How much does bathroom resurfacing cost in Australia? The national average for bathroom resurfacing jobs is between $150 to $2,000, depending on what you need done and the size of the room.

If your bathroom has become old, tired, and worn or if you have an investment property that needs a bit of fixing up, bathroom resurfacing is a good option for bringing life back into your outdated surfaces, without blowing out your budget on a full bathroom renovation.

If the bones of your bathroom and the fixtures are in good working order, then resurfacing can be a relatively quick and inexpensive way to update your bathroom look.

In this guide, we will explore what bathroom resurfacing is, what you can resurface, and the various bathroom resurfacing costs you can expect for your chosen job.

What is bathroom resurfacing?

Bathroom resurfacing is simply the application of a new coating or finish on your bathroom surfaces. This process is also referred to as bathroom re-enamelling or re-glazing, and it’s the perfect solution to a gaudy bathroom colour scheme!

So how does it work? Your bathroom resurfacing specialist will first check the surfaces for any areas that need repair and fix them as needed before cleaning the area and applying a primer. Once this is complete, a durable finishing coat is applied. If you want to inject colour into your bathroom (or cover up an unsightly colour), you can choose a shade of finish for your desired look.

Bathroom resurfacing usually only takes a couple of days to complete, allowing for drying time, which can be between 24 and 48 hours depending on the surface area. The new coating should last up to 15 years if it’s looked after properly.

What can be resurfaced in my bathroom?

You can choose to have your bathtub, tiles, sinks, shower base or benchtops resurfaced. Whether they’re made of laminate, tiles, ceramic, or metal, they can still be refinished to look new again.

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How much does bathroom resurfacing cost vs renovating costs?

While the cost of bathroom resurfacing can be anywhere from $150 to $3,000 depending on the task, if you want to resurface your entire bathroom, this will usually cost between $1,500 and $3,000. The overcall bathroom resurfacing cost will depend on the amount of surfaces that need refinishing and the total surface area.

When you opt to have a complete bathroom renovation done, this can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 or more. The length of time a renovation takes will also be a lot longer than a quick resurface job. You can expect to wait a month or more for the job to be complete.

It’s easy to see that bathroom resurfacing is much more affordable than a complete bathroom renovation. You can save thousands of dollars with this option and your surfaces will look brand new, but it won’t be complete with new fixtures or a different layout. Bathroom resurfacing work is ideal when you’re happy with the existing layout and fixtures.

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How much does bath resurfacing cost?

When you get unsightly scratches or marks in your bath it can be frustrating, and you might start considering getting a new bathtub all together. However, there is a solution to the problem, which is bathtub resurfacing!

Generally, a bathtub resurfacing costs between $400 and $700. It costs more for cast iron resurfacing or antique and clawfoot bathtubs, which is about $1,000 to $2,000. Bath resurfacing costs much less than buying new but will help you achieve a fresh look.

The size of the bath will also affect the cost of resurfacing, with larger bathtubs attracting higher labour costs. Another factor that affects the cost of your bathtub re-enamel is the materials used and amount of time spent repairing chips and scratches before the contractor can re-enamel the bathtub.

How much does bathroom sink resurfacing cost?

For a small sink basin or vanity, it could cost you between $150 and $300. Larger porcelain sinks will be more expensive as they are more time-consuming tasks that require more work. It could cost between $250 and $400 to resurface a large vanity or basin. For a premium vanity, you might pay closer to $1,500.

How much does bathroom tile resurfacing cost?

Bathroom tile resurfacing is the most difficult resurfacing job because the tiles cover a large area of the floor or walls. For tiles that are still mostly in good condition, you won’t need to do a complete bathroom resurfacing job. In some instances, regrouting may be enough. Replacing cracked or loose grout with an epoxy usually costs roughly $1 per square foot for labour.

So, how much does bathroom tile resurfacing cost? For wall tile resurfacing, you can expect to pay between $150 and $300 for repairs to chipped tiles. For bigger issues like water damage or rust, you will pay more.

When it comes to floor tile resurfacing, more time will be needed for this job. If there is mould or mildew, your tile grout will need to be repaired first. Many tile painters use a bathroom spray paint to resurface tiles, which achieves a ceramic-like look that’s also very hard-wearing.

Bathroom tile resurfacing cost really depends on the condition of your existing tiles and while there is no fixed price per se, tile floors usually cost about $5 to $10 per square foot.

How much does shower base resurfacing cost?

The cost of resurfacing a shower base is typically between $550 and $650, depending on the size and condition of the base. It will always be more expensive to resurface premium materials such as fine porcelain, so keep this in mind if you need to reglaze a porcelain shower or bathtub.

The price of shower base resurfacing usually includes the replacement of worn studs, caulking replacement, getting the textures matched and then the enamel finish application. If there is more than one type of tile used or the existing tile can’t be regrouted, then the shower base resurfacing cost will be higher.

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Get quotes for bathroom resurfacing

It can be confusing figuring out how much your bathroom renovation or bathroom resurfacing will cost. The best way to determine the market rates in your area is to get multiple quotes from local bathroom resurfacing specialists and compare for the best price and quality service.

They will come to your home to measure the work area and figure out the best route for the job for your case. You should receive a written quote outlining the various costs and recommended surface. Make sure you ask about warranties, and request references and a portfolio of past works to ensure you find the right contractor.

* All costs and prices quoted were sourced at the time this cost guide was written and should only be used as an estimate.