How Much Does Pool Resurfacing Cost? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost for pool resurfacing is $11,000. Most homeowners pay between $6,000 and $15,000, with pool size, finish material, and location driving most of the spread. Budget an additional $425 to $475 for draining, refilling, and cleaning before work begins.

Pool Resurfacing Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?

Understanding what drives pool resurfacing costs helps you decide where to save and where to spend to achieve a better or longer-lasting result. Costs break down across several key variables, including labor, pool size, finish material, and your location.

Labor Cost to Resurface a Pool

Labor to refinish a pool runs $45 to $65 per hour, though your final rate depends on where you live and how complex the job is.

Pool Size

Pool size is one of the most direct cost drivers in any resurfacing project, with concrete pools running roughly $6,500 per 1,000 square feet—meaning a 2,000-square-foot pool would cost around $13,000 to resurface. The table below shows how resurfacing prices break down across common pool dimensions:

Materials Cost to Refinish a Pool

Pool resurfacing material costs range from $1 per square foot for paint to $25 per square foot for tile, with high-end tile costing $35 or more. Plaster is a mid-range option at $4 per square foot with a lifespan of about 10 years, while aggregate such as pebbles costs $10 per square foot and can last 20 or more years. Paint is the most budget-friendly choice but requires reapplication every two to seven years even under ideal conditions, making it the least durable option overall. The table below breaks down average pool resurfacing material costs:

Finish

Tile is the most durable and expensive finish for a pool resurfacing project, so if a fully tiled pool is beyond your budget, tiling only above the waterline and using a more affordable finish below is a practical way to manage your pool remodel cost. Paint is the lowest-cost option but also the least durable, while plaster offers a reasonable balance of durability and affordability. Aggregate sits between plaster and tile in price, delivering a high-end look at a fraction of the cost of tile. Pool resurfacing costs vary by finish type as shown in the table below:

Other Cost Factors

• Drain, Clean, and Refill: Draining your pool costs $175 to $225, and cleaning costs about $250. Refilling your pool costs around $55 per 5,000 gallons.

• Location: Pools are very popular in warm climates, so demand for resurfacing will be higher than in colder climates, driving up costs. 

• Accessibility: The location of your pool on your property also matters; if it's difficult to access, your contractor may charge more for labor.

• Customizations: Basic resurfacing costs are around $6.50 per square foot. However, if you have a custom pool design, unique angles, or other challenging factors, your resurfacing cost will likely increase. The longer it takes to install, the more you'll pay for labor.

• Pool Type: Vinyl pools cost the least to resurface because you're not technically resurfacing them; you're replacing the pool liner. Concrete and fiberglass pools are more costly because of the time and materials required for the refinishing.

Pool Resurfacing Cost by Type

Resurfacing is one of the highest-cost swimming pool maintenance tasks you will face after installation, and the price depends heavily on the type of pool you own. Vinyl pools cost the least to resurface, while concrete pools, often called gunite, tend to cost the most because of the time, labor, and materials required for their finishes.

Fiberglass Pool Resurfacing Cost

Fully resurfacing a fiberglass pool costs an average of $6,500 per 1,000 square feet, though a new gel coat with a painted topcoat to cover minor scratches and dings runs just $1,000 to $1,200. Finish type drives the final price, with paint at $1 to $2 per square foot, aggregate at $5 to $7 per square foot, and tile ranging from $4 to $30 per square foot depending on the material.

Concrete/Gunite Pool Resurfacing Cost

Concrete pool resurfacing costs around $6,500 per 1,000 square feet, but your final price varies based on the finish you select and the time and labor required to install it. Finish options range from paint at $1 to $2 per square foot and plaster at $5 to $6 per square foot, up to aggregate at $5 to $7 per square foot and tile at $4 to $30 per square foot, so speaking with a local pool repair pro is the best way to get an accurate quote for your specific project.

Vinyl Pool Resurfacing Cost

Vinyl pools are not technically resurfaced; instead, you replace the entire liner, which costs between $1,000 and $3,500 per 1,000 square feet. If you find a leak in a pool liner, targeted repairs may be possible, but a full liner replacement is often the more cost-effective choice over time.

Additional Costs to Consider When Resurfacing a Pool

Beyond the base resurfacing price, several associated costs can affect your total budget, particularly if you are making repairs or adding new features at the same time.

Repairs

The cost to repair a swimming pool falls between $240 and $1,200, though the total depends on what needs fixing. Minor repairs such as pump motor work run $50 to $300, while replacing a pool filter is a larger investment at $1,500 to $2,000.

Maintenance

Your choice of resurfacing material directly shapes your ongoing maintenance costs and effort. Paint demands the most upkeep to prevent fading, chipping, and peeling, though repairs are the most affordable when they arise. Plaster, aggregate, and tile are more durable and need repairs less often, but their porous surfaces encourage algae growth and require frequent cleaning, with professional repairs typically running a few hundred dollars. Vinyl is the easiest surface to keep clean because its smooth, non-porous finish limits algae growth, though liner repairs are the most expensive of any surface type, averaging $200 to $600 depending on the damage and its location.

Cost of Common Pool Resurfacing Add-Ons

A pool resurfacing project is a natural opportunity to add features that improve your pool's comfort, safety, and appearance. Common add-ons include lighting, decking, and fencing, each with its own cost range to factor into your budget.

• Lighting: New pool lights cost $500 to $900, but most homeowners pay about $625 per light. LED pool lights 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 $1,800 and $4,200 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.

Why You Should Hire a Pool Resurfacing Pro

With the exception of minor repairs, resurfacing a pool is a large and complex task that's generally not suitable for DIY work. While it can appear that you could save hundreds or thousands of dollars on the project by doing it yourself, hiring a local pool resurfacing professional to perform the job ensures you'll avoid potentially costly errors and provides the appearance and functionality that only an expert can deliver. 

Here’s Why It’s Ideal to Hire a Pool Resurfacing Pro

Pool resurfacing generally overwhelms the skills of average DIYers, so here's why it's best to hire a pro:

• Licensed contractors have the skills, experience, and tools necessary to ensure your pool resurfacing lasts as long as possible.

• Their expertise allows them to identify potential problems with your pool, such as cracks, leaks, or other issues, and address them before work begins. 

• DIY mistakes can result in potentially costly damage, leaks, or other issues, which can cost thousands to repair later. 

• Pros have the equipment and gear to keep themselves and your family safe during the process. 

• Reputable companies provide quality and materials warranties, as well as carry the necessary insurance.

If You Want to DIY Pool Resurfacing

If you want to be a part of your pool refinishing process, you can assist by performing the following tasks:

• If appropriate, you can consider taking on small pool repair tasks yourself, such as patching work or replacing a few tiles. 

• Drain your pool before resurfacing work begins, following local guidelines

• Remove furniture, debris, and small structures from around the pool area before work begins

• Manage the refilling and balancing tasks after the work is complete

Ways to Save Money on Pool Resurfacing Costs

Resurfacing your pool can get expensive quickly, sometimes reaching up to {{nationalMaxCost}} 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.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.