Pool Resurfacing & Replastering
Every inground pool in America needs this every 10 years — no exceptions
Inground swimming pools must be resurfaced every 8–15 years as the plaster, pebble finish, or fiberglass degrades, stains, and becomes rough and porous. A pool resurfacing job runs $8,000–$20,000 per pool depending on size and finish material. Unlike pool cleaning (low ticket, high frequency) or pool repair, resurfacing is high-ticket, low-frequency — but the US has 5.7 million inground pools, each on a decade-long resurfacing clock. Crews can complete 2–4 pools per week during peak season.
Avg Revenue
$900K
Profit Margin
38%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 3.5x
Startup Cost
$40K - $120K
Difficulty
3/5
How It Works
Crews drain the pool, chip out old plaster or grind the fiberglass surface, apply bonding agents, then spray or hand-apply new finish material (white plaster, quartz aggregate, pebble finish, or fiberglass gelcoat). The job takes 2–5 days depending on size and finish. Materials run $2,000–$6,000 per pool; labor is 2–4 workers. Most jobs are booked 4–8 weeks out during spring/summer. Commercial pools (hotels, HOAs, municipal facilities) are the highest-ticket segment.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 238990 · All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | SC | $3.0M | $3.6M | 30 | — |
| Dec 2025 | SC | $500K | $588K | 30 | — |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $5.0M | $5.9M | 18 | — |
| Dec 2025 | WA | $1.1M | $1.4M | 10 | — |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $150K | $177K | 8 | — |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $891K | $1.0M | 8 | — |
| Dec 2025 | NV | $4.0M | $4.7M | 2 | — |
| Dec 2025 | NV | $250K | $294K | 2 | — |
| Dec 2025 | TX | $500K | $588K | 20 | — |
| Dec 2025 | TX | $2.9M | $3.4M | 20 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +High average ticket — $8K–$20K per job means revenue builds quickly
- +Non-discretionary spend — a pool that can't be used must be resurfaced
- +5.7 million inground pools in the US means perpetual demand pipeline
- +Commercial accounts (hotels, HOAs) provide larger contracts and repeat business
Cons
- -Seasonal in northern climates — peak season is spring through early fall
- -Skilled labor is the bottleneck — plasterers and finish crews are specialized and scarce
- -High material and equipment costs; cement trucks and mixing equipment required
Best For
Contractors in warm climates (FL, AZ, TX, CA) with access to skilled labor and commercial pool relationships
Operating Costs
Largest costs are labor (4–6 workers), plaster/finish materials, and equipment (jackhammers, plastering machines, trucks). A 3-crew operation in a warm-weather market can generate $1M–$2M annually at 35–42% gross margins.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Pool resurfacing and plastering businesses for sale nationally
Pool service and specialty contractor acquisitions
Association of Pool & Spa Professionals — industry contacts and certification programs
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Buy price
- $1.8M–$3.1M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Ready to Buy? Start Here →
Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Get the full breakdown in your inbox
Weekly boring business breakdowns
Get notified when high-margin businesses hit the market