How Much Does Bathtub Refinishing Cost? (2026 Guide)

Refinishing a bathtub costs $335–$630 in most cases, with homeowners paying about $480 on average. A brand-new bathtub installation can cost $1,400–$10,500, which makes refinishing a far more affordable option that often costs less than $500. This upgrade can also improve your bathroom’s appearance and increase your home’s appeal if you plan to sell.

Our guide explains bathtub refinishing costs and shares practical tips to help you save money on your bathroom remodel. We also share datapoints of our 2026 bathroom remodeling survey results and pro tips from bathtub refinishing experts featured in the This Old House magazine and show.

Bathtub Refinishing Cost

The price varies based on your tub’s material, size, and condition, as well as your selected refinishing method. We’ll go into more detail about these factors below.

• Tub material: Most bathtubs are made of porcelain, acrylic, fiberglass, or cast iron. Resurfacing materials for a porcelain or cast iron tub usually cost $350–$600, while fiberglass can cost $300–$1,000. Adding enamel can tack on another $350–$600.
• Tub type: The bigger the tub, the higher the cost to refinish it. A standard tub takes up 13 square feet of space. Anything larger will be on the high end of the cost spectrum.
• Tub condition: A technician may need to spend more time sandblasting a corroded or peeling tub, increasing labor costs.
• Refinishing method: The standard refinishing method involves stripping, sanding, caulking, and resealing your tub. This comes at an average cost. The modern Miracle Method can cost $500–$650 for a tub or $1,000–$1,200 for a tub and shower.

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Bathtub Refinishing Cost by Material Type

Refinishing costs depend in part on what your bathtub is made of. For example, you’ll need to sandblast or grind off the rust from a cast iron tub before refinishing it. This requires more time and effort than simply removing and replacing old enamel.

Fiberglass Tub Refinishing Cost

Fiberglass tubs are lightweight and budget-friendly, but they tend to warp and crack about 10–15 years after installation. They’re often easier to refinish than other types of bathtubs because of how they’re made, saving you money on labor and materials. They’re also easy and inexpensive to repair.

Pros

• Affordable
• Easy to install
• Easy to repair
• More durable than plastic

Cons

• Thinner than other materials
• Uneven finish
• Colors tend to fade
• Can crack or dent over time

Porcelain Tub Reglazing Cost

Porcelain looks beautiful, but its glazing and finish can easily scratch. Reglazing can fix these issues and requires less work than replacing the entire tub. Refinished porcelain tubs come out looking shiny and new.

Pros

• Smooth, easy-to-clean surface
• Heavy and durable
• Antique appearance
• Customizable

Cons

• Easily damaged
• Slippery surface
• Susceptible to rust and corrosion

Cast Iron Tub Refinishing Cost

Cast iron, clawfoot tubs add a touch of old-fashioned elegance to any bathroom. Refinishing a cast iron tubwill cost $300–$650. However, you’ll want to hire a professional because cast iron is too dense and heavy for most do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) to handle.

Pros

• Very durable
• Chip-resistant enamel coating
• High heat retention
• Timeless

Cons

• Heavy
• Can rust if the enamel chips (unlikely)
• Expensive

Enamel Bathtub Reglazing Cost

Enamel isn’t a type of tub but a finish. It’s made from porcelain or a hard glass coating. Cast iron and steel tubs are both typically enameled. The enamel protects the metal from corrosion and gives the tub its silky exterior. However, an enamel tub can chip or crack over time.

Pros

• Affordable
• Durable
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Surface may chip easily
• Rust can form in a single chip
• Can be noisy

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What Factors Affect Bathtub Refinishing Costs?

In addition to material type, other cost factors can change the cost of your refinishing project.

Cost by Type of Tub

A simple tub requires less work and fewer materials to refinish than a bath-shower combo, which may call for wall tile grout cleaning or repair as part of the project. The more complex the tub, the more expensive it will be to refinish.

