Ways to save money on pool renovation?

The wife and I are about to "dive in" with an in-ground pool makeover (resurfacing, tile, coping, plumbing, equipment), and I was wondering if anyone here has suggestions on how/where one can save money during this process? It seems the surfacing companies want to be a one stop shop, but is that the best way to go? Can I do some things (for instance, buy the tile) myself? (Is there anything particularly special about the tile used for a pool?) What about watching for deals on the equipment I'd like to have? Removing the existing plaster (and possibly the tile) myself? I mean, there are things best left to the professionals, I understand that, but there's gotta be things that I can get done for less than what the pros would like to charge me, right?