Summary
- Reglazing costs about $500 to $1,500 and refreshes a sound tub, but it’s a coating that wears, and warranties typically run 1 to 5 years.
- Most Bath Fitter tub projects run $8,500 to $15,000. A tub liner with new acrylic walls usually lands toward the lower end, goes in as little as one day and carries a lifetime warranty.
- A full tub replacement usually lands toward the higher end of that range and is the right call when the tub is damaged or you want a different tub.
- A liner can’t fix a cracked, unstable tub or a soft floor, and it keeps your tub’s size and shape.
- A full bathroom remodel averages $26,138 nationally and takes weeks.
In this guide
Expert contributors: Aaron Bishop, Operations Manager for Columbia and Augusta, and Kell Chapman, Operations Manager for the Upstate SC and Western NC. Their quotes come from interviews on our Bath Fitter Fam podcast.
“Can’t I just have it painted?” That’s usually the first question when someone has a tub they’re tired of looking at. Kell Chapman, who runs our installs across the Upstate and Western North Carolina, described the homeowner we hear from most:
“There’s problems. There’s either the paint is worn out, maybe you’ve gone the route of… just spraying enamel over it, and that’s starting to chip up, or maybe the tile has done some damage to it because it’s been sitting on that rail for so many years… I like my tub. I want to keep my tub. What are my options?”
Kell Chapman · Operations Manager, Upstate SC and Western NC
Since Louie Mullikin opened our family’s first Bath Fitter office in 2003, our teams across seven markets have walked thousands of homeowners through that exact question. Sometimes the right answer is a tub liner. Sometimes it’s a brand-new tub. And sometimes it’s reglazing, which costs a lot less than anything we sell. We’ll tell you which is which.
Maybe your tub is in good shape but it’s pink, or chipped, or stained in a way no cleaner will touch. Or maybe you’ve already had it refinished once and the finish is peeling again.
Here’s how the three options really compare. We’ll explain what each one is, what each costs, how long each lasts, when each one makes sense, and the questions to ask before you hire anyone.
What’s the difference between reglazing, a tub liner and a replacement?
- Reglazing (also called refinishing or resurfacing) is a sprayed-on coating. The refinisher cleans and etches your existing tub, fixes small chips, then sprays new primer and topcoat over it. You keep the same tub with a new surface.
- A tub liner is a new acrylic tub shell, custom-made to fit over your existing tub. The old tub stays in place underneath and supports it. You get a new acrylic surface without tearing anything out.
- A replacement means the old tub comes out completely and a new one goes in. It’s the most work, and it’s the only option that lets you change the tub itself or fix what’s underneath it.
There’s also a fourth path a lot of people end up taking: removing the tub and converting the space to a walk-in shower. We cover that at the end.
How much do reglazing, a liner and a replacement cost?
Here are typical ranges side by side. Most Bath Fitter tub and shower projects run $8,500 to $15,000, and about 70% of our customers land in the middle of that range. One important note before you compare: our Bath Fitter work usually includes new walls around the tub, and a reglazing quote usually covers just the tub. They aren’t the same scope of work.
| Option | Typical cost | Time without your tub | How long it lasts | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reglazing / refinishing | About $500 to $1,500 for the tub | A day or two, including curing time | Varies with the coating and care. Warranties typically run 1 to 5 years, if offered | A sound tub that only needs a cosmetic refresh, on a tight budget |
| Bath Fitter tub liner | Within our typical $8,500 to $15,000 range, usually toward the lower end. Includes the liner and new acrylic walls | As little as one day | Lifetime warranty on Bath Fitter acrylic | A tub you like the size and shape of, with a surface you’re done looking at |
| Bath Fitter tub replacement | Within our typical $8,500 to $15,000 range, usually toward the higher end, depending on the tub, walls and doors you choose | As little as one day; some jobs take longer | Lifetime warranty on Bath Fitter acrylic | A damaged tub, a tub you want to change, or damage underneath |
| Full bathroom remodel | $26,138 national average for a mid-range bath remodel | Several weeks | Depends on the materials and contractor | Changing the whole room, including layout, floors and vanity |
When is reglazing the right choice?
Reglazing has a real place, and we’d rather you hear that from us. If your tub is solid, it doesn’t leak, you like its size and shape, and you mainly want it to look better for a few years, reglazing can be a smart, inexpensive fix. It’s also a common choice before listing a house.
Go in knowing what you’re buying, though. It’s a coating over the old surface, and coatings wear. They can chip, peel or lose their shine, especially with abrasive cleaners or suction-cup bath mats. Aaron Bishop, who runs our Columbia and Augusta teams, has watched homeowners go around and around with it:
“Time and time again, someone has a cast tub. They try to refinish it. They try to save it. It lasts six months. They’re sanding it down again, trying to paint it. Then, you know, they hire a professional, and they lose their shower for however long.”
Aaron Bishop · Operations Manager, Columbia and Augusta
Six months is the do-it-yourself version. A professional reglaze generally holds up longer, but how long depends heavily on the prep, the coating and how the tub is cleaned afterward.
A few questions to ask any refinisher:
- What coating do you use, and what does the warranty cover?
- How long before we can use the tub?
- What strippers and chemicals do you use, and how do you ventilate? The EPA banned methylene chloride, an old paint-stripping chemical linked to deaths, for consumer paint removal in 2019, and in 2024 finalized a ban on most commercial paint and coating removal uses too.
