Dorset · England

Bath chip & crack repair in Southbourne, Dorset

Chip and crack repairs to enamel, acrylic and cast iron baths at your home in Southbourne, with a one-year guarantee on every repair.

  • Repairs from £95
  • Hairline or through cracks in acrylic
  • Scuffs and scratches in the surface
Surface Doctor technician refinishing the outside of a roll-top bath

Trusted bath repair in Southbourne

Questions from Southbourne

Will the price change on the day?

If we find something the pictures didn’t show, we explain it first. The price only changes if you agree.

I tried a repair kit. Can you fix it?

Yes. We take out the old repair and do it properly. Mention it when you send photos.

Is it worth repairing rather than replacing?

Generally, yes. A repair skips the removal, fitting and redecorating. If it isn’t worth repairing, we will tell you.

Is the work guaranteed?

Yes: twelve months. If anything goes wrong with the repair within the year, we return to fix it.

How much does bath repair cost in Southbourne?

Prices start from £95. The exact price depends on the damage, so we quote from photos. You’ll get a fixed figure before booking.

Do you repair coloured baths?

Yes. The colour is mixed on site to suit your bath, including pastel and older colours.

Are you a vetted contractor?

We’re accredited with CHAS, Constructionline, SafeContractor, SMAS Worksafe and Builder’s Profile.

When can I have a bath again?

Normally by the following day, depending on the repair.

About our bath repair in Southbourne

Chips, cracks, rust spots and small holes can be repaired with the bath left exactly where it is. Nothing is unplumbed, your tiles stay as they are, and the finish is matched to the rest of the bath. If you’re dealