not sure what gunite is, but looks like sheet metal or aluminum/galvanized, looks like its 4 foot sheets all around the pools the fllor looks like its cement has a shallow end and a deep end. the pools is braced down behind it every 3 feet or so, just no bond beam, kidney shape pool, only bond beam is beside th skimmer the rest of the pool doesn't have any.

This is a pretty traditional option for pool coping, and you could easily update it without doing anything to the coping itself. Are you wanting to give it a more modern vibe or just update it? If you are wanting a more modern look, it could be as simple as adding modern planters with plants that are symmetrical like the black planters in the image below. Stick with neutral colors and straight lines if modern is the vibe you are going for. If you are just looking to update the look and feel, depending on what already surrounds the pool you could build out the deck around the pool, add new patio furniture and a few plants, and it will feel like a whole new space. One ofour projects had a similar coping to yours, we built out the deck using different size pavers and added the modern black planter (behind the umbrellas and pool chairs).

We charge $45 a LF for limestone installed using 14" material. Labor and material. The pricing you got is in the ball park. We however cut off the rock face edge and then follow with a belt sander and power circular sander. The rock face edge is very harsh on the back of your knees when sitting pool side. By sanding the edge we can take the sharp edge from the saw cut, for a smooth edge. We do this also with thermal blue stone. Sometimes we will create a "pencil" edge on the stone which is a rounder edge but not bull nosed. Much like granite counter tops for kitchens, baths, etc... The material you get is actually tread material for steps. The rock face edge has always been popular for front steps to a house.

I just got a bid to replace 125 linear feet of coping, replace the decorative tile beneath coping, and exterior refacing of an existing fountain for 16,000. Plus they are booking 10 months out to next spring. We live in an expensive part of St Louis, and it is a well regarded firm, but I do feel like my bid is quite high so we are pursuing competitive bids. As a rookie pool owner, 1,800-2,800 for 110 ft coping replacement sounds low but I certainly wouldn't mind if that were my quote!