Free for you · Pool refurbishment
Swimming Pool Refurbishment and Liner Replacement
Last reviewed October 2026
Tired liner, rough marbelite or loose tiles? Swimming pool refurbishment brings an old pool back into use, whether it needs a liner replacement, a new finish or new coping. Tell us once, and up to 2 vetted local pool refurbishment specialists will quote. Our service is free for you.
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- Liners, resurfacing and retiling
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Key facts
- SPATA says liner life is “usually quoted as 10 to 12 years”.
- PoolStore’s online calculator gave £2,868 for a plain liner fitted in a 32 by 16 foot pool, including VAT. Ambassador Pools lists installation guide prices from £1,470, but does not say whether the liner or VAT is included. Checked October 2026. These are not our prices.
- A small tear can often be patched instead: see pool repairs.
- We cover Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire.
Do you need a refurbishment, a repair or a leak check?
| Problem | Best first step | Where to go |
|---|---|---|
| Faded, brittle or wrinkled liner across the pool | Liner replacement | This page |
| One tear or small hole | Liner patch | Pool repairs |
| Losing water | Leak check first | Pool leak detection |
| Rough or stained marbelite | Resurfacing | This page |
| A few loose tiles or one cracked coping stone | Repair | Pool repairs |
| Many hollow tiles or failing render | Retile | This page |
| Pump or heater fault | Repair | Pool repairs |
| Green water | Algae treatment | Green pool |
What does swimming pool refurbishment include?
Swimming pool refurbishment, also called pool renovation, restores an existing pool rather than building a new one: a new liner, a new plaster or tiled finish, new coping, and often new fittings. Each job starts with a survey, and your technician quotes for what your pool actually needs.
A pool refurbishment can cover:
- A new vinyl liner
- Resurfacing with marbelite or another plaster finish
- Part or full retiling
- New coping stones
- New fittings and lights
Plant upgrades, such as a new pump or filter, are usually quoted separately.
What happens after you send a request?
- Describe your pool and add photos.
- Up to 2 local technicians quote you directly.
- You compare and book.
Read more about how our matching works.
When does a pool liner need replacing?
SPATA says liner life is “usually quoted as 10 to 12 years”, depending on site conditions and use (SPATA C5). SPATA also says liner material stiffens and loses flexibility with age, between 8 and 10 years. Well fitted and looked after, it lasts much longer.
Signs your liner is due
Poolwarehouse lists the signs to look for (Poolwarehouse):
- Fading at the waterline
- Brittle material
- New wrinkles in the floor
- Stretching at fittings, the skimmer or returns
- The bead coming out of its track
- Stains that won’t shift
New wrinkles can mean water behind the liner, so book a leak check too. Poolwarehouse says patching brittle material tends not to hold. A small tear in a sound liner is a job for pool repairs.
What happens during a pool liner replacement?
Your technician surveys and measures, drains the pool and removes the old liner. Floor and walls are checked and repaired. New faceplates and gaskets go on. Ambassador Pools recommends a pressure test while empty. Then the liner is fitted and the pool refilled. Poolwarehouse warns not to leave a liner pool empty, as the liner can shrink.
Liner thickness
SPATA’s C20 factsheet gives standard thicknesses of 0.50, 0.75 and 0.85mm, with heavy-duty 1.5mm liners welded on site (SPATA C20). Sharp objects, high water temperature and poor water balance damage liners. Ambassador Pools says its 30-gauge liners last 10 to 16 years, at a maximum of 28°C, and its 40-gauge liners 20 years.
What is marbelite, and when should a pool be resurfaced?
SPATA describes plaster finishes as a mix of marble chips, dust and white cement. The original “Marblite” came from the USA in the 1960s and was used almost only in domestic concrete pools for years (SPATA C20). Resurfacing is due when the finish roughens or stains.
PoolRevive says plaster, “often called marbelite”, costs less to apply than tile and is renewed from time to time (PoolRevive). It can roughen, etch, stain and crack. Its life depends on water chemistry, use and workmanship; there’s no fixed figure.