The most common bathtub types are clawfoot tubs and bath-shower combinations.

Clawfoot Tub Refinishing Cost

Clawfoot tubs are classic but trendy, inciting images of luxury baths surrounded by candles and champagne. These tubs are also surprisingly durable and budget-friendly to maintain, costing just $300–$650 to refinish. A cheap enamel can chip easily, but most modern enamel coatings will protect these tubs for a long time.

Pros

• Appealing, like-new look
• Durable and long-lasting
• Sleek feel on skin
• Fits neatly in dainty bathrooms

Cons

• Hard to attach a shower
• Difficult to maneuver to a second-floor room
• Must clean around the feet

Bath-Shower Combination Refinishing Cost

Bath-shower combos are versatile and highly functional, making them especially suited to one-bathroom or big-family homes. They’re often constructed from fiberglass, which can scratch easily. This can be fixed with refinishing, but it’s more expensive at $500–$1,000.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Affordable
• Easy to install
• Repairable finish

Cons

• Colors fade
• Easily chipped
• Can shift, causing caulk to crack
• Thin and easy to break

Cost by Tub Condition

Does your tub just need a patch, or are you looking at a full refinishing project? Your answer will help determine your total cost.

A tub in good condition may show some flaking, peeling, or bubbling. This can start to show within 5–7 years after installation, especially if the manufacturers didn’t properly seal the tub. A tub in fair condition will shed more than a few flakes. You’ll see nicks, dings, and scratches. An old tub in poor condition may be stained, rusty, and possibly even dented.

Cost by Refinishing Method

How you refinish your bathtub also influences price. A bathtub inlay, or a piece of laminate that covers the bottom of your tub, is easy and inexpensive but will need to be redone sooner than other options. Replacing the entire tub and shower liner costs more upfront but could save you time and trouble in the future.

Bathtub Inlay Cost

Bathtub inlays are the least expensive and quickest solution. They involve simply covering the bottom of the tub to fix any flaws or cracks. However, inlays don’t fix cosmetic issues or cracks around the rest of the tub. 

Pros

• Repairs cracks and holes in less than an hour
• Inexpensive to buy the kit
• Easy to do it yourself

Cons

• Does not cover cracks or stains on the sides of the tub
• Reduce the inner size of the bathtub
• May not work on non-traditional tub styles

Bathtub Reglazing Cost

Reglazing is a great, affordable option for bathtubs in good or fair condition, costing about $200–$650. You can save money by purchasing a DIY kit from your local home improvement store or Amazon, but the chemicals can be dangerous and the process isn’t easy. Because of this, we recommend hiring a technician for the best results.

Reglazing conforms exactly to the contours of your existing tub, leaving you with a refined and finished product. However, it may not cover major cracks, rust spots, or deep scratches.

Pros

• Beautiful finished appearance
• Easy to DIY
• Cost-effective

Cons

• Coating can peel or chip
• Doesn’t fix severe problems
• May have to wait for coating to dry

Bathtub Liner Cost

A bathtub liner is a solid, custom replacement that covers the entire tub. It addresses any leaks or cracks and looks like the tub itself. Liners require professional installation but last almost as long as a new tub.

Liners are more expensive than inlays and can take a month or two to create since they require a custom mold. They can cost $1,700–$2,500.

Read more:

Pros

• Quick installation
• No demolition work
• Fixes most major problems

Cons

• Expensive
• Makes tub space smaller
• Water can get trapped under the liner

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Should You Refinish or Replace Your Bathtub?

The decision to refinish or replace depends on a few factors. If your bathtub is still in good shape and you just want to freshen it up, refinishing may be the way to go. If your bathtub is damaged from years of use and needs serious repairs, replacement may be more cost-effective.

