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Last updated: 31 March 2022
Bath re-enamelling cost
If your bath is getting worn, you may be thinking of resurfacing it. But how much does bath resurfacing cost? And is it really worth it when you could simply replace it with a new one? We’ll reveal all here.
If your bath is looking worn, dirty or simply a little duller than usual, you may well be thinking of resurfacing it. This is where the surface of your bath is refreshed and chips or cracks are repaired so that your old, tired bathtub looks as if it's new. But how much does bath re-enamelling cost? And is it really worth it when you could simply replace it with a new one? We'll reveal all below.
How much does bath re-enamelling cost?
| Item | Cost - low | Cost - high | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resurfacing a conventional bath (boxed in on 2 or 3 sides) | £300 | £600 | £450 |
| Bath resurfacing in London | £425 | £700 | £565 |
| Resurfacing a cast iron bath | £300 | £600 | £450 |
| Resurfacing a shower tray with pedestal | - | - | £150 |
| Resurfacing a shower tray without pedestal | - | - | £120 |
| Chip repairs | £80 | £120 | £100 |
| Chemical cleaning / repolish | £60 | £80 | £70 |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
The overall cost of bath resurfacing will vary depending on the size of your bath and how damaged it is. For a conventional bath that's boxed in on two or three sides, the average cost is between £300 and £600. However, for a traditional, rolltop bath, you can expect to pay a bit more. You'll generally be looking at a minimum cost of £350.
Bath resurfacing costs in the UK also vary based on where you live. In London, prices tend to be higher, starting at around £425 and going up to over £700.
In contrast, the average cost to install a new bathtub in the UK is £850. So, it's usually worth resurfacing your bathtub as opposed to buying a new one - unless you take the opportunity to make other changes at the same time. You might like to swap the taps to a different end, for instance. Or, you might choose to turn the bathtub so it points in a new direction.
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Additional Resurfacing Costs
What does cast iron bath resurfacing cost?
Cast iron bath resurfacing costs also depend on the amount of work required and on your location. That said, they're usually around the same as conventional bath resurfacing costs, so you can normally expect to pay somewhere between £300 and £600.
The main difference is that the cost of buying a new cast iron bath is a lot higher. A brand new cast iron bathtub can cost anywhere from £500 to £5,000, excluding labour costs. For this reason, resurfacing a cast iron bath is much more cost-effective than replacing it entirely.
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What's the cost of resurfacing a shower tray?
If you don't have a bathtub, you may instead be looking to resurface your shower tray. As shower trays are typically a lot smaller than bathtubs, you can expect prices to start at £150.
Other useful bath costs to know
If you're considering resurfacing your bath, it may also be useful to bear the following costs in mind:
Chip repairs: These can vary from £80 to £120, depending on the size of the chip.
Chemical cleaning or repolishing: This usually costs between £60 and £80, depending on the size of your bathtub.
FAQs
How long does a resurfaced bathtub last?
On average, you can expect a resurfaced bath to last about 10 to 15 years before you'll need to look at repairing or replacing it.
Can you resurface an acrylic bath?
Yes, you can indeed. You can resurface cast iron, metal, acrylic and plastic baths. Whether you want to will depend on the age, condition and cost of resurfacing vs replacing the bath.
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