Pool Remodeling Questions, Answered

Most pool remodels in the Dallas–Fort Worth area take about 2 to 4 weeks from drain to refill. A straightforward resurfacing job can be finished in roughly 7 to 10 working days, while a full renovation with new tile, coping, decking, and equipment usually runs 3 to 6 weeks. Larger backyard transformations that add an outdoor kitchen or pavilion take longer, and weather is the most common reason a schedule shifts. We give you a realistic timeline in writing before work starts.

Yes. Aqua MD works with trusted third-party lending partners so you can spread the cost of your renovation over monthly payments instead of paying everything up front. You can check available options and pre-qualify on our financing page, then apply the approved amount to any service we offer — resurfacing, tile and coping, decking, outdoor kitchens, or automation.

We are based in Fort Worth, Texas and serve the wider Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, including Arlington, Mansfield, Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine, Aledo, Benbrook, Burleson, Midlothian, Cedar Hill, North Richland Hills, Hurst, Bedford, Euless, and Grand Prairie. If you are near one of those cities, call us and we will confirm coverage for your address.

Pool resurfacing replaces only the interior surface of the shell — the old plaster is chipped out and a new pebble, quartz, or plaster finish is applied so the pool looks and feels new again. Pool remodeling is broader: it can include resurfacing plus new waterline tile, coping, decking, lighting, water features, variable-speed pumps, heaters, and smart automation. If your only complaint is a rough or stained surface, resurfacing is usually enough. If the design, deck, or equipment also feels dated, a remodel is the better value.

Send us your project details through our contact form, or call (817) 693-8082. We will schedule a free, no-pressure on-site visit, look at the shell, plumbing, and equipment, talk through finish and deck options, and give you a written estimate. There is no charge and no obligation for the estimate.

Resurfacing is one line item: chip out the failing interior finish and apply a new pebble, quartz, or plaster surface. Remodeling combines that surface work with upgrades around the pool — waterline tile, coping stone, travertine or paver decking, LED lighting, water features, and smart equipment. Many customers start by asking for a resurface and choose a light remodel once they see how much the tile and coping affect the finished look.

Request an estimate through the contact form or call (817) 693-8082. We visit the property, measure, inspect the equipment pad, and give you an itemized written estimate so you can compare options line by line. Estimates are free.

This gallery covers the work we do most often: pebble and quartz interior finishes, waterline tile and coping, travertine and paver decking, rock waterfalls and water features, outdoor kitchens and pavilions, spa builds, and smart automation retrofits. Photos are grouped by category so you can jump straight to the type of work you are considering.

Yes. Every photo and video on this page is from an actual pool Aqua MD remodeled or built in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. They are our own job-site and completion photos — not stock imagery or renderings.

Absolutely. Tell us which photo caught your eye and we will talk through whether the same finish color, tile, coping, or deck material works for your shell, deck size, and budget. We adapt these designs to existing pools of any age, including retrofits on older gunite shells.

Yes. On-site consultations and estimates are free with no obligation. We walk the backyard with you, inspect the shell and equipment, discuss finish and decking samples, and follow up with a written estimate. Use the contact form or call (817) 693-8082 to schedule a visit.

We resurface with three families of material. Mini pebble aggregate is our signature — colors like Aqua Blue, Tahoe Blue, Majestic Blue, Barbados Blue, Tropics, White and Black — and it gives the deepest water color with the longest life. Quartz finishes such as French Grey and Midnight Blue are a mid-range option with a smoother feel. Standard and colored plaster is the budget choice. Around the interior we set glass, glow, or ceramic waterline tile, natural or cast coping stone, and travertine or paver decking. We bring samples to the consultation so you can see the colors in your own light.

Resurfacing alone typically costs $8,000 to $18,000 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, depending on pool size and finish choice. White plaster is the least expensive option, quartz finishes cost more, and pebble finishes with premium colors are at the top of that range. This price assumes the shell, tile, and decking are in acceptable condition and only the interior surface is being replaced. Pools with existing cracks or bond beam issues will cost more once that repair work is added.

Doing tile, coping, decking, and resurfacing together in one project is almost always cheaper per item than phasing them, because mobilization, draining, and refilling costs are shared across the whole scope instead of paid twice. Phasing makes sense mainly when budget requires it, not because it saves money overall. If you know you'll want new decking within a few years, it's worth pricing it into the current project even if you delay the work slightly.

Quotes change after draining when a contractor finds problems that weren't visible with water in the pool, such as plumbing leaks, cracks in the shell, or a deteriorating bond beam under the tile line. This is common on pools over 15-20 years old. A reputable contractor documents the issue with photos and gets your approval before doing extra work, rather than surprising you on the final invoice.

Most DFW-area cities require a permit for structural work, equipment changes involving electrical or gas, and sometimes for resurfacing depending on the municipality. Requirements vary by city, so what applies in Fort Worth may differ from Arlington or Southlake. A licensed local contractor pulls the correct permits as part of the project so you're not left tracking down inspections yourself.

Resurfacing a typical residential gunite pool costs roughly $8,000 to $18,000 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. White plaster sits at the low end of that range, quartz aggregate finishes in the middle, and pebble finishes with premium colors at the top. The figure assumes the shell, tile, and decking are in acceptable condition and only the interior surface is being replaced — bond beam repair, plumbing repair, or new waterline tile are priced separately on top. Pool square footage is the other major variable, since every finish is priced per square foot of surface area.

Most pools need resurfacing every 10 to 20 years, and the finish material sets where in that window you land: white or colored plaster typically lasts 10-15 years, quartz aggregate 12-18 years, and pebble 15-20 years or more. Hard water, heavy chemical dosing, and letting the water level or chemistry drift all shorten it. Rather than watching the calendar, watch the surface — rough sandpaper texture, staining that won't acid wash out, and exposed aggregate mean it's time regardless of age.

