Gunite Pool Remodeling Question

We purchased a house with a very large gunnite pool that is shot. We would like to do a complete remodel but reduce the volume of the pool in the process by adding gunite to the interior and possibly building a spa inside the confines of the original pool walls.

One of the largest volume reduction plans that we have is to turn a good portion of the overly large shallow end into a very shallow wet lounge are where we can setup lounge chairs in the water. I was wondering if cement block could be used raise the floor of the shallow end then go over the block with gunite or would we have to fill the entire volume with gunite?

The first person that we talked with wanted to demo the entire pool then bring in fill and start from scratch. His estimate was very, very expensive.

To do what you are talking about correctly WILL be very expensive. If you take shortcuts, it may look great . . . .

. . . for at least a year or two!

This sort of problem is not something you need our advice on, at least not in terms of specifics. Instead, you need to find a LOCAL SKILLED contractor with a good reputation who's willing to tackle this (possibly, a fall job!). If you cannot find such a contractor, you need to 'fuhgeddaboutit'.

Seriously, you do not want to tackle a project like that with someone without serious skills. Lots of guys can learn to follow a pattern, and build quite a few successful local pools. But major rehab / remodel like you are talking about requires someone who actually understand what they are doing, and why they do it that way. Unfortunately, that requirement excludes a big percentage of pool builders.

Lemme say it again: if you can't find someone LOCAL with skills and experience in tackling jobs like this, you need to back away. Your current pool is much, MUCH better than the monstrosity you could end up with!