Pool resurfacing in Los Angeles replaces the interior finish that protects the shell. It runs $6,000 to $15,000 and averages about $11,000 per HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data, with plaster lasting 5 to 10 years, quartz 15 to 20 and pebble beyond 20. Plan about five working days on site, plus refilling and balancing.
Work is done by Ran Neuman, who owns Spear Pools, Inc. and brings 18 years of hands-on pool repair and construction experience. Licensed and insured under CSLB #1143895. Free written estimate, and most repairs are scheduled the same week.
“The aesthetic finish on my 50 year old pool and decking was stunning, all the functions upgraded, the drainage gives us a peace of mind.”
★★★★★ Howard Teba, San Fernando Valley, verified Google review
Licensed & Insured · CSLB #1143895 (Spear Pools, Inc.) · Family-Owned, Serving the San Fernando Valley Since 1972 · Free Estimates · We Pull All Permits
Resurfacing covers every interior finish; for plaster specifically, see our pool plaster page.
Resurfacing, Refinishing, Replastering: Is It the Same Job?
Mostly, yes. Resurfacing, refinishing and replastering all mean removing a worn interior finish and applying a new one over the concrete shell. Replastering is the same job when the new finish is standard plaster.
Recoating is different. It usually means rolling a paint or epoxy coating over the old surface. Paint costs less up front but wears out much sooner than a cement-based finish, and it can only go over a surface that is still bonded. At Spear we apply plaster, quartz and pebble finishes, the three that hold up to Valley sun and hard water.
Signs Your Pool Needs a New Surface
A finish rarely fails overnight. It wears in ways you can see and feel:
- Rough spots that scrape feet or snag swimsuits
- Stains that come back after every acid wash
- Gray concrete showing through, especially on steps and benches
- Flaking or hollow-sounding patches where the finish has lost its bond
- Water that is hard to keep balanced because the surface is porous
We cover more of these in our list of warning signs your pool needs a new surface.
Choosing a Finish
The finish sets both the price and how long you wait before doing this again. Photos of finished pools are in our pool project gallery, which helps when comparing colors.
| Finish | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Standard plaster | 5 to 10 years |
| Quartz | 15 to 20 years |
| Pebble | 20+ years |
Source: HomeAdvisor; Pebble Technology International (pebble). Your price depends on the pool, access and what we find on site.
- Plaster: the lowest cost and a smooth, classic look. A sensible choice if you plan to sell within a few years.
- Quartz: plaster blended with quartz aggregate. It resists stains and etching better and lasts much longer.
- Pebble: the most durable, with a textured, natural look. It usually costs the least per year of use on a pool you plan to keep.
“I’ve used SPEAR for many years and I’ve never been disappointed. The office is always great and the techs are genius!”
★★★★★ Mark Randall, San Fernando Valley, verified Google review
How Pool Resurfacing Works
- Drain safely. Groundwater pressure under an empty shell can lift a pool out of the ground, so draining is planned around the soil and the water table.
- Remove the old finish. Loose material is chipped out and the whole surface is sounded with a hammer to find hollow spots.
- Repair the shell. Cracks, damaged fittings and hollow areas are fixed before anything new goes on.
- Handle tile and coping. With the pool empty, this is the cheapest time to replace them.
- Apply the finish. The new surface goes on in one continuous day.
- Fill and start up. The pool is filled without stopping, then the water is balanced and brushed daily while the finish cures.
Plan on about five working days on site, according to HomeAdvisor, plus refill and startup time. Because the pool is already drained, many owners also schedule waterline tile replacement in the same project. Cracked or loose cap stones are best handled at the same time by resetting the coping stones.
What Pool Resurfacing Costs
Resurfacing runs $6,000 to $15,000 and averages about $11,000, according to HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data. Four things move the number:
- Surface area. We measure the real surface, including steps and benches, instead of estimating from gallons.
- Finish. Plaster sits at the low end, pebble at the high end.
- Repairs. Hollow spots and cracks found after chipping add to the job.
- Add-ons. Tile, coping and fittings replaced at the same time.
For a size-by-size breakdown, read what plastering costs by pool size.
“Spears was the only who provided me with a written outline of the services to be performed. I made a good decision by hiring them and you will to.”
★★★★★ Ms. Rita Harris, Los Angeles, verified Google review
The Best Time of Year to Resurface
Spring and fall are the easiest seasons. Mild temperatures let the new finish cure evenly, while Valley summer heat can dry fresh plaster too fast.
Timing also affects when you can swim. A pool resurfaced in late fall is ready well before the next season, instead of sitting empty through July. Spring slots fill quickly, so it pays to book the estimate early.
When Resurfacing Is Not the Right Fix
A new finish cannot hold back water that is escaping through broken plumbing or a cracked shell. If the pool is losing water, the leak gets located and repaired first, or the new surface fails early.
Structural cracks that keep moving need engineering, not plaster. And if the shell itself has failed, resurfacing is money spent on a pool that needs rebuilding.
Caring for a New Finish
The first month decides how long the surface lasts. Brush the whole pool daily for the first couple of weeks, keep the water balanced, and avoid adding salt or running automatic cleaners until the finish has cured.
We handle pool resurfacing across Los Angeles, working out of the west San Fernando Valley and covering the Valley, the foothills and the Conejo Valley. See every city and neighborhood we serve.
Get a Free Pool Resurfacing Estimate
Tell us how old the finish is and what it is doing. Estimates are free, and we measure the actual surface area rather than guessing from gallons.
Free visit. Written price. No obligation.
Ready to get the surface sorted? Call (818) 719-9059 and speak to Ran.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to resurface a pool in Los Angeles?
Resurfacing a pool in Los Angeles costs $6,000 to $15,000, with an average of about $11,000, according to HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data. Plaster sits at the low end and pebble finishes at the high end, with quartz in between. Pool size, the condition of the old surface and how much has to be chipped out move the price within that range. We measure the actual surface area before quoting, rather than estimating from the number of gallons.
Is pool resurfacing worth it?
Yes, pool resurfacing is worth it when the shell is still sound, which is true of most concrete pools in Los Angeles. A new surface stops water from working through worn plaster, makes the pool smooth again and protects the shell underneath. At $6,000 to $15,000, resurfacing costs a fraction of a new in-ground pool, which starts around $44,300. It also helps at resale, since a stained or rough finish lowers what buyers think the pool is worth.
Can I resurface my pool myself?
Most homeowners should not resurface a pool themselves, even though it is technically possible. The pool has to be drained, the old surface chipped out, the shell prepared and the new plaster applied in one continuous session before it sets. Mistakes show up as rough patches, blotchy color or early cracking, and fixing them means redoing the whole job. In the City of Los Angeles, re-plastering an existing pool also needs an express permit from LADBS.
What is the cheapest way to resurface a pool?
The cheapest way to resurface a pool is standard white plaster, which sits at the low end of HomeAdvisor’s $6,000 to $15,000 resurfacing range. The trade-off is lifespan. Plaster lasts about 5 to 10 years, while quartz lasts 15 to 20 years and pebble more than 20. Pool paint costs less upfront but wears off within a few years and is not a true resurface. Over the years you own the house, pebble often costs less per year.
How do you tell if a pool needs resurfacing?
You can tell a pool needs resurfacing when the finish feels rough, shows gray spots where the shell comes through, or has stains that no longer clean off. Other signs are cracks, hollow-sounding patches when you tap the surface and water loss with no leak in the plumbing. Any one of these means the surface has stopped protecting the shell underneath. Waiting usually makes the job bigger, because water gets behind the plaster and loosens more of it.
Still have a question about your pool? Ran will look at it and give you a written price, free.