Pool Remodeling Lake Forest, CA — Beach Club & Sun & Sail Renovation
Lake Forest I and II have hundreds of original 1970s and 80s pools entering their second or third remodel cycle. Werth Builders modernizes them — PebbleTec finishes, variable-speed equipment, salt conversion, raised spillover spas, and decks that finally match the home.
SoCal Pools
LAKE FOREST POOL REMODEL
Renovate Your Lake Forest Pool
Lake Forest I (Beach & Tennis Club, 1968) and Lake Forest II (Sun & Sail Club, 1970) together hold thousands of homes — and a huge inventory of original 1970s and early-80s gunite pools. The plaster is at 50+ years. The single-skimmer plumbing was designed for a different era of pump speeds. The deck has cracked from decades of California sun. Underneath, the gunite shell is usually fine — these pools were over-built — and a remodel transforms the backyard for a fraction of a teardown rebuild.
Werth Builders has been remodeling Lake Forest pools since 1994. We coordinate with Lake Forest Community Association (LF I) and the LF II MHOA, prepare ARC submittals, retrofit modern equipment that meets HOA sound rules, and finish with materials that match the era and aesthetic of each neighborhood.
- Free on-site consultation with honest recommendations
- 3-D design renderings for full remodels
- PebbleTec, quartz, and plaster certified applicators
- All City of Lake Forest permits and inspections handled
- Daily on-site supervision until water fill
WHAT WE REMODEL
Pool Remodel Services in Lake Forest
From a single resurface to a complete backyard overhaul, here is what we work on every week in Lake Forest.
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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest sunlight. Smooth feel, excellent stain resistance, modern look. Great pairing for contemporary architecture.
LuxurySIGNS YOUR LAKE FOREST POOL NEEDS WORK
When to Remodel Your Lake Forest Pool
Most Lake Forest pools start showing real wear around the 10-15 year mark. Here is what to watch for.
1970s-80s Pool Stock in LF I & LF II
Lake Forest Community Association (LF I, 1968) covers ~1,701 homes; the LF II Sun & Sail MHOA (1970) covers 3,436 homes. Both have hundreds of original pools 50+ years old. We know the typical original construction methods, plumbing patterns, and skimmer placements specific to these tracts.
Foothill Ranch & Portola Hills 90s-Era Pools
Foothill Ranch (built 1990-96) and original Portola Hills pools are now 30-35 years old — entering their first major remodel cycle. Replaster, tile, equipment, deck refresh, and salt conversion are the typical scope.
HOA-Coordinated Remodels
LF I and LF II HOA design review, sub-HOA review in Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills, and Baker Ranch ARC review all need attention on visible exterior changes — new tile, coping, decking, equipment relocation. We prepare the submittal as part of every standard remodel scope.
WUI Considerations for Foothill Remodels
Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills remodels in the 2025 Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone may need ignition-resistant materials for any new pergola, cabana, or outdoor structure built as part of the project. We design within Chapter 7A from day one.
Cracked Deck Replacement
Original 1970s and 80s LF I and LF II decks have cracked, heaved, and reached the end of their useful life. We tear out and replace with travertine, paver, board-formed concrete, or porcelain pavers — engineered for the soils and the new equipment loads.
Salt Conversion + Variable-Speed + LED
The standard equipment upgrade package for Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest
Typical Lake Forest price ranges:
- Basic replaster — $5,000-$10,000
- Tile & coping replacement — $8,000-$16,000
- PebbleTec or premium finish — $10,000-$19,000
- Deck replacement / hardscape — $12,000-$35,000
- Equipment upgrades (salt + VSP + LED + automation) — $5,000-$12,000
- Complete renovation — $30,000-$80,000+
Most Lake Forest remodels run 2-6 weeks on site, plus 1-3 weeks for HOA review (where applicable) and 1-2 weeks for City permit. A simple replaster 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 HOAs do not require approval. For anything visible from outside the property — new tile, coping, decking, equipment relocation, raised spa — yes, in any of the Lake Forest HOA neighborhoods. Heritage Hill / Aliso Trail / older non-HOA streets are city permit only.
Yes — spillover spa retrofits are one of our most common Lake Forest remodels. We tie a new gunite spa into existing pool plumbing, finish to match a fresh resurface, prepare HOA submittals where applicable, and pull all required City permits. Typical timeline 5-9 weeks.
For a pool that gets actual use, yes. Community pools are great for casual swimming and kids; they do not replace evening soaks, weekend hosting, or the property-value impact of a fully modernized backyard pool. Most of our LF I and LF II remodels are exactly this — homeowners who already have community access deciding to invest in their own backyard.
In almost every case, remodel. Lake Forest gunite shells from the 1970s and 80s were typically built well; the shell usually has 30+ years of life left. Exceptions are severe shell cracks from soil movement, an undersized or oddly-shaped shell, or a pool that no longer matches a remodeled home. We assess at the free consultation.
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.
MORE WERTH BUILDERS SERVICES
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OUR QUOTE PROCESS
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Design
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Quote
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Modernize Your Lake Forest Pool
Free consultation, fixed pricing, HOA submittals included, and 30+ years of Lake Forest experience. Tell us your pool's story and we will bring it into 2026.