Pool remodel: Range of cost to replaster and is concrete or tile better for a pool deck?

[New2pools24]

range of cost to replaster
We have a 32x16 gunite pool. It needs to be replastered and two skimmers replaced. I just got our first bid - nothing fancy - just replastering and replacing skimmers with Sta-Rite U3. Total is around 24K, does that seem reasonable for just basic replastering? We'll look into additional bids, but not too many folks out here in the Pacific NW who do pools.

Pool deck materials. Concrete or tile? Do we have to have concrete as a base no matter what?
We're also going to have to replace the pool deck - that's a separate contractor. Not sure if we should be contacting the concrete company no matter what, even if we do want to have a tile pool deck? Is concrete better than tile?

Thanks to this group for any insight/perspective you can give!

 

[HermanTX]

I would guess the cost to replace skimmers would be majority of the cost. Did they breakout the cost of replacing skimmers separate from replaster? Are you going back with standard white plaster or some type of pebble As that affects cost.

 

[New2pools24]

I would guess the cost to replace skimmers would be majority of the cost. Did they breakout the cost of replacing skimmers separate from replaster? Are you going back with standard white plaster or some type of pebble As that affects cost.

They didn't. We looked up the skimmers and they retail for around $150 each, which we realize there is added to cost for install, hooking them up, etc. Plaster is just standard white - no finishes discussed.

 

[Bperry]

They didn't. We looked up the skimmers and they retail for around $150 each, which we realize there is added to cost for install, hooking them up, etc. Plaster is just standard white - no finishes discussed.

The labor to replace a skimmer is much higher than the cost of the skimmer itself. They need to cut up a portion of the deck, jackhammer out any concrete around the skimmer below ground, install the skimmer, drill and pin new rebar and pour new concrete shell around the skimmer to encase it, replaster the skimmer opening, and then patch the deck. Obviously you want all that done before they replaster the pool but 24k isn’t unheard of.

 

[SouKa2023]

Ours cost about 20k plus tile about 7k - but someone we know just used ecofinish? Apparently it lasts much longer than plaster and is better? I was never given that option from the pool company

 

[Bperry]

Ours cost about 20k plus tile about 7k - but someone we know just used ecofinish? Apparently it lasts much longer than plaster and is better? I was never given that option from the pool company

Plaster lasts longer than any paint or epoxy, including Ecofinish.

Edit: I should revise that to say that the Ecofinish is more like a powder coating and not a paint so maybe it’s not as bad as typical modern pool paint. but I’m just a replastering my pool now and it’s been 24 or 25 years. My parents pool plaster lasted over 40 years.