- Which cleaners should we use afterward?
How does a tub liner work?
A liner is a new acrylic tub made to sit right over your old one. It’s molded to match the inside of the tub it’s going over. Aaron explained it:
“So we came up with a liner, which is an exact mold of the inside of your tub, and it allows us to place that liner over top of it, and you don’t have that ugly fuchsia color, and you get all the benefits of acrylic, the ease of clean.”
Aaron Bishop · Operations Manager, Columbia and Augusta
Because Bath Fitter makes the liner and our own employees install it, the same company is responsible for the product, the fit and the warranty. It usually goes in with new acrylic walls around it, which is why our ranges include walls. Kell’s version is shorter: “We do acrylic liner over that thing. In and out.”
And acrylic holds up. Aaron has been in homes with Bath Fitter units that have been in place so long the street address has changed:
“I’ve seen units that are 15 years old… and you go in and it looks like the day it was bought, and all they’ve done is clean it with Tilex.”
Aaron Bishop · Operations Manager, Columbia and Augusta
When isn’t a tub liner the right answer?
Here’s what a liner can’t do:
- It can’t fix the tub underneath. A liner relies on the old tub for support. If your tub is cracked through, rusted out, rocks when you step in, or the floor around it feels soft, a liner just covers the problem. That calls for a replacement. Our guide to what’s hiding behind your old tub explains the warning signs.
- It can’t change the size or shape. A liner follows your existing tub. If you want a deeper soak, a tub with armrests or a lower side to step over, you need a different tub.
- It still needs good seals. Like any tub, a liner depends on sealed edges and a sealed drain. If water ever gets behind it, call right away.
That last one happens, and we’d rather show you how it’s handled than pretend it doesn’t. One Columbia homeowner called about exactly that:
“I was having trouble with water under the lining in my bathtub. He measured, took pictures and explained everything as to what would be involved. It would be nice if all representatives of companies were as efficient and thorough as he was.”
Judy Connelley · Columbia market · Bath Fitter customer review
Your consultant checks whether your tub is a good candidate for a liner before you commit to anything. If it isn’t, they’ll tell you.
When should you replace the tub instead?
Replace the tub when the tub itself is the problem: it’s cracked, rusted through or unstable, it has settled, you suspect water damage underneath, or you want a different tub altogether. Bath Fitter makes tubs with armrests to help you get up and out, deeper soaking tubs and larger garden tubs.
People worry that getting an old cast iron tub out means tearing up half the bathroom. It doesn’t, usually. Aaron:
“A cast tub is heavy; it just is… You’re not going to pick it up and just carry it in the front door. And we take it out in pieces.”
Aaron Bishop · Operations Manager, Columbia and Augusta
Replacing the tub also gives us a look at what’s underneath. Any rot or water damage we uncover around the tub gets repaired as part of the job, at no extra charge.
What about turning the tub into a shower?
If nobody in the house actually takes baths anymore, or climbing over the side to get in has started to feel risky, a tub-to-shower conversion might be the better use of the money. It falls in the same $8,500 to $15,000 range as our tub projects. Our guide to walk-in showers vs. bathtubs covers resale value and who should keep a tub, and our aging-in-place guide covers safety features.
So which should you choose?
Here’s the short version:
- Choose reglazing if the tub is sound, the budget is tight, and a refresh that lasts a few years is enough.
- Choose a liner if the tub is sound, you like its size and shape, and you want a new surface built to last.
- Choose a replacement if the tub is damaged, you want a different tub, or you’re worried about what’s underneath.
- Choose a full remodel if you want to change the whole room.
Every Bath Fitter tub and shower comes with a lifetime warranty, and if our name is on it, we do our best to make it right. You can get an Instant Estimate in a few minutes, see our published pricing, or find your local team on our contact page.
If reglazing turns out to be the right fit for your tub, that’s a perfectly good outcome. We’d just like you to pick it knowing what each option really costs over time.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How long does a tub liner last?
A Bath Fitter acrylic liner is backed by a lifetime warranty. Our team regularly sees units that are 15 years old or more and still look new with basic cleaning.
Is reglazing a bathtub worth it?
It can be, if the tub is solid and you want an inexpensive refresh for a few years. It’s a coating, so it can chip or peel over time, and warranties typically run 1 to 5 years, if offered.
Can a tub liner go over a cracked or damaged tub?
A liner relies on the old tub for support. If the tub is cracked through, rusted out or unstable, or the floor around it is soft, replacement is usually the better choice. Your consultant checks this before recommending a liner.
Can water get trapped under a tub liner?
A liner depends on sealed edges and a sealed drain, like any tub. If water ever gets behind it, call right away so it can be checked before it damages anything underneath.
Is a tub liner cheaper than replacing the tub?
Usually. Most Bath Fitter tub projects run $8,500 to $15,000. A liner with new walls usually lands toward the lower end of that range and a full replacement toward the higher end. Your written quote depends on your bathroom and selections.
This guide applies to: Bath Fitter Augusta, Bath Fitter Columbia, Bath Fitter Little Rock, Bath Fitter Memphis, Bath Fitter Oklahoma City, Bath Fitter Tri Cities, Bath Fitter Upstate SC/Western NC.