Pool renovation in Berwick & the City of Casey.

When renovation is the right call.

• Concrete shell over 20 years old — usually 1980s or 1990s pebblecrete
• Interior finish failing — cracking, staining, chalky underfoot, persistent algae
• Equipment ageing — single-speed pump, old DE filter, failing salt cell
• Shell structurally sound — no major cracks, no settlement
• You like the size and shape of the existing pool
• Budget is roughly $15K–$30K, not $60K+ for a new build

When renovation is NOT the right call.

• Structural cracks in the shell — visible reo, water-loss tests fail, major settlement
• Foundation movement showing as bulges, dips or twisted coping
• Old fibreglass shell with osmotic blistering throughout (gelcoat failure)
• Pool size or shape no longer suits the family — rebuild lets you start fresh
• You want a wet edge, beach entry or feature wall the existing shell can’t support

The renovation process.

1. Free assessment: drain a small test area, probe-test the shell for cracks, pressure-test the plumbing, inspect equipment. Decision: renovate or rebuild. We give an honest answer.
2. Drain & chip: empty the pool, let it dry, chip out the old interior finish back to sound concrete substrate. 3–5 days.
3. Shell repair: crack-injection with epoxy where needed, shotcrete patches on any spalled or damaged areas, re-key for the new finish.
4. Replumb: replace skimmer box, main drain and return fittings as needed. Run new 50mm PVC if old pipework is failing.
5. New interior finish: apply pebble, quartz or tile finish. 3–7 days depending on choice.
6. Equipment swap: new variable-speed pump, cartridge filter, salt chlorinator. Wired and commissioned.
7. Refill & balance: 3–5 days to fill and chemically balance. Final commission.
8. AS 1926 fence re-certification: fence compliance re-checked to current standards, certificate lodged with City of Casey.

Finish options.

• Glass-bead pebble ($100–$160/m²) — current trend, luminous in sun
• Quartz (PebbleSheen, StoneScapes) ($120–$200/m²) — smooth, premium feel
• Modern pebblecrete ($80–$140/m²) — the budget-friendly classic, vastly improved over 90s pebble
• Full tiled interior ($250–$500+/m²) — the showroom finish, porcelain or glass mosaic

Equipment upgrades that pay back fast.

• Single-speed to variable-speed pump: $1,500–$2,800 install, saves $700–$1,000/year in electricity. ~2-year payback.
• DE filter to cartridge filter: $1,200–$2,200 install, saves chemical hassle and DE handling. Lifestyle upgrade.
• Old salt chlorinator to self-cleaning model: $1,400–$2,500 install, longer cell life, lower maintenance.
• Add a heat pump: $4K–$6.5K install, extends swim season by 3–5 months in Casey climate. Quality of life upgrade.

Pricing brackets.

Basic resurface only ($8K–$14K) — chip out old pebble, apply new pebble or quartz, refill. No equipment work, no fence work, existing tile waterline stays.

Mid renovation ($14K–$22K) — resurface + new waterline tile + new equipment (VSD pump + chlorinator). The most common spec.

Full renovation ($22K–$30K) — everything above + new skimmer + new main drain + new equipment slab + AS 1926 fence upgrade if needed. Brings a 30-year-old pool fully up to 2026 spec.