This is one of the most genuinely useful questions a pool owner can ask — and also one of the ones I most often see answered with bias. Pool builders who primarily do new construction push replacement. Remodelers push remodeling. I’ve done both for 45 years, so let me give you the actual framework.
The short version: the gunite shell of a well-built pool is nearly permanent. What ages, wears, and becomes dated is almost everything else — the surface, the tile, the coping, the equipment, the features. In most cases, that stuff can be replaced or updated without touching the structure.
Bottom line: Most DFW homeowners with pools from the 1980s–2000s should remodel, not replace. Replacement costs $80,000–$175,000+ and rarely makes structural sense if the shell is sound. A thorough remodel runs $30,000–$80,000 and delivers a pool that looks and functions like new.
Start Here: What’s Actually Wrong With Your Pool?
The answer to remodel vs. replace depends almost entirely on the condition of the structural shell. Everything else is cosmetic or mechanical — both of which are replaceable.
Signs Remodeling Makes Sense
- The pool shell is structurally sound — no major cracks, no settled sections, no evidence of ground movement that’s compromised structural integrity
- The surface is stained, rough, or worn — normal after 15–20 years and a straightforward resurfacing job
- The tile and coping are dated or damaged
- The equipment — pump, filter, heater — is old and inefficient but the plumbing is intact
- The pool lacks features you now want: spa, tanning ledge, automation, better lighting
- The overall shape and size still work for your family
Signs Replacement May Be Worth Considering
- The shell has major structural cracks — not surface crazing, but through-cracks indicating ground movement or failed engineering
- The pool has settled significantly and is no longer level
- The footprint is fundamentally wrong for how you want to use the space and can’t be reconfigured
- There are repeated, unfixable leak issues traced directly to the structure
Even with those last items on the list, I’d encourage getting a proper structural assessment before assuming replacement is the only option. The only way to know is an honest evaluation by someone with no financial stake in either answer.
Worth knowing: If you’ve been putting off dealing with an aging pool because you’re not sure what it would cost to fix it, our pool remodel cost guide for Texas gives you real numbers to work with. And our remodeling timeline guide shows how long the process actually takes.
The Financial Case for Remodeling
Let’s put actual numbers to this. A full pool replacement in DFW — demo and haul away the old shell, new excavation, new gunite, new plumbing, new equipment, new finish — runs $80,000–$175,000+. You’re essentially building a new pool, plus paying for demolition.
A comprehensive remodel covering resurfacing, new tile and coping, equipment replacement, a new spa addition, and a full lighting and automation upgrade typically runs $35,000–$75,000. You end up with a pool that looks and functions like new, at less than half the cost of replacement.
| Scope | Typical Cost (DFW) |
|---|---|
| Surface resurfacing only | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Tile & coping replacement | $6,000 – $15,000 |
| Equipment upgrade (pump, filter, heater) | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Add spa to existing pool | $18,000 – $35,000 |
| Full comprehensive remodel | $35,000 – $75,000 |
| Full pool replacement (demo + new build) | $80,000 – $175,000+ |
What a Proper Structural Assessment Looks Like
Before you make any decision, you need eyes on the shell. Here’s what a qualified contractor looks for during a structural assessment — and what you should expect if you call us out for one:
- Shell cracks: We distinguish between surface crazing (normal, cosmetic) and structural cracks (through the shell wall, indicating movement or failure). Structural cracks typically show staining, efflorescence, or active water loss
- Level check: We check whether the pool is still level or has settled — uneven waterlines indicate soil movement beneath the shell
- Plumbing pressure test: Lines are pressure-tested to identify any leaks before resurfacing goes on top of them. Finding a plumbing leak after you’ve just applied new PebbleTec is an expensive situation
- Equipment audit: We evaluate the pump, filter, heater, and any existing automation to identify what’s serviceable and what needs replacement
- Tile and coping condition: Some tile delamination is repairable without full replacement; some isn’t. We tell you which situation you’re dealing with
This assessment typically takes a couple of hours and gives you a complete picture of what you’re working with before any money changes hands.
The DFW Aging Pool Opportunity
My father Tom started building pools in this area in 1980. Over the following two decades, we and our competitors built a large number of pools across Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, and the surrounding communities. Many of those pools are now 25–40 years old. The shells are often in remarkably good shape. The finishes, equipment, and features are simply outdated.
This is the most underserved opportunity in the DFW pool market right now. A family buys a home in an established neighborhood with an existing pool, assumes they’re stuck with whatever’s there, and doesn’t realize the same backyard could be completely transformed for far less than a new build costs.
That’s exactly the kind of project we enjoy working on. There’s real satisfaction in rescuing a pool that’s been neglected and turning it into something the homeowner is genuinely proud of.
Impact on Home Value: Does Remodeling Pay Off?
This comes up often, especially from homeowners thinking about selling in the next few years. A well-executed pool remodel in DFW generally does add to resale value — but the return depends on the neighborhood and the quality of the work.
In neighborhoods where pools are expected at certain price points — Frisco, Plano, Southlake, Allen — an updated pool is a meaningful asset. An outdated pool with cracked coping, stained plaster, and old equipment can actually be a liability, something buyers mentally subtract from their offer. Bringing it up to current standards removes that drag.
The math doesn’t always pencil out perfectly as a pure investment — you likely won’t recoup 100% of the remodel cost in sale price. But you will enjoy it in the years before you sell, and you’ll avoid the buyer negotiating against you because of a tired-looking pool.
What Permits Does a Remodel Require?
Permit requirements for pool remodeling vary by city in DFW, and it’s something worth understanding before planning. Structural changes and additions — like adding a spa — typically require permits. Cosmetic work like resurfacing usually doesn’t. Our post on pool remodel permits in Texas walks through what’s required and how to avoid delays.
How to Make the Decision
If you have an aging pool and aren’t sure where to start, have someone come look at it honestly. Not to sell you something — just to assess the shell. A good contractor tells you if the structure is sound and what’s possible within it.
At Leisure Living Pools, that’s exactly what we do. We walk the pool, assess the shell, test the equipment, and give you an honest picture. Take a look at our remodeling and renovation services or browse our completed renovation projects to see the transformations we’ve done.
Let’s Take a Look
Call us at (972) 335-2777 or request a consultation online. Bring photos of your pool and anything you’ve noticed – cracks, staining, worn surfaces, old equipment. We’ll give you an honest assessment of what you’re working with and what’s possible.
