Can a Vinyl Pool Be Converted to Gunite? What to Know First
- Adam Allen
- 6 hours ago
- 7 min read
If your vinyl pool feels more like a money pit than a place to relax, you're not the only one.
We hear it all the time: constant liner replacements, limited design options, and damage from pets or rough winters. Naturally, the big question comes up—can a vinyl pool be converted to gunite?
Yes, it can. But it’s not a quick fix. It’s a major upgrade that involves rebuilding your pool from the ground up.
At Ferrari Pools: Custom Outdoor Living, we build gunite pools that are made to last and designed around how you actually use your space. If you're thinking about making the switch, here's what you need to know.
Key Takeaways
Converting a vinyl pool to gunite is a smart long-term move if you want durability, design freedom, and fewer headaches.
It’s not a quick fix but a full rebuild that turns your old pool into something brand new from the ground up.
With the right team, the right plan, and the right finish, your new gunite pool can deliver decades of solid performance and style.
What’s the Difference Between Vinyl and Gunite Pools?
A vinyl liner pool starts with a pre-formed structure made of polymer or metal wall panels and is finished with a vinyl liner that holds the water in place. These pools are more affordable upfront and usually quicker to install, which is why many homeowners go that route initially. The surface feels soft underfoot, and for a few years, it does the job.
But here’s the tradeoff: vinyl liner pools have limited shapes, fewer custom features, and liners that wear out every 5 to 9 years. Each replacement adds up, both in time and money.
A gunite pool is a concrete pool reinforced with steel rebar. It’s built on-site, sprayed using a shotcrete application, and shaped to match your property and preferences. This structure becomes a permanent part of your backyard.
With a high-end interior finish, premium tile, and bluestone coping or travertine, gunite pools not only last longer, but they look and feel like a custom outdoor retreat.
To put it simply: a vinyl pool is like snapping a liner into a pre-made mold. A gunite pool is built from the ground up to fit your exact vision.
Why Convert a Vinyl Pool to Gunite?
Most of the people we work with aren’t just fixing a problem. They’re looking to create something that doesn’t need a new vinyl liner every few years or risk damage every time their dog goes for a swim.
The gunite conversion gives you:
Durability: No more tears, punctures, or mid-summer leaks.
Design flexibility: Add a tanning ledge, built-in spa, or rethink the entire shape of your pool.
Value: A new gunite pool tends to hold value longer and appeal more to buyers down the line.
Seasonal resilience: Our New England winters are no joke. Gunite handles the ground shifting and freeze-thaw cycles better than vinyl.
Fewer surprises: No liner seams to split, no hidden leaks, and no worrying about chemicals eating away at soft materials.
Over time, the money spent maintaining a vinyl pool adds up fast. A gunite pool costs more upfront, but the long game? It pays off.
What Does a Vinyl-to-Gunite Conversion Involve?
Let’s be clear. This isn’t a pool patch job. It’s a full-scale construction project. Here’s the general process:
Drain the pool and remove the vinyl liner.
Take out the existing walls (usually metal or polymer), which can’t support the new structure.
Adjust and prep the site with proper excavation, grading, and elevation planning.
Install the steel rebar framework. This is the skeleton of your new pool shell.
Apply shotcrete (sometimes referred to as gunite) to form the durable concrete pool shell.
Allow for a 28 to 30-day curing period. The shell needs time to strengthen.
Install waterline tile, coping, and decking.
Upgrade or replace plumbing, electrical work, and pool equipment.
Finish with plaster, quartz, or other interior materials.
The conversion turns your vinyl pool into something entirely new, using only the existing hole in the ground as a starting point.
How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Vinyl Pool to Gunite?
The conversion cost typically ranges from $50,000 to $65,000 or more, depending on what you’re adding or upgrading.
Here’s a breakdown:
Demolition & removal: $5,000–$7,000
Rebar & gunite shell: $15,000–$23,000
Plumbing & electrical upgrades: $5,000–$7,000
Interior finish: $5,000–$15,000+
Coping and tile: $5,000–$10,000
Custom features (tanning ledges, spas, lighting): $5,000–$20,000+
Because your pool shell is already there, you’ll save about $3,000–$5,000 in excavation costs compared to building a new pool.
What’s the Timeline for a Vinyl-to-Gunite Conversion?
Plan for 8 to 12 weeks, start to finish. The timeline depends on your location, materials, and weather.
General schedule:
Weeks 1–2: Drain, demolition, prep, and permits
Weeks 3–4: Plumbing trenches and rough-ins
Weeks 5–6: Rebar cage and gunite application
Weeks 7–10: Curing and coping/tile installation
Weeks 11–12: Final surface, startup, and water balancing
Spring and early summer are usually the best times to start. The ground conditions are ideal, and you have the best chance of staying on schedule without weather delays.
Hidden Costs and Smart Savings to Know
Some costs don’t always show up in initial quotes. Here’s what to ask your contractor about:
Possible extras:
Soil testing and engineering reports: $1,000–$1,500
Local permits and inspections: $500–$2,000
Removing and replacing old decking: $10,000–$30,000+
Water fill-up and chemical balancing: $300–$1,000
Potential savings:
Reusing your existing shell
Keeping your current pump, filter, or heater if they’re still in good shape
Phasing out upgrades like glass tile or LED lighting to spread out costs
We often work with homeowners to plan a two-stage approach: build the core structure now, then add the bells and whistles in a year or two.
Popular Features Homeowners Add During Conversion
Since you’re building a custom pool, you can add the features that truly make it yours:
Tanning ledges: $3,000–$5,000
Built-in seating or swim-outs: $2,000–$4,000
Integrated spas: $12,000–$20,000
Variable depths and custom shapes
Water features, LED lights, and glass tile
Premium bluestone coping or travertine decking
Is Conversion Better Than Just Replacing the Liner?
If your vinyl liner is torn or fading, replacing it might seem easier. But here’s how to know when it’s time for more:
Conversion is worth it if:
You’re staying in your home for the next 7+ years
Your pool feels outdated or hard to maintain
You want more space, style, and durability
Stick with vinyl for now if:
You’re moving soon
You’re working with a smaller budget (under $50K)
You just need a fresh liner and minor upgrades
You can still upgrade a vinyl pool with things like new coping, decking, or lighting to get a more modern look.
What Happens to the Existing Walls?
We get this question a lot. The existing walls, whether they're metal or polymer, are taken out completely.
They weren’t designed to hold concrete, and trying to leave them in place is a shortcut that won’t last. We build the new gunite shell using proper rebar, concrete, and bonding beams to handle the pressure and stay structurally sound for decades.
How Does This Affect My Property and Landscaping?
Since we’re not digging a brand-new hole, your landscaping won’t be wiped out. But this is still a full-scale project, and your backyard will look like a construction site for several weeks.
This is a good time to think about decking, fencing, or even adding a new outdoor kitchen or fire pit. Many homeowners coordinate these projects so the whole backyard gets updated at once.
Choosing the Right Contractor for Your Conversion
Not all pool builders handle vinyl-to-gunite conversions, and not all should.
Here’s what to look for:
Specific experience with vinyl pool conversions
Strong local references and portfolio
Fully licensed and insured
Clear contracts with detailed breakdowns
Ask for line-item pricing so you can see where your money is going. A good builder won’t hesitate to show you past projects or explain how they handle the conversion process.
Ready for a Pool That Lasts?
If your vinyl liner pool constantly needs repairs or just doesn’t fit your style anymore, it might be time for something better. We convert vinyl liner pools into fully custom gunite pools built for long-term durability, better design, and less maintenance.
Our team handles everything from liner removal to steel, shotcrete, coping, and interior finishes. With decades of experience, we know how to build pools that stand up to the seasons and look great doing it.
We also offer custom hardscapes, hot tubs, swim spas, and complete outdoor living design to bring your whole backyard together.
Want to stop spending on short-term fixes and start planning a pool that actually lasts? Contact Ferrari Pools: Custom Outdoor Living to get started.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a new pool experience that brings quality, durability, and custom design, converting your vinyl pool to gunite is worth considering.
It’s a major project, no doubt. But the result is a pool that looks better, lasts longer, and fits the way you use your backyard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to convert a liner pool to gunite?
A typical vinyl-to-gunite conversion costs $50,000 to $65,000, depending on size, design, and features. While using the existing hole can save $3,000 to $5,000 in excavation, most of the work, like concrete, rebar, plaster, coping, and equipment, is a full rebuild.
You're not just patching a liner; you're building a new gunite pool from scratch. The payoff? A long-lasting, fully custom pool that’s built for decades of use.
Can a vinyl pool be converted to concrete?
Yes, a vinyl liner pool can be converted to a concrete pool. It involves removing the old walls and liner, reinforcing the structure with steel, then spraying shotcrete to form the new shell.
From there, we install new coping, tile, equipment, and your choice of interior finish. It’s a full rebuild, but one that creates a strong, fully custom concrete pool.
How much does it cost to remove a vinyl pool?
Full removal and fill-in typically costs $10,000 to $15,000. If you're converting to gunite, removal is usually part of the total project and runs around $5,000 to $7,000.
Doing it right matters. Poor removal can lead to ground settling and drainage issues. We handle the process carefully to make sure your new pool starts off solid.