I can only provide limited thoughts as a non-pool owner. Our quotes from sources other than the PB we are actively negotiating with we're $4,000 for Diamond Brite and $6,500 for Pebble Tec...so the pricing seems in line with other companies...ours might be for a little more surface are too, not sure.
We are planning to go with plaster but just tinted grey, so it will have a marble effect to it, at no additional charge. So we'll get the color effect we want but not any added lifespan that might come with the others. I've heard very good things about the lifespan of standard plaster so long as water chemistry is kept in the best range consistently.
So for me, it's a matter of whether the insurance for a hopefully longer lasting surface is worth it (again given that we are already getting the look we want with grey plaster) for the added cost. We plan to be here for a long time so either way I see myself having to refinish it once in our lifetime with the pool, so probably won't go with the upgrade options. That, and as many others, we are at the top of what we want to spend prior to ticking that box.
