Restoring a structurally sound pool cage in Florida costs $2.80 to $4.50 per square foot — typically $1,500 to $8,000+ per project. A professionally engineered new enclosure is quoted around $12 per square foot, so when the frame is still good, restoration resets hardware, paint, and screens for a fraction of replacement.
Updated August 2026. Figures are Forge Point Contracting's own published rates for Sarasota and West Coast Florida.
When Restoration Is Enough
If the aluminum structure is sound, every failure you can see is a component that restoration replaces:
- Rusted screws — every fastener comes out and a 304 stainless steel screw with a lifetime warranty goes in.
- Chalking, faded paint — sanding, Bondo where needed, then two coats of Sherwin-Williams Pro Industrial DTM acrylic with a 5 to 7-year paint warranty.
- UV-worn mesh — new screens in your choice of type, with warranties from 7 to 12 years.
When Replacement Makes Sense
Replacement is the sound investment when the frame itself has failed — bent or undersized structural members — or when the cage was built without permits and engineering. A new professional enclosure comes with a county permit, an engineer's stamp, and a 10-year warranty on screens and aluminum structure, plus a lifetime warranty on its 304 stainless hardware.
Side by Side: What You Pay and What You Get
Restoration — $2.80–$4.50 / sq ft ($1,500–$8,000+)
- Six-step process: job-site protection, 4,400+ PSI pressure wash, full screw replacement, sanding and prep, two-coat DTM painting, new screens with final inspection.
- Lifetime warranty on 304 stainless hardware; 5 to 7-year paint warranty; screens 7 to 12 years by type.
- Back to your pool in days, not weeks.
New Build — quoted around $12 / sq ft done right
- County permit and engineer's stamp — the paperwork that protects your storm claim and your resale.
- 10-year warranty on screens and aluminum structure; lifetime on hardware.
- Custom design: roof style, panel spans, doors, and screen types chosen for your lot.
The Hidden Cost of the Cheap Option
Bargain builds quoted at $5–$6 per square foot look like $2,000 to $4,500 in savings — until the first repaint ($3,000+), a denied storm claim because the cage wasn't permitted, or a code-violation rebuild ($15,000+). That "cheaper" cage can end up costing $20,000 more than the professional build it beat on paper.
Financing
Both paths qualify for financing: projects up to $100,000 with up to 6 payment plans available.
Restoration vs. Replacement FAQ
How long does a pool cage restoration take?
Most restorations put you back at your pool in days, not weeks. The six-step process — protection, pressure wash, hardware, prep, paint, screens — runs as one continuous job with a final walkthrough before the crew leaves.
What if only the screens are bad?
Then you don't need restoration at all — rescreening starts at $1.50 per square foot and most projects run $500 to $1,500+. Restoration is for cages where hardware and paint have failed along with the mesh.
How do I know which one my cage needs?
A free on-site evaluation settles it: the frame, paint, hardware, and screens are inspected and you get a written number for the right scope — no pressure. Call (941) 323-6555; response within 24 hours.
See the full services: pool cage restoration in Florida and new pool screen enclosures. Forge Point Contracting LLC (CGC 1535725) serves Sarasota and the entire West Coast of Florida.