Wondering whether resurfacing your bath or shower tray is worth the cost?

Find out about bath enamel repair costs, and the price of resurfacing vs replacing in this handy guide.

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How much does bath re-enamelling cost?

We know that the average bath re-enamelling cost in the UK is £450.

But how does that compare to other options, like chemical cleaning treatments and chip repair, or bath replacement?

Let's get into it.

Bath enamel repair costs: fixing chips, cracks and staining

With the right equipment and knowledge, you'll be amazed at the difference a bath enamel repair or polish can do.

Let's look at the different methods and costs involved:

Costs for bath chip and crack repair:

If your bath has a chipped corner or a small crack, the good news is you don't necessarily need a full re-enamelling job.

A bath resurfacing specialist can repair most chips and minor cracks for between £80 and £120, depending on the size of the bath and your location.

Chemical cleaning and polishing:

Is your bath heavily stained by hard-water minerals, rust, or a few too many bath bombs? Chemical cleaning can polish it up a treat.

Chemical cleaning and polishing costs between £60 and £80 depending on the size of the bathtub.

However, full-surface staining or multiple cracks and chips is where re-enamelling makes more sense. It refinishes the whole bath in one go rather than patching it piece by piece. That's up next.

Full re-enamelling vs replacement

Most of the time, resurfacing beats replacing when the bath's structure is sound and it's just the surface that's worn.

Here's a cost comparison to help you decide:

When to re-enamel?

• Best for: Good quality baths that are in otherwise good condition, or bathroom upgrades on a budget

• Cost: The average cost of resurfacing a conventional bath (that's boxed in on two or three sides) starts at £300

• Worth noting: The overall cost of bath resurfacing will vary depending on your bath's size and the extent of its damage

When to replace?

• Best for: If the bath has cracks through to the chassis, if it's an old acrylic that's thinned past repair, or if you want a new size or style

• Cost: The average cost of installing a standard, entry-level bathtub is in the region of £300

• Worth noting: While the cost of resurfacing vs replacing is the same, you'll also need to factor in the cost of sealing (and possibly tiling) with a replacement, which can add significantly to the cost

To get an instant estimate for resurfacing based on your bath size and your location, or a complete bath replacement, try our free cost calculator below.

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Or if you'd rather get a personalised quote, download our free app to connect with tradespeople we've checked and reviewed.

Additional resurfacing costs to consider

Wondering how much it costs to resurface a shower tray? Or perhaps you need a steer on resurfacing costs for a more unique bath, made from cast-iron? That's next.

Cost of resurfacing a shower tray

As shower trays are typically a lot smaller than bathtubs, prices work out slightly cheaper:

• Resurfacing a shower tray with a pedestal: On average £150

• Resurfacing a shower tray without a pedestal: On average £120

That said, stone or resin shower trays may need specialist handling, and therefore may cost more.

Cast iron bath resurfacing cost

Cast iron bath resurfacing costs are somewhere between £300 and £600, so around the same as conventional bath resurfacing costs.

When you contrast this with the average cost of a cast-iron bath, which is £1,250 - £1,650+, re-enamelling is more cost-effective.

That's as long as your cast-iron bath is otherwise in good condition.

How long does bath re-enamelling take?

Bath resurfacing usually takes 3–5 hours. It's a meticulous process, involving:

• Thoroughly cleaning and degreasing the bath surface

• Repairing any minor chips, scratches or imperfections

• Sanding and preparing the surface to help the new coating bond

• Masking surrounding surfaces, such as tiles, taps and fittings

• Spraying or applying the new enamel coating

• Leaving the finish to dry and cure

For an exact quote and timescales, you're always best off speaking to a bath resurfacing specialist.

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

What affects the cost of bath re-enamelling?

When working out a bath resurfacing cost, it's handy to take into account the following:

• Bath size (standard vs freestanding vs rolltop)

• Extent of damage (chip repair vs full resurface)

• Material (acrylic vs cast iron vs steel)

• Location (London and South East rates are typically due to demand)

• Access (freestanding baths harder to work around)

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Up to £1000. Eligibility criteria and T&C’s apply.

Is it worth re-enamelling a bath?

For good-quality baths, re-enamelling is worthwhile. Especially compared to the cost of replacement and 'making-good' afterwards (i.e., new sealant and potentially tiling).

But it's also worth considering the following pointers before committing to the job:

Bath re-enamelling can be worth it if:

• You want to save money (compared to a full replacement)

• You'd rather avoid disruption (re-enamelling is quicker and less messy than a full bathroom renovation)

• Your bath is difficult to replace (such as a fitted bath surrounded by tiles)

• You're preparing a property for sale or rent (and want to improve the bathroom on a budget)

Replacement may be the better choice if:

• The bath has major structural damage (such as extensive cracking)

• The bath needs other repair work (such as fixing a leak)

• You're planning a full bathroom remodel (or want to upgrade to a higher-end bath)

• You want to change the direction of the bathtub taps

Can you re-enamel a bath yourself?

For superficial scratches and minor chips, you can pick up enamel repair kits fairly cheaply from most DIY stores. Check out our how-to guide for the process involved.

How to repair a cracked bath or shower unit

We're going to explore common types of ceramic damage, provide step-by-step guides on repairing the issues, discuss when you need to contact a professional tradesperson for more complex repairs, and how much their help will set you back.

Learn more

However, for full re-enamelling, it's best to leave it to a specialist. The multi-step process requires time and patience, as we explored above.

Find experienced bath resurfacing specialists near you

To find bath resurfacers in your area, request a quote, download our Checkatrade app, or search your postcode.

Why use Checkatrade?

• Checked - Every Checkatrade member must pass up to 12 checks and commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard

• Guaranteed - Jobs booked through Checkatrade are covered up to £1,000 (T&Cs apply)

• Reviewed - Over 6.2 million verified reviews from real jobs have been published on Checkatrade on everything from communication, tidiness, timekeeping, and quality of work

At Checkatrade, we're here to help, whether it's with finding costs, planning a renovation, or searching for ideas and inspiration, you'll find plenty of content on our blog to make your project a success.

FAQs

How much does it cost to re-enamel a bath in the UK?

The average cost of re-enamelling a conventional bath (that's boxed in on two or three sides) is £450, although prices are slightly higher in London due to demand. Cast iron baths are usually at the higher end of the standard range.

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 repair or replace it.

Can you resurface an acrylic bath?

Yes, you can resurface cast-iron, metal, acrylic, and plastic baths. The method and cost will vary slightly by material. Acrylic re-enamelling is the most common and tends to be at the lower end of the price range.

How long does bath re-enamelling take?

The work itself takes 3–5 hours, but the new surface needs 24–48 hours to cure fully before you can use the bath again.

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