Hidden Costs of Bathtub Replacement vs. Refinishing

Hidden Costs of Bathtub Replacement vs. Refinishing

Replacing a bathtub seems straightforward enough. However, many homeowners are surprised by how quickly the costs of tub replacement add up. Between demolition, plumbing, installation, and cleanup, a simple tub replacement quickly balloons into a major (and expensive!) renovation. If you’re considering a bathtub replacement, give refinishing your tub a thought before making your final decision. Refinishing is often the smarter and more cost-effective choice.

The Real Costs of Bathtub Replacement

The cost of replacing your tub doesn’t end with the price of the tub. It starts there. The project begins with demolition and removal of your current tub. This means the labor of taking it out, tearing out tile or wall panels, drywall or tile repair, floor repair, and disposal of your tub (you can’t just chuck it in the trash). Demolition alone can cost $300 to $1,000. Construction dumpster in your driveway. $500-$1,600.

Then, there’s plumbing work. Your old plumbing may not match your new tub. Plumbing for a new tub can cost $200 to $1,500 or more, depending on your situation. Don’t forget the cost of new tub fixtures, which typically aren’t included with a new tub. Drains, overflow plates, faucets, and handles will run you $100-$500+. Finally, we get to the tub installation! Installing a new tub is a full day of work for a professional team, especially when your tub is in a tight or older space. Count on this costing $300 to $1,200 or more.

Once the new tub is in, you may need to make repairs to your walls or flooring, especially if you had to take tiles out to remove your old tub. That’s another $500 to $2,000. All of this is provided that you can find a tub that is EXACTLY the same size as the tub you are removing. There is a good chance that you will have to “Find some Space”… meaning that if the tub you have is smaller that a new tub (if your home is built in the 1940-1970’s, the tub could be smalled than what you can get today) you will need to cut into an adjacent bedroom or a closet, move plumbing rather than some replacing it, Dry wall, paint and trim etc in the room you are finding the inches. This cost is very difficult to calculate, but $1,000-$4,000 isn’t unreasonable. So, the true cost of a tub replacement is approximately $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the materials you choose AND potentially weeks of being without your bathroom. Yikes!

The Cost of Tub Refinishing

Professional tub refinishing by the Tub Guys team will achieve that fresh look you’re after without the mess or expense of replacement. The refinishing process, from surface preparation, chip repair, and application of the new finish, takes just a few hours. Then, you’ll have to avoid using your tub for at least 24 hours (though we prefer 48 hours if possible). After that, your refinished tub looks new and is ready to use. No demo, no new plumbing, no repairs to your walls and floors. Your total cost? This price is for a traditional tub and surround: Around $595-$1,495, all in, as long as it hasn’t been refinished before.

Refinishing Often Makes More Sense . . . But Not Always

Compared to replacing a bathtub, refinishing often makes more sense. The result is a new-looking tub that will last for years without the construction mess, expense, and time investment. Sometimes, however, we aren’t able to refinish a tub due to extensive structural damage. But if your tub is mostly intact and just looks tired, refinishing is often the better bet. Replacing your tub may seem fast and easy, but the costs of tub replacement add up. Before you jump into a tub replacement project, give the Tub Guys a call to discover if refinishing is a faster, less expensive solution for you. Get in touch with us today to learn more.