Pool Remodeling Mission Viejo, CA — 1970s-80s Pool Modernization
El Dorado, Madrid, Castille, Casta del Sol, Aegean Hills — Mission Viejo's original Mission Viejo Company tracts are now 50+ years old, and so are the pools. Werth Builders modernizes them with PebbleTec finishes, variable-speed equipment, salt conversion, raised spillover spas, and decks that finally match the home above ground.
SoCal Pools
MISSION VIEJO POOL REMODEL
Renovate Your Original Mission Viejo Pool
Most pools we remodel in Mission Viejo were built between 1970 and 1985 — El Dorado from 1967, Madrid through the 70s, Castille from 1973, Casta del Sol in the 70s and 80s, Aegean Hills 1967-75. Original gunite shells, single-skimmer plumbing, dated brown-and-tan tile, mid-century white plaster — all at the end of useful life. Underneath, the gunite shell is usually fine. These pools were built well, and a remodel modernizes the entire backyard for a fraction of a teardown rebuild.
Werth Builders has been remodeling Mission Viejo pools since 1994. We prepare MVEA, Casta del Sol, and sub-HOA submittals as part of every standard scope, retrofit modern equipment that runs quiet enough for ARC sound rules, and finish with materials that respect the Spanish Colonial palette every Mission Viejo tract was built to.
- Free on-site consultation with honest recommendations
- 3-D design renderings for full remodels
- PebbleTec, quartz, and plaster certified applicators
- All City of Mission Viejo permits and inspections handled
- Daily on-site supervision until water fill
WHAT WE REMODEL
Pool Remodel Services in Mission Viejo
From a single resurface to a complete backyard overhaul, here is what we work on every week in Mission Viejo.
Resurfacing & Replaster
Strip the old plaster, prep the shell, and apply your choice of PebbleTec, quartz, or premium plaster. Most resurfaces complete in 1-2 weeks.
Tile & Coping Replacement
Swap dated waterline tile for glass mosaic, natural stone, or modern porcelain. Replace cracked coping with travertine, paver, or bullnose.
Deck & Hardscape
Tear out cracked concrete and pour a new deck — travertine, pavers, stamped concrete, flagstone, or board-formed concrete that stays cool underfoot.
Add Water Features
Sheer descents, scuppers, deck jets, bubblers, fire bowls, and grottos that turn an ordinary pool into a backyard centerpiece.
Equipment Upgrades
Variable-speed pumps, salt systems, energy-efficient heaters, and smart automation. Title 20 compliant — and your monthly utility bill drops fast.
Add a Spillover Spa
Retrofit a custom gunite spa onto an existing pool — typically 4-8 weeks. We tie into existing plumbing or add dedicated equipment as needed.
POOL FINISHES
Choosing a New Interior Finish
The interior finish is the most visible part of any pool remodel — and the one that affects price and lifespan the most. Here is what Mission Viejo homeowners actually choose.
Standard White Plaster
Classic, clean, and the most affordable option. Lifespan around 7-12 years. Smooth feel, but stains and ages faster than other options. Best for budget-minded remodels.
Budget-FriendlyQuartz Aggregate (Diamond Brite, Hydrazzo)
Plaster blended with quartz for a subtle sparkle and 12-15 year lifespan. Better stain resistance than plain plaster, available in many colors.
Mid-RangePebbleTec, PebbleSheen, PebbleFina
Natural pebble aggregate finishes that last 15-20+ years. Beautiful natural look, excellent stain and chemical resistance. Texture options range from bold (PebbleTec) to refined (PebbleFina).
PremiumGlass Bead Finishes
Recycled glass beads create a luminous, mirror-like surface that shimmers in Mission Viejo sunlight. Smooth feel, excellent stain resistance, modern look. Great pairing for contemporary architecture.
LuxurySIGNS YOUR MISSION VIEJO POOL NEEDS WORK
When to Remodel Your Mission Viejo Pool
Most Mission Viejo pools start showing real wear around the 10-15 year mark. Here is what to watch for.
Massive 1970s-80s Pool Inventory
El Dorado, Madrid, Castille, Casta del Sol, and Aegean Hills together hold thousands of homes — and a huge inventory of original 1970s and 80s gunite pools at the end of their useful life. We know the typical original construction methods, plumbing patterns, and skimmer placements specific to these Mission Viejo Company tracts.
MVEA-Coordinated Submittals
Every visible exterior change in MVEA-governed tracts requires ARC review. New tile, coping, decking, equipment relocation, and raised spa additions all trigger submittals. We prepare packages that match the Spanish Colonial palette and clear the 10-15 working day review window without an extra round.
