How Much Does It Cost To Reglaze A Sink?

Cost factors in reglazing a sink

With any restoration job, the devil’s in the details. Here are the major factors in reglazing a kitchen sink:

Size of sink

As with any renovation job, size matters. Remember that these numbers are averages, and other factors can alter costs. Here are the average costs to reglaze a sink based on the sink’s size.

• Sinks 16 – 20 inches - $220 - $300. These tend to be regular bathroom sinks.
• Sinks 19 – 24 inches - $250 - $350. The width and depth of these sinks may make a difference in cost.
• Sinks up to 30 inches - $250 - $300. Sinks under 30 inches tend to be single bowl sinks, with less surface area than others, and therefore cheaper to refinish.
• Sinks 30 – 36 inches - $300 - $400. Usually, sinks this large have a double bowl and come in various types.
• Sinks over 36 inches - $300 - $500. This price could go even higher, as these tend to have deep bowls with lots of surface area to cover.

Materials

These are the materials that generally factor into a reglaze, kitchen sink or otherwise:

• Masking/painter’s tape - $6 - $10
• Epoxy paint - $15 - $25
• Plastic Sheeting - $3 - $10
• Palm Sander - $20 - $100
• Sink reglazing kit - $20 - $50
• Acrylic topcoat - $10 - $30

Labor cost to reglaze a sink

Most laborers charge a sink reglazing based on the job, rather than by the hour. If you find contractors that charge by the hour, that hourly rate can be anywhere from $45 to $200. Typically, reglazing a kitchen sink takes roughly six hours. Most professionals charge based on the job rather than the hour. On average, a contractor charges between $190 to $450 per sink reglaze.

These labor costs include your contractor protecting the area around the sink and removing all the trim and hardware. They’ll prime and sand the sink, then apply multiple coats of finish. Afterward, they’ll put it all back together, good as new. Contractors tend to factor in the size of the job, type of sink, and condition of the sink when setting a price.

Sink reglazing and refinishing cost by type

Sinks come in various types, and each type has its strengths and weaknesses. More durable sink types are also easier to clean — so you’ll pay less to reglaze them.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel sinks are popular in kitchens because they’re low cost, low maintenance, and durable. Refinishing a stainless steel sink costs an average of $300 to $450. This process includes polishing out scratches and recoating the steel with a protective clear coat. These coats are either acrylic, urethane, or polyurethane.

Porcelain sink reglazing cost

Reglazing porcelain sink costs vary based on how the sink sits within the countertop. Drop-in sinks have a visible lip and drop in through a countertop hole. To reglaze drop-in porcelain, expect to pay between $230 to $330. A pedestal bathroom sink with a lower shaft and an upper basin costs between $350 and $450.

Cast-iron

Cast-iron sinks are also popular kitchen choices since they retain heat, last for years, and have an attractive finish. Purchasing new cast-iron sinks are expensive (sometimes costing thousands of dollars) so resurfacing one is way more economical. Reglazing a cast-iron sink costs between $350 to $500.

Granite

Granite sinks cost between $210 to $520 for a simple reglazing. Granite sinks that need repair work can drive the cost up fast. If there are several cracks in the sink, each will need to be patched and mended before the resurfacing can begin.

Style of sink reglazing costs

The style of the sink plays into the reglazing costs, though less heavily than the size and type. Different styles have larger surface areas and will therefore cost more on average.

Bathroom drop-in sink

A bathroom drop-in sink costs roughly $230 to $330. These sinks are “dropped” into holes cut in the countertop and have a visible lip. They tend to be round, with relatively less surface area than other common types. Bathroom sinks tend to be smaller than kitchen ones, so these sinks are among the cheapest to reglaze.

Bathroom pedestal sink

Bathroom pedestal sinks are larger, and their surface area needs to account for both the lower shaft and the upper basin. Because of this, there’s more work involved to reglaze these sinks. You can expect to pay between $350 to $450.

Drop-in kitchen sink

Drop-in kitchen sinks are similar to drop-in bathroom sinks. They are “dropped” into a hole in the countertop. Bathroom sinks are small, whereas kitchen sinks can be up to 36 inches — sometimes with double bowls. You will pay between $230 to $520 based on the sink's size, type, and surface area.

Custom kitchen sink

On average, you can expect to pay between $350 to $500 or more to reglaze your custom sink. These numbers are harder to estimate since they vary greatly in size, shape, type, and build. The specifics of a custom sink will impact the cost.

Reglaze or paint a sink

You can paint your sink. If this is a job you want to take on, you’ll want to do your research first. Each type of sink requires a particular type of paint, and the process requires all the same prep as reglazing. You’ll need to pull the sink out, sand, prime, and repair it.

The thing is, you’ve already gotten most of the prep work completed at this stage to reglaze the sink. Painting looks beautiful and is an excellent option if you want your sink to match the rest of your room. Painting the sink doesn’t expand the sink’s lifespan as reglazing does. You may as well get it refinished up to its original luster at this stage. If you’ve done all the prep work, it won’t take a contractor as long to do the job. Ask them about painting it before they glaze it if you prefer.

DIY or Hire a pro

Reglazing a kitchen sink is a DIY-friendly job. Aside from the time it takes you, you may spend about $100 on materials. You’ll save money if you reglaze your acrylic, porcelain, or steel sink yourself. If your sink is granite or stone, or if expensive countertops and fixtures surround your sink, we recommend you call a professional. Granite, and other stone sinks, are easy to damage, and you don’t want to face the cost of replacing them. There are some intricate steps in painting a sink, so do your research before tackling this project.