Quartz 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 quartz finish is a plaster-type pool finish with quartz in the mix. National guides say it outlasts plain plaster: Swimply puts it at 10-15 years (national guide range)¹. It suits owners who want more years than plaster and a smoother feel than pebble.

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

Illustration

The middle option

Quartz sits between plaster and pebble. In Swimply's 2026 guide it costs more than plaster and less than pebble ¹. It also lasts longer than plaster and not as long as pebble ¹.

Owners often pick it to get more years out of a resurface without the textured feel of pebble. Color choices vary by product, so ask to see samples in water, not only dry.

The guides disagree on lifespan

Swimply gives quartz 10-15 years (national guide range)¹. Bob Vila's 2022 guide says about 12 years (national guide figure)². The gap shows how rough these figures are. Neither is a Florida number.

Treat any lifespan a contractor gives you as a claim to put in writing, next to what the warranty covers.

Wear to watch for

Quartz wears much like plaster, only more slowly. Watch for rough patches, stains, blotchy color and spots where grit comes loose ¹. Algae that settles in rough areas is a sign too.

Cracks are a different matter. They can be structural, so a licensed contractor should inspect them before any finish is chosen ¹.

Questions to ask before you choose quartz

Which quartz product is it, and can I see the maker's data sheet?
What happens to the old surface: cleaned, roughened or removed?
What is the start-up water plan after the refill?
How long is the warranty, and what water conditions void it?
Is waterline tile or coping work part of this price?

What moves the price

We are not showing price figures yet. The finish grade, the pool's size, the prep, any repairs under the old surface and the tile work all move it. Ask each contractor to price the same scope so you can compare.

Who does the work

Florida's pool contractor scopes include interior finishes, and the servicing scope names interior refinishing ³. Ask for the state license number and check it on the state site. Read the license guide for the steps.

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