I'd go to a reputable pool dealer in your area and ask. To have our pool re-coated with gunite and some minor deck repairs was $13,000 8 years ago. Pool was 20x40.

I can imagine that converting to gunite will be just as pricey as a completely new gunite pool, minus the cost of excavation. But, anything is doable. I think that a most cost-effective method would be a new liner that's more appealing to you, new coping, and perhaps jets and skimmer fittings that blend in a little better. Fwiw, I have a gunite pool, and I have white jets...

where are you located and what are your pool dimensions? is that an "out the door" price? describe what is a 40 foot wall and about how much is that? at 800 sq. ft. you are twice my size pool so the price you are getting seems good. you did not mention your pool finish. standard plaster? in going through this process i learned that you have to educate yourself (a little) to pool/spa plumbing and hydraulics. this is important because pool builders will not be worried about your operating costs after they have built your pool. also, once the pipes are buried you have to live with what they gave you. there are plenty of threads on this forum about this. from what i have read if you are doing a pool/spa combo you may be better off with a dedicated spa pump. get as many jets as you want just remember the more jets you get the more pump you need. good luck!

Do you have a record of the calcium levels and pH levels that you pool has been? More than just saying they were "good" I am referring to a maintenance company log or testing records at your local water lab etc. Adding the new plaster layer to the pool will have a dramatic change on the calcium levels and pH levels in the pool. If you did not adjust your maintenance program to account for this they might be right about the calcium scaling. All that being said is it calcium that the cleaner is picking up or is it actual plaster finish? Delamination of the new plaster is unlikely to be caused by chemical levels being out of ideal range. If your plaster is delaminating I would be inclined to think there was a problem with the bonding of the new layer.