What North Texas companies say about each finish, and the questions that separate a careful resurfacer from a rushed one. Each claim is attributed. When companies disagree, we show both.
The finishes at a glance
| Finish | What it is | Lifespan claims (by source) | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| White plaster (marcite) | White marble dust and white Portland cement[10] | 10–15 years (Liquidus)[1]; 7–12 years (Plaster People)[2]; 10–15 years for replastering (Vtech)[3] | Lowest |
| Quartz (e.g., Diamond Brite) | Crushed quartz mixed into plaster; more colors[1] | 10–15 years (Plaster People)[2]; Liquidus says longer life than standard plaster[1] | Middle |
| Pebble (PebbleTec, StoneScapes) | Small smooth stones; natural look and texture[1] | 20–25+ years "with good chemistry" (Liquidus)[1] | Highest of the three |
Lifespan figures are company claims. Water chemistry matters: Liquidus says white plaster "needs consistent chemistry against hard water."[1] Prices: see resurfacing cost in DFW.
Questions to ask every resurfacer
- Will you remove the old surface down to the shell? One North Dallas company describes its process as "Old surface removed, pool prepped to bare shell."[6] On Reddit, a homeowner asked why none of their three replaster quotes included chipping out the existing plaster.[7] Get the prep method in writing.
- Are you an authorized installer for the brand you're quoting? PebbleTec says "The only way to get real PebbleTec, is to choose an Authorized PebbleTec Builder or Installer" and has a lookup tool.[5] Check the claim there.
- What exactly does the warranty cover, and for how long? Terms vary. Royal Pools publishes 5 years of workmanship on Pebble Tec and 1 year on other plaster, tile and coping.[4] Authentic Plaster & Tile lists product-specific warranties.[8] Manufacturer and workmanship warranties are separate.
- What's the start-up and curing plan? Royal Pools' FAQ cites the National Plasterers Council: new plaster should cure 28 days before you heat the pool.[4] Ask who handles start-up chemistry.
- Should tile and coping be done now? Liquidus notes that calcium lines at the waterline and coping cracked by shifting clay soil are common on Dallas pools.[1]
- Is a permit needed in my city? Plano lists repairing a pool as work that needs a permit.[9]
Red flags
- A quote with no prep method, finish brand or product name, or warranty in writing.
- Claims of brand authorization that don't show up in the manufacturer's lookup.[5]
- Review pages that look off: no history, or claims that don't match across the company's own pages. Compare BBB, Houzz/Angi and Google before you sign.
- Unanswered BBB complaints. BBB grades can drop when a business fails to respond to complaints. Check the "reasons for rating" on the profile.
Compare companies: DFW resurfacing directory.
Sources
- Liquidus Pools: Pool Resurfacing Dallas TX
- Plaster People LLC: 2025 Pool Replastering Costs DFW
- Vtech Pools: Pool Replastering
- Royal Pools: FAQ (curing, warranty)
- PebbleTec: Find a PebbleTec Pool Builder / Authorized Installer
- Vtech Pools: PebbleTec process
- r/swimmingpools: 3 Quotes for Re-plastering, no one wants to chip out existing plaster?
- Authentic Plaster & Tile: FAQ (warranties)
- City of Plano: When is a Permit Required? (PDF)
- Aqua Pool Finishes: finish categories