If you’re anything like a lot of American DIY weekend warriors, you’re eager to spring into action and tackle all those big, bold, bathroom renovation projects that you were busy cooking up during your winter bout of cabin fever. And sure, there are plenty of DIY bathroom projects that you can do on your own, but bathtub replacement and bathtub refinishing services just aren’t among those things. Bathtub refinishing or replacement are jobs that are too much even for the heartiest and most experienced DIY weekend warriors, and are best left to the pros which in this case are professional bathtub refinishers.

Inexperienced and over zealous DIYers may be tempted to rip out their existing bathtub in a haphazard attempt to replace it, assuming that the job of doing so is as easy as screwing in a new light bulb to replace the old, blown out one. Unfortunately, this is far from actually being the case. Bathtub replacement can easily turn into a DIY disaster, and one that could potentially put you in harm’s way, not to mention the damage it can do to your plumbing pipes.

Add to that the fact that replacing a bathtub is probably a lot more expensive than you think due to proper disposal fees, plumbing upgrades, and permits. People often fail to realize that the actual cost of replacing a bathtub involves much more than just the cost of buying a new tub. Whether you’re replacing it yourself or having someone else do the work, it can be expensive and can cost upwards of thousands of dollars. Why bother with all that hassle and stress when you could just pay professional bathtub refinishers to do a quicker, easier, and less expensive job for you with the same if not better results?

What is bathtub refinishing?

Also commonly referred to as bathtub resurfacing, bathtub refinishing is a way to preserve your existing bathtub, extend its lifespan by another ten years or more, and restore it to a like new condition — all for a great price. It involves having professional bathtub refinishers clean the surface of the existing tub with a strong, professional grade cleaner, fill in any nicks or dents with polyester putty, sand or buff the surface until it’s completely smooth, prime it, and then apply a new coating in a color of your choice in order to complete the process.

Do professional bathtub refinishers have to do the job?

Yes! Bathtub refinishing is not a DIY project and attempting to do it on your own will only cost more money and time in the end because you’ll still have to call professional bathtub refinishers to come in and clean up your mess. The best thing you can do is to leave it to the pros, who have specialized training, equipment, and experience in order to get the job done right the first time.

What are some of the benefits of bathtub refinishing over bathtub replacement?

As previously stated, perhaps the greatest benefit of bathtub refinishing over replacement is the cost. Whereas bathtub replacement can cost upwards of thousands of dollars, bathtub refinishing costs much less and can cost as little as a couple hundred bucks. Refinishing a bathtub instead of replacing it also takes far less time. Replacing a bathtub can take as long as ten days or more due to unforeseen complications and other “pleasant” surprises, but refinishing can take as little as 24 hours, including the time for the paint to cure properly.

Are refinished bathtubs actually safe?

As long as there was no structural damage to the tub itself prior to resurfacing, a refinished bathtub is just as good as new in terms of aesthetics and function. Refinished bathtubs are easier to clean and maintain, and are safer taking baths. Over time, the cracks, dents, and nicks in the surface of a bathtub can create a safe harbor for bacteria to build up in and may lead to staph infections. With their perfectly smooth and sealed surfaces, refinished bathtubs are easy to maintain and enjoy. They have a lifespan of 10 years or more depending on use.