Pool Resurfacing FAQ
Straight answers to the questions Orlando-area homeowners ask most about resurfacing, cost, permits, licensing and draining. We connect Orlando-area homeowners with independent local pool contractors for free, no-obligation quotes. The contractor you choose quotes, contracts and does the work.
Get a Free QuoteBasics
What is pool resurfacing?
Pool resurfacing means replacing the worn interior finish of a concrete or gunite pool with a new one, such as white or colored plaster, quartz or pebble aggregate. Fiberglass pools are refinished instead. The job usually includes draining, prep, application, refill and start-up. In Florida it is licensed pool contracting, because the state pool license classes list interior finishes or refinishing in their scope.
What’s the difference between resurfacing and replastering a pool?
Replastering is one kind of resurfacing. It means applying a new plaster or marcite finish. Resurfacing is the broader term and also covers quartz and pebble aggregate finishes, and people use it for fiberglass refinishing too. The prep, draining and start-up steps are similar. A written quote should name the exact finish product and color so you know which one you are buying.
How can I tell if my pool needs resurfacing?
Homeowners usually notice rough spots that snag feet or swimsuits, stains that cleaning will not remove, etching, loose or missing tile, or cracks. Some of these can be cleaned or patched, and some point to a new finish or a repair. A contractor can inspect the pool and explain which applies. Cracks and suspected leaks should be checked before any new finish goes on.
Which pool resurfacing material should I choose?
No single finish suits every pool or budget. In typical national ranges, white plaster or marcite costs about $6–$8 per square foot, quartz $7–$10 and pebble aggregate $7–$15, with premium brand-name pebble at $10–$20. Homeowners often call pebble finishes by brand names. Ask contractors to compare the finishes they offer for your pool, your water and how you use it.
Cost
How much does pool resurfacing cost in Florida?
Typical national ranges from HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, Angi and Fixr put a typical project at about $6,000–$15,000 for roughly 1,000 square feet of surface. One directory’s Orlando estimate, from Angi (2026), is about $6,100–$15,200, averaging near $11,150. These are estimates, not quotes. The cost guide on this site has the full table and a calculator.
What does a pool acid wash do, and what does it cost?
An acid wash cleans the existing surface by etching away a thin layer, which can lift some stains. It typically costs about $300–$700 for most in-ground pools. Orange County warns that muriatic acid used to etch a pool interior lowers pH quickly, and low-pH water kills plants and animals, so the water must be neutralized before discharge.
Is pool resurfacing covered by insurance?
We cannot tell you what any policy covers. Ask your insurer what your policy covers, and have the details ready, such as when the damage appeared and whether it followed a storm. A clear, itemized written quote from a contractor can help when you talk with your insurer, because it separates the finish, tile, coping, draining and any repairs.
Rules and permits
Does pool resurfacing require a permit in Orlando?
Permit rules for resurfacing vary by city and county, and no Orange, Seminole or Lake county source we found states the residential rule in writing. Orange County has treated pool resurfacing as a pool renovation, and it requires a permit for new concrete or paver decks (pavers need a zoning permit). The licensed contractor confirms and pulls any permit required.
Who can resurface a pool in Florida?
A state pool/spa contractor. The commercial, residential and swimming pool/spa servicing classes all list interior finishes or interior refinishing in their scope (Fla. Stat. §489.105(3)(j)–(l)). A servicing contractor may not modify the concrete shell (CILB DS 2009-064). Ask for the contractor’s state license number and check it on MyFloridaLicense.com. A county business tax receipt is not a license.
Can I resurface my own pool?
Resurfacing involves draining a pool against groundwater, following Orange County’s discharge limits and applying a finish to a drained shell, and Florida treats the work as licensed pool contracting. The state’s handyman exemption does not apply, because resurfacing jobs exceed $2,500. If you are weighing doing it yourself, ask your building department what rules apply at your address first.
Draining and the job itself
Can you resurface a pool with water in it?
Plaster, quartz and pebble finishes are applied to a drained shell, which is why Florida’s servicing license scope includes draining a pool for repair or renovation. Draining is where groundwater matters: trade publications such as AQUA Magazine and WaterShapes describe rising groundwater pressing on an empty shell. That is trade guidance, not law, so ask how the contractor checks groundwater and the relief valve.
Does resurfacing a pool fix leaks?
Not on its own. A new finish is not a leak repair, so a suspected leak should be found first. Florida’s licensing board found no need for a license for electronic leak detection (CILB DS 2014-050), but repairing the leak is licensed pool work. If the repair involves the concrete shell, it needs a residential or commercial pool contractor rather than a servicing contractor.
Can you resurface a fiberglass pool?
Yes. Fiberglass shells are refinished rather than plastered. Typical national ranges put a full fiberglass refinish at about $7,000–$15,000 and gelcoat spot repair at about $300–$600. Interior refinishing falls within Florida’s pool contractor license scope, so the same license check applies. Ask the contractor what product they plan to use and how they will prepare the existing shell.
What should I do after my pool is resurfaced?
Follow your contractor’s start-up instructions closely for the new finish. Orlando Utilities Commission reports average hardness of about 129 ppm, roughly 7 grains per gallon, so ask how start-up and water balance account for your fill water. If the job is permitted, the inspector may check pool safety features. Ask your contractor about that before the final inspection.
Should I resurface my pool before selling my house?
That depends on the pool and the sale. Under Johnson v. Davis (Fla. 1985), a seller who knows of facts that materially affect value and are not readily observable, such as a known shell leak or cracks, has a duty to disclose them. Cosmetic wear is usually visible. This is general information, not legal advice. A written quote can help you decide.
Still have a question?
See the pool resurfacing cost guide for price ranges, read how the quote process works, or compare finishes on the pebble and quartz finishes page. When you are ready, request a free quote.
Rough plaster, stains or loose tile? Get a clear resurfacing quote.
Free, no-pressure quotes across Orlando, Winter Park, Windermere, Oviedo, Lake Mary and Central Florida.