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Crew demolishing an old plaster pool interior during a renovation by J. Oliver Pools in New Braunfels, Texas
Pool Renovation & Remodeling

Bring a tired pool back to life.

Resurfacing, retiling, and full reimaginings that make an aging pool look — and run — better than new.

Get a Renovation Quote Call (830) 244‑7665
Renovation Done Right

A new pool without starting over.

As a trusted pool remodeling company in New Braunfels and across South Central Texas, we bring tired pools back to life. Surfaces wear, plaster stains, tile dates, and equipment gets loud and inefficient. If your pool still has good bones, a renovation is the fastest, most cost-effective way to a backyard you love again — often for a fraction of the cost and disruption of a full rebuild.

We resurface in durable PebbleTec, replace tile and coping, modernize equipment with smart automation, and can add spas, water features, or new decking to completely transform the space. The same crew that builds our award-quality new pools handles every renovation, so an older pool comes back not just repaired, but genuinely better than it was the day it was first filled.

Many of the pools we remodel were built fifteen, twenty, or thirty years ago by builders who are long gone — with chalky plaster, dated blue tile, undersized single-speed pumps, and decking that has heaved or cracked. Our job is to look past the wear and see what the pool could be. Sometimes that means a clean resurface and retile that brings it back to life in a few weeks; sometimes it means reimagining the entire backyard with a raised spa, fire features, and a modern outdoor-living layout around the existing shell.

Before we quote anything, we inspect the shell, plumbing, and equipment and tell you honestly what is worth saving and what should be replaced. As a firefighter-owned, family-operated company, straight answers are the whole point — we would rather lose a job than oversell one.

J. Oliver Pools branded cap resting poolside on new travertine coping
Before & After

Same backyard. Brand-new pool.

See the full gallery →
Before renovation: aging freeform pool and round spa with dated plaster, dark water, and flagstone coping in the Woodlands of Camino Real, San Antonio
Before
After renovation: same freeform pool and spa refinished in a midnight Pebble interior with iridescent glass-tile step and spa accents, San Antonio
After

Woodlands of Camino Real, San Antonio. A tired freeform pool and attached spa brought fully back to life — resurfaced in a midnight Pebble finish with iridescent glass-tile accents tracing the steps and spa, on the original flagstone coping. Same footprint, transformed.

What We Renovate
01

Resurfacing & Replaster

Pool resurfacing and replaster in New Braunfels — strip worn, stained plaster and refinish in brilliant, long-lasting PebbleTec aggregate.

02

Tile & Coping Replacement

Pool tile replacement and coping replacement with fresh waterline tile that instantly modernizes the whole pool.

03

Equipment, Automation & Lighting

Pool equipment upgrades, automation installation, and pool lighting upgrades — quiet, energy-efficient pumps and heaters you run from your phone.

04

Spa & Water Features

Spa remodel or a new raised spa, plus sheet-falls, bubblers, or a grotto added during the remodel.

05

Pool Deck Remodel

New decking, pavers, and surrounds — a full pool deck remodel that ties the backyard back together.

06

Leak Repair & Restoration

Pool leak repair plus crack and structural fixes — complete pool restoration done the right way.

Three black scupper spouts pouring water into a renovated pool with new marble waterline tile

Scuppers, sheer-descents, and spa spillovers — added the moment tile and coping come off.

Is It Time to Renovate?

The signs an older pool is ready for a refresh.

Most pools tell you when they are due. If you recognize a few of these, a renovation will likely cost less than another year of patching — and give you back a pool you actually want to use.

Rough, stained, or chalky surface

Worn plaster feels rough underfoot, snags swimsuits, and stains in patches. Resurfacing in PebbleTec restores both the feel and the jewel-tone color of the water.

Dated tile, coping, or decking

Cracked coping, dated waterline tile, and heaved or stained decking make an otherwise sound pool look decades old. Fresh finishes modernize the whole backyard instantly.

Loud, inefficient equipment

Old single-speed pumps are loud and expensive to run. Modern variable-speed equipment and automation cut energy costs and let you control everything from your phone.

Leaks, cracks, or rising bills

Water loss, visible cracks, or climbing water and chemical bills signal it is time to address the structure and plumbing properly rather than patch them again.

What a Renovation Costs

Scope drives the price.

A renovation can be as focused as a resurface or as complete as a backyard rebuild, so pricing varies widely. These ranges give you a realistic starting point, and every project is quoted line by line. Ask about financing options to spread the cost over time.

Resurface
$8K–$15K

Strip worn plaster and refinish in durable PebbleTec, with fresh waterline tile and a clean startup. The fastest way to bring a pool back to life.

Remodel
$25K–$60K

Resurface plus new tile, coping, and decking, modern variable-speed equipment, automation, and lighting — a comprehensive refresh of the entire pool.

Full Reimagining
$60K+

Add a raised spa, water and fire features, an outdoor kitchen, or a new deck layout — transforming the whole backyard around your existing shell.

Why pool renovation costs vary so much

Two renovations down the same street can carry very different price tags, because the cost is driven by what your specific pool needs. These are the factors that move the number most:

Pool size & surface area

A larger interior takes more plaster or PebbleTec, more tile, and more labor to resurface — the single biggest driver of a resurface budget.

Scope of the remodel

A resurface alone sits at the low end; new tile, coping, decking, and equipment move you into a full remodel, and adding a spa or features moves you higher still.

