Bathtub Resurfacing vs. Replacement for Apartments

Professional bathtub resurfacing (also called reglazing or refinishing) costs $300-$500 per tub in the Houston market. The process involves etching the existing surface, applying a bonding agent, and spraying 3-4 coats of acrylic or epoxy coating. Cure time is 24-48 hours before the tub can be used. A quality resurface job lasts 5-8 years with proper maintenance. Best for: tubs that are structurally sound but cosmetically worn (stains, chips, dull finish, outdated colors).

Full bathtub replacement costs $1,500-$3,000 per unit including demolition, new tub, surround or tile, plumbing connections, and finish work. Timeline: 2-3 days per unit. Replacement makes sense when: the tub has structural cracks or rust-through, the drain assembly is corroded beyond repair, you are converting from tub to walk-in shower, or the unit is being repositioned to a higher rent tier where a new tub is expected. Cast iron tubs in pre-1970 buildings often justify replacement — resurfacing cast iron costs nearly as much and adhesion is less reliable.

For a 100-unit property: resurfacing all tubs costs $30,000-$50,000 and takes 2-3 weeks with a two-person crew. Replacing all tubs costs $150,000-$300,000 and takes 8-12 weeks. The 3-6x cost difference makes resurfacing the clear winner for properties doing cosmetic turns. However, if your renovation scope already includes bathroom gut renovations (new tile, vanity, fixtures), adding tub replacement adds only $800-$1,500 in marginal cost — making replacement the better value in that context.

Not all resurface jobs are equal. Cheap spray-and-pray operations use single-coat application that peels within 12 months. Quality indicators: 3-4 coat application, proper ventilation during spraying (HVAC-grade exhaust), 24-hour cure time enforcement, and a written warranty of 3+ years. Ask for references from other multifamily properties — apartment tubs take more abuse than residential and require contractors experienced with high-traffic applications.

Express turns (5-7 day timeline, cosmetic scope): resurface. Standard turns with bathroom updates: resurface tub, replace surround and fixtures. Full unit renovation: replace tub, new surround, new fixtures — the marginal cost is minimal when the bathroom is already opened up. Class A repositioning: always replace with a new acrylic or porcelain-on-steel tub. Tell Projects handles both resurfacing and replacement at volume pricing for multifamily clients across Houston.