Question 1

When should an old pool be renovated rather than replaced?

Accepted Answer

If the structural shell is sound - no major cracks, no foundation settlement, the concrete is intact - renovation is almost always cheaper and faster than demolition and rebuild. A full renovation (resurface, retile, replumb, re-equip) runs $18K-$28K versus $55K-$85K to demolish and build new. The exception is shell that's structurally compromised: large cracks, visible reo, foundation settlement showing as bulges or dips. That's a rebuild, not a renovation. We probe and pressure-test before quoting.

Question 2

What's involved in a pool resurface?

Accepted Answer

Six stages: (1) drain the pool and let it dry; (2) chip out and remove the old interior finish (pebblecrete, plaster, tile, paint) back to sound concrete; (3) probe-test the shell for cracks and water leaks; (4) repair any cracks with epoxy injection or shotcrete patches; (5) apply the new finish - pebble, quartz, full-tile or whatever the owner chose; (6) refill, balance chemistry, recommission equipment. Total elapsed time 2-4 weeks depending on weather and the chosen finish. The pool is out of action for the duration.

Question 3

How long do the original 90s pebblecrete pools last?

Accepted Answer

The pebblecrete interior finish on a 1990-1995 pool typically lasts 20-30 years before it needs resurfacing - so most of them are now at or past end-of-life. Symptoms: hairline surface cracking, staining that won't acid-wash off, rough or chalky feel underfoot, persistent algae growth in the same spots. The shell underneath is usually fine - concrete shells from that era were built well. It's the interior finish that's the wear item, like roof tiles or carpet.

Question 4

Can you upgrade the equipment as part of a renovation?

Accepted Answer

Almost always worth doing. A 1990s pool typically has a single-speed pump running at 1.5kW for 8 hours a day - about $1,200/year in electricity. Swap to a variable-speed pump (Astralpool, Pentair, Davey) running on low speed 18 hours a day and you'll cut electricity to about $300/year. The pump pays for itself in 18 months. Same logic on chlorinators - old single-cell models often run inefficiently and the cell needs replacement. A modern self-cleaning salt chlorinator pays back quickly. Bundle the equipment upgrade with the resurface and you save on labour and disruption.

Question 5

Does a renovated pool still need AS 1926 fence compliance?

Accepted Answer

Yes - and this catches a lot of owners out. Any time you alter a pool (resurface, retile, change shape, change depth) the fence compliance needs to be re-certified to current AS 1926.1-2012 standards. The old fence might have been legal in 1995 but no longer complies today (different climbable-zone rules, gap measurements, gate-latch heights). About 30% of renovation jobs in Endeavour Hills need fence work too. We assess at quote and include it transparently.

Question 6

What finishes can you put on a renovated pool?

Accepted Answer

All the modern finishes work on a renovated concrete pool: glass-bead pebble (the current trend - luminous shimmer, $100-$160/m²), quartz finishes like PebbleSheen or StoneScapes ($120-$200/m²), or full tiled interior with porcelain or glass mosaic ($250-$500+/m²). A 1990s pebblecrete pool with a fresh quartz finish and new equipment looks indistinguishable from a brand-new build. Same shell, half the cost.

Pool renovation in Berwick & the City of Casey.

Pool renovation - the detail.

When renovation is the right call.

When renovation is NOT the right call.

The renovation process.

Finish options.

Equipment upgrades that pay back fast.

Pricing brackets.

Where we work.

Free pool renovation assessment.