Short answer: a full pool resurface in Jacksonville costs an estimated $5,000–$9,000 in white plaster, $7,000–$12,000 in quartz and $9,000–$18,000 in pebble, for a typical residential pool. Small hollow spots and single cracks are patched for far less, and we tell you honestly which one your pool needs.
Patch or resurface?
Plaster wears in two ways. Local damage, such as a hollow-sounding patch on a step, a chip from a dropped tool, or a flaking spot near a return, can be cut out and patched. General wear, where the surface is rough everywhere, stained throughout or lifting in sheets, cannot; a patch on a worn-out finish just marks the next place it will fail. We tap-test the whole shell before we recommend either. If more than a few areas sound hollow, resurfacing is the honest answer.
Cracks in the shell
A hairline crack in the plaster only is cosmetic. A crack through the shell is structural, and the first question is whether it is still moving. Dormant cracks are routed out and filled, or injected. Active cracks are stitched with steel staples across the line before patching so the movement does not reopen them. Shell cracks are often what is behind a leak the bucket test turned up, so we dye-test any crack we find below the waterline.
Draining a pool in Jacksonville
This step deserves care here. Much of Duval County sits on sandy soil with groundwater close to the surface, especially near the river, the Intracoastal and the Beaches, and after a wet spell it rises further. An empty concrete pool is a large hollow box, and enough groundwater pressure under it can lift it. Most Florida pools have a hydrostatic relief valve in the main drain for this reason, and we check it is working, and watch the weather, before any pool comes down.
Finishes, compared
- White plaster. The classic bright finish and the lowest price. Shows staining and wear soonest.
- Quartz. Plaster with quartz aggregate mixed in, harder-wearing and available in colors that make the water read blue or green.
- Pebble. Small smooth stones bound in cement. The longest-lasting finish, with a textured feel underfoot, and the highest price.
Surface and crack repair prices
| Job | Estimate | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Plaster patch: hollow or flaking spots | $300–$900 | Small areas, matched as closely as plaster allows |
| Shell crack repaired | $400–$1,500 | Stapled, injected or routed and patched |
| Resurface: white plaster | $5,000–$9,000 | Drain, chip out, re-plaster, start-up |
| Resurface: quartz | $7,000–$12,000 | Harder-wearing, more color choice |
| Resurface: pebble | $9,000–$18,000 | The longest-lasting finish; costs the most |
These ranges are estimates from Florida and national resurfacing pricing, for a typical residential pool. Pool size, the finish, prep work and any tile or crack repair found once the pool is drained set your real price, which we put in writing first. The Jacksonville pool repair cost guide has every other repair alongside.
Plan the tile at the same time
A resurface is the right moment to replace the waterline tile and re-bed loose coping, because the pool is already empty. See tile and coping repair, or call (904) 890-0717 and we will price the whole job together.
Common questions
How long does pool plaster last in Florida?
A standard white plaster finish commonly lasts around 10 to 15 years with good water chemistry, quartz a little longer, and pebble finishes longer again. Poor chemistry, especially low pH over long periods, shortens all of them.
How long will my pool be out of use?
A full resurface usually takes about a week to ten days from draining to refilling, plus the start-up period while the new finish cures. Weather can stretch it, because plaster cannot go on in heavy rain.
Is it safe to drain my pool myself?
We advise against it. Jacksonville has a high water table in many neighborhoods, and an empty in-ground pool can be pushed upward by groundwater, which can crack the shell. We check the ground water and the relief valve before draining.
Last updated October 8, 2026