Plumbing Retrofits for Modern Equipment
Pools from this era typically have single-skimmer plumbing that does not meet modern flow requirements for a variable-speed pump and salt system. We add a second skimmer, replumb to schedule-40, and upgrade equipment so the pool circulates efficiently and runs quieter than the neighbors' newer systems.
Modern Pebble Finishes & Tile
White plaster from 1975 looks like white plaster from 1975. We replace it with PebbleTec, PebbleSheen, quartz aggregate, or glass-bead finishes — and swap dated 6x6 tile for glass mosaic, natural stone, or modern porcelain that completely modernizes the pool to current Mission Viejo aesthetic standards.
Slope-Side Deck Replacement
Original 1970s and 80s decks have cracked, heaved, and trip-hazarded their way to retirement — particularly on slope-side lots where soil movement has been working on the deck for 50 years. We tear out and replace with travertine, paver, board-formed concrete, or porcelain pavers, engineered for the soils underneath.
Salt + Variable-Speed + LED Upgrade
The standard equipment upgrade package for Mission Viejo remodels: salt chlorine generator, variable-speed pump, LED lighting, smart automation. Combined with a resurface, the pool runs quieter, costs 50-70% less to operate, and feels softer to swim in.
OUR REMODEL PROCESS
How a Pool Remodel Works
From the first phone call to the day you dive in. No surprises, no missed timelines.
Free On-Site Assessment
We come to your Mission Viejo home, inspect the pool, equipment, and decking, and tell you honestly what needs work — and what does not.
Design & Selections
For full remodels, we build 3-D renderings. For resurfaces, we bring real-world finish, tile, and coping samples to your home so you can pick what works in your light.
Itemized Quote & Permits
Fixed line-item pricing — no allowances or surprise change orders. We pull any required City of Mission Viejo permits and engineering stamps.
Construction
Drain, demo, prep, install. Daily on-site supervision keeps the schedule on track and quality consistent. Most projects run 2-6 weeks.
Fill, Balance & Pool School
We fill the pool, start the chemistry process, and walk you through any new equipment, automation, or care recommendations.
POOL REMODEL FAQs
Common Questions About Pool Remodeling in Mission Viejo
Typical Mission Viejo price ranges:
- Basic replaster — $5,500-$11,000
- Tile & coping replacement — $9,000-$17,000
- PebbleTec or premium finish — $11,000-$20,000
- Deck replacement / hardscape — $12,000-$35,000
- Equipment upgrades (salt + VSP + LED + automation) — $5,000-$12,000
- Complete renovation — $35,000-$90,000+
Most Mission Viejo remodels run 2-6 weeks on site, plus 2-4 weeks for MVEA / HOA review (where applicable) and 1-2 weeks for City of Mission Viejo permit. Replaster only is 1-2 weeks. Replaster plus tile and coping is 2-3 weeks. Full renovation runs 4-6 weeks.
For interior surface only (replaster), most ARCs do not require approval. For anything visible from outside the property — tile, coping, decking, equipment relocation, raised spa addition — yes. We prepare HOA submittals as part of every remodel scope where review applies.
Almost every original Mission Viejo gunite shell can be remodeled. The shells were built thicker than modern production-build standards because of the Capistrano Formation soil engineering that was already common in the 1970s. Exceptions are usually severe shell cracks from unaddressed soil movement, undersized pools that no longer fit a remodeled home, or pools that no longer match the lot after a major addition. We assess at the free consultation.
Yes — spillover spa retrofits are one of our most common Mission Viejo remodels. We tie a new gunite spa into existing pool plumbing or add dedicated equipment, finish to match a fresh resurface, prepare HOA submittals, and pull all required permits. Typical timeline 5-9 weeks.
Usually within 2-4 years. Variable-speed pumps cut electricity use 50-70% versus single-speed. Salt cells eliminate chlorine purchases. LED lighting uses a fraction of original-bulb power. For a typical Mission Viejo pool, that adds up to $600-$1,200 per year in operating savings — and the new equipment lasts 8-15 years.
Yes. Werth Builders is a fully licensed California pool contractor (CSLB #777-575, B-1 General + C-53 Swimming Pool), bonded, and insured for general liability and workers' compensation. We have been building and remodeling in Southern California since 1994. Always verify any contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov before signing.
We work with several specialty pool-and-backyard finance partners that offer competitive fixed-rate loans and HELOC alternatives. We can introduce you, but we never sell financing as part of our quote — there is no markup or kickback on financed projects.
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OUR QUOTE PROCESS
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Design
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Quote
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Modernize Your Mission Viejo Pool
Free consultation, fixed pricing, HOA submittals included, and 30+ years of Mission Viejo Company tract experience. Tell us your pool's story and we will bring it into 2026.