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 New York City [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $353 - $570
Most homeowners spend about $446 to refinish a bathtub in New York City. Depending on the material, size, and type, prices range between $353 and $570. 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
Cost Insights
New York City's high cost of living means you'll pay 15% to 20% more than the national average for bathtub refinishing.
If you live in a New York City apartment, co-op boards and building regulations can alter your project timeline and budget.
There's a shortage of skilled contractors, so the best can charge premium rates.
You might live in the city that never sleeps, but there’s no reason your bathtub needs to look tired. You can refinish your tub and give it a whole new life for a fraction of the cost of a new one. The average bathtub refinishing cost in New York City is $446, with most homeowners paying between $353 and $570. Your actual cost will depend on various factors, so let’s plunge into what you can expect to pay for this quick home improvement project.
Bathtub Refinishing Cost Factors
Whether you live in a historic building, sleek modern tower, or stand-alone house, here are the factors that will impact your budget when hiring a bathtub refinisher in New York City.
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 $400–$1,200. 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 $450–$750, and antique claw-foot porcelain tubs cost $600–$1,500.
Cast iron: Like a porcelain tub, refinishing a cast-iron tub costs about $450–$750. 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 $450–$750.
| Bathtub Material | Pros | Cons | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass | Lightweight, works in older buildings | Requires specialized expertise, limited contractor availability | $400–$1,200 |
| Porcelain | Durable finish, excellent for hard water | Common in prewar buildings, may need extensive prep | $450–$750 |
| Antique porcelain | Restores tubs in historic homes | Requires a pro with experience with these tubs | $600–$1,500 |
| Cast iron | Long-lasting, perfect aesthetic for historic apartments | Heavy, inexperienced refinishing pros can damage the material | $450–$750 |
| Enamel | Smooth finish, easy to maintain | Shows wear quickly in high-use apartments | $450–$750 |
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 | Pros | Cons | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claw-foot tub | High resale value | Complex refinishing requires a specialist | $600–$1,500 |
| Tub-shower combination | Most common option, efficient use of space | More surface area increases the cost of materials and labor | $500–$900 |
| Freestanding tub | Modern appeal, trendy in new developments | Challenging to access in small spaces | $550–$1,000 |
Method
The method of bathtub refinishing you choose will significantly impact the cost. For example, installing a bathtub liner costs $3,000 to $12,000. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| $150–$300 | $350–$750 | $3,000–$12,000 |
| 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 10–15 years | Lasts 3–5 years |
Bathtub Refinishing Pro Costs
New York City contractors charge premium prices, and bathtub refinishing pros are no exception. There are solid reasons behind the higher price tags, though.
Labor
The good thing about refinishing your bathtub is that the job takes a relatively short amount of time. So while labor can run $75 to $150 per hour, overall costs will likely remain reasonable. Reglazing bathtub surfaces takes about three to five hours on average, but the process takes longer if your tub has severe damage. Your pro can recommend when it’s time to refinish or replace your tub.
Many New York apartments aren’t exactly contractor-friendly. If parking is hard to come by or you live in a small or hard-to-access apartment, be prepared for location-based fees. If your pro has to deal with stairs, elevators, noise restrictions, and tight spaces, it adds time to the project and increases costs.
Permits and Regulations
Basic tub refinishing services don’t require city permits, though apartment buildings might have their own requirements. Co-op and condo boards often charge administrative fees for bathroom improvements that range between $100 and $500. Some buildings may require you to use approved contractors or purchase additional insurance.
Materials and Disposal
New York has strict environmental regulations that affect material costs and disposal requirements. Professional-grade refinishing materials can cost 10% to 15% more. Plus, contractors must follow disposal rules for coatings and chemicals, adding another $50 to $100 to projects.
Does Bathtub Refinishing Increase Home Value?
Many homeowners see bathrooms as a place to get away from daily stresses and unwind, and a beautiful bathtub can be a big part of that retreat. But if the tub is old, ugly, or damaged, it takes a lot of shine out of the in-home spa experience.
Refinishing your bathtub shows potential homebuyers that they won’t have to spend an average of $6,000 on the cost of replacing a tub. Beyond big savings is the fact that most bathtub refinishing projects have a return on investment (ROI) of about 47%.
New York City’s hard water means a refinished tub should look great for five to eight years, or longer with proper care. That’s a solid value compared to a full replacement or remodeling your entire bathroom to get a beautiful tub.
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 survey 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.
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