How Much Does It Cost to Refinish a Bathtub in 2024?

Diving into a full bathroom makeover can be thrilling until you hit the deep end of expenses, where replacing a tub often splashes out as a big-ticket item. Swapping out a bathtub can mean knocking down walls, tearing up floors, and even updating the plumbing—let's not even start on the hassle of getting the old tub out and dealing with its disposal. But fear not! A clever alternative to keep your project swimmingly on a budget without sacrificing style is tub refinishing. Not only does this approach bring back the original gleam of your tub, but it also extends its service life until you're ready for the grand bathroom renovation.

How much does it cost to reglaze a tub? This and other cost-related questions will be answered in this guide, empowering you to chart your budget course with complete confidence in the financial adventures that lie ahead.

The National Average Bathtub Refinishing Cost

Refinishing, or how it's also called reglazing a tub, may cost you from $270 to $625. Most American homeowners, though, spend around $465 to make their old tubs look brand new again. The total tub refinishing cost can swing dramatically—from a mere $200 to a lofty $1,300—thanks to variables like the tub's type, size, and current state. Yet, even if you splurge on the priciest refinishing option, it's peanuts compared to the budget you'd need for a brand-new tub replacement.

Here are the actual bathtub resurfacing cost ranges for 2024

Bathtub Resurfacing Cost Breakdown

When estimating the cost of tub resurfacing, contractors consider five key factors: the type of tub, its size, the material it's made from, its current condition, and the refinishing method you pick. This section of our cost guide will shed light on these major price-formation criteria, serving up some food for thought on your renovation journey.

The Average Bathtub Refinishing Cost by Material

Unless your existing tub is made of solid stone or enameled steel, you can give it a dazzling refinish whenever the moment strikes. Thus, reglazing stands out as the cost-effective facelift solution for antique clawfoot tubs or any other tubs sporting just a smattering of chips and dings.

Mainstream bathtub materials like cast iron, fiberglass, porcelain, and acrylic work well for refinishing. However, the capacity and labor intensity of the process depend widely on the selected tub type. Fiberglass and acrylic tubs require a simple surface finishing, while their heavyweight cast iron and copper counterparts need a thorough sandblasting session before they're ready to shine anew.

Read on to discover how the material affects the cost of resurfacing a bathtub.

Acrylic Tub Refinishing

Sprucing up an acrylic tub through refinishing is a savvy move that offers a rejuvenated look without the need for a full replacement. The price tag for this transformation ranges from $400 to $700, including labor, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious homeowners. 

Fiberglass Tub Refinishing

Refinishing a fiberglass tub involves fixing up small chips, smoothing out surface scratches, stripping away old caulk, and applying fresh sealant. The average fiberglass tub reglazing cost falls into the range of $270 - $600, depending on the damage extent and tub size. 

Porcelain Tub Refinishing 

Reglazing not only solves the issue of scratches on porcelain tubs but also demands less investment than a full tub replacement. Refinished porcelain tubs have a new appearance and shine like new ones. The average porcelain bathtub refinishing cost ranges from $310 to $600 for newer models and can significantly expand for antique solid porcelain tubs.

Cast Iron Tub Refinishing

Cast iron tubs are heavy and dense, making them difficult to refinish. Nevertheless, expert professionals can handle the project in a day, including sandblasting and chip repair. The average cost for a cast iron refinish is $350 - $700. 

Here is how much it costs to reglaze a bathtub by material:

The Average Bathtub Reglazing Cost by Tub Type

The type and complexity of your tub largely dictate the cost you will pay for its refinishing. Among the most common types are clawfoot tubs and bathtub-shower combinations, each bringing challenges to the reglazing process. Clawfoot tubs, revered for their vintage appeal and standalone elegance, can be reglazed for a range between $310 and $660, reflecting their less intricate design and easier access. On the other hand, bathtub-shower combinations, which marry functionality with the comfort of soaking, tend to fall on the higher end of the spectrum — costing between $520 and $1,100 to refinish. This is due to their fixed nature and the additional work required to protect surrounding areas during the reglazing process.

Here is how much to reglaze a tub by its type:

The Average Tub Reglazing Cost by Reglazing Method

The method you choose to refinish your bathtub can significantly impact the cost. Opting to replace the entire tub and shower liner might have a higher initial expense, but this approach could ultimately save you both time and future hassles. On the contrary, a bathtub inlay, which is a laminate piece that simply covers the bottom of your tub, presents an easy and budget-friendly option. However, remember that this quick fix will likely require sooner redoing than more thorough refinishing methods.

Let us take a closer look at each method to understand how they affect the total bathtub resurface cost:

Bathtub Inlay

If you're looking for a cost-effective solution to upgrade your tub, inlays can be the right alley. This savvy method skips the full-blown refinishing process, covering only the bottom part of your tub. The downside is that the exterior part of your tub and its walls remain untreated, showing off their imperfections. The average bathtub inlay cost ranges from $95 to $210. 

Bathtub Reglazing

This traditional tub revamping method is a golden mean for those looking for an optimal update option that lasts. With costs ranging from $270 to $625, bathtub reglazing appears to be a better alternative to costly replacement. The best part is that professionally accomplished resurfacing lasts up to 15 years. 

Bathtub Liner

Unlike reglazing, which might leave deep scratches and big cracks untouched, liners tackle every blemish head-on. This tub refinishing approach crafts a tailor-made cover that fits over the entire tub, sealing its fate towards a fresh, new look and prolonging its lifespan. Due to their intricate production and fitting process, liners can set you back quite a bit, with prices ranging around the $1,750 to $2,600 mark.

Here is how the average bathtub refinish cost varies by the refinishing approach:

Labor Cost to Resurface a Bathtub

Labor expenses eat up roughly 80% of the overall budget for a tub refinishing endeavor. The approach you choose for refinishing plays a big role in material costs, which can swing from $40 to $450. As for labor, you're looking at $80 an hour or a project fee in the ballpark of $200 to $500. Depending on the existing tub type and condition, refinishing generally takes around 4 to 6 hours.