Benefits of Surface Finishing for Apartment and Property Managers
Replacing bathtubs, tile, vanities, and countertops is expensive, complicated, and time consuming. No apartment or property manager wants to deal with that combination. The economical solution for damaged and outdated bathtubs; kitchen vanities and countertops is to professionally restore existing surfaces.
With potential savings of up to 75% over replacement cost, resurfacing makes sense. Whether the economy is good or bad, saving money is always a good thing. Since resurfacing is done on-site and in a single day, apartment owners and property managers will appreciate the limited intrusion from tenants when refinishing their bathtubs or countertops. Moving is the ideal time to refinish and is best done after painting and carpet repair.
Is there a difference between refinishing, resurfacing, and glazing? No, they all refer to the process of restoring or updating an existing porcelain, tile, fiberglass or laminate surface to make it look like new. A professional refinisher can change colors, repair porcelain chips, repair fiberglass cracks, and make knife cuts and burn marks disappear from laminate and even Corian® countertops.
However, all surface finishes; it is not the same and cheaper is not always better. Like any maintenance “quick fix”, you often end up paying more when the first try fails.
Should you spend $200 or $300 to refinish a bathtub? You have to do the math. Spending $200 twice in a 12 month period because stripping the tub costs a lot more than doing it right the first time for $300. Also, if the new finish fails once, it’s likely to fail again.
Should I hire a painter who uses hydrofluoric acid to etch the bathtub? While “acid-etched” china is common practice, your biggest concern will be whether the acid is properly neutralized before rinsing it down the drain. If not properly neutralized, the acid can damage pipes. Hydrofluoric acid is also dangerous to handle. If that’s the process the painter uses, make sure it’s covered by your own Worker’s Compensation policy.
An alternative to acid etching is the use of a bonding agent, which has proven to be more reliable and offers greater durability and longevity to the bathtub refinishing process. The best bonding agents create a molecular bond between the old and new surfaces. Unlike hydrofluoric acid, bonding agents can and should be used on fiberglass, acrylic, cultured marble, and laminate surfaces to ensure the new coating will adhere.
What is a realistic guarantee? A five-year written warranty is fairly standard, and in most cases, if your refinished tub surface fails, it will fail in less than a year. Remember, a warranty is only as good as the contractor giving it. Be sure to check the strength and reputation of the contractor!
Upgraded countertops can really add the WOW factor to an apartment kitchen. These new stone-look finishes provide the updated look of stone at a fraction of the cost. And, if it’s damaged, a professional painter can repair the countertop. Best of all, apartment units with this update display better, resulting in faster and higher monthly rates.
Quality refinishing is a trade that requires the right materials, extensive training and experience to deliver consistent, high-quality results…and high-quality results will save money in the long run.
To compare refinish companies, ask questions:
Is the business licensed and insured?
Are they covered by their own Workers’ Compensation policy?
Do you offer a written guarantee?
Do you offer volume/commercial discounts?
Will they make a sample tub or countertop for you to examine?
Do you offer free estimates and explanations of your services?
How long has the company been in business?
Are they members of your apartment association?
Are they members of the Better Business Bureau?
Also, ask for references and read reviews on the company’s website.
repainted vs. Replacement saves you time and money, and using the right repairman will save you the hassle and cost of callbacks. A quality painter is one who makes your project a priority and has the ability to respond quickly to help reduce downtime, allowing you to get your apartment rental ready quickly.
You already know that resurfacing can save money. The key is to hire a professional painter who will also save you headaches by providing quality and value.
