Pool Renovation & Remodeling in Maryland

Give a Great Pool Its Next Chapter

A well-built swimming pool can last for decades. That does not mean it should remain exactly as it was built. Plaster becomes rough or stained. Tile and coping age. Decking cracks or feels dated. Older equipment becomes inefficient or increasingly difficult to repair. Plumbing problems develop. And sometimes the pool still functions well, but it no longer fits the home or the way your family uses the backyard. Since 1980, Lothorian has renovated and remodeled inground swimming pools throughout Central Maryland, from resurfacing and equipment upgrades to extensive transformations of the pool and surrounding outdoor environment. Sometimes that means restoring what is already there. Sometimes it means rethinking nearly everything around it. Our experience across construction, renovation, repair, and long-term maintenance helps us begin with the question that matters most:

What is worth preserving, what should change, and what does this pool need for its next chapter?

Is Your Pool Worth Renovating?

An aging pool does not necessarily need to be demolished and replaced. Many older gunite and concrete pools have fundamentally sound structures even when their plaster, tile, coping, decking, equipment, or plumbing have reached the end of their useful lives. In those situations, renovation can preserve the underlying pool while dramatically changing its appearance, performance, and ownership experience. Other pools have more significant problems. Recurring water loss, visible shell cracks, hollow or delaminated areas, exposed or rusting reinforcing steel, movement around coping or decking, plumbing failures, and previous repairs that continue to fail can indicate issues that deserve closer investigation. Lothorian evaluates the existing pool before recommending a renovation scope. That means looking beyond what can be seen from the patio to consider the pool shell, interior surface, tile and coping, plumbing and circulation, equipment, decking, drainage, and surrounding site conditions. If water loss is part of the problem, leak detection and pressure testing can help determine whether the issue originates in the pool structure, underground plumbing, equipment, fittings, or another component. The goal is not to sell a larger renovation. It is to understand what you're actually starting with.

Renovate the Pool or Replace It?

A 20-, 30-, or even 40-year-old pool is not automatically a candidate for demolition. If the existing shell remains structurally viable and the pool's location, general size, and configuration still work for the property, renovation can provide considerably more value than starting over. Re-plastering, new tile and coping, updated decking, modern equipment, new lighting, automation, plumbing improvements, and even certain structural or dimensional changes can make an older pool feel dramatically different. Replacement may deserve consideration when the underlying structure has extensive problems, the existing pool is fundamentally wrong for the property, major changes to its size or location are desired, or correcting existing conditions becomes less sensible than beginning again. Lothorian can evaluate the pool and help determine which path makes sense before you commit to either one. Sometimes the best renovation decision is knowing what not to renovate.

Complete Pool Renovation & Remodeling

A renovation can be as focused as replacing an aging interior finish or as extensive as reimagining the pool and surrounding backyard.

Depending on the existing pool and project goals, Lothorian's renovation capabilities can include:

Pool resurfacing and replastering

Pool deck and patio replacement

Plumbing and circulation improvements

Pool lighting upgrades

Pool automation and smart controls

PebbleTec, quartz, and aggregate interior finishes

Flagstone and natural-stone work

Steps, benches, and shallow-area modifications

Pump, filter, and heater replacement

Drainage and surrounding site improvements

Waterline tile replacement

Crack and structural repairs

Spa additions and renovations

Saltwater chlorination

Complete backyard and outdoor-living renovations

Coping replacement and repair

Leak detection and repair

Water feature repair and modernization

Variable-speed pump upgrades

That breadth matters because an aging pool rarely has just one decision attached to it.

If the pool is already being drained and resurfaced, it may be the right time to evaluate tile, coping, lighting, equipment, plumbing, automation, and surrounding hardscape rather than reopening the project several years later.

