Comparing Offers for Bathtub Refinishing
page 3 of 3
Remember these questions? We’ve already addressed #1 and #2 on the previous pages
1 * What are your expectations? 2 * What is the tub refinisher actually offering? 3 – Are you being overcharged?
Are you being overcharged?
maybe – but how would you know? What are your expectations? What is being offered? What is the value?
What is “average” or “minor” bathtub refinishing?
On the previous page, “What is the bathtub refinisher actually offering?”, we saw where a website stated that some tubs may only need “minor” refinishing. Of course, there was nothing that clarified how “minor” compared to the unspoken “major”. Likewise, the refinisher’s website claimed that they have various refinishing packages depending on the material of your tub and how durable you need the finish to be, but they never articulate any of these supposed options. The reality is that the average bathtub refinisher is a disinterested employee who never had any experience with paint or bathtubs before they applied for the job – it’s just a job. If they burn out or quit or get fired they’ll get another job – it’s just a job. So it is with the sole proprietor trying to run an efficient and profitable business – it’s just a business. If the cost of operations is too high they’ll cut costs by cutting corners – it’s just business.
What service does the national average offer entail?
An average bathtub refinishing project will take one day – usually 3 – 4 hours. The paint is still wet when the refinisher leaves, meaning that any new caulking will have to be installed at a later date, usually by someone other than the refinisher. So, when you read about “bathtub refinishing”, the average meaning is the following:
- Clean the bathtub in preparation to paint
- mask the hardware and tub perimeter for overspray
- paint the bathtub
- remove the masking and give the jobsite a final clean
| OFFER | Nat’l Average |
|---|---|
| clean | yes |
| paint | yes |
| caulk | optional |
| AVERAGE PRICE tub refinishing | $480 |
| PRICE RANGE low to high | $250 – $600 |
| similar service offer is found nationwide | basic one day service |
According to leading consumer digests the nationwide average price tag for a 1 day, basic bathtub refinishing is $480
According to the website This Old House in a cost comparison article written on January 20, 2023, “Refinishing a bathtub costs between $335 and $630, with an average of about $480.” In a similar article by the website Architecture and Design posted on March 29, 2023: “Bathtub refinishing typically costs $335 to $628 with a national average of $481.” And, according to Forbes in an article posted on July 5, 2023: “On average, bathtub refinishing and reglazing costs $480 or $200 to $1,000 for high and low cost averages. … If your bathtub is in relatively good condition with minor wear and tear, the cost to refinish it will be on the lower end. If the bathtub is in poor condition, with significant damage, deep stains or surface deterioration, the refinishing process will require additional extensive repairs and restoration. “. The nationwide average cost for 1 day bathtub refinishing is $480 (3 – 5 hours): * cleaning the tub prior to painting, * painting the tub. * caulking the tub is optional and varies from refinisher and customer.
“Refinishing a bathtub costs between $335 and $630, with an average of about $480”
This Old House – January 20, 2023
Evaluate the information:
Are you being overcharged? National Average 1 day = $480 ( $600 premium ) no etching, no caulk, no drain replacement, no overflow replacement , no mirror-like reflection
Joy of St Croix – Tub Repair and More 2023 published price for premium bathtub refinishing is $1,200
$1,200 dollars? The average is $480 ($600 premium) how can $1,200 be justified?
their $480 average takes one half day, our $1200 premium takes two full days
Review page #1 What are your expectations?
A short review of PREMIUM expectations that require additional time and money
| Premium Expectations | Nat’l Average Expectations | Joy of St Croix Expectations |
|---|---|---|
| hand sanding the dried finish to a smooth surface free of dust and drips | NO | YES |
| machine polishing the finish to a mirror like reflection | NO | YES |
| old drain basket removed in order for the bathtub paint to extend under the drain where water collects | NO | YES |
| old drain basket and overflow cover replaced with a new drain basket after refinishing | NO | YES |
| old caulking removed in order for the bathtub paint to extend under the new caulking to provide a water tight seal | NO | YES |
| new caulk installed on a clean and dry newly refinished surface | NO | YES |
| total | $400 – $600 | $1,200 |
| 1 day | 2 days | |
| Nat’l Average based on articles previously cited | Joy of St Croix is a Premium Service with published prices and processes |
DO YOU EXPECT A SMOOTH SURFACE WITH MIRROR LIKE REFLECTIONS?
