How to compare written pool remodel quotes line by line
By Brian Morris, The Ugly Pool Guy. Last updated .
Two quotes for the same pool can describe two different jobs. One might include tile, permits and haul-off while another leaves them out and looks cheaper. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors tells homeowners to get written estimates from at least three contractors and to make sure each one spells out the work, the price and who pulls the permits. This guide turns that advice into a side-by-side comparison you fill in before you sign anything.
Put every quote on the same page
Make one row per item and one column per contractor. Fill it in from the written estimate only, not from what was said on the phone. If an item isn't written down, mark it as missing and ask. A quote that says "resurface pool" with no detail on prep, tile or startup is hard to compare with one that lists each step.
- Contractor name exactly as it appears on the ROC license record, and the license number
- Interior finish named by type and color, and what prep is included before it goes on
- Waterline tile, coping and decking: included, excluded or optional
- Equipment: which items are replaced, by model, and which are reused
- Who obtains building permits and whether permit fees are in the price
- Trash and debris removal, temporary water and power, and access protection
- Start-up and water balancing after refill: included or not
- Payment or draw schedule tied to finished stages of work
Check the change order process before work starts
Remodels sometimes uncover problems. A hollow spot under old plaster or a cracked tile line can change the job. The ROC says a change order must be signed by both parties, and that you should understand how it changes the total cost and the completion timeline. Ask each contractor to show you a blank change order form and explain when they would use it.
- Is there a written change order form, and does it show the price change?
- Does it show how the change affects the completion timeline?
- Will work stop until both parties sign?
- Who decides whether a repair is needed, and do you see it before it is covered up?
Reconcile the estimate with the contract
Before signing, read the contract against the estimate you chose. The ROC tells homeowners to make sure the costs match and that the full scope, permit responsibility and other terms are in the contract itself. Payments should not get ahead of the work, although the ROC notes that special order materials, permits and fees may need to be paid in advance. Make checks payable to the company named in the contract, never to an individual.
Where to read about costs and finishes
This guide doesn't list prices. For the company's published cost ranges and what drives them, read the remodel cost guide linked below. For choosing between finishes, read the finish comparison.
Sources
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors: Before you hire a contractor(opens in a new tab)
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors: Contractor search(opens in a new tab)
- We Fix Ugly Pools: Pool remodeling(opens in a new tab)
Sources checked November 11, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or your city before you rely on them.
Related pool problem guides
- What a Phoenix pool remodel costs and how long it takesMost pool remodels in the Phoenix metro run $12,000 to $20,000 and typically take 2 to 4 weeks. Timing depends on the options being installed. These are the company's published ranges, not quotes or guarantees. A resurface with new tile is typically $8,000 to $15,000, and adding features, equipment or decking runs $15,000 to $30,000.
- Pebble vs quartz vs plaster for Arizona poolsFor Arizona sun and hard water, the company's published typical ranges are about 25 to 30 years for pebble, 12 to 18 for quartz and 5 to 7 for plaster, depending on maintenance. Plaster costs the least up front.