Pool Resurfacing, Plaster & Interior Finishes

The interior finish is one of the most visible and tactile parts of a swimming pool. Older plaster can become rough, stained, discolored, etched, cracked, or increasingly difficult to keep looking clean. Hollow areas or delamination can indicate that portions of an older finish are separating from the underlying surface. Resurfacing provides an opportunity to correct that deterioration while also transforming the appearance of the pool. Lothorian works with traditional plaster as well as upgraded quartz and pebble aggregate finishes and has completed renovations using PebbleTec. Finish selection affects more than color. Texture, durability, water appearance, maintenance expectations, surrounding materials, and the architecture of the property should all influence the decision. One Lothorian client described a major renovation that included complete PebbleTec resurfacing, replacement of all coping, and all-new decking. She called the experience exceptional and specifically praised the different crews responsible for the individual crafts involved in the project. That is what a complete renovation should feel like: multiple specialties coming together as one coordinated project.

Pool Tile, Coping, Decking & Hardscape

The pool shell may remain sound while everything surrounding the water begins showing its age. Waterline tile can crack or become dated. Coping can loosen, deteriorate, or no longer complement the home. Concrete decking may crack or settle. Older patios can make an otherwise beautiful pool feel decades older than it needs to. Lothorian can address these elements together so the renovated pool feels intentional rather than patched. Depending on the project, that can include new waterline tile, coping, concrete or stone decking, patios, steps, flagstone walks, drainage improvements, and broader changes to the outdoor environment. One longtime Lothorian client chose the company for a major renovation after approximately 17 years of relying on the team for openings, closings, and repairs. Before work began, Lothorian took her to other clients' pools so she could see different finishes and concrete decking in person. Her completed project included the renovated pool, surrounding patio, and flagstone walks. Materials are easier to choose when you can see how they actually look and perform around a real pool.

Modernize What You Don't See, Too

A renovation is also an opportunity to look underneath the surface. An older pool may still rely on a single-speed pump, aging heater, dated filtration, manual valves, older lighting, basic time clocks, inefficient plumbing configurations, or equipment that has become increasingly expensive to repair. Lothorian can evaluate the existing mechanical systems alongside the physical renovation and recommend upgrades where they make sense. Modernization can include variable-speed pumps, updated filtration, gas heaters or heat pumps, saltwater chlorination, LED pool lighting, automated valves, and app-connected automation capable of controlling filtration, temperature, lighting, spas, and water features. The goal is not to replace functioning equipment simply because something newer exists. It is to understand what should stay, what is nearing the end of its useful life, and what makes sense to improve while the larger renovation is already underway.

Can an Older Pool Be Completely Reimagined?

Yes. Renovation does not necessarily mean installing new materials on exactly the same pool. Depending on the existing structure, Lothorian can modify or add steps, benches, shallow areas, spas, water features, lighting, coping profiles, surrounding elevations, and other elements that change both the appearance and use of the pool. Larger structural modifications require careful evaluation because altering a concrete pool is fundamentally different from replacing a finish or upgrading equipment. Lothorian's renovation work is primarily centered on gunite and concrete inground pools. We do not construct new vinyl-liner or above-ground pools. Owners of existing vinyl-liner or fiberglass pools should speak with Lothorian about the specific pool and desired changes before assuming it is a candidate for our renovation process or a conversion to gunite. That clarity helps determine early whether Lothorian is the right company for the project.

Renovating the Pool Can Mean Rethinking the Backyard

Sometimes the pool is only part of what needs to change. Lothorian has completed renovations that extended to patios, flagstone walks, pool houses, landscape and site design, and construction work on the home itself. That gives homeowners an opportunity to ask a bigger question: If we're renovating the pool, what should the entire backyard become? The answer might involve new decking and gathering areas. It could mean an outdoor kitchen, fire feature, pavilion, pool house, new landscape elements, or improving how people move between the house and pool. Thinking about those elements together allows the renovation to improve the property rather than simply update the water.

EXPLORE CUSTOM POOL CONSTRUCTION & OUTDOOR LIVING

Our service technicians see how finishes age, how coping performs through Maryland winters, how equipment behaves years after installation, and which design and equipment decisions make future maintenance easier or harder.

