Let’s start with a question.
What’s the single best upgrade you can make to your backyard?
If you said, “A pool upgrade.” You’re right.
But not just any pool upgrade. One that starts with the surface.
That’s right. The concrete shell of your pool can add value to your home or subtract from it. If it’s cracked, discoloured, and dull it sends a message to buyers that your property hasn’t been maintained.
The biggest pool mistake homeowners make…
Is underestimating how badly an aging pool affects buyer perception.
But there’s good news.
Pool surface restoration isn’t rocket science. And done correctly, it can add real value to your property.
Here’s what you need to know.
Table of Contents
- Why Pool Surface Restoration is Important for Home Value
- The Most Important Pool Upgrades Buyers Notice
- What Type of Pool Surface Restoration is Right for Me?
- Upgrade Your Pool the Professional Way
- Let’s Wrap This Thing Up.
Why Pool Surface Restoration is Important for Home Value
There’s a little known fact about pools…
Clean pools can actually increase property value by up to 7%. In markets with hot summers like Jacksonville FL, Tampa FL, or Phoenix AZ the benefit is even greater. Homes with pools in Jacksonville FL sell for 24.4% more money than similar houses without them.
But…
That only applies if the pool is in good condition.
An old, ugly pool that looks like nobody wants to swim in it doesn’t increase value. At least not in today’s market.
Once again, surface matters.
Replace a dated plaster finish with a sleek and modern alternative and you instantly start to control the narrative. Prospective buyers see a clean, smooth pool surface and assume the rest of the property has been maintained too.
Remember, first impressions matter. That’s why pool surface restoration is the single most important thing you can do to increase your home value when it comes to pool renovations and upgrades.
Here’s what restoration means in practice.
Industry professionals refer to pool resurfacing as stripping back the old interior finish and applying a new layer on top. Whether it’s plaster, pebble, or tile; restoring your pool surface is the foundation of any legitimate pool upgrade project.
Get that step right and you’ve already won half the battle.
Think of pool resurfacing and surface restoration like laying the hardwood floors in your house. You could paint the walls, redo the cabinets, and add granite countertops. But until the floors went down, none of it mattered.
These two terms will be used interchangeably from this point on.
Got it?
The Most Important Pool Upgrades Buyers Notice
Continuing with the metaphor…
Your pool finishes are the hardwood floors of your backyard.
Sure, there are plenty of other detail upgrades that can enhance the pool and improve your curb appeal. But when it comes to getting noticed, they simply don’t have the same impact as the pool surface.
Here’s a short list.
Pool Surface Restoration
That’s already been covered above. Everything else stems from a nice clean pool finish. Pebble aggregate. Quartz. Plaster. Any method chosen, the pool surface sets the tone for the backyard.
Coping & Tile
Swimming pools have this awesome feature called a “tile band” around water level. Above it, most pools have coping stones as a decorative border.
When these become dated (which happens quickly), the entire pool can feel like a relic. Updating the tile with something modern like mosaic stone or neutral coloured glass tile can make a world of difference. It’s one of the quickest tips for upgrading a pool without breaking the bank.
Another upgrade that plays nicely with pool surface restoration.
Pool Deck
If the pool’s flooring is the hardwood floors, the pool deck is the trim. It frames the space. Making a bad impression here can undermine even the nicest pool finish.
Here’s the thing.
Decks look pretty great most of the time.
But even high-end decks accumulate wear and tear. Deck replacement or deck resurfacing (think textured concrete or travertine pavers) goes a long way towards establishing a pool as the envy of the neighbourhood.
Upgrade Equipment
Buyers these days are savvier than ever. Many are looking specifically for energy efficient pool features like variable-speed pumps, LED lighting, and automated controls.
Makes sense. If a pool costs a fortune to run, it’s likely considered a liability.
Nobody wants to buy a money pit.
Thoughtful inclusion of energy-efficient pool equipment can go a long way towards convincing buyers a pool is an asset.
Safety
Speaking of buyers.
Children.
Pool safety is important to modern home buyers. Safety features like self-latching gates, fencing that complies with local bylaws, and anti-entrapment drain covers are increasingly important. Throw them on at the end of a project and it’ll make saying “yes” a whole lot easier for nervous parents.
What Type of Pool Surface Restoration is Right for Me?
Look around at some of the newer pools in the neighbourhood and you’ll notice several popular finishes.
There’s plaster, pebble, and quartz. But how do you know which one’s right?
Don’t overthink it.
Three things matter when it comes to choosing a pool finish:
- The existing pool surface. If the pool has major cracks or severe delamination, full restoration is needed. Surface refinishing may be possible with light etching or surface stains.
- How old the pool is. Knowing the age of the pool helps narrow down what type of restoration to expect. Most plaster finishes last anywhere from 7–10 years before they need to be replaced. Better quality pebble finishes can last upwards of 15–20 years.
- Know your market. As with most everything in real estate, the local market matters. In a high-end neighbourhood, going with premium finishes like pebble or quartz helps justify a home’s positioning. For mid-range pool upgrades, clean plaster does the trick nicely.
Either way.
Pool renovations and upgrades can cost anywhere from $5,330 to $14,762 nationwide. Restoring a pool’s interior surface falls right in the middle. It’s affordable and delivers results you can see.
Think about it.
Pool appraisers and potential buyers know very little about a property when they first walk into the backyard. But the pool surface is one of the first things they see.
Pool resurfacing and restoration happens to be one of the best return-on-investment renovations that can be made to a home.
Upgrade Your Pool the Professional Way
Here’s a pro-tip…
Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, stack pool upgrades like so:
- Start with the pool surface. It’s the most visible and impacts buyer perception more than any other aspect of the pool.
- Upgrading the surrounding tile and coping ties the new surface to the concrete shell of the pool.
- Don’t neglect the pool deck. Even if it doesn’t look terrible, a skilled deck resurfacing company can make a surprising difference.
- Lastly, try to include some updated, energy efficient pool equipment. Variable speed pumps. LED lighting. Automated control systems.
- Safety features are always worth mentioning during a listing presentation. While they may not increase value outright, they do ease buyer hesitation.
Work through these steps in order. Stop when the budget runs out.
Completing just the first two items on this list has added noticeable value to hundreds of pools. Once the surface is upgraded, everything else falls into place.
Pretty cool, right?
Let’s Wrap This Thing Up.
Wondering how to increase home value with a backyard pool? It’s not as hard as you might think.
The key is starting with the right details.
Pool surface restoration offers tremendous value when it comes to pool renovations and upgrades. Not only can it add value back into a home, but it also makes the rest of the upgrades look that much better.
Let’s review.
- Start with the pool surface. A clean, smooth pool instantly improves buyer perception.
- Tile, coping, and deck upgrades work wonders to visually connect the pool to the rest of the backyard.
- Efficient equipment and safety features help reduce buyer hesitation and highlight the pool’s best qualities.
Got questions about how to increase home value with a pool upgrade? Ask away in the comments below.