areas, add overlays or stone, and coordinate the pool with the larger outdoor space.
Bubblers, waterfalls and other features may be repaired, updated or incorporated into the new design when hydraulics and structure allow.
Some remodels expand beyond the shell to steps, patios, outdoor kitchens, landscaping and other areas around the pool.
Real Aqua Pool Finishes remodel examples
Tyler — Ice Ice Bay Bay EcoFinish remodel
This project involved more than changing the interior color. A leaking skimmer plumbing issue required access through the flagstone patio. The renovation also included a new tanning/sun ledge and bubblers before the updated EcoFinish surface was completed.
Tyler — Midnight Blue EcoFinish remodel
The project included repair work at a leaking waterfall and an updated raised-spa look using polished tumbled black stone, along with the Midnight Blue EcoFinish interior. Aqua Pool Finishes also has a five-year follow-up photo from this project, which we plan to expand into a separate case study as more project documentation is organized.
Tyler — Quartz + outdoor-living renovation
This remodel included a quartz interior refinish, new tile, steps, a flagstone overlay and replacement of the outdoor kitchen. It is a good example of why “pool remodel” can mean much more than resurfacing the shell.
Choosing the new finish
A renovation is a good time to rethink the surface because the finish affects appearance, comfort, maintenance and long-term ownership cost. Matt works with traditional marcite, quartz, pebble/aggregate, polished finishes, glass finishes and EcoFinish.
“I really don’t have a problem with any of these finishes. They all have pros and cons. I just think EcoFinish has fewer cons.”
That does not mean EcoFinish belongs on every project. If another finish better matches the homeowner's priorities—such as a particular natural aggregate look, sparkle or polished appearance—Matt says he will tell them that.
Compare pool finish options → Explore pool finish colors →
Should you remodel everything at once?
Not necessarily. Some projects can be phased. But opening a pool for one major scope and then tearing into the same areas again a short time later can create duplicate labor and cost. The smarter sequence depends on which systems interact—for example, tile and coping, plumbing under deck areas, structural repairs and the final interior finish.
Matt's preference is to lay out the whole wish list first, separate must-fix items from want-to-change items, and then decide what makes financial sense to combine.
How much does a pool remodel cost?
There is no honest single price for “a pool remodel” because the scope can range from resurfacing and tile to structural repair plus major deck and outdoor-living work. Pool size, finish choice, demolition, access, structural conditions, tile/coping selection and additions such as tanning ledges or water features all change the price.
Better way to estimate
Start with an itemized scope: what must be repaired, what is being replaced, what is being added, and what finish is going back in. Aqua Pool Finishes can then price the actual work rather than forcing the project into a generic remodel package.
How long does a renovation take?
A simple resurfacing project and a major renovation are not the same schedule. Structural repair, plumbing access, material lead times, weather, cure requirements and coordination with decking or outdoor-living work can all extend the timeline. Matt prefers to give a project-specific schedule after the scope is known rather than promise a universal number.
Pool remodeling FAQs
Can you add a tanning ledge to an existing pool?
Often, yes. The shell, dimensions, hydraulics and desired depth have to be evaluated first.
Can you change pool depth?
Depth changes are possible on some projects, but they are more involved than a standard resurface because they change the shell geometry and may affect how the pool is used. Matt evaluates the existing design before recommending it.
Can you remodel a pool that has structural cracks?
Yes, if the pool is a good repair candidate—but the structural problem should be diagnosed and repaired before the final cosmetic finish is treated as complete.
Do you handle landscaping and hardscape with pool renovations?
Aqua Pool Finishes' renovation work can include hardscape, decking and landscaping-related scope around the pool when it is part of the project.
Do you remodel pools in DFW as well as East Texas?
Yes. Aqua Pool Finishes serves East Texas and North Texas/DFW, with travel and project scope considered during estimating.
Thinking about renovating an older pool?
Send photos, tell us what is bothering you, and tell us what you would change if budget allowed. Matt can help separate the necessary repairs from the optional upgrades and build a practical scope.
Request a Pool Remodel Estimate