How Much Does Bathroom Resurfacing Cost? [2024]

Had enough of the peach-coloured tiles in your bathroom or want to fix up a chipped and cracked bathtub? Then having work done on your bathroom might be what you need. It’s great to add value to your property and update an old bathroom to accommodate your needs. 

If your bathroom is structurally sound and all the various fixtures and fittings – shower, bath, toilet, sink and so forth – are in the right spots then you might be better off resurfacing your bathroom. It’s a relatively easy and inexpensive way to get a new bathroom for a lot less.

A full bathroom renovation can cost anywhere between $5,000 to $30,000+. With resurfacing, you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 - $3000 for bathroom resurfacing, depending on the size of your job. 

This article will help you figure out:

• What is resurfacing a bathroom?
• What can I resurface?
• The cost to resurface a bathroom
• Does my bathroom resurfacer need to be licensed?
• Hiring the right tradie
• Getting quotes for bathroom resurfacing
• Should I renovate or resurface my bathroom?

What is resurfacing a bathroom?

Bathroom resurfacing works by applying a new finish or coating to your bathroom surfaces. If the surface is damaged or chipped, it will first be repaired and then cleaned. Once it’s ready, a durable finishing coat will be applied to protect it and colour it to your needs. 

The entire process will take a day or two, depending on the surface area involved, and typically dries in 24 - 48 hours. You are then free to use your bathroom again.

The coating will generally last for many years but you can help by following the manufacturer's care guidelines.

What can I resurface?

Resurfacing works on basically any surface in your bathroom. You can resurface the basin, benchtops, tiles, shower or bath. There are generally options for almost any material that these surfaces are made from too – from ceramic to metals, laminates and tiles.

 

The cost to resurface a bathroom

The cost of resurfacing your bathroom will depend on what you are having resurfaced. In a general sense, the larger the item, the greater the cost will be. Resurfacing all of the tiles in your bathroom will be more expensive than having your vanity resurfaced. 

Resurfacing can be done on most materials that are in your bathroom but it can change the cost as well. Things like antiques or cast iron will be more expensive. 

Because of these two factors, there is a wide range of prices that you could expect to pay depending on what you want done. 

As a rough guide, expect to pay between $1500 and $3000 for a total bathroom resurfacing. Some resurfacing companies will also add a charge to colour match. This can be around $60.

For vanities expect to pay somewhere in the vicinity of:

• $150 to $300 for resurfacing a smaller basin/vanity
• $250 to $400 for resurfacing a larger basin/vanity
• $1,500 for a premium vanity (such as fine porcelain)

Bathtubs can benefit greatly from resurfacing. Saving you the cost of buying and installing a brand-new one. Expect to pay:

• $400 to $700 for resurfacing a bathtub
• $1,500 to $2,000 to resurface and fully restore an antique/claw and foot bathtub

Bathroom tile resurfacing can be more difficult as they cover most of your bathroom. If the tiles are in good condition you may just need to have them regrouted. If they are damaged then the first step will be repairing them. As a ballpark resurfacing your bathroom tiles could cost:

• $150 - $300 for repairs of chipped tiles 
• $1 per square metre of regrouting 
• $5 - $10 per square metre to resurface

Shower bases can also be resurfaced and their costs will depend on the condition and size. Usually, you can expect to pay anywhere between $550 - $600 for a standard shower base. This will include the replacement of worn studs, caulking, matching textures and the enamel finish.

The price of your resurfacing job will depend on the condition, material, and size of the surface or item. 

 

Does my bathroom resurfacer need to be licensed?

Generally, no. The only state that requires this task to be carried out by a licensed contractor is NSW, under the class Minor maintenance/cleaning, which applies to: “Repair, resurfacing or application of a protective coating to bathroom tiles, baths, etc”.

Hiring the right tradie

When it comes time to hiring a tradie make sure they are right for your job. Some questions that are good to ask include:

• Are you licensed?
• Are you insured to work in my home?
• Does your product carry a warranty?
• How long will my job take?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Do you have references I can follow up on?
• Can I see examples of your work?

Getting quotes for bathroom resurfacing

The best way to calculate the cost of your resurfaced bathroom is to get a variety of quotes from local bathroom resurfacing specialists. They will need to visit your home to measure and assess your job, suggest the best surface for what you want to achieve, and provide a written quote based on those recommendations.

The best way of finding out the cost of your job is to get quotes from local bathroom resurfacing specialists. This will give you a sense of what market rates currently are.

Tip: Get up to three quotes before you commit to hiring anyone, so you can compare price and level of service

Should I renovate or resurface my bathroom?

The cost of resurfacing your bathroom could be up to 75% less than a full reno.

A new bathroom could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $35,000+ depending on your budget and imagination. It may also take a few weeks or months to complete. 

Compared to a total renovation, resurfacing can be significantly cheaper. Of course, you won’t get a brand-new bathroom or fixtures out of it. But you will be able to achieve an ‘as new’ look for less – up to 75 per cent.

The decision comes down to your budget and preferences. If you want new fixtures and have the budget for them then go ahead and renovate. If you don’t want to spend as much and are happy with your fixtures, try resurfacing.