Pebble vs quartz vs plaster for Arizona pools

The short comparison

These are the published Phoenix resurfacing ranges from our main site:

• Plaster: $6,500 to $9,000, typical lifespan 5 to 7 years
• Quartz: $8,500 to $12,000, typical lifespan 12 to 18 years
• Pebble: $10,000 to $15,000, typical lifespan 25 to 30 years

These are the company's published typical ranges. Actual life depends on water chemistry and maintenance.

Pool size, shell condition and tile choices move the final number. Treat these as ranges, not a quote.

Cost per year matters more than the sticker price

Plaster is the cheapest to install, but at 5 to 7 years you may be paying for it again sooner. Pebble costs more up front and lasts several times longer in the desert. That is why the company's standing advice for most worn plaster pools is to move to pebble or quartz rather than replaster.

When plaster still makes sense

Plaster is a reasonable choice when you want a simpler, budget-friendly refresh, or when you are planning bigger changes to the yard in a few years and do not want to invest in a long-life finish yet.

What to pair with a new finish

Resurfacing drains the pool, and new waterline tile is often done in the same job. If you are also thinking about coping repairs, bubblers, a Baja shelf or LED lighting, ask for those to be quoted together so you can decide what to bundle.

More detail: the pool resurfacing page on our main site.