A PREMIUM SERVICE – Do you expect the finish to have no dust or orange peel? Do you expect it to be smooth to the touch with a mirror-like reflection? Joy of St Croix hand sands the surface and machine polishes to produce a surface that is smooth to the touch with a mirror-like reflection. If you expect sanding and polishing, which is far above the national average, then expect an additional day with an additional charge. ~ This step is done on Day 2
DO YOU EXPECT NEW CAULKING?
A PREMIUM SERVICE – Do you expect to have new caulking? It takes 12 hours minimum for caulk to dry. The refinisher can’t paint over wet caulk and can’t caulk over wet paint…so when is it going to be done? Joy of St Croix removes the old caulking at the beginning of the project and installs new acrylic latex caulk with Microban after the coating is dry and has been polished. If you expect expert caulking, which is above the national average, then expect an additional day with an additional charge. ~ This step is done on Day 2
DO YOU EXPECT A NEW DRAIN BASKET – A REAL ONE?
A PREMIUM SERVICE – Paint is weakest at it’s edges where water collects and bacteria grows. Joy of St Croix wants the paint’s edge to be under the drain away from water. The drain is removed before etching and painting. A new and unused, solid brass body, chrome plated drain basket is installed after the paint has dried and is polished. If you expect a new drain and overflow, which is far above the national average, then expect an additional day with an additional charge. ~ This step is done on Day 2
If you expect these items then average does not meet your expectations. You have Premium Expectations
What service does Joy of St Croix’s offer entail?
PREMIUM SERVICE DAY ONE: $600 *On the first day of the project the bathroom is cleaned and masked off to create a rudimentary spray booth with an exhaust tube leading out of the house. * The caulking, drain basket, and overflow cover of the bathtub is removed. * The tub is thoroughly cleaned to remove soap scum and mineral deposits. * The surface is acid etched for porcelain and mechanically etched for composites. * The drain and overflow area are addressed as required, e.g., rust or chips. * A silane adhesion promoter and an epoxy primer is applied to ensure a solid bond between the old surface and the new finish. * An acrylic urethane top-coat with Sterlion (silver ion) additive is applied.
PREMIUM SERVICE DAY TWO: $600 * The new coating has dried overnight and is inspected to ensure that proper curing has occurred. * The new coating is wet-sanded by hand thus removing any dust, drips, or orange peel and then machine polished to a smooth touch and a mirror-like finish. * A brand new and unused, solid brass body, chrome plated drain basket and overflow cover is installed in replacement of the old ones removed on day one. * New acrylic latex Microban caulking is neatly and expertly installed. * The spray-booth is disassembled and the job site is cleaned.
Evaluate the Information:
National Average 1 day = $480 ( $600 premium ) no etching, no caulk, no drain replacement, no overflow replacement , no mirror-like reflection
| Nat’l Average Day one = $480 | Nat’l Average Day two = n/a |
|---|---|
| tub cleaned and masked | n/a |
| paint applied | n/a |
~ Joy of St Croix – Tub Repair and More 2 day = $1200 etching, caulking, drain replacement, overflow replacement, mirror-like reflection, published prices – process – warranty
| Joy of St Croix Day One = $600 | Joy of St Croix Day Two = $600 |
|---|---|
| room/tub cleaned and masked | |
| caulking removed | coating inspected for proper curing |
| drain and overflow removed | coating hand sanded |
| tub cleaned and etched | finish machine polished |
| rust and chips repaired | new drain and overflow installed |
| bonding and priming applied | Microban caulking installed |
| paint applied | spray booth disassembled and site cleaned |
The $1200 price-tag is for delivering twice what other companies do ($600 x 2 = $1200). No overcharge there.
Are you being overcharged?
Below is a handy comparison guide for your shopping convenience. Contact a bathtub refinisher and ask them the questions on the guide. Mark off their answers. With the hard data in front of you in writing, ask yourself: What are my expectations? What is being offered? What is the value?
Click the DOWNLOAD button below and then print out the our guide to Comparing Offers for Bathtub Refinishing