Materials & finishes

Standard plaster, premium PebbleTec, glass tile, travertine, and porcelain pavers each sit at a different price point. Your selections shape the total as much as the work itself.

Condition & repairs

Hidden leaks, structural cracks, failed plumbing, or outdated equipment add to the scope. We inspect first so these are priced honestly up front, not discovered mid-project.

Ranges are typical for our market and depend on pool size, condition, materials, and added features. We provide a clear, line-item proposal after inspecting your pool — no guesswork, no hidden fees.

Renovated pool at night glowing blue with new LED lighting and illuminated raised spa and landscaping

New LED lighting and automation turn an aging pool into a nightly showpiece.

Why Renovate With J. Oliver

A builder’s eye on a remodel project.

Plenty of companies will resurface a pool. Fewer can re-engineer a structure, add features cleanly, and integrate new automation the way a custom builder can. Because we build new pools from the ground up, we bring that depth to every renovation.

We engineer, not just resurface

Because we build new pools, we can re-engineer structures, correct drainage, and add features cleanly — not just slap on new plaster and hope.

One accountable team

The same crew handles demolition, structure, finishes, and equipment, so quality and communication stay consistent from start to finish.

Honest assessment first

We inspect before we quote and tell you what is worth saving and what should be replaced. No upselling, no surprises mid-project.

Modern materials & automation

PebbleTec finishes, current tile and decking, and Pentair and Jandy automation bring a dated pool fully up to today’s standards.

The Renovation Process

Refreshed in four clear steps.

Step 01

Assess & Quote

We inspect the shell and equipment, then quote the remodel line by line.

Step 02

Drain & Prep

Drain, chip out old surfaces, and prep tile, coping, and plumbing.

Step 03

Resurface & Build

New PebbleTec, tile, decking, and any added features go in.

Step 04

Refill & Startup

Fill, balance the water, and hand back a pool that feels brand new.

What Homeowners Say

5.0 stars, and counting.

Rated 5.0 on Google · Google Guaranteed · BBB accredited

★★★★★
Our 25-year-old pool looks brand new — new PebbleTec, tile, and a raised spa. They saw potential we couldn’t and delivered exactly what they promised.
Greg & Sandra P., New Braunfels
★★★★★
Honest from the first visit. They told us what we actually needed instead of overselling, and the finished remodel is stunning.
Rachel D., San Antonio
★★★★★
The new automation and variable-speed equipment cut our energy bill and the upkeep is effortless now. Worth every penny.
Tom & Lisa K., Boerne
Renovation FAQ

Remodeling your pool, answered.

When should I renovate my pool instead of replacing it?+

If the shell is structurally sound, renovation is the fastest, most cost-effective way to a backyard you love again. We assess the structure first and tell you honestly whether resurfacing or a larger remodel makes sense — and in the rare cases a pool is beyond saving, we will tell you that too.

How much does a pool renovation cost?+

It depends on scope — a PebbleTec resurface typically starts in the $8K to $15K range, while a full remodel with new tile, coping, decking, and added features can run $25K to $60K or more. Every renovation is quoted line by line with no hidden fees, and financing is available.

How long does a pool renovation take?+

A straightforward resurface and retile is usually two to four weeks; larger remodels that add features, equipment, or decking take longer. We give you a clear schedule up front and keep you updated at each stage.

Can you add a spa or water features during a renovation?+

Yes. A renovation is the perfect time to add a raised spa, sheer-descent or scupper water features, bubblers, automation, or new decking and transform the whole space at once — while the equipment and plumbing are already open.

How often should a gunite pool be resurfaced?+

Most gunite pools need resurfacing every 10 to 20 years depending on the original finish, water chemistry, and use. A premium PebbleTec finish lasts toward the longer end of that range, especially with balanced water and routine care.

Can you fix a leaking or cracked pool?+

Yes. We diagnose leaks and structural cracks, determine whether the cause is the shell, plumbing, or fittings, and repair it correctly rather than masking it. Addressing the root cause during a renovation protects your investment for the long term.

Can you convert my pool to saltwater during a renovation?+

Absolutely. A renovation is an ideal time to convert to a saltwater system and upgrade to energy-efficient variable-speed equipment and smart automation, lowering both maintenance and operating costs.

Do you offer financing for renovations?+

Yes. We work with financing partners so you can spread the cost of your renovation over time. Visit our financing page or ask during your consultation.

Do you replaster and resurface pools in New Braunfels?+

Yes. Pool resurfacing and replaster are the core of what we do in New Braunfels — we strip worn or stained plaster and refinish in durable PebbleTec, restoring both the smooth feel and the jewel-tone color of the water. We typically handle pool tile replacement and coping replacement at the same time for a complete refresh.

What pool remodel services do you offer besides resurfacing?+

Beyond resurfacing we handle the full scope of a pool remodel: pool tile replacement, coping replacement, pool deck remodel, equipment upgrades and automation installation, pool lighting upgrades, spa remodel, leak repair, and complete pool restoration — all from one accountable local crew.

Plan Your Remodel

Guides for pool owners.

Cost Guide

How much does a custom pool cost in the Hill Country?

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Compare

Saltwater vs. chlorine for your pool

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Materials

Gunite vs. fiberglass vs. vinyl in Texas

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Design

7 custom pool design ideas for Hill Country backyards

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Love your backyard again.

Send us a few photos and we'll tell you exactly what's possible. A first conversation costs nothing.