A straightforward resurfacing job typically takes 7 to 10 working days from draining to refill, assuming no unexpected shell or plumbing repairs are found. Adding tile replacement extends that timeline by a few days, and coping or decking work extends it further. Weather affects plaster and pebble cure time, so schedules can shift a few days in either direction, especially during rainy stretches. The pool is generally swimmable a week or two after the refill, once start-up chemistry has settled.

If the surface is rough, stained beyond cleaning, or losing aggregate across large areas, resurfacing is usually the right call rather than a spot repair, since patches rarely match the existing finish and don't address widespread wear. Small isolated cracks or a single chip can sometimes be repaired without a full resurface. A contractor can tell the difference by inspecting the pool drained, since problems are often more visible without water in it.

Not in the same way as a gunite pool. Fiberglass pools have a gel coat rather than a plaster finish, so they are repaired or re-coated in a separate process, not chipped out and replastered. Vinyl liner pools have no interior finish at all — the liner itself is replaced, usually every 8 to 12 years. The resurfacing process described on this page applies to gunite and shotcrete pools, which is the large majority of the pools we remodel across Fort Worth and DFW.

Yes, changing finish color or even finish type (for example going from plaster to pebble) during resurfacing is common and doesn't add significant time to the project. The main consideration is that darker finishes absorb more heat and can make pool water warmer in summer, while lighter finishes show less color variation as they age.

No. A new interior finish has to bond to a clean, dry, prepared shell, so the pool is drained completely for a resurface. Some smaller repairs can be done with the water only partially lowered — replacing a section of waterline tile, for instance, only needs the level dropped below the tile band. A full drain is what resurfacing itself requires, and in DFW clay soil the timing of that drain matters, which is why it should be planned rather than rushed.

Blotching in the first few weeks after resurfacing is usually related to uneven curing, often from inconsistent brushing or chemical introduction during start-up rather than a material defect. It can also happen if the pool sits without water circulating properly right after plastering. Most cosmetic blotching fades within the first month as the finish fully cures; if it doesn't, it's worth having the contractor take a look.

Pebble finishes typically last the longest, often 15-20 years or more, because the natural stone surface resists staining, chipping, and UV fading better than plaster or quartz. Plaster has the shortest typical lifespan at 10-15 years, and quartz falls in between at roughly 12-18 years. Actual lifespan for any finish depends heavily on water balance and maintenance, not just the material itself.

For most DFW pools kept long-term, yes — pebble's longer lifespan means you resurface less often, which can offset its higher upfront cost over 15-20 years. If you plan to sell the home soon or want the lowest possible upfront cost, plaster is still a reasonable and proven choice. It comes down to your time horizon with the pool, not just the sticker price of the resurfacing job.

Yes, darker finishes absorb more heat from sunlight and can make pool water a few degrees warmer than lighter finishes, which some DFW owners like for extending swim season and others avoid in peak summer heat. Darker finishes also tend to show mineral scaling and debris less than very light or white finishes, which is a secondary reason some owners choose them.

Yes, switching finish types during a resurfacing project doesn't require changing the pool's shape or structure. The old finish is chipped out down to the shell and the new finish is applied the same way regardless of which material you choose. It's one of the easiest upgrades to make during a routine resurfacing job.

Travertine and other light-colored natural stones stay noticeably cooler underfoot than concrete or dark pavers in direct summer sun, making them the most comfortable coping choice for DFW pools. They cost more than poured concrete, but many homeowners consider the comfort difference worth it, especially around pools used heavily by kids and bare feet in summer.

Concrete decking typically lasts 15-25 years before cracking, staining, or settling becomes significant enough to warrant replacement, though DFW's clay soil can shorten that timeline through ground movement. Pavers can often be spot-repaired rather than fully replaced since individual pieces lift out. Natural stone decking generally lasts the longest but should be inspected periodically for loose or shifting pieces.

Yes, coping and decking can be replaced independently, though many owners do both together since they're adjacent surfaces and matching new coping to old, weathered decking can look mismatched. If budget requires phasing, replacing coping first is common since it's directly exposed to pool water and chemicals and tends to wear out faster than the broader deck.

Glass tile costs more but resists staining, fading, and scale buildup better than ceramic or porcelain, and it typically outlasts the resurfacing cycle of the pool finish itself. For a small waterline tile band, the total cost difference is often modest even though the per-square-foot price is higher, since waterline tile covers a relatively small area.

Yes, for most DFW pools — variable-speed pumps typically cut pump energy costs significantly compared to single-speed models because they run at lower power for routine filtering instead of full power all the time. Given how many hours pumps run during hot Texas summers, most owners recoup the price difference within a few years through lower electric bills, and many cities now require variable-speed pumps for new installations anyway.

Choose a gas heater if you want to heat the pool quickly and occasionally, such as for weekend use rather than year-round. Choose a heat pump if you plan to keep the pool heated consistently through a longer swim season, since it's more efficient to run over time even though it heats more slowly and loses efficiency on cold days. Some owners install both so they get fast heat-up when needed and efficient day-to-day heating otherwise.

Salt cells typically last 3-7 years depending on usage, water balance, and the specific system, and replacement is a routine maintenance cost rather than a sign of a bigger problem. Signs a cell needs replacing include declining chlorine output despite correct salt levels and an error code on the control panel. Regular cleaning of the cell extends its usable life.

In most cases yes — automation systems can control existing pumps, heaters, and lights as long as the equipment is compatible or can be fitted with the right relays and actuators. It's a common add-on during equipment upgrades since the equipment pad is already being accessed. If your current equipment is very old, it may make more sense to replace it alongside the automation install rather than retrofit around outdated components.