Dear Innovative Tub Solutions® ,
Our bathtubs are in horrible shape and need to be updated. A new bathtub costs about $300. Should I just replace the whole thing?
Sincerely,
Concerned about Cost
Dear Concerned,
True, a brand new tub will run you as little as $300, but you can’t replace it for that same amount. This is where the true cost of replacing a bathtub can be deceiving. Why? Think about the size of the average bathtub, specifically the clearance needed to move the tub in or out of the bathroom. In new construction, showers and tubs are installed very early in the process, even before drywall and other bathroom fixtures. If you’re not doing a complete full-scale bathroom remodel, then just replacing the tub doesn’t make much sense. The added cost, which will run you at least $3,000 for just the replacement (and that’s a low-ball estimate), is not going to be worth it for the little visual change it might add. That’s why the most expensive part of replacing a bathtub is definitely not the cost of the new tub.
A much better option, especially for situations where someone wants a high-quality, but also economical solution, for a worn-out tub is bathtub refinishing. Refinishing will add years of life to an existing tub at a fraction of the cost of a full-scale replacement – and in a fraction of the time.
Refinishing is an art form in itself and requires skill and experience to create the ideal smooth, glossy surface. It’s a multi-step process that essentially consists of sanding off the old coating, filling any chips or scratches, repairing any rust, and then reapplying the new coating in several stages using a special sprayer specifically for high-volume, low-pressure applications. Because the coating is, in effect, a type of paint, you can choose to redo your tub in a number of colors or match the existing finish.
The end result is a bathtub that looks and feels like the day it was manufactured.
Stay afloat!
Innovative Tub Solutions®
