Find out how much it costs to refinish your porcelain sink and the factors that influence the final price to make it look like new, including size, type, and labor.
Bathtub Refinishing Cost in Boston [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $379 - $634
Most homeowners spend about $495 to refinish a bathtub in Boston, Massachusetts. Depending on the material, size, and type, prices range between $379 and $634. A bathtub refinishing pro can walk you through the process.
How we get this data
Getty Images 613765106 / iStock Photography / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Getty Images 613765106 / iStock Photography / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Highlights
Whether you want to preserve an antique bathtub in a historic home in Boston or modernize one, a refinishing project is a budget-friendly option.
A pro can handle challenging conditions, like high humidity or cold temperatures, and produce excellent results.
Bathtub refinishing has a high ROI, making it a solid project to include in a bathroom remodel.
If you’d like the impact of a brand-new bathtub without shelling out thousands of dollars, consider refinishing your tub. Giving your tub a brand-new look can elevate the vibe of your bathroom and save money during a bath remodel. Bathtub refinishing costs in Boston are 2.5% higher than the national average, with a range between $379 and $634 and an average of $495. Here’s how the bathtub material, refinishing method, labor, and type of bathtub will impact the total costs.
Bathtub Refinishing Cost Factors
These are the major bathtub refinishing cost factors to look into when budgeting for this project in Boston, Massachusetts.
Bathtub Refinishing Costs by Material
The type of tub matters when budgeting for a refinishing job. There are four main types of tubs: fiberglass, porcelain, cast iron, and enamel. Here’s a breakdown of bathtub refinishing costs based on tub material:
Fiberglass: Fiberglass bathtubs are the most costly to refinish, at $300–$1,025. This finicky material requires more maintenance and takes longer to get a smooth finish.
Porcelain: A porcelain tub is made from a thin layer of porcelain over cast iron or steel. Older tubs made entirely of porcelain need professional maintenance. Refinishing a porcelain tub costs $350–$625, and antique claw-foot porcelain tubs cost $525–$1,225.
Cast iron: Like a porcelain tub, refinishing a cast-iron tub costs about $350–$625. Before fiberglass tubs, cast iron was the standard tub material. With proper care and maintenance, a cast-iron tub can last 100 years or more.
Enamel: Enamel is a coating made from porcelain or hard glass and is found on steel and cast-iron tubs. Refinishing an enamel coating on a tub averages $350–$625.
| Tub Material | Average Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass | $300–$1,025 | Simple refinishing process | High cost |
| Porcelain | $350–$625 | Restores the original, new look of porcelain | Not DIYable |
| Antique porcelain | $525–$1,225 | Fixes all small chip damage | Requires hiring an experienced pro to preserve the antique material |
| Cast iron | $350–$625 | Long-lasting | Requires careful maintenance |
| Enamel | $350–$625 | Can update the color of the tub during the process | Requires proper ventilation due to harsh chemical smells |
Bathtub Type
The type of bathtub plays a factor in the overall cost. A general rule of thumb is that the more surface area a tub has, the higher the bathtub resurfacing costs will be.
Inset tubs are the least expensive to refinish because they only have one exterior side, but shower tubs are more expensive due to the wall surface area. Freestanding and claw-foot bathtubs are the most costly due to their deeper interior size and exterior surface area.
| Type of Bathtub | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Claw-foot tub | $400–$1,450 |
| Tub-shower combination | $625–$1,025 |
Method
The method of bathtub refinishing you choose will significantly impact the cost. For example, installing a bathtub liner costs $2,700 to $10,200. Consider the overall cost, longevity of the repair, and type of damage when choosing the best plan for your tub.
Here are the key differences between a bathtub inlay, bathtub reglazing, and a bathtub liner:
| Bathtub Inlay | Bathtub Reglazing | Bathtub Liner |
|---|---|---|
| $100–$200 | $300–$625 | $2,775–$10,475 |
| Covers the bottom of the tub only | Chemicals include dangerous fumes | Can grow mildew if not fitted correctly |
| Best for small chips or cracks | Best for cracks, rust, and chips | Best option if your tub is beyond repair |
| Can be installed in as little as 30 minutes | Can take 2–5 hours to install | Installs take 1–2 days |
| Permanent | Lasts 10–5 years | Lasts 3–5 years |
Bathtub Refinishing Pro Costs
Hiring a bathtub refinisher in Boston, Massachusetts, is worthwhile considering that a professional can produce high-quality results for a variety of bathtub materials, even in challenging circumstances.
Labor
The good thing about refinishing your bathtub is that the job takes a relatively short amount of time, so labor costs aren’t too high. Reglazing your bathtub surfaces takes about three to five hours, and labor costs range between $200 and $500.
While you may be able to save money by doing it yourself, this project requires the use of harsh chemicals and proper techniques to be done right. A shoddy refinishing job could leave your tub looking a little worse for wear, while a professional refinisher can make your bathtub look brand new again.
If your project takes place during a humid Boston summer, your refinisher may use a dehumidifier or a reducer in the chemicals to prevent bubbles and inconsistencies in the color. If it’s done during cold winter weather, your refinisher may use an infrared heater and a reducer so the chemicals apply and cure properly.
Does Bathtub Refinishing Increase Home Value?
Refinishing your bathtub is one of the easiest ways to add value to a bathroom, with a return on investment (ROI) of about 47%. This project extends the lifespan of your tub and gives it a whole new look. In some cases, you can update the color of your tub to better match the aesthetics of your bathroom.
If your tub isn’t visually pleasing, it can deter potential homebuyers from saying yes to your house, particularly if they’re looking for a move-in-ready home. Some people may look at an outdated tub and assume they’ll need to spend $2,000 to $9,400 on the cost of a replacement bathtub—which is significantly more expensive than refinishing it. For these reasons, it’s best to update your bathtub before putting it on the market.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 30,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
The homeowners guide to bathtub restorations
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