Plan backward from your swimming season
For an April or May resurface, request an estimate in January and confirm a date by February. For September or October, plan by June. Overnight cure temperatures—not the first day you want to swim—set the working calendar.
Why the season is only about seven months
Pool plaster is a cement-based finish that needs roughly 50°F and up, including overnight lows, to cure well. On the Front Range, nights reliably stay above that from about April or May into October, which gives a working season of around seven months.
Inside that window, weather still takes days away. Spring storms, hail and cold snaps push jobs back, and a crew can only plaster one pool on a given day, so the number of available spring dates is fixed and fairly small. See can you resurface a pool in winter for why we won't stretch the season into the cold.
Why spring slots fill in February
Three things happen at once every winter: owners notice their pool's condition at closing, they research over the holidays, and they all want the pool ready by Memorial Day. So demand for April–June dates arrives in a burst between January and March.
Across the Denver market, many April and May dates are spoken for by late February, and requests that come in after mid-March often land in June or later. HOA and commercial pools add pressure too, since many must pass inspection and open on a fixed date. Booking in January gives you the widest choice of weeks; booking in April usually means a summer or fall date.
Month by month: when to do what
The steps below work backward from a spring resurface. The same sequence applies to fall jobs, shifted about five months later.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| October–November | Close the pool properly; photograph rough spots, stains, cracks and tile |
| December–January | Request an estimate; compare finishes and get an inspection if needed |
| January–February | Choose finish and color, approve repairs, confirm your date |
| March | Final details; keep the pool full and closed |
| April–June | Drain, prep, repair and plaster; startup brushing and water balancing |
| June–October | Swim; book now if you want a fall date instead |
If your plaster has hollow spots or widening cracks, try to get it inspected before the rush so repairs can be planned into the same job. The 7 signs of failing plaster helps you tell what's urgent.
Spring, summer or fall: which is best?
Any month in the April–October window works for curing plaster; the right choice depends on when you want to swim and how flexible you are. Each part of the season has trade-offs.
- Spring (April–June). Ready for summer, but the most competitive dates and the most weather variability. Late snow and cold nights can still delay an April job.
- Summer (July–August). Warm, stable conditions, but you give up part of your swim season. Very hot afternoons also call for early starts so the finish can be troweled before it sets too fast.
- Fall (September–October). Often the easiest dates to get, with mild days that suit curing. You miss little swim time, and the new finish is ready next spring. Late October is risky because hard freezes usually arrive around then.
For owners who aren't racing Memorial Day, September is often the sweet spot.
How long does the whole process take?
Plan on about 5–8 days on site for a typical residential replaster, from draining to refill, plus roughly 28 days of careful startup afterward. Repairs, tile and coping work add time.
- Drain and prep. The pool is drained, and old plaster is chipped, ground or cleaned so the new finish bonds.
- Repairs. Cracks, hollow spots and any tile or coping work are handled before plastering.
- Plaster. The finish goes on in a single day, by hand.
- Fill and start up. The pool refills right away, then gets daily brushing and water balancing through the first weeks of curing.
The process page explains each stage in more detail, including what you'll need to do during startup.
What to have ready when you request an estimate
A good estimate starts with good information. Before you call or fill out the form, gather these:
- Photos: a wide shot of the whole pool, plus close-ups of rough areas, stains, cracks, tile and coping.
- Pool age and history: when it was last plastered or acid washed, if you know.
- Size: approximate length, width and depth, or the gallons if you have them.
- Water issues: unusual water loss, recurring stains or scale.
- Your target date: and whether fall would work too.
With photos, we can usually give you a range before an on-site visit, then confirm it in person.
What if the spring dates are already gone?
If April and May are full when you call, you still have about five months of good plastering weather left. Early summer and fall dates work just as well for the finish itself; the only trade-off is when you swim.
A few practical options:
- Take the first open date and ask whether you can be called if an earlier week opens up. Weather delays and changed plans do open spring slots now and then.
- Book a September date and enjoy one more summer on the old surface, as long as there are no hollow spots, widening cracks or leaks.
- Handle urgent repairs separately if something can't wait, then resurface in fall.
What we don't recommend is squeezing a job into March or late October to beat the rush. Cold nights are the main risk to a new finish.
Lock in your date
Most Denver-area bids for a typical residential replaster land between $8,500 and $13,500, with pebble running $14,000–$20,000. Ranges are estimates for the Denver metro, not a quote. Your written estimate sets the price. Deposit and payment terms are set out in your written estimate. The pricing guide shows what affects the total, and pool replastering explains finish options.
If your pool is due, don't wait for the cover to come off. Send photos for a free estimate, book a phone consultation or call (303) 952-8700. The earlier you're on the calendar, the more choice of weeks you'll have.