Love your pool again. Maybe the surface has gone rough underfoot, the tile looks straight out of another decade, or your energy bill creeps up every month. A remodel takes the pool you already have and brings it back to life — often for a fraction of the cost and disruption of starting over. At Oak Wells Aquatics, we’ve spent more than a decade transforming tired pools into backyards people can’t wait to get home to.
Here’s the good news: most of what makes a pool feel dated is fixable. You don’t need a new pool. You need the right updates, done in the right order, by a team that’s done it hundreds of times.
Signs it might be time to remodel
You don’t have to be a pool expert to know something’s off. A few of the most common signals:
- The surface feels rough, chalky, or scratchy when you run your hand along it.
- Stains or discoloration that won’t scrub away no matter how you balance the water.
- Cracks, chips, or flaking in the interior finish.
- Dated tile or decking that makes the whole pool look older than it is.
- Rising energy bills from older, inefficient equipment.
- You’re losing water and can’t pin down where it’s going.
- Your needs have changed — you want a tanning ledge for the kids, a spa to unwind in, or a more modern look for entertaining.
If two or three of these sound familiar, it’s worth a conversation. Catching wear early usually means a smaller, less expensive project.
What a pool remodel can include
“Remodel” covers a lot of ground. Some homeowners want a fresh interior finish and nothing else; others reimagine the whole backyard. Here’s what’s on the menu.
A new interior finish (resurfacing)
The interior finish is your pool’s waterproof skin — it’s both what you see and what protects the structure underneath. Every finish wears out eventually, and a fresh one is the single most transformative remodel we do. New finish, new water color, new pool — without touching the shell.
The finish you choose sets the entire mood of the water, so this is the fun part. Here’s where the look is heading right now:
- Pebble finishes. Our go-to. Natural stones blended into the surface give the water real depth and a rich, organic look that flat plaster can never match. They’re tough, naturally slip-resistant, and they hold up beautifully to sun and daily use — which is exactly why they’ve become the standard for a quality remodel.
- Dyed (colored) pebble finishes. This is where you make the pool yours. By selecting the stone blend and color, we can dial in everything from a bright, tropical light-blue to a deep, dramatic lagoon. Because the color comes from the natural and coated stones themselves, it reads with dimension and movement in the water rather than the flat, painted look of dyed plaster.
- Polished finishes. The newest premium look, and a favorite for homeowners who want luxury underfoot. We take that same durable pebble surface and polish it smooth — so you get the gorgeous, dimensional pebble appearance with a silky feel that’s gentle on bare feet. It’s also easier to keep clean and resist staining. Think of it as the best of both worlds: the richness of pebble, the smoothness of glass.
We’ve largely moved on from older quartz finishes — pebble and polished options simply look better, feel better, and last longer. We’ll bring samples, talk through the colors, and help you picture exactly how the water will look in your backyard before anything’s decided.
New waterline tile & coping
Tile isn’t only decoration. The waterline band takes the most chemical and sun exposure, so it’s often the first thing to look tired. Refreshing the tile and the coping (the cap around the pool’s edge) is a relatively quick update that makes a big visual difference — and it pairs perfectly with resurfacing.
A few looks trending right now: large-format tile (think 12×24) for a sleek, contemporary feel, stone-look porcelain that delivers natural elegance with far less upkeep, and glass mosaics that still steal the show on waterlines, spa walls, and borders. We’ll show you renderings so you can see the combination in your pool before a single tile goes in.
Decking & pavers
Your deck is the stage your pool sits on, and it’s also where guests actually spend their time. Cracked, faded, or slippery decking drags the whole space down. Options like travertine, pavers, and modern decorative concrete look beautiful, stay cooler underfoot, and add slip resistance where it matters most.
Artificial turf surrounds
One of the biggest trends we’re seeing right now is artificial turf around the pool — and it’s easy to see why. Today’s turf looks remarkably like a lush, freshly-cut lawn, but it stays that way year-round with almost none of the work. Homeowners love it because it:
- Stays green and flawless in every season — no mowing, watering, fertilizing, or muddy patches.
- Keeps the pool cleaner. No grass clippings or mud tracked into the water or the house.
- Adds grip and softness. With the right product and base, it’s slip-resistant and far gentler underfoot than concrete — great for kids and pets.
- Drains fast when installed over a proper permeable base, so you’re not left with standing water after a swim.
- Delivers that resort feel — a clean band of green against blue water instantly elevates the whole backyard.
A couple of honest notes: turf can warm up in direct sun, so we steer you toward lighter colors and pool-friendly infill, and a popular move is to mix turf with pavers or a tanning ledge so there’s always a cooler spot nearby. One of our favorite looks is turf woven between staggered stone or pavers — it creates a bold, modern pattern, stays cool and soft underfoot, and needs no watering or chemicals. Done right — quality product, proper base, clean edges — it’s a low-maintenance upgrade that keeps looking sharp for years.
