If you have a clawfoot or pedestal tub that has seen better days, the first question is almost always the same: what is this going to cost? This guide covers what clawfoot tub refinishing costs in Montana in 2026, what moves the price up or down, and how it stacks up against replacing the tub.
The Short Answer
In-shop clawfoot interior refinishing starts at $639. From there, the price depends on the tub's condition, whether you want the exterior refinished too, and whether you choose a standard color or a decorative finish. Most clawfoot restoration projects land in the $639 - $1,200 range.
What Affects the Price
Condition of the surface. A tub with light wear and staining is the baseline. Heavy pitting, rust damage, chips through to the cast iron, or previous refinishing attempts that have to be stripped all add prep time -- and prep is most of the work on a vintage tub.
Interior only vs. interior and exterior. The interior is the standard scope. Adding the exterior roughly doubles the surface area and includes stripping old paint, which many clawfoot exteriors carry in layers.
Finish choice. Classic gloss white is the baseline. Custom colors cost more, and decorative exterior work -- faux copper, bronze, and metallic finishes, or contrasting feet accents -- is quoted based on the design. See our decorative and specialty finishes page for what is possible.
Fixture type. Pedestal tubs and unusually large or ornate antique tubs can take more material and masking time than a standard clawfoot.
Why Clawfoot Work Is Priced Differently Than Standard Tubs
Standard bathtub refinishing starts at $689 and happens on-site in your bathroom in a single day. Clawfoot tubs are different in two ways.
First, they are freestanding, which means every surface -- including the underside curves and the feet -- is visible and has to be finished cleanly. Second, because they can be transported, clawfoot tubs are typically restored in our shop, where temperature, ventilation, and lighting are controlled. That is why in-shop interior refinishing can start at $639 even though the fixture demands more careful work: the shop environment works in our favor.
Refinishing vs. Replacing a Clawfoot Tub
Replacement math is rough on clawfoot owners:
| Option | Typical Cost | |--------|-------------| | In-shop interior refinishing | $639 - $1,200 | | Quality reproduction clawfoot tub | $2,000 - $5,000+ (before installation) | | Removal, delivery, and install | Additional -- cast iron tubs weigh several hundred pounds |
A reproduction also is not the same tub. Original proportions, casting detail, and a century of character do not come out of a modern catalog. For historic homes in Helena, Butte, and Livingston, the original fixture is part of the home's story -- and its value.
Refinishing typically saves 75 - 85% versus replacement, and every restoration is backed by our 3-year warranty.
Is It Worth It?
Almost always. A structurally sound clawfoot tub is a lifetime fixture -- the surface is the only thing that wears out, and the surface is exactly what refinishing renews. With proper care a refinished tub lasts 10 - 15 years or more, and it can be refinished again down the road.
The exceptions are rare: iron cracked all the way through, or a remodel that removes the tub entirely.
Get an Exact Number
Every tub is different, which is why the ranges above are ranges. For an exact quote, send us photos of your tub -- interior, exterior, and any damage close-ups -- and we will price the restoration before you commit to anything. Call (406) 438-4288 or book online for a free estimate.