The ranges below assume a 15×30 ft pool with about 950 sq ft of interior surface. Draining, preparation, the finish and startup are included; waterline tile, coping and structural crack repair are separate. These are Denver-metro estimates, not a quote; your written estimate sets the price.
For context, Angi publishes a broader Denver range of $6,348–$15,870, averaging about $11,638 (Angi), blending pool sizes, finishes and contractors. Our dated ranges use the narrower scope below and are refreshed each winter before booking season.
Price by finish (2026)
The finish you pick sets most of the price: pebble costs roughly 1.5 to 2 times what white plaster does. Most Denver-area bids for a typical 15×30 ft pool, 3.5 to 6 ft deep, with roughly 900–1,000 sq ft of interior surface land in the ranges below; the rough per-square-foot figure helps you scale for your own pool.
| Item | Typical 15×30 ft pool | Rough unit price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| White plaster (marcite) | $8,500–$11,500 | $9–$12 per sq ft | Lowest cost; 10–15 year typical life |
| Quartz plaster | $10,000–$13,500 | $10.50–$14 per sq ft | Colored; better stain and etch resistance |
| Pebble / exposed aggregate | $14,000–$20,000 | $15–$21 per sq ft | Longest life, 15–25+ years; textured feel |
| Acid wash (standalone, incl. drain) | $600–$1,000 | — | Removes stains; not a resurface |
| Crack repair (structural) | $400–$1,500 per crack | $40–$90 per linear ft | Staple or epoxy and re-plaster over |
| Hollow-spot / delamination repair | $250–$900 per area | — | Often found only after draining |
| Waterline tile replacement | $3,500–$6,500 | $40–$70 per linear ft | About 90 linear ft on a 15×30 |
| Coping replacement | $4,000–$8,000 | $45–$90 per linear ft | Precast concrete vs. stone changes cost |
| Drain, refill and startup chemicals | Included; water billed by your utility | $250–$450 chemicals | About 20,000 gallons to refill |
Every replaster we estimate includes draining, chipping or bond-coating the old surface, the new finish, filling and a guided startup. If a bid doesn't list those, ask.
What drives the price
Five things move the number most: surface area, the finish, the shell's condition, tile and coping, and access. Two pools with the same footprint can easily land $3,000–$5,000 apart.
- Size and depth. Good bids are priced by interior square footage, not footprint. A pool with an 8–9 ft diving well has far more wall area than a flat 3.5–5 ft pool of the same length. Steps, benches, spas and tanning ledges add area and trowel time.
- Condition of the old surface. Plaster that's still well bonded can take a bond coat. Plaster that is delaminating, hollow or layered from earlier jobs has to be chipped out, which adds a day or more of labor.
- Repairs. Structural cracks, hollow spots and failed patches have to be fixed first or the new finish fails over them. Many repairs only show up after the water is out, so a good quote lists unit prices for them.
- Access. A pool reached through a narrow side gate, up stairs or across a finished yard means more hand-carrying and protection. Mixer and pump-truck placement matters.
- Tile and coping. Replacing them at the same time is cheaper than doing them later, because the pool is already drained and prepped. Matching discontinued tile can add cost.
- Finish brand and color. Premium aggregate lines and darker colors cost more than standard white plaster. Some colors also need extra care at startup.
- Season. Spring dates fill first. Peak-month demand rarely changes the price much, but a late booking can mean waiting until summer.
Denver-specific cost factors
Colorado's climate and water add cost you won't see in national averages. Freeze–thaw, hard water and high-altitude sun all shorten finish life or add prep, so local bids should account for them.
- Freeze–thaw. The metro sees dozens of freeze–thaw swings a winter. Water in hairline cracks and under loose tile expands and widens them, so spring inspections often turn up more tile and crack work than a summer inspection would suggest. More in freeze–thaw pool damage in Denver.
- Hard water. Front Range water tends to run high in calcium and alkalinity, especially after a summer of top-offs and evaporation. That leaves scale at the waterline and can roughen plaster. Quartz and pebble tolerate it better than plain white plaster, which is one reason many Denver owners step up a finish.
- Altitude and UV. At 5,280 feet, UV is stronger than at sea level. It burns off chlorine faster and can fade colored finishes, so startup chemistry and color choice matter more here.
- A short season. Plaster needs roughly 50°F and up to cure well, so the working season is about April through October. Every crew in the metro is trying to fit a year's work into seven months.
