There Are Many Factors That Effect The Cost to Recoat a Bathtub
Are you considering giving your bathtub a fresh look with a recoating? One of the critical questions on your mind is likely, "What will it cost?" In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the various factors that influence the cost of bathtub recoating. From materials and labor to additional expenses, we'll break down the expenses involved in rejuvenating your bathtub's appearance.
Understanding Bathtub Recoating:
Before delving into the cost, let's briefly explore what bathtub recoating entails. From type of surface being coated to the proper surface preparation techniques, understanding the process is crucial for determining the total cost.
Standard bathtubs come in three basic materials. Porcelain over steel or cast iron, fiberglass/acrylic and cultured marble. Each material has it's own strengths and weaknesses. For a more in-depth guide see https://www.bathrefinishingresource.com/bathtub_refinishing.htm.
Most often a customer is needing refinishing because the surface is marred or damaged in some way. Chips, cracks, rusting and peeling are all issues that need to be addressed before refinishing can be performed. Without these repairs the final surface will be less than satisfactory. See https://blog.bathrefinishingresource.com/post/damaged-tub-has-you-stressing-out for more details about the different repairs.
Material Costs:
The type and quality of coating materials used can have a significant impact on the overall cost of the recoating project. We'll explore the different types of coatings available, ranging from DIY kits to epoxy to acrylic, and their respective price points.
DIY bath refinishing kits may seem like a good way to initially save on your bathroom renovation project. But their high rate of failure and the extra cost of removing the prior coat, can lead to a higher final cost to recoat your bathtub.
Epoxy coatings and Acrylic Urethane coatings have similar properties to each other but generally cost the same overall. So this usually comes down to the personal preference of the technician. However there are many grade levels of these products that suppliers offer. With options like quick curing additives and low-no odor formulas. The higher the quality of the coating, the longer it will stay looking good, but it will also cost more.
Certain repairs are also going to require additional materials. Most commonly in cracked tub repairs. When fixing a crack, it is critical to ensure that the crack does not come back for as long as possible. Depending on where the crack is located and how flexible the surrounding surface is, may require structural foam or even an acrylic in-lay. Using the correct repair material adds to the structural integrity of the bathtub, but will increase the cost to recoat. Whereas using the wrong material can lead to total failure of the repair and can lead to costly water damages.
Labor Expenses:
Refinishing is very much a skilled trade service. Like any other skilled trade, the final outcome can vary drastically based on how good the laborer is. There are two industries within the refinishing industry and the labor in each one is quite different.
Commercial refinishers are trained in speed. They often have quotas of 5-10 tubs a day with repairs. This is because hotels are loosing money every time a room sits vacant. So they need as many tubs recoated in as little time as possible. Apartment complexes also have very high turnover rates. With bathtubs needing to be resurfaced every six months to a year on average. So they are not wanting to spend a lot on each recoating. Because of these factors the cost to recoat bathtubs for commercial companies will be significantly less. But so is their quality and aesthetic appeal.
Residential refinishers on the other hand are trained in quality. Many home owners are wanting their recoated bathtubs to last as long as possible and they see the value in paying more for a higher quality product. With refinishing, as with most other things in life, you get what you pay for.
Local labor prices are also affected by their local market. Rural areas may have lower costs of living and thus cheaper labor. Whereas large metropolitan areas can easily be twice as expensive for the same labor.
Conclusion:
With all of these factors to consider, it makes it very difficult to know what the final cost to recoat a bathtub will be. But here is a list of the general starting prices for a few of the most common items.
Standard bathtub recoating: $350-$550
Tub and three wall surround recoating: $700-$1,000
Kitchen Sinks: $350-$500
Counters: $350-$500
If you are looking for a more specific estimate please contact us for a detailed quote.
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