Pebble pool finishes

Sarasota Pool Refinishing is a guide run by Terragroupe, LLC. We do not resurface pools or do any pool work, and we are not taking requests yet. A licensed pool contractor does this work, and we are lining one up.

A pebble finish sets small stones in the pool surface. It lasts longest of the main finishes: Swimply's 2026 guide puts it at 15-25 years (national guide range)¹. It costs the most of the main finishes ¹ and feels textured underfoot, so it suits owners who plan to keep the pool for years.

Check your pool surface Read the guides

Last reviewed October 18, 2026 against the cited sources. A guide, not legal, tax or engineering advice.

Updated October 19, 2026. Sources

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Why owners choose pebble

Pebble is the long-haul choice. Swimply gives it 15-25 years (national guide range)¹, and Bob Vila's older guide gives aggregate finishes like it 10-20 years (national guide range)².

Swimply's guide also lists it as the most costly of the main finishes ¹. The trade-off is fewer resurfacing jobs over the years you own the pool.

What the maker says about lifespan

Pebble Technology International makes Pebble Tec. It says its pebble finish lasts over 20 years with proper maintenance and chemistry ³. It also says a pebble finish can often reach three decades with good care ³.

Treat that as a manufacturer claim. It comes from a company that sells pebble finishes. It is a national claim, and the page does not mention Florida. We found no Florida figure from any maker or trade body. Independent guides give lower ranges, as the figures above show.

How it feels

The stones give the surface a texture you can feel with your feet. Some people like the grip on steps. Others find it rough on skin. Stand on a wet sample before you decide, and ask about finer stone sizes if feel matters to you.

When stones come loose

Loose aggregate is one of the signs a surface needs work ¹. A few loose stones near the steps may be a repair. Stones coming away over large areas point to a worn surface.

Ask the contractor whether a patch or a full resurface fits, and why. Get the answer in writing.

Before you commit

Ask for the product name and the stone size.
Ask how the old surface will be prepared for the new one.
Ask what the warranty covers, and for how long.
Ask what water care the warranty expects after the refill.
Ask whether the waterline tile will be kept, cleaned or replaced.
Ask for the finish maker's start-up sheet. The timing guide sets out what Pebble Tec's guide says, including its line on soft water.

Price, in plain terms

This site shows no price figures yet. Pebble usually costs more up front than plaster or quartz ¹. Pool size, prep, repairs and tile work change the total, so compare written prices for the same scope.

License check

As of October 19, 2026

Interior finishes fall inside Florida's pool contractor scopes ⁴. Ask for the state license number, check it on the state site, and keep a note of what you found. See the license guide.

From a rough surface to a written scope

Look at the pool first. The finish choice comes after.

Check the surface. Run your hand over the walls and steps. Look for rough spots, flaking, stains that will not scrub off, cracks and loose stones. The surface check scores what you find.
Find the cause of any water loss. If the pool loses water with no clear reason, ask for a leak check before a new finish. A new surface does not fix a leak.
Check the license. Ask each contractor for a state license number and look it up on the state licensing site. Write down the license type and the date you checked.
Get the scope and price in writing. The scope should name the finish, the prep, the tile and coping work, the refill and start-up plan, and the warranty. Compare scopes line by line, not only the total.

What we don't handle

This guide does not cover these jobs, and once a licensed provider is named, requests that include them will not be passed on.

roof work
retaining walls and seawalls
pool deck or patio slab repair
structural shell repair or a cracked pool shell
pool lighting, bonding and other electrical work
drain lines, sewer or main-drain replacement
mold work
waterproofing of decks or buildings
elevated decks
balconies
building a new pool
pool piping and plumbing
public or commercial pools
fiberglass pool gelcoat work
vinyl liner replacement

What this guide gives you now

Plain answers about your pool surface, before you call any contractor. We do not do pool work, so nothing here is a sales pitch.

A surface check you can do at the pool
The Pool Surface Condition Check walks you through what to look and feel for. It tells you whether to watch, plan or ask for an inspection.
Plain notes on each finish
Plaster, quartz, pebble, and the tile and coping at the edge. See how each one wears and what to ask about it on the finishes page.
A license check in a few minutes
Florida's contractor law lists pool interior refinishing in a pool contractor scope. The license guide shows how to look up any contractor on the state site.
A written scope to ask for
Ask any contractor to write down the finish, the prep of the old surface, the tile and coping work, the start-up water care, the warranty and the price. Nothing should start until you agree in writing.
A timing plan for the Sarasota area
Draining a pool and storm season do not mix well. The timing guide lays out the storm calendar and the local watering order.
Water questions to ask
Tap water is treated differently from one utility to the next. Ask your utility for its water report, and ask your contractor how they will balance your fill water after the new finish goes on.

This site is free to read. It sells no pool work and takes no payment. Any work is agreed in writing between you and the licensed contractor who does it. If you see cracks in the pool shell, a licensed contractor should inspect it before anyone talks about a new finish.

Pool Surface Condition Check

Look at the pool on a bright day with the pump off, then answer each question. The result shows a stage and the answers that counted most. It is a starting point, not a price and not a diagnosis.

Start the Pool Surface Condition Check