Short answer: there are three ways to bring an old pool back. Re-tile when the shell is sound and the mosaic or grout has failed — about EUR 60 per m² including render and waterproofing. Re-line with a reinforced PVC membrane when the shell has moved or leaks and you want it quicker and cheaper than new tiling. Rebuild the shell from the inside when the structure itself has failed — EUR 12,000–18,000. We check what is under the old surface before quoting, not after starting. Site visit and written quote are free: +34 634 928 081.
Three options at a glance
| Re-tile | Re-line | Rebuild | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best when | Shell is sound; mosaic or grout has failed | Shell has moved, hairline cracks, leaks | Shell has moved with the ground and is failing |
| Cost | About EUR 60/m², render and waterproofing included | Per m² after measuring the pool; usually cheaper than re-tiling on a moved shell | EUR 12,000–18,000 |
| Time | Two to four weeks | A few days; back in use the same week | Longer — the schedule comes with the quote |
| Lifespan | Longest, a traditional finish | Ten to fifteen years with correct water chemistry | A new structure |
When to re-tile
Re-tiling suits a pool whose structure is sound but whose surface has aged: tiles coming loose, joints going dark, a worn waterline. The sequence is: drain and inspect, strip the old mosaic, repair and re-render, waterproof, lay the new tiling, grout, then refill and rebalance the water.
- Price. Removing and replacing mosaic is about EUR 60 per m², with render and waterproofing included. An 8×4 m pool is roughly 60–70 m² of wetted surface, so the cost follows from the size of the pool — as plain arithmetic, that is in the order of EUR 3,600–4,200 before anything unexpected underneath. The final figure depends on the state of the surface under the old mosaic, which is checked before quoting.
- Grout is what fails first. Ordinary cement grout gives way to salt and chlorine within a few seasons, and once the joints go the tiles follow. On the waterline we use epoxy or manufacturer’s pool-grade grout.
- Only the waterline? Possible when the rest is sound, and far cheaper than the whole pool — we say honestly whether it will hold.
- Tile choice. Glass mosaic in 2.5 × 2.5 cm, porcelain mosaic or larger-format porcelain, plain or blended. Sand and light blue give a turquoise pool; grey and green a darker, more natural one.
More detail: pool re-tiling and mosaic replacement.
When to re-line
A reinforced liner is a 1.5 mm PVC membrane welded on site into one continuous watertight skin. It is used on new pools and, more often, to bring an old leaking shell back into service without demolishing it.
- Faster, cheaper and forgiving of hairline cracks; tiling looks more traditional and lasts longer.
- If the shell has moved with the ground, a membrane is often the safer choice than new mosaic.
- Installation — draining, preparing the surface, fitting the profiles and welding — takes a few days on a normal pool.
- Lasts ten to fifteen years with correct water chemistry; badly balanced water and direct sun on the waterline shorten it.
- Dozens of plain colours plus mosaic and stone prints, with matching non-slip material for steps and benches.
More detail: reinforced pool liners and membranes.
When to rebuild
Most cracks are repairable: they are chased out, waterproofed and re-tiled. But a shell that has moved with the ground may need rebuilding from the inside — a complete new shell built inside the old one. It costs in the region of EUR 12,000–18,000 and is the most reliable fix for a structurally cracked pool. For comparison, a brand-new pool starts from EUR 11,000 for 6×3 m and from EUR 16,500 for 8×4 m (see the pool cost calculator), so the comparison is worth making honestly: we tell you which option your pool actually needs before quoting either.
If the cause is a leak rather than age, start with pool leak detection and repair.
Use the empty pool: pipework, pump and equipment
A renovation is the moment to replace pipework that has been patched twice and to swap an undersized pump for a variable-speed one. Doing it while the pool is empty costs a fraction of doing it later. Our calculator lists a heating system from EUR 2,000 and a combined salt and pH system from EUR 900 — see pool heating and salt chlorination. A terrace around the pool starts at EUR 120–130 per m² including groundwork and tiling, quoted as a separate line.
How long does a renovation take?
Waterproofing and tiling take two to four weeks; longer if the pipework or plant room is replaced as well. A liner is a matter of days. You get the schedule in writing with the quote, and the pool is not drained until the materials are on site. Autumn and winter are the cheapest time to book: the pool is ready before the season, not during it.
What is quoted separately
Terrace and paving, retaining walls, garden reinstatement, an electrical upgrade if the house has no spare capacity, and town-hall fees are separate lines, so you can decide what to do now and what to leave. Scope, materials, price and dates go in writing before work starts, and the number you get is the number you pay unless you change the scope.
Who does the work and where
The crews are ours, not subcontractors. Most of our renovation work is on pools built by somebody else: we survey first, say honestly what is wrong, and quote only what fixes it. We work from Torrevieja across Alicante and Murcia — Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar, Rojales, Elche, Alicante, Santa Pola and the towns around them. See the full page on swimming pool renovation and repair. Warranty: no fixed term — the conditions are in the contract and depend on the scope of work.
Not sure which option your pool needs? Call +34 634 928 081 or send the address and a few photos — English, Spanish, Polish and Russian, 08:00 to 17:00.