Resurfacing options
Choices are new marbelite, another plaster finish, or tiles. SPATA says a tile or mosaic band of 250 to 300mm at the waterline keeps the plaster underwater, which stops staining and shrinking.
Can you paint a concrete pool?
SPATA says it’s impossible to say how long pool paint lasts, and that it tends to blister and flake.
When is full retiling or coping replacement worth it?
PoolRevive says a reliable retile quote follows an inspection of the drained pool, not a rate per square metre (PoolRevive). If most tiles are well bonded and problems are local, repairs and a regrout usually cost less. Those smaller jobs belong on pool repairs.
PoolRevive sets out the usual order for a tiled pool (PoolRevive guide): drain, inspect with a tap test, chemical clean, repair or refix, regrout or retile, renew movement joints with flexible sealant, let it fully cure, then refill slowly and balance the water. A pool tiling company may handle the whole job.
Pool coping replacement
One loose or cracked coping stone is a repair job (pool repairs). Long runs of loose coping are usually replaced with a retile. We found no public price for this job alone. A quote follows an inspection of the drained pool (PoolRevive).
How much does swimming pool refurbishment cost?
PoolStore’s online calculator gave £2,868 for a plain liner fitted in a 32 by 16 foot pool, including VAT. Ambassador Pools lists installation guide prices from £1,470, but does not say whether the liner or VAT is included. Checked October 2026. These are not our prices.
| Source | Work | Price | What's included | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PoolStore | Liner fitted, 32 by 16 foot, plain | £2,868 (fitting around £900; survey from £350) | Liner plus fitting, incl. VAT | Calculator example, no survey |
| Ambassador Pools | Installation, rectangle / with steps / kidney or shaped, up to 28 by 14 foot | £1,470 / £1,575 / £2,940 | Installation guide, liner and VAT not stated | Dorset/Hampshire firm; prices may be dated |
| Ambassador Pools | Same, up to 32 by 16 foot | £1,680 / £1,785 / £3,255 | Installation guide, liner and VAT not stated | As above |
| Ambassador Pools | Same, up to 40 by 20 foot | £2,205 / £2,365 / £3,675 | Installation guide, liner and VAT not stated | As above |
| Ambassador Pools | 30-gauge liners | £1,095 to £4,945 | Liner only, supply only | 8 sizes |
| Ambassador Pools | Pressure test when empty; survey and measure | £275 to £330; £290 (£415 shaped) | VAT not stated | |
| AquaCraft Pools | Lining; full refurbishment; tiling | £2,000 to over £10,000; £5,000 to over £30,000; £5,000 to over £20,000 | VAT not stated | |
| Checkatrade | Concrete pool resurfacing, medium pool | £25,000 to £35,000 | VAT not stated | Pool size not defined |
| Aquascapes | Liner replacement; resurfacing or retiling | £3,000 to £6,000; £5,000 to £12,000 | VAT not stated | Gloucestershire firm |
| PoolRevive | Marbelite only; coping only | We found no public price for this job alone. A quote follows an inspection of the drained pool (PoolRevive). | ||
These are public prices from other firms, not our prices. Checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to replace a pool liner in the UK?
PoolStore’s example of £2,868 covers liner and fitting, including VAT. Ambassador Pools’ installation guide starts at £1,470, liner and VAT not stated. Its supply-only liners, from £1,095, have no fitting. These measure different things, so don’t add them together.
What changes the price
Size, shape, steps, floor and wall repairs, underlay, fittings, access, draining and refilling, and VAT all change a quote.
Which refurbishment suits a liner, marbelite or tiled pool?
| Pool type | Usual finish | Refurbishment route | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liner pool | Vinyl liner | New liner | SPATA C5 |
| Concrete with plaster | Marbelite | Resurface | SPATA C20, PoolRevive |
| Concrete, tiled | Tiles or mosaic | Regrout, part or full retile | PoolRevive |
| Painted | Paint | Ask your technician; paint tends to blister and flake | SPATA C20 |
How do you compare swimming pool refurbishment quotes?
Compare what each quote covers, not just the total. Quotes can differ because one includes repairs, fittings or waste removal and the other doesn’t. Ask each technician to list what is included, then check each quote carefully against this list.
