Pool Resurfacing Cost by Material
Resurfacing is priced off your pool's wetted area — the floor and walls the new finish covers — times an installed price per square foot that depends on the material. Enter your dimensions (or your interior area) and pick a finish to get a real ballpark for your state.
Last updated June 30, 2026
Resurfacing cost by material
Installed price per square foot and the total for a typical 16×32 ft pool (~700 sq ft of interior surface) at the national-average labor rate.
| Finish | $/sq ft | Typical pool (700 sq ft) | Lifespan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epoxy paint | $1.75 | $1k – $1k | 2–5 years | Cheapest refresh; short-lived and best as a stopgap. |
| Plaster (marcite) | $5.50 | $3k – $4k | 7–12 years | The budget standard — easy to patch, smooth white finish. |
| Fiberglass refinish | $8.00 | $5k – $6k | 10–15 years | Stain- and algae-resistant; non-porous surface. |
| Pebble / aggregate | $11.00 | $7k – $9k | 15–20+ years | Durable and textured; the most popular mid-to-premium pick. |
| Full tile | $40.00 | $24k – $32k | 20+ years | Longest-lasting and most premium — also the most expensive. |
Totals show a ±15% range and assume the full interior is refinished. Tile totals climb fast on larger pools because labor scales with every square foot of wall and floor.
How we estimate it
The math is wetted area × installed $/sq ft × regional labor multiplier. When you give dimensions, we derive wetted area as surface area plus perimeter × average depth, so deeper pools (more wall) cost more to refinish. Material price per square foot ranges from $1.75 for epoxy paint up to $40.00 for full tile.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to resurface a pool?
- For a typical 16×32 ft inground pool (about 700 sq ft of interior surface), a replaster runs roughly $3,300–$4,500, pebble/aggregate about $6,500–$8,800, and full tile $24,000+. The driver is the finish material and your pool's wetted (interior) area, not the water's footprint.
- What is the wetted (interior) surface area?
- It's the floor plus the walls — every surface the new finish actually touches — not the water's footprint. A good estimate is surface area + (perimeter × average depth). If you already know your interior area, enter it directly in the calculator.
- Which pool finish lasts the longest?
- Tile lasts longest (20+ years) and costs the most. Pebble/aggregate finishes last 15–20+ years, fiberglass refinishing 10–15 years, plaster 7–12 years, and epoxy paint just 2–5 years before it needs redoing.
- How often does a pool need to be resurfaced?
- It depends on the finish. Plaster typically needs re-coating every 7–12 years; pebble and tile go much longer. Signs you're due include rough or flaking surfaces, persistent stains, exposed aggregate, or a finish that no longer holds water chemistry well.
- Is pebble worth it over plaster?
- Pebble costs roughly twice as much as plaster upfront but lasts about twice as long and resists staining and etching far better. Over the life of the pool the annualized cost is similar, so the choice usually comes down to budget timing and the look and feel you want.
Related pool calculators
- Inground Pool Cost Calculator — what a new pool costs by type, size, and features.
- Pool Maintenance Cost Calculator — monthly upkeep: chemicals, power, water, and service.