Pool Remodeling Costa Mesa, CA — Mid-Century Pool Modernization
Costa Mesa has more 1955-1965 pools than almost any city in OC. Werth Builders specializes in remodeling them — modern PebbleTec finishes, glass-tile waterlines, variable-speed equipment, and decks that finally match the home above ground.
SoCal Pools
COSTA MESA POOL REMODEL
Bring Your Costa Mesa Pool Out of the 1960s
Most pools we remodel in Costa Mesa were built between 1955 and 1965. The original plaster has stained, the waterline tile has lost its color, the equipment has cycled through three generations of repairs, and the deck has cracked from sixty years of California sun. Underneath, the gunite shell is usually fine — Costa Mesa pools were over-engineered by the standards of the era — and a remodel can completely modernize the backyard for a fraction of a teardown rebuild.
Werth Builders has been remodeling Costa Mesa pools since 1994. From College Park ranches to Mesa Verde fairway homes to Halecrest mid-century tracts, we know what is under the deck, what the original plumbing looks like, and how to turn a tired 1960s backyard into a backyard that gets used in 2026.
- Free on-site consultation with honest recommendations
- 3-D design renderings for full remodels
- PebbleTec, quartz, and plaster certified applicators
- All City of Costa Mesa permits and inspections handled
- Daily on-site supervision until water fill
WHAT WE REMODEL
Pool Remodel Services in Costa Mesa
From a single resurface to a complete backyard overhaul, here is what we work on every week in Costa Mesa.
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 Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa sunlight. Smooth feel, excellent stain resistance, modern look. Great pairing for contemporary architecture.
LuxurySIGNS YOUR COSTA MESA POOL NEEDS WORK
When to Remodel Your Costa Mesa Pool
Most Costa Mesa pools start showing real wear around the 10-15 year mark. Here is what to watch for.
Massive Mid-Century Pool Inventory
College Park (1956-59), Mesa del Mar (early 1960s, ~850 homes), Halecrest, and original Mesa Verde tract pools are all 60+ years old. Hundreds of these pools are due for the second or third remodel of their life. We know the typical original construction methods, plumbing patterns, and skimmer placements specific to these tracts.
Plumbing Retrofits for Modern Equipment
Pools from this era often have single-skimmer plumbing that does not meet modern flow requirements. We add a second skimmer, replumb to schedule-40, and upgrade to variable-speed equipment so the pool circulates efficiently and runs quietly.
200A Panel Upgrades
Original 1950s and 60s Costa Mesa homes often still run on 100A or 125A electrical service. Modern pool equipment, salt systems, automation, and outdoor lighting routinely require a 200A panel upgrade — we coordinate the electrical work as part of the remodel scope.
Modern Finishes & Tile
White plaster from 1962 looks like white plaster from 1962. 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 look.
Cracked Deck Replacement
Original poured-concrete decks from the 1950s and 60s have cracked, heaved, and trip-hazarded their way to retirement. We tear out and replace with travertine, paver, board-formed concrete, or porcelain pavers — engineered for the soils and the modern weight loads of a finished outdoor kitchen.
Honest Remodel-vs-Rebuild Calls
Most Costa Mesa gunite shells from the mid-century era still have decades of life left. We assess the shell, equipment, and decking and tell you honestly when remodel is the right call — and the rare cases where a teardown rebuild actually makes more financial sense.
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 Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa
Typical Costa Mesa price ranges:
- Basic replaster — $5,000-$10,000
- Tile & coping replacement — $8,000-$16,000
- PebbleTec or premium finish — $10,000-$20,000
- Deck replacement / hardscape — $12,000-$35,000
- Equipment upgrades — $4,000-$12,000
- Complete renovation (pool + backyard) — $30,000-$80,000+
Most Costa Mesa remodels run 2-6 weeks on site. A simple replaster is 1-2 weeks. Replaster plus tile and coping is usually 2-3 weeks. Full renovation with new decking, water features, and equipment can take 4-6 weeks.
Cosmetic work like resurfacing, tile replacement, and coping does not typically require a permit. Anything structural (reshaping the shell, adding a spa retrofit, gas lines, electrical changes) does. Werth Builders pulls every required City of Costa Mesa permit and handles all inspections.
In almost every case, remodel. Costa Mesa gunite shells from the 1950s and 60s were typically built with thicker walls and heavier rebar than today's standard pools. We assess your shell at the free consultation. The few exceptions: severe shell cracks from soil movement, an undersized or oddly-shaped shell that no longer matches a remodeled home, or a pool that no longer fits the lot after a major addition.
Yes — spillover spa retrofits are one of our most popular Costa Mesa remodels. We tie a new gunite spa into existing pool plumbing or add dedicated equipment, finish to match the new pool surface, and pull all required permits. Typical timeline is 4-8 weeks.
Yes — saltwater conversions are common on Costa Mesa pool remodels. A salt chlorine generator replaces traditional chlorine dosing, the water feels softer, and equipment lasts longer. Conversion typically runs $1,500-$3,500 for the cell + installation, plus any equipment upgrades needed to handle salt-rated components.
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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WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
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Modernize Your Costa Mesa Pool
Free in-home consultation, fixed pricing, and 30+ years of Costa Mesa mid-century pool remodeling. Tell us your pool's story and we will bring it into 2026.