Pool renovations
Swimming pool renovations in La Marina and Ciudad Quesada
Full refurbishment from €3,000. Mosaic tiling or microcement, coping, new filtration and salt chlorination, in 2 to 5 weeks.
Almost every villa in Ciudad Quesada, La Marina and Orihuela Costa has a pool, and most were built between 1990 and 2005. That means they are now at exactly the point where they need renewing: the mosaic tiles start lifting, the coping cracks and the pump uses far more electricity than it should.
Pools in this area share the same problems: salts from the limescale in the local water, year-round direct sun that degrades materials, and in many cases a perfectly sound concrete shell under a finish that has reached the end of its life. It is rarely necessary to rebuild the pool; what it needs is refurbishing.
We do the shell, the finish, the coping, the filtration and the lighting. If your goal is less maintenance, the most worthwhile change is not the cosmetic one: it is moving to salt chlorination and a variable-speed pump.
What a pool refurbishment includes
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Shell inspection
Draining, cleaning and inspection of the concrete, the joints and the pipework. We look for leaks with a pressure test before deciding on the finish: tiling over a leak is the most expensive mistake made on this kind of job.
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Finish: mosaic tiling or microcement
New mosaic tiling with immersion-rated adhesive, or polished microcement if you want a seamless finish. Both applied over a bonding primer on the existing substrate.
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Coping and surround
Anti-slip stone or porcelain on the edge and the perimeter surround. We correct the fall towards the drain, which on many 1990s pools was badly done and leaves the edge waterlogged.
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Filtration and salt chlorination
Variable-speed pump, new filter and salt chlorinator. It cuts electricity use and removes the constant buying of chlorine. The water stops stinging your eyes and does not smell.
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LED lighting and automation
Low-consumption LED lights with a sealed transformer and a filtration timer. Optionally, phone control so you can manage the pool while the property is empty.
Pool renovation prices in 2026
Real ranges for a private pool of 6x3 to 8x4 metres in La Marina, Ciudad Quesada and the surrounding area. They include materials, labour, draining, waste disposal and VAT.
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Service and repair
€3,000 – €6,000
Repair of loose mosaic, resealing joints, deep clean, replacing lights and checking the filtration. For pools whose finish is still largely sound.
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Full refurbishment
€6,000 – €12,000
New mosaic tiling or microcement across the whole shell, new coping, complete filtration and salt chlorination. The most common job on 1990s pools in Quesada.
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Refurbishment with exteriors
€12,000 – €20,000
All of the above plus the perimeter surround, outdoor shower, garden lighting and, where appropriate, fencing or a pergola. Usually planned alongside the terrace renovation.
Indicative 2026 prices. If a structural leak shows up in the pressure test, the repair is quoted separately because its scope cannot be estimated without opening up. We find that before starting, not halfway through.
How we work
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Technical visit and pressure test
We inspect the shell, the filtration and the water consumption. If we suspect a leak, we test before quoting the finish. We would rather give you bad news at the start than a surprise in week three.
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Quote within 48h with options
We price mosaic and microcement separately, with the difference in cost and in maintenance, so you can decide on facts. Same with filtration: the cost of salt chlorination against the annual saving on chemicals.
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Works in 2 to 5 weeks
A service and repair takes 1-2 weeks; a full refurbishment, 3-5. Curing times for the adhesive and the microcement before filling cannot be shortened: filling early ruins the finish.
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Filling, commissioning and guarantee
We fill, balance the water, set up the chlorinator and explain the maintenance to you. VAT invoice and a 2-year guarantee on labour.
Where we offer this service
We work within a 50 km radius of La Marina with no call-out charge. These areas have their own page with local prices and details:
Frequently asked questions about pool renovations
How much does it cost to retile a pool?
Between €4,500 and €9,000 for a pool of 6x3 to 8x4 metres, including draining, removing the old mosaic, priming, new mosaic and grouting. The price depends mostly on the wetted surface area and on whether the substrate needs levelling first.
Mosaic tiling or microcement — which is better?
Mosaic lasts better over time and spot repairs are straightforward, but it has joints that need maintaining. Microcement gives a very current seamless finish with no joints, but a local repair is more visible and it needs an experienced applicator. For pools in heavy or rental use we recommend mosaic.
Is it worth switching to salt chlorination?
In this area, yes, almost always. The equipment pays for itself in 3 or 4 seasons through the saving on chlorine, the water is far more pleasant and weekly maintenance drops noticeably. It is especially worthwhile if the property is rented out or empty for periods, because there is less to watch.
Do I need a licence to renovate the pool?
To renew the finish, coping and filtration, a minor works declaración responsable is enough. If the size or shape of the shell changes, or a new pool is built, a building licence and technical project are required. In Rojales, which Ciudad Quesada falls under, it is common to also be asked for evidence of safety fencing.
When is the best time to do the work?
October to March. Working conditions are better without extreme heat, timescales are shorter because there is less demand, and you reach the swimming season with the pool ready. If you wait until May you will be competing with everyone who left it late.
Does your pool need bringing back up to standard?
Free technical visit including inspection of the shell and the filtration. We tell you what genuinely needs doing and what can wait another season.