How Much Does Bathtub Refinishing Cost?

The 3 Price Tiers in Los Angeles

The price for refinishing is fragmented. What you pay directly relates to the time spent on preparation. Labor accounts for ~80% of the total cost, while materials are only ~$70. A low price almost always means skipped preparation time.

• High Risk of Failure: Prone to peeling or bubbling within 6-12 months.
• Hidden Costs: It will cost you more in the long run when you have to pay a professional to strip the failed paint.

Tier 2: The Standard Pro Rate ($400 – $650)

This is the realistic price for a high-quality, durable job from a licensed and insured professional. This cost covers the 3-4 hours of meticulous labor needed for proper cleaning, chemical etching, chip repair, and coating.

• Built to Last: A properly prepped surface means a 10-15 year lifespan.
• Includes Warranty: Comes with a 5-year warranty against adhesion failure.

Tier 3: The Complex Job ($700 – $1,200+)

This price reflects a more complex restoration, not just a refinish. If your tub has major damage or, most commonly, a failing previous paint job (especially a DIY kit), it must be chemically stripped. This adds hours of labor.

• Stripping Old Paint: Adds $150 - $400+ to the cost.
• Clawfoot Tubs: Refinishing the inside *and* outside doubles the labor.

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What Affects the Final Refinishing Cost?

Your price is determined by the time required. A simple, standard tub is fast. A complex restoration takes hours of extra labor, which is what you're paying for.

The #1 Hidden Cost: Stripping Failed Paint

If your tub was refinished before (especially a DIY job), the peeling paint must be chemically stripped. This is a non-negotiable first step. This service alone adds $150 - $400+ to your bill, potentially doubling the total cost. Always tell your technician if the tub has been painted before.

Bathtub Material (The Fiberglass Surprise)

Counter-intuitively, "cheap" fiberglass tubs are often more complex ($325 - $1,050) than "expensive" cast iron tubs ($375 - $625). Why? Cast iron is stable and solid. Fiberglass is flexible, porous, and "finicky," requiring meticulous prep to prevent the new coating from cracking when the tub flexes.

Size and Type (The Clawfoot Factor)

A standard tub is the base price. Clawfoot tub refinishing costs ($525 - $1,250) are much higher because the job is literally doubled. The technician must refinish the *entire inside* (a standard job) plus the *entire outside* and feet (a second job).

Condition and Damage

Minor chips and light scratches are included in the standard price. Major issues are not. A tub in "good" condition might cost $300, while a tub in "poor" condition (with deep rust, large cracks, or holes) can cost up to 3x more because of the extensive, time-consuming repair labor required *before* the coating can even begin.

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The "DIY Cost Trap": A Financial Breakdown

DIY refinishing kits ($50 - $150) seem cheap, but they are a "false economy." They fail quickly (often in 6-12 months) because they lack the industrial-grade primers and chemical preparation steps that a professional uses. This leads to a much higher long-term cost.

"When your $100 DIY job peels, you must hire a pro to strip it ($150 - $400) *plus* refinish it ($500). Your attempt to save $400 will end up costing you $750 - $1,000+."

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What's Included in Our Professional Cost?

Our price reflects the ~80% labor cost associated with meticulous preparation. This is what you are paying for, and it's what ensures a 10-15 year lifespan.

1. Full Preparation & Masking: Thorough surface cleaning, professional ventilation setup, and masking all adjacent walls, floors, and fixtures to protect your property.
2. Surface Repair & Etching: Filling chips, scratches, and addressing rust. We then chemically etch the surface to create a microscopic profile that our primer can permanently bond to.
3. Coating Application: Applying a specialized adhesion primer (bonding agent) followed by multiple layers of our premium acrylic coating using professional spray equipment.
4. Cleanup and Warranty: Removing all masking materials, cleaning the workspace, and providing you with our comprehensive 5-year warranty on adhesion.