Equipment & automation upgrades
This is where a remodel quietly pays you back. Older pumps, heaters, and lighting are energy hogs. Modern equipment runs cleaner, quieter, and far cheaper:
- Variable-speed pumps. Since 2021, federal efficiency standards mean most replacement inground pumps are variable-speed — and for good reason. Running at lower speeds most of the day, they can cut pump energy use by as much as 80% compared to an old single-speed pump.
- Efficient heaters & heat pumps that extend your swim season without punishing your bill.
- Salt chlorine systems for softer water and less hands-on chemical management.
- Color-changing LED lighting like Jandy’s Infinite WaterColors nicheless lights — millions of colors, preset lighting scenes, and a fraction of the energy of old bulbs.
- Smart automation with Jandy iAquaLink, so you can run the pump, heater, lights, and features right from your phone or Alexa.
Adding features
A remodel is the perfect moment to add the things you wish your pool had — and to bring in the design details that define a modern, elevated backyard:
- Statement water features. Dark, stacked-stone scupper bowls and sheer-descent spillways pouring into the water are the signature look right now — dramatic by day, glowing by night. Bubblers and deck jets add that resort feel on a smaller scale.
- A tanning ledge or beach entry for lounging and little ones.
- A vanishing-edge or perimeter-overflow detail where the setting allows, for that clean, water-meets-horizon drama.
- A spa that works year-round. Add a spillover spa to unwind in — or one with Jandy Heat/Cool technology that doubles as a cold plunge (chilling water into the 50s°F), so your backyard supports recovery and wellness in every season.
- A splash pad or water-play feature integrated into the pool’s plumbing — endless fun for the kids without a separate system to manage.
- An outdoor fireplace. Today’s fireplaces do more than warm — they define an outdoor living zone, extend your season, and give everyone a natural place to gather after the sun goes down.
Accessibility updates
If a family member or guest needs easier access, we can design for it — pool lifts, gradual steps, and beach entries that let everyone enjoy the water comfortably and safely. If accessibility is a priority for your home, tell us up front and we’ll build it into the plan.
Remodel, repair, or upgrade — what’s the difference?
These words get used interchangeably, but they mean different things, and knowing which one you need keeps the project focused:
- Repair fixes something that’s broken — a leak, a failed pump, a cracked tile. Targeted and usually quick.
- Remodel (renovation) restores and refreshes — a new finish, new tile, new decking — bringing an aging pool back in line with how pools are built today.
- Upgrade changes what the pool is — making it bigger, adding a spa or major features, which can involve new plumbing and equipment to match.
Often the smart move is to bundle. If you’re already draining and resurfacing the pool, that’s the most cost-effective time to update the tile, refresh equipment, or add a feature — you’re only mobilizing the crew once.
How much does a pool remodel cost?
It depends on scope. A straightforward resurfacing is a very different project from a full backyard transformation with new decking, a spa, and water features. Rather than guess, you can get a realistic ballpark in a couple of minutes using our pool cost estimator, then we’ll firm it up with a free in-person consultation.
What to expect: the remodel process
We keep it straightforward, and we keep you informed at every step:
- Consultation & design. We visit, listen to your goals, and assess the pool’s condition.
- Scope & quote. You get a clear plan, material choices, and a transparent price — no surprises.
- Prep. We drain and protect the work area and surrounding landscaping.
- The work. Resurfacing, tile, decking, equipment — done in the right sequence by our in-house crew, never subcontracted templates.
- Startup & cure. We refill, balance the water, and guide you through caring for a new finish during its first few weeks.
- Enjoy. Your “new” pool is ready — and you’d never guess it’s the same one.
Most remodels wrap in a matter of weeks, depending on scope. We’ll give you a realistic timeline before we start.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a pool remodel take? A resurfacing-only project often takes a week or two. Larger remodels with new decking, equipment, or added features take longer. We give you a specific timeline with your quote.
How often should a pool be resurfaced? It depends on the finish, but a quality pebble or polished finish is built to last — often 15–20 years or more with balanced water. The surface itself tells you when it’s time: if it feels rough underfoot, stains won’t clean off, or you see chips and flaking, it’s time for a fresh finish.
Can you update my pool without rebuilding it? Almost always, yes. The vast majority of “I want a new pool” feelings come from a dated finish, old tile, and tired decking — all of which a remodel solves without the cost and upheaval of new construction.
Will a remodel make my pool cheaper to run? Usually, noticeably so. Swapping to a variable-speed pump, an efficient heater, and LED lighting can cut your monthly costs significantly while making the pool quieter and easier to manage.
Can you add a spa or water features to my existing pool? In many cases, yes. We’ll assess your pool’s structure and equipment and let you know what’s possible — from a spillover spa to waterfalls, bubblers, and lighting.
Ready to elevate your backyard?
Tell us what you’d change about your pool and we’ll show you what’s possible — from a fresh pebble or polished finish to a statement water feature that turns the whole space into a retreat. Get a free quote and let’s bring it back to life, because life’s better when you’d rather be swimming.
