The decision between professional repair and replacement involves cost, disruption, result quality and personal preference. Here is a comprehensive guide for the most common surfaces.

Bath — Repair vs Replace

Repair when: single chip, crack or surface issue. Bath otherwise in good condition. Cost: £85–£450.
Replace when: structural failure, major cracking across the surface, or resurfacing has already been done multiple times. Cost: £500–£1,500+.
Verdict: repair is almost always the right option unless the bath is genuinely structurally compromised.

Kitchen Worktop — Repair vs Replace

Repair when: localised chip, burn or crack. Worktop otherwise sound. Cost: £95–£250.
Replace when: multiple chips across the full surface, significant water damage on laminate, or you want to change the worktop material. Cost: £500–£3,000+.
Verdict: for single chips and cracks, repair always wins. For widespread damage or material change, replace.

Tile — Repair vs Replace

Repair when: single chip or crack on an otherwise good tile. Replacement tile unavailable. Cost: £75–£175.
Replace when: structural cracking from substrate movement, multiple cracked tiles in a pattern. Cost: £200–£700 per tile.
Verdict: repair almost always wins for single damaged tiles.

LVT Floor — Repair vs Replace

Repair when: single chip or scratch. Cost: £75–£150.
Replace when: plank has lifted or delaminated, damage is across multiple planks. Cost: £40–£80/m².
Verdict: for single damage, repair. For lifting or structural issues, replace.