- What’s stripped out
- Floor and wall repairs, and underlay
- New faceplates and gaskets
- Pressure test while empty
- Who pays for water, chemicals and the refill
- Waste removal
- Timing: Poolwarehouse says autumn and early spring suit liner work better than midsummer
How we vet technicians
Before a technician gets any requests, we check they have public liability insurance of at least £1 million. We also check for an active Companies House record, or at least 5 genuine reviews on Google or Checkatrade. We don’t carry out DBS or criminal record checks, so please make your own checks too.
What should you do if you buy a house with an old swimming pool?
Take it in steps. Get a survey first, before buying any parts. If the pool loses water, book a leak check next. Then have the pump, filter and heater checked. Only then ask for refurbishment quotes, so each one covers the same work.
Use pool leak detection and pool repairs for those steps. Afterwards, regular pool maintenance keeps it in good order. For hotel, school and club pools, see commercial pool maintenance.
Where can you get pool refurbishment near you?
The Pool Cleaning matches homeowners in Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire with up to 2 vetted local technicians. Tell us about your pool and the work you think it needs, and each one quotes you directly. Our service is free for you.
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If you searched for pool liner replacement near me, local technicians cover:
- Swimming pool refurbishment in Surrey
- Pool renovation in Kent
- Pool liner replacement in Essex
- Pool refurbishment in Hertfordshire
We cover Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire. Requests from elsewhere are welcome; we’ll email if we can’t match you.
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Does a new pool liner come with a guarantee?
Guarantees depend on the liner maker and the fitter, so there is no single answer. Ask each technician what the liner itself is guaranteed for and what their fitting work covers. Get both in writing with your quote, and check what could void the guarantee, such as poor water balance.
Can I replace my own pool liner?
Ambassador Pools offers a survey and measure for people fitting their own liner, at £290. Fitting still means draining the pool, removing the old liner and resealing every fitting. An accurate measure matters, because a poor fit can stretch or wrinkle. Your technician can quote for the full job instead.
How long does a swimming pool refurbishment take?
PoolRevive’s process includes draining, repairs, retiling and a full cure before a slow refill, so the timing depends on each stage. A liner may also need ordering to size first. There’s no single figure. Your technician will set out a programme for your pool once they’ve surveyed it.
Do you have to drain a pool to replace the liner?
Yes. Poolwarehouse explains that a liner pool must be drained for a new liner, but warns not to leave it empty, because the liner can shrink. That’s why the work is planned so the new liner goes in and the pool is refilled without a long gap. Your technician will plan this.
Is refurbishing a pool worth it?
SPATA notes a new liner or finish lets you change the look of a pool. Whether it’s worth it depends on your pool’s condition and what you want from it. Get a survey, compare refurbishment quotes and weigh the cost against the pool’s state and how much you use it.
Can you change a liner pool to tiles?
SPATA explains that concrete pools are rendered and screeded, then finished with tiles, mosaic or terrazzo. A liner pool is built differently, so changing to tiles is a structural job, not a simple swap. Ask for a survey first, and your technician will tell you whether it can be done.
Can I swim while waiting for a new liner?
Poolwarehouse’s guidance suggests only if the liner still holds water and is safe to use. If the pool is losing water, book a leak check first. Brittle or torn liners can get worse with use, so ask your technician whether swimming is sensible until the new liner is fitted.
Will a new liner change my pool's water level or fittings?
Ambassador Pools recommends a survey and measure before a new liner, and new faceplates and gaskets as part of fitting. The fittings stay in the same places, but the seals are renewed. Ask your technician to confirm the waterline and fittings in their quote, so the new liner fits as it should.
How do I find pool refurbishment companies near me?
Tell The Pool Cleaning about your pool once, and we’ll pass it to up to 2 vetted local technicians in Surrey, Kent, Essex or Hertfordshire. Our service is free for you. You can also use SPATA’s find a member search on its website.
How do you get matched with a local pool refurbishment specialist?
Get free quotes for swimming pool refurbishment from up to 2 local technicians. Our service is free for you. Use the form, email info@thepoolcleaning.co.uk, contact us, or message us on WhatsApp on +44 7348 232538.
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