Why name the surface system?

Because plaster, quartz, and pebble finishes have very different lifespans and prices, and they look broadly similar in a photo. Naming the product and its expected life is what makes a higher bid explainable and a manufacturer warranty possible.

How do I price structural problems found during chip-out?

As an as-found rate per square foot of shell repair or per crack, stated on the estimate and billed with photo approval. Cracks and rebar corrosion are only visible once the old surface comes off, which is exactly the situation as-found rates exist for.

Should startup be included?

Yes, and specify it — a new plaster surface needs a defined brushing and chemical schedule over the first weeks or it stains and scales permanently. Including startup, and stating what the owner must do, protects the surface and your warranty.

Pool Resurfacing and Renovation Estimate Template (Free)

What belongs on the estimate

Business name, license number, contact info
Customer name, property address, phone
Pool size — interior surface square footage and gallons
Drain and disposal of existing water
Chip-out of the old surface
New surface system — product named, with expected life
Waterline tile and coping
Fittings, drains, and plumbing checks
Acid wash, fill, and startup schedule
As-found structural rate and exclusions

The template

[Your Business Name] · License #________
[Phone] · [Email]

Estimate #____        Date: __________
Prepared For: [Customer Name]   Phone: __________
Property: _____________________________________
Pool: ______ sq ft interior   ______ gallons
Existing surface: [plaster/quartz/pebble/fiberglass]
Age of surface: ______ yrs

--------------------------------------------------
Description                              Amount
--------------------------------------------------
Drain + water disposal                   $______
Chip-out / surface prep — ___ sq ft      $______
Debris haul-off                          $______
Bond coat                                $______
New surface — [product] ___ sq ft        $______
Waterline tile — ___ lf                  $______
Coping — [type] ___ lf                   $______
Step / bench tile markers                $______
Main drain covers (VGB compliant) x___   $______
Return + skimmer fittings x___           $______
Light niche + gasket                     $______
Acid wash + fill                         $______
Startup service — ___ visits             $______
AS-FOUND (photo approval required):
   Shell crack repair — $___ /lf         $______
   Rebar / structural — $___ /sq ft      $______
   Plumbing replacement — $___ /ft       $______
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal                                 $______
Tax (if applicable)                      $______
Estimate Total                           $______

PAYMENT SCHEDULE
  ___% deposit at signing                 $______
  ___% draw at chip-out complete          $______
  Balance at startup complete             $______

NOT INCLUDED: equipment replacement (pump, filter,
heater), deck repair or replacement, fence or gate
compliance, water cost, landscape restoration.

OWNER RESPONSIBILITY: brushing schedule and chemical
maintenance during the ___-day startup period.

The startup period is a shared responsibility

A new plaster surface can get permanently stained in the first two weeks if the chemistry gets neglected. Put the brushing and balance schedule in writing, state what the owner needs to do, and either sell the startup visits or document that they turned them down.

This one clause heads off the most common warranty argument in pool renovation.

Water isn’t free

Filling a 20,000 gallon pool is a real cost, and in some areas a real scheduling constraint too. Exclude it or quote it — don’t leave it as an assumption either way.

Skipping the copy-paste

Software with your chip-out, surface, tile, and startup rates already saved builds this estimate fast and schedules the deposit and chip-out draw off the same job record.