Refinish or replace your bathtub? A Phoenix cost guide
Replacing a tub is rarely about the tub. It is about everything attached to it: tile, drywall, plumbing, and a bathroom out of use. Here is how the two options really compare — including the cases where replacing is the right call.
What each option involves
| Refinish (pour-on) | Replace the tub | Acrylic liner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost in the Valley | $475 | $3,000–$8,000+ once tile and plumbing are counted | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Work involved | Sand, repair, pour, caulk | Demolish tile and tub, re-plumb, set new tub, backer board, tile, grout | Measure, order a molded shell, glue it over the tub |
| Bathroom out of use | 24 hours | Several days to a few weeks | About a day, after weeks of lead time |
| Trades needed | One visit, one team | Demo, plumber, tile setter, often a permit | Installer |
| The tub you end up with | Your original cast iron or steel tub with a new surface | Usually a thinner steel or acrylic tub | A plastic shell over your tub; smaller inside |
| Main risk | Abrasive cleaners shorten its life | Cost overruns once walls are open | Water trapped between liner and tub |
Cost ranges are typical for the Phoenix area and are here for comparison only. Get your own quotes for replacement — and ask whether tile, plumbing and haul-away are included.
The tub is sound and the surface is the problem
- It is cast iron or steel (a magnet sticks)
- The surface is dull, stained, rough, chipped or rusty at the drain
- The color is dated but the tile around it is fine
- You are selling, renting, or refreshing the bathroom on a budget
- You do not want the bathroom torn up
Refinishing would only postpone the real job
- The tub is cracked, or has a hole rusted through the floor
- It leaks into the wall or the room below and the plumbing must be opened anyway
- You are gutting the bathroom and changing the layout
- The tub is acrylic or fiberglass and is cracked or flexing
- You want a different size or style of tub
Why a $400 tub becomes a $6,000 project
Getting the old tub out
A built-in tub sits under the wall tile. The bottom rows of tile and often the wallboard have to go; cast iron is broken up in place.
Plumbing
The drain, overflow and often the valve are replaced or adapted to the new tub. In older Phoenix homes that can mean dealing with galvanized or cast iron pipe.
Putting the wall back
Backer board, waterproofing, tile and grout. If the old tile cannot be matched, the whole surround is redone.
About refinishing vs. replacing
Is it cheaper to refinish or replace a bathtub?
Refinishing, by a wide margin: $475 against several thousand dollars for replacement once demolition, plumbing and tile are included.
Does a refinished tub add value when selling a house?
A clean white tub removes an objection. Buyers discount heavily for a stained or dated bathroom, and refinishing is one of the cheapest ways to take that off the table.
How long does a refinished tub last compared with a new one?
A new porcelain tub will outlast any coating. A poured finish, cleaned gently, can serve up to 15 years — and can be redone. For most households the cost per year is far lower than replacement.
Are tub liners a good alternative?
They avoid demolition, but they cost several times more than refinishing, make the tub smaller and can trap water underneath. We do not refinish tubs that have had a liner installed over them.
Send a photo. Get a real price today.
No home visit needed for a quote. A photo of the tub is enough for us to confirm the price and offer a date.
- Text a photo of your tub to (602) 733-0000, or use the form.
- We confirm the price — $475 for a standard tub — and a day.
- One visit of about 3 hours. The tub is ready to use 24 hours later.