Before You Begin

• Think realistically. What kind of project are you looking at? What will be the cost of the materials, labor (if you don't plan to do it all yourself) and future maintenance? If you add up the total for everything and it seems out of your reach, consider the possibility of purchasing less-expensive materials that won't offer any less quality. If you had planned to re-tile the pool with a fancy type of stone, maybe glass in a similar color will serve your purpose just as well. Think creatively about the project and you may be able to cut costs while still enjoying the results of your home improvement.
  
  

Simple Projects

• There are some projects designed to beautify your pool with only a little time and few resources. Resurfacing is the most common project, as many pools lose their gloss over time to reveal a dull surface underneath. Many companies offer a coating to line the pool, bringing back its original luster.
  
  Another simple project is adding a faux rock wall around or near the pool; all you need is quick-drying cement or weatherproof clay and a chisel or other tool you can use to draw lines that separate the "stones." Companies like Krylon manufacture a special paint that makes the object look like stone, completing the facade for relatively little money.
  
  Simple projects that take less than a week to complete can include installing a heater so you can enjoy the pool over a longer period of time, adding filters that help to conserve water and lining the interior and edges of the pool with a lighting system to help guide you in the dark.
  
  

Complex Projects

• More complex pool renovation ideas can be almost anything you think of, from changing the shape of the pool to adding an extension or spa next to your main pool. Your imagination is the only limit, but remember that the more complex an idea is, the more expensive it will most likely be to create. If the project is long or time-consuming, you may need to hire a crew to complete it and that will cost even more. Make sure you have the time and the money to commit to the project before you continue.