Signs You Need To Refinish Your Bathtub

How do you know it’s time to refinish your bathtub? If the sealant around your bath is cracking or peeling off, the surface may need reglazing. Look for these other signs:

• Chipping or scratches
• Dull finish
• Discoloration
• Rust stains
• Water marks

Read more: How To Fix a Chipped Bathtub

Refinishing vs. Reglazing a Bathtub

When revitalizing an aging bathtub, you might face a dilemma: refinish or reglaze it. Refinishing involves applying a specialized coating onto the existing surface, while reglazing requires stripping the surface layer and applying a new, durable glaze.

Reglazing offers a longer life span of 15–20 years, but it will most likely cost you more money. The choice ultimately depends on the condition of the tub, desired longevity, and budget. We also recommend you consult professional help for either project.

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DIY vs. Professional Bathtub Refinishing

Refinishing a bathtub isn’t a difficult home improvement project, but it’s not exactly simple. The end result almost always looks smoother when a professional technician sprays the tub with top-grade materials. Below, we go over the main differences between do-it-yourself (DIY) and professional bathtub refinishing processes.

DIY Bathtub Refinishing

If you know what you’re doing, you can save big by refinishing your own tub. Labor costs account for about 80% of a tub refinishing project, and a refinishing kit can cost less than $100. Ensure you have the right equipment if you want a smooth, glossy finish. Below is a list of some of the tools you may need:

• Caulk gun
• Drop cloth 
• Painting supplies such as a painter roller or paint sprayer
• Painter’s tape
• Putty
• Safety equipment including gloves, goggles, and respirator
• Sandpaper
• Shower caulk sponges 
• Utility and putty knives

Review the instructions on your refinishing kit to find the exact equipment needed for your project.

Professional Bathtub Refinishing

Professional bathtub refinishing process requires several steps:

1. A technician removes the caulking and plumbing plates, leaving a smooth surface by sanding away the old finish.
2. The technician seals any holes, chips, or cracks with epoxy and waits for it to dry. A tub with many cracks may need a new liner or require rust treatment.
3. The technician applies several layers of coating and finishes with a top coat of sealant.
4. The tub is then recaulked to the wall materials.

A typical bathtub refinishing project done by an experienced professional usually takes eight hours or less to complete. In many cases, you can use the bathtub within 24 hours.

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FAQs About Bathtub Refinishing Costs

What’s the difference between refinishing, reglazing, and resurfacing a bathtub?

Bathtub refinishing refers to the entire restoration project. Bathtub reglazing refers only to the commercial coating applied at the end of the process. Resurfacing is usually synonymous with refinishing. However, it’s common for all of these terms to be used interchangeably. 

Is it worth it to refinish a bathtub?

You should consider refinishing a tub if it’s still in relatively good condition. Refinishing can remove surface imperfections such as scratches, shallow cracks, and stains, giving you a like-new look without shelling out thousands of dollars. Refinishing an old, leaking, or moldy tub isn’t worth it, since you’ll have to replace it soon anyway.

How can I save on bathtub refinishing?

You can reduce your bathtub refinishing costs with a few simple strategies. First, choose standard colors and finishes instead of custom options. Next, request quotes from multiple refinishing companies to secure the best price. Finally, test bathtub liners before you commit to ensure they meet your needs.

What is the difference between resurfacing and replacing a bathtub?

Tub refinishing and relining are cosmetic fixes. Tub replacement is more like major surgery, which increases costs and complexity.

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How We Determined Bathtub Refinishing Costs

To provide accurate and current pricing for bathtub refinishing projects, we collected project estimates from Angi, HomeGuide, and Fixr. Our research also included analyzing insights from a nationwide homeowner survey conducted in 2026, with participants from all age ranges and demographics to ensure a comprehensive view of homeowner preferences. This allows for cost averages that reflect the diverse needs of homeowners across both local and nationwide markets.

The pricing shared in this guide represents cost ranges and averages based on our research at the time of publication. Actual costs may vary depending on factors such as your location, chosen contractor, bathtub and bathroom specifics, refinishing method, and overall project scope.