Bath resurfacing vs replacement: which is right for you?
Replacing a bath means new tiling, plumbing and days of disruption. Resurfacing restores the one you have in hours. Here's how to choose.
What resurfacing actually does
Resurfacing (also called refinishing or re-enamelling) strips back, repairs and re-coats the existing bath, giving you a smooth, glossy, like-new surface. The bath never leaves the room, so there's no tiling or plumbing work.
When replacement makes sense
If the bath itself is cracked right through, structurally failing, or you're gutting the whole bathroom anyway, replacement can be the right call. For chips, cracks, stains, dullness or a dated colour, resurfacing is almost always cheaper and quicker.
The cost and time difference
Resurfacing is a fraction of a full replacement once you count tiling, plumbing and labour, and it's usually a single visit plus curing time rather than several days of work.