- The spring booking rush. Calls start in January and February, and the April–June schedule usually fills first. Booking early doesn't lower the price, but it protects your date. See when to book pool resurfacing in Denver.
- Refill water. A 15×30 pool takes about 20,000 gallons. At metro residential rates that's usually about $80–$200 in water, more if it pushes you into a higher summer tier. Check your provider's current rates. A few utilities have watering rules; we'll tell you if your area needs a permit or special timing.
Cost per year of finish life
Pebble costs the most up front but is often the cheapest per year you actually use it. Dividing the price by a typical lifespan gives a fairer comparison than the sticker price alone.
| Finish | Typical 15×30 price | Typical life | Rough cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| White plaster | $8,500–$11,500 | 10–15 years | $700–$900 |
| Quartz | $10,000–$13,500 | 12–20 years | $650–$850 |
| Pebble | $14,000–$20,000 | 15–25+ years | $700–$950 |
The per-year numbers come out close, so the real question is how long you'll own the pool. If you're selling in three to five years, white plaster makes sense: buyers see a fresh surface and you don't pay for life you won't use. If you plan to stay a decade or more, quartz or pebble usually wins, because every resurfacing also carries the cost of draining, refilling and a lost month of swimming. Hard water and inconsistent chemistry shorten plaster life faster than pebble life, which tilts the math further toward the tougher finishes here.
Price examples by pool type
These are illustrative market ranges for common Denver-area pools in 2026, not quotes. Your number depends on what turns up when the pool is drained and the shell is sounded.
- Small plaster pool, 12×24 ft, 3.5–5 ft deep, no repairs. About 650 sq ft of surface. White plaster: $7,000–$9,000.
- Typical suburban pool, 15×30 ft, 3.5–6 ft, a few hollow spots. Quartz plus hollow-spot repair: $11,000–$14,500.
- Older pool with a diving well, 16×36 ft, 3.5–9 ft. Full chip-out, two structural cracks, quartz: $14,000–$18,500.
- Full renovation, 15×30 ft. Pebble finish, new waterline tile and new coping: $22,000–$32,000.
- HOA or apartment pool. Commercial pools are priced per project, with inspection and code items included. See commercial and HOA pool resurfacing.
How to compare bids (and red flags in cheap ones)
The lowest bid is usually low because it leaves something out, most often prep. Lay bids side by side and check that each one covers the same scope before comparing totals.
Check that every bid lists:
- Interior square footage or pool dimensions the price is based on
- Prep method: full chip-out, partial chip-out or bond coat, and why
- The finish product and color by name
- How cracks and hollow spots are handled, with unit prices for surprises
- Tile and coping scope (repair, replace or leave)
- Who does startup, for how long, and what chemicals are included
- The written warranty term and what voids it
- Payment schedule and when the job is considered complete
Red flags:
- No drain-and-inspect step, or "plaster over everything" with no mention of hollow spots
- A price far below the others with no explanation of prep
- No written warranty, or a warranty with no stated term
- No startup plan. Most early plaster problems trace back to the first 28 days
- A large cash deposit with no contract or schedule
- Pressure to sign the same day
Ask each contractor how long the crew will be on site and whether you can see recent work. Our process page shows what a full job looks like day by day, and our warranty standard lists the questions to ask about any warranty.
Financing and payment
Deposit and payment terms are set out in your written estimate, along with the accepted payment methods, before any work is scheduled. A sound schedule ties payments to milestones such as plaster day and completion of startup, rather than asking for full payment up front.
If you plan to use third-party financing, apply before the spring rush so approval doesn't hold up your start date. Many homeowners also pair resurfacing with tile or coping to avoid draining the pool twice. That's usually cheaper overall even though the single bill is bigger.
How we quote
Every quote starts with a free look at your pool, either from photos or on site. You get a written, itemized estimate after the visit, and we reply to estimate requests within 1 business day.
- Send photos or book a consultation. Use the free estimate form with a few photos of the floor, walls, steps and waterline, or book a phone consultation.
- We inspect. On site we measure, tap the plaster for hollow spots, look at tile and coping, and note access.
- You get an itemized quote. Finish options are priced side by side, with unit prices for any repairs we can only confirm after draining.
- We lock a date. Once you approve, we schedule around weather and the 50°F rule and confirm the week before.
Not sure which finish fits your pool? The plaster vs quartz vs pebble comparison walks through look, feel and lifespan. For plaster and quartz jobs see pool replastering; for aggregate see pebble pool finishes. If you already know you have cracks, start with crack and hollow-spot repair, and for waterline work see tile and coping.