Pool resurfacing cost per square foot by finish
| Finish | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pool paint | $1–$2 | The cheapest finish |
| Plaster | $3–$8 | The standard finish for a concrete pool |
| Quartz plaster | $7–$10 | Plaster with quartz added; one guide only |
| Pebble or aggregate | $5–$15 | A textured stone finish; includes Pebble Tec and aggregates |
| Tile | $8–$30 | Priced by the tile; the widest range |
The guides use a 1,000 sq ft pool as their example, so the calculator starts there. HomeGuide runs well above Angi and Bob Vila for plaster ($6 to $8 per square foot against $4 and $3 to $5). Bob Vila repeats Angi's totals per 1,000 sq ft, so the two count as one view of the totals. Pool Research puts a plaster job for a medium pool at $5,000 to $10,000 and a pebble job at $9,000 to $13,000.
What changes the price
- Finish. Paint is cheapest, then plaster, quartz and pebble, with tile the most expensive.
- Pool size. The price follows the surface area to be covered.
- Pool material. Vinyl pools are relined, not resurfaced.
- Draining and refilling. You pay to drain, clean and refill the pool.
- Labor. Crews bill $45 to $110 an hour in HomeGuide and $45 to $65 in Angi.
- Where you live. The calculator adjusts the labor share for your state's concrete finisher wages.
Extras to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Draining and cleaning | $425–$650 | Before the new finish goes on |
Refilling is a separate cost: HomeGuide puts it at $40 to $400 with a garden hose or $400 to $2,000 by water delivery. For a new pool see inground pool cost, and for the concrete around it paver installation cost.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Which finish is quoted, and what is the warranty on it?
- Is the price per square foot or a flat project price?
- Does it include draining, cleaning, acid washing and refilling?
- Will the tile line and the coping be replaced too?
- How long must the pool sit before I can swim?
Methodology and sources
We price each finish per square foot from three published guides, take the middle of their lows, midpoints and highs, and adjust the labor share for your state's wages. Pool Research is used as an independent cross-check. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeGuide: pool resurfacing cost — price per square foot by finish, liners, draining and refilling
- Angi: pool resurfacing cost — price per square foot and per 1,000 square feet by finish
- Bob Vila: pool resurfacing cost — plaster and paint per square foot, totals, liners
- Pool Research: pool resurfacing cost — used as an independent cross-check
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2051, Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers) — state labor index
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide |
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| Angi |
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| Bob Vila |
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Common questions about pool resurfacing costs
How much does pool resurfacing cost?
A typical job (plaster) comes to about $5,500 nationally, within a range of $3,000 to $8,000. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
How much does it cost to resurface a 1,000 sq ft pool?
With plaster, about $3–$8 per square foot, which is $3,000–$8,000 for 1,000 sq ft. Pebble costs $5,000–$15,000.
How much does it cost to replaster a pool?
About $3–$8 per square foot. Angi puts replastering at $5,500 per 1,000 sq ft.
How much does a pebble pool finish cost?
About $5–$15 per square foot, or $5,000–$15,000 for 1,000 sq ft. HomeGuide prices Pebble Tec for a large pool at $8,000 to $20,000.
How much does it cost to paint a pool?
About $1–$2 per square foot, or $1,000–$2,000 for 1,000 sq ft.
How much does a tile pool finish cost?
About $8–$30 per square foot, or $8,000–$30,000 for 1,000 sq ft. Tile is the most expensive finish and varies enormously with the tile.
How much does it cost to drain and refill a pool?
Draining and cleaning cost about $425–$650. Refilling is extra: HomeGuide puts it at $40 to $400 with a garden hose or $400 to $2,000 by water delivery.
Can a vinyl liner pool be resurfaced?
No. A vinyl pool gets a new liner, which Angi and Bob Vila put at $1,000 to $3,500 per 1,000 sq ft and HomeGuide at $3,000 to $7,500.
What is the average cost to resurface a pool?
HomeGuide and Angi both put the average at $11,000, with a typical range of $6,000 to $15,000. Bob Vila and Pool Research put it at $6,500 per 1,000 sq ft.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 3 published cost pages from 3 publishers, last checked Oct 9, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 3 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.