At some point, unless they sell their house before it happens, every homeowner will face a monumental and agonizing decision: whether to opt for a bathtub refinishing vs replacement​. 

OK, that’s very dramatic, arguably far too dramatic. 

We’re not arguing that, but someone could.

Alright, you got us, we just wanted to be funny. 

Truthfully, this decision isn’t such a big deal. 

However, it can still cost you a very different amount of money either way. 

So, it’s worth looking into it and getting the info you need to make the best decision for you. 

And that’s what we’re writing this article for. 

“What’s This About Money, Now?”

Ah, yes, money. 

Well, as we mentioned in our other article about reglazing bathtubs [link to their other article about reglazing bathtubs once it’s uploaded], you tend to get the quality that you pay for. 

And what we mean is that, if you go the Cheapo Depot route with either a refinishing or a replacement, you’re likely to get a result that will be inferior to the other option. 

In other words, a quality refinishing will often be superior to a cheap replacement. 

And a quality replacement will generally also be better than a cheap refinishing that might not even be done properly. 

As far as a bathtub refinishing vs replacement goes, though, you will sometimes have little choice but to replace your bathtub. 

Some damage simply can’t be repaired without effectively recreating a whole new tub anyway. And every bathtub ages out eventually. 

However, the good news is that, in those cases, you can always refinish the replacement, too. 

“OK. I Like Money. How Do I Save More of It?”

Good question. 

Refinishing your bathtub will almost always be considerably cheaper than replacing it. 

The only real exception to this is when your replacement bathtub is some incredibly cheap thing that will probably break on you faster than the foundations of a tofu dreg in Sichuan. 

If you care enough to read an article about it, you’re probably not the kind of irresponsible cheapskate who is going to do something like that to your home. 

Even Mr. Krabs knew when to invest in decent furniture and equipment for the Krusty Krab. 

Sorry if you don’t get that reference. 

One of our younger team members is the main writer for this one. 

“So, How Do I Know If I Need a Replacement?”

The short answer is that if you need a whole new bathtub, you’ll probably know. 

The fact that you’re asking the question at all is likely a sign that the one you have isn’t completely toast yet. 

And if that’s the case, it’s best to call a professional to ask them about it before you decide to drop a few grand on buying and installing a new bathtub. 

Because, yeah, the installation itself is potentially the most significant part of the overall cost. 

Even if you save some money on the tub itself, the labor costs will still be what they’re going to be. 

Like we mentioned, though, if you really need a new bathtub, your current one will likely be giving you at least a few obvious problems. 

These problems are what will indicate that a replacement is necessary. 

And if you do end up needing a brand new bathtub, it’s recommended to get it refinished to keep it protected and extend its lifespan as long as possible. 

“What If I Just Really Like My Current Bathtub?”

That’s a good question, and, being in the business that we’re in, we will almost always recommend doing what can be done to save a bathtub before replacing it. 

There are only a few types of damage to a bathtub that genuinely can’t be repaired within reason. 

We’re talking about catastrophic damage, like an entire side of it being completely shattered or something like that. 

In keeping with one of the recurring themes of this article, though, you’ll often already know if you’ve got damage that serious. 

And when it comes to repairs and refinishing, you’d be amazed at what a knowledgeable professional can do to save a damaged bathtub. 

So, call a professional and get their opinion first before you make any expensive decisions. 

“What Exactly Is Involved in a Bathtub Refinishing vs Replacement?”

Another great question! 

The truth is that it depends on what exactly your bathtub needs. 

If your bathtub is already in pretty good shape, it might only need minimal repairs, like fixing a tiny crack or chip in the surface.  

However, if the damage is more extensive, then more aggressive repairs will be required. 

Most of the time, your bathtub can be saved, and refinishing takes substantially less time than replacing your bathtub. 

Since there’s no construction or heavy lifting involved in a refinishing, the professionals you hire will usually be in and out of your house on the same day, causing minimal disruption to your life. 

That’s especially true if they’ve been doing it for decades like we have. 

And on top of that, the glazing they apply to your bathtub will keep it protected for years to come, so that you don’t have to keep doing this all the time. 

Your Bathtub, Your Call

Unless it’s destroyed beyond repair or usability, you’ve got the ability to choose whether to save your current bathtub or toss it. 

In our professional opinion, it’s almost always best to get a bathtub refinishing vs replacement​ because, in addition to potentially saving you thousands of dollars, you’ll get to keep the bathtub that you’ve probably grown sentimentally attached to at this point. 

And to make it better, you won’t be committing yourself to the long and messy process of ripping it out of your bathroom, transporting it somewhere else, transporting a new bathtub to your house, and paying a bunch of people to spend hours or days installing it for you. 

So, it’s not only money you can save but also time and stress.