Why You Might Not Want to Replace Your Bathtub

Along with kitchens, bathrooms are the one of the most frequently remodeled rooms in a house as these are the rooms in which in the most time is spent. However, bathroom remodels can also be quite costly, especially when unforeseen expenses come up. Therefore, it’s important to consider cost effective alternatives that will yield similar, if not better, results.

Aside from serving as a place to scrub-a-dub-dub and get squeaky clean, bathtubs fulfill an aesthetic purpose by serving as a focal point or center of interest in a bathroom. In addition to other fixtures such as a vanity or sink, and toilet, bathtubs help to ground the space and create a cohesive look.

However, before you eagerly run out to purchase a new bathtub as part of your bathroom remodeling product, you want to consider tub resurfacing, an affordable alternative to replacing a bathtub. Also known as tub refinishing, tub resurfacing involves involves repairing and re-enameling your bathtub’s surface in order to achieve a like-new condition or look. It requires far less time and labor than bathtub replacement, and costs roughly the same amount as purchasing a brand new bathtub, which typically runs between $200 and $400.

However, the cost of purchasing a new bathtub does not include and bathtub installation costs, such as time, labor, disposal or landfill fees, as well as any unexpected repairs such as plumbing work. It’s common for older homes, such as those built during the Victorian era to have outdated electrical and plumbing systems. Problems with these systems often aren’t discovered until much later, such as during the renovation process.

These repairs are often costly, requiring time, labor, and additional parts to properly complete. This can drive up the cost of what you might have considered a fairly simple bathroom remodel to figure that is well beyond your budget. On the other hand, tub resurfacing requires no plumbing work and can be complete in only a few hours, though the top coat will likely have to dry or cure for at least 24 hours.
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