Refinishing vs. Replacing a Bathtub

Replacing:

Most basic tubs retail for as little as $300–$500, which may be equal to or even less expensive than refinishing. Before you start shopping, you need to consider the hidden costs involved in replacing a bathtub, which includes:

• Demolition and removal of the old tub typically add $200 to $400 to the final price.
• Hiring a plumber to re-attach pipes costs $1200 according to the Portland average.
• The installation of the new tub costs $3,000-$4,000 according to the Portland average.
• If you’re thinking of replacing your tub with a shower pan, first consider the effect this could have on the home’s resale appeal. Most prospective buyers shy away from homes without a bathtub, particularly if they have children

Once you add everything up, that $300 tub you were just going to buy turns into a project that costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $4,000-$5,000. There’s also always the chance that you’ll encounter structural or plumbing problems along the way, which extends the time and cost of the project.

Refinishing:

To refinish a tub, most homeowners spend between $300 and $900, with the average cost coming in at around $460. Flatt Out Resurfacing standard Bathtub price is $350 as of this writing. If you consider all of the costs associated with replacing, refinishing seems like a real bargain. Additionally, if you have an irreplaceable antique or rare bathtub, you likely want to keep it to preserve the charm of your decor or the historical accuracy it provides in an older house.