Refinishing Bath Fixtures: Consider Costs Involved for Refinishing Versus Replacement

Money Pit Team asks,

Is refinishing bath fixtures a viable option for my bathroom remodel? The worn fixtures in my master bath are in need of an update, but I don’t quite have the budget to replace everything at once.

Our Answer

Before refinishing bath fixtures, you need to go fixture by fixture and look at the costs involved in replacement versus refinishing. A tub or shower can be expensive to replace and also leads to a cascade of other upgrade costs including wallboard, tiling and trim, and flooring adjustments. In that case, having a pro repair chips and cracks and apply a new finish can be a money-saving solution and stave off the need for a big-ticket purchase.
Sinks can also be refinished, but the cost of refinishing this bath fixture is so close to the price of a new unit that you’re better off shopping for a replacement and a nice new faucet to go with it. 
As you consider refinishing bath fixtures, be advised that old, cracked, leaky toilets aren’t worth the trouble of repair; instead, invest in one of the new <a href="https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/toilets.html" target="_blank">WaterSense-labeled high-efficiency toilets</a>, which can dramatically reduce your water bill during many years of service.