That experience comes back into our renovation work.

If we're replacing a pump, heater, filter, automation system, or plumbing configuration, we can think about the technician who may need to service it years from now. If we're recommending a finish or material, we can consider how similar materials have performed on pools we've maintained.

The objective isn't simply a beautiful reveal.

It is a pool that remains easier to own after the renovation is finished.

Renovation Expertise Informed by Decades of Service

Lothorian does something many renovation contractors do not.

We maintain pools after we renovate them.

A Renovation Company That May Already Know Your Pool

For existing Lothorian clients, renovation can be a natural continuation of a relationship that began years earlier. Your service history may already tell a story. Our team may know which equipment has been replaced, where recurring problems have occurred, how the pool behaves seasonally, and which components are approaching the end of their useful lives. That accumulated knowledge can help distinguish between something that simply looks old and something that genuinely needs attention. For new clients, our goal is to develop that same understanding before recommending the scope of renovation. And after the project is complete, Lothorian can continue supporting the pool through recurring maintenance, water care, seasonal openings and closings, equipment service, troubleshooting, warranty support, and future improvements.

Pool Renovation Throughout Central Maryland

Lothorian is based in Phoenix, Maryland, and provides residential pool renovation throughout

Baltimore County, Harford County, Carroll County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, and the Annapolis region, with project availability based on location and scope.

Our renovation territory includes communities such as Phoenix, Monkton, Hunt Valley, Towson, Lutherville-Timonium, Ruxton, Glyndon, Owings Mills, Reisterstown, Bel Air, Fallston, Westminster, Annapolis, Severna Park, Arnold, Gibson Island, and surrounding communities.

Because renovation projects are not constrained by the same recurring routes as weekly maintenance, larger or specialized projects may be considered outside Lothorian's normal residential service territory.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Renovation

01

How much does a pool renovation cost?

Pool renovations can range from a focused update to a complete transformation of the pool and surrounding property.

Around $25,000 is a reasonable starting point for planning a renovation involving a new pebble or quartz interior finish and waterline tile.

When a project expands to include new coping, decking, equipment, lighting, automation, or other improvements, approximately $50,000 to $120,000+ may be a more realistic planning range. Complete transformations involving extensive hardscape, structural changes, or broader outdoor-living improvements can go considerably higher.

Lothorian begins by evaluating the existing pool, understanding what you want to change, and determining which improvements make sense together. From there, we develop a renovation scope and investment specific to the property.

02

Is my old pool worth renovating?

Often, yes. Age alone does not determine whether a pool should be replaced. A 20-, 30-, or even 40-year-old concrete pool may remain a strong candidate for renovation if the underlying structure is viable and its location and basic configuration still work for the property.

Lothorian evaluates the existing pool before recommending whether renovation, more substantial structural work, or replacement makes the most sense.

03

What are signs of structural problems in a swimming pool?

Visible shell cracks, recurring water loss, exposed or rusting reinforcing steel, hollow or delaminated surfaces, movement around coping or decking, and repairs that repeatedly fail can warrant further investigation.

Not every crack indicates a serious structural problem. Determining why it occurred is more important than simply covering the symptom.

04

Can Lothorian find and repair pool leaks?

Yes. Lothorian can investigate water-loss problems to determine whether the likely source is the pool shell, underground plumbing, fittings, equipment, or another component. Depending on the symptoms, pressure testing or more specialized leak detection may be used to isolate the problem before repairs are recommended.

05

How do I know if my pool needs resurfacing?

Common signs include rough or deteriorating plaster, persistent staining or discoloration, surface etching, cracking, exposed aggregate, hollow areas, and an interior finish that has reached the end of its useful life.

06

What pool resurfacing finishes are available?

Lothorian works with traditional plaster as well as upgraded quartz and pebble aggregate finishes, including PebbleTec. Different finishes offer different textures, appearances, water colors, durability characteristics, and price points.

The right finish depends on the pool, desired appearance, feel underfoot, maintenance expectations, and surrounding materials.

07

Can you replace pool tile and coping at the same time?

Yes. Resurfacing is often the right time to evaluate waterline tile and coping because all three elements come together visually and physically around the top of the pool. Coordinating them can create a much more cohesive finished result.

08

Can Lothorian replace the pool deck or patio?

Yes. Renovation projects can extend beyond the pool itself to decking, patios, walkways, steps, flagstone, drainage, and other surrounding hardscape.

09

Can an older pool be converted to saltwater?

In many cases, yes. Lothorian can evaluate the existing pool, equipment, materials, and plumbing to determine whether saltwater chlorination is appropriate and what equipment changes would be required.

10

Can I add automation to an existing pool?

Yes. Many older pools can be upgraded with modern automation. Depending on the existing equipment, homeowners may be able to control filtration, heating, lighting, spas, and water features through a centralized control system or compatible mobile device.

11

Should I replace my pool equipment during a renovation?

Not necessarily. Pumps, filters, heaters, controls, sanitation systems, and other equipment should be evaluated based on their age, condition, efficiency, and remaining useful life.

Equipment performing well may remain, while older components may be worth addressing while the pool is already under renovation.

12

Can you change the shape or features of an existing pool?

Often, yes. Depending on the structure, renovations can go beyond cosmetic updates and modify steps, benches, shallow areas, spas, water features, or other portions of the pool.

Significant structural changes require evaluation to determine feasibility and whether renovation remains preferable to replacement.

13

Does Lothorian renovate vinyl-liner or fiberglass pools?

Lothorian's renovation work is primarily focused on gunite and concrete inground pools. We do not construct new vinyl-liner or above-ground pools.

Owners of existing vinyl-liner or fiberglass pools should contact Lothorian to determine whether the desired renovation or conversion falls within our capabilities.

14

How long does a pool renovation take?

As a planning estimate, many substantial pool renovations take approximately four to eight weeks once construction begins. A more focused resurfacing project can be completed faster, while a comprehensive renovation involving structural work, tile, coping, decking, equipment, and surrounding outdoor spaces can take longer.

Weather, material availability, inspections, site conditions, project complexity, and unexpected conditions uncovered after the existing pool is opened up can all affect the schedule.

15

When should I start planning my pool renovation?

Earlier than most homeowners think.

If you want the pool ready for the next swimming season, fall and winter can be excellent times to begin planning. Starting early provides more time to evaluate the pool, establish the scope, make material selections, address permitting or engineering when necessary, and reserve space on the construction schedule.

You do not need to wait until the first warm weekend of spring to start thinking about the pool.

16

What warranty does Lothorian provide on pool renovations?

Lothorian stands behind its renovation work and provides lifetime warranty protection on qualifying work, with additional manufacturer warranties applying to certain finishes, equipment, and materials.

The exact coverage depends on the renovation performed, products installed, required registrations, maintenance requirements, and the terms of the individual project agreement. Lothorian also handles warranty claims, giving clients an established pool company to call if an issue arises after completion.

17

Does Lothorian renovate pools it did not originally build?

Yes. Lothorian can evaluate and renovate existing inground concrete pools regardless of who originally constructed them.

The first step is understanding the current structure, materials, equipment, condition, and goals for the property.

Your Pool Has More Life in It

An aging pool does not necessarily need to be replaced.

Sometimes it needs a new surface. Sometimes underlying problems need to be corrected. Sometimes it needs modern equipment and technology. Sometimes the pool is sound but everything surrounding it needs to change.

And sometimes the smartest first step is simply determining whether the pool you already own is worth preserving.

Since 1980, Lothorian has helped pool owners make those decisions through renovation, construction, service, and long-term care. We can help determine what your pool needs now and remain here to support it after the renovation is complete.