Apartment Bathtub Refinishing – Apartment Bathtub Re-Glazing in a Recession

Apartment bathtub refinishing or apartments bathtub reglazing is saving apartment owners and property managers money in their bathroom renovation. The bad economic climate is hampering owners from making the needed maintenance on their property including bathroom renovation. Although apartments have trailed the broader REIT sector so far this year, “we believe prospects for continued slowing growth and potential risk of a recession place further pressure on the multifamily sector,” according to reports to clients by UBS analysts.

The UBS report adds: “While we believe the housing fallout will be a net positive for apartments as defaulted owners become renters in the longer term … we see the dampening effect on fundamentals in the near term as the market digests this glut of housing.”

Apartment property managers and owners, like most of the country are feeling the recession and, when it comes to cutting costs, many owners and managers prefer to cut maintenance and renovations citing a tight budget. While many owners think they can save money by postponing bathroom renovation and other important maintenance, they are actually making their units less attractive to potential tenants. Those apartments that keep up with their maintenance will survive the competition and the recession.

Bathtub refinishing saves up to 80% of the cost of bathtub replacement.
Using bathtub refinishing, many property owners are saving up to 80% of the cost of a tub replacement since all work is done in the bathroom. By having all work done in the bathroom, there is no mess to going to the landfill. The refinishing process involves cleaning the old tub of soap scum. After the bathtub is cleaned of soap scum and grits, the surface is sanded to roughen up the surface so that a primer can bond to the surface. After a primer is applied, about two or three coats of top coat is applied. This gets the tub looking like new. The whole bathtub refinishing process takes about 5 to 6 hours to complete. The tub can be used the next day. The cost of refinishing a tub is $250 to $450.

On the other hand, bathtub replacement is an intense project. You may buy a new bathtub for less than $300.00, but it costs a lot more to remove the old bathtub and put in a new one. If the size of the old bathtub is not the same as the new one, the contractor will tear out the walls,(required), removing the existing tub, install a new tub, install vapor barrier, concrete backer under-layment, install new control valves and drain plumbing, including a shower stand pipe, and re-tile the walls. In addition, you need to be aware of any electrical wiring that could be behind the walls you are working with, and also be mindful of the plumbing therein. Importantly, it takes about a week or more to complete the renovation. Adding together all the sub-contractors to be paid, the cost of replacement can go up to $2000.00

Why bathtub refinishing is better than bathtub replacement:

o Save up to 80% over the cost of tub replacement and the mess of renovation
o Tubs look good in just days, not weeks.
o All work is guaranteed by trained and licensed professionals.
o Tub can last up to 15 years after they are refinished.

What fixtures can be refinished?

o Bathtubs
o Sinks
o Countertops
o Tiles on walls and floors.

If the recession is hampering your bathroom renovation, now is the time to consult a professional bathtub refinishing company to save you money and time. In fact, bathtub refinishing is your best green remodeling alternative to replacement.