Broken Sound, Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, Boca West’s original sections, and the estate areas east of the Intracoastal include some of South Florida’s finest properties — properties that may be immaculately maintained in every other respect but have pools that were built in 1987 and still reflect 1987’s technology, aesthetics, and code standards. The white plaster pool with original single-speed pump, gas heater, manual chlorination, and 1980s coping tile is functional — but it is not representative of what a Boca Raton estate pool should be in 2025. Renovation brings the outdoor living asset into alignment with the rest of the property.
At Pool Service Fort Lauderdale, we help Boca Raton estate owners understand what renovation encompasses and coordinate with renovation contractors for the post-renovation service setup. This guide covers the major renovation dimensions and their costs.
Aesthetic Renovation: Surface, Coping, Decking, and Features
Pool surface: Original 1980s-1990s white plaster has been resurfaced one or more times; at 25-40 years of pool age, the pool may be on its second or third plaster application or may have had an aggregate resurfacing. Contemporary Boca Raton luxury standard is glass bead aggregate, premium pebble, or custom quartz — providing visual depth, color, and finish quality that white plaster cannot match. Resurfacing to premium aggregate: $12,000-$25,000 depending on size and material.
Coping: The coping (the cap material between the pool shell and the pool deck) on a 1980s Boca Raton pool is likely 6-inch bullnose tile or poured concrete — functional but dated. Contemporary coping materials include large-format natural travertine, quartzite, or porcelain in oversized dimensions (16-inch or 24-inch cantilever coping) that define the modern pool aesthetic. Coping replacement: $6,000-$18,000 for a standard estate pool perimeter.
Pool deck: A 1980s pool deck is likely marcite or concrete — now cracked, stained, and dated. Contemporary options: large-format travertine (15×15 or 18×18, tumbled for non-slip texture), porcelain that mimics natural stone without porosity, or poured concrete with stamped or exposed aggregate finish. Pool deck renovation: $15,000-$45,000 depending on size and material.
Water features: A 1987 pool likely has no water features or simple spillover spa. Contemporary Boca Raton estate pools incorporate sheer descent waterfalls, deck jet fountain arcs, custom scuppers, or bubblers in the tanning ledge — elements that add the sight and sound of moving water that transforms the outdoor living environment. Water feature addition to an existing pool: $3,000-$15,000 per feature type depending on complexity.
Mechanical Upgrade: Pump, Filter, Heater, and Automation
Variable-speed pump: If the pool still has a single-speed pump (required by Florida code to be VSP upon replacement), installing a VSP at renovation delivers $50-$90/month in electricity savings — effectively self-funding as part of the renovation. VSP installation: $800-$1,500.
Heat pump: A 1987-1995 gas heater has long since exceeded its service life. Contemporary Boca Raton standard for serious pool use is a properly sized heat pump (or reversible heat pump for season-long bidirectional temperature management). Heat pump installation: $2,500-$5,500 depending on size and model.
Automation controller: A full renovation is the ideal time to install a comprehensive automation system (Pentair IntelliCenter, Hayward OmniHub) that controls all equipment, provides remote monitoring, and integrates with the smart home system. Automation installation: $2,500-$5,000 for a full system.
Salt chlorine generator: Converting from manual chlorination to a salt system at renovation eliminates the ongoing chlorine purchasing cost. SaltSystem installation: $1,000-$2,500.
Safety Code Update
A 1980s Boca Raton pool likely does not meet all current federal and Florida code requirements: VGB-compliant drain covers (federal, 2008); GFCI protection on all pool electrical circuits (Florida Building Code); SVRS (Safety Vacuum Release System) on spa suction fittings; and bonding of all pool components to current electrical code. Renovation is the appropriate time to bring the pool into full current code compliance.
Pool Service Fort Lauderdale manages post-renovation chemistry setup and ongoing service for renovated Boca Raton estate pools. Call (954) 501-2754 or visit our Boca Raton pool service page. Full coverage at poolservicefortlauderdale.us.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cost of a full pool renovation for a Boca Raton estate? Full scope: $35,000-$150,000+. Partial (surface, mechanical, code compliance): $15,000-$40,000. Get 3 quotes from licensed contractors with Boca Raton luxury renovation experience — significant price variation exists in the luxury renovation market.
Is renovation worth it for a 1980s estate pool? For properties held long-term or being prepared for Boca Raton luxury sale: yes. Contemporary pool aesthetics meaningfully affect luxury property presentation and buyer appeal. Mechanical upgrades reduce ongoing operating costs. For near-term sale: targeted improvements (surface, safety code) may be more cost-effective than full renovation.
How long does renovation take? Surface only: 2-3 weeks. Surface + coping + deck: 4-6 weeks. Full renovation with structural changes: 6-12 weeks. Plus HOA ARC approval (6-10 weeks before start). Total project decision to swim-ready in a Boca Raton gated community: 3-6 months for comprehensive renovation.
Most impactful single improvement? Surface and coping replacement. White plaster + bullnose tile → glass bead aggregate + large-format travertine delivers 70-80% of full renovation’s visual impact for $18,000-$43,000 — a fraction of full renovation cost.
Safety upgrades required in a 1980s Boca Raton pool renovation? VGB-compliant SVRS drain covers; GFCI on all pool circuits within 10 feet of water; current bonding code compliance; self-closing self-latching fence gates. Budget $1,500-$4,000 for safety code compliance — identified and required by the licensed contractor handling the permit.