Bathtub Refinishing Business
Ugly tubs, happy landlords, and tiny-ticket reglazing jobs that add up fast
Bathtub refinishing companies resurface worn tubs, tile, sinks, and countertops instead of replacing them. The surprising angle is that owners and property managers can save thousands versus a full bathroom renovation, which makes refinishing an easy sell in older housing stock. It is a compact service business with straightforward crews and attractive labor leverage.
Avg Revenue
$300K
Profit Margin
28%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 3.5x
Startup Cost
$10K - $50K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
The operator prepares the surface, repairs chips or cracks, sprays a new coating, and returns the fixture to service after curing. Revenue comes from per-fixture jobs, apartment turnover work, hotel renovations, and contractor referrals. Many owners start mobile, then add crews and light shop space as volume grows.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 238220 · Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | TX | $500K | $588K | 30 | — |
| Dec 2025 | TX | $2.5M | $2.9M | 30 | — |
| Dec 2025 | TX | $990K | $1.2M | 11 | — |
| Dec 2025 | TX | $250K | $294K | 11 | — |
| Dec 2025 | TX | $1.8M | $2.2M | 11 | — |
| Dec 2025 | NJ | $1.7M | $2.0M | 26 | — |
| Dec 2025 | GA | $2.3M | $2.7M | 18 | — |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $4.3M | $5.1M | 31 | — |
| Dec 2025 | MO | $3.0M | $3.6M | 16 | — |
| Nov 2025 | FL | $864K | $1.0M | 7 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Low startup cost and mobile-friendly model
- +Clear ROI versus full bathroom replacement
- +Property manager and contractor accounts can repeat often
- +Fast jobs create good revenue per technician day
Cons
- -Work quality and ventilation safety cannot be sloppy
- -Consumer jobs can be lumpy without B2B referral channels
- -Commodity pricing pressure exists in some local markets
Best For
First-time operators who want a low-capex home-service business with visible before-and-after value
Operating Costs
A BizBuySell search result for an established bathtub refinishing business in Los Angeles showed about $84K cash flow on a $48K asking price, which suggests small owner-operator shops can throw off strong earnings. Main costs are coatings and chemicals, labor, lead generation, insurance, and vehicle expense.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Search result snippet referenced an established bathtub refinishing business with disclosed cash flow
Large refinishing operator showing the service mix and replacement-versus-refinishing value proposition
Consumer cost comparison that helps explain why refinishing is easier to sell than replacement
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $600K–$1.1M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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