Hello, we need to replaster / make repairs to our pool and at the same time we want to expand the existing pool deck/patio. We've had 3 pool companies out to look at the project and there are 2 differing opinions among them, and I'm not sure who's right.

The current patio is part flagstone and part pea gravel maybe bc the previous owners extended it and didn't use flagstone for the extension. We want to expand the hardscaping and make it all one cohesive material such as travertine.

1 of the companies said they would not demo the current flagstone and pea gravel, but rather they would add to the footprint and go over the existing with the new material. There is room for this added height at the door thresholds bc there is a small step down from each door. They said this would save a lot of money in demo costs. But I wonder how this added height would be dealt with when you come up to the pool coping / how the drainage/slope is handled. I forgot to ask that when they were here, and I have a message out to them now. And are there any other issues I should know about / ask about this approach?

2 of the companies said they would want to demo out the existing flagstone and pea gravel and start essential from scratch. The demo costs are a lot. But if this is the right approach we will stretch to do it. If it's not necessary though, I'd like to know that.

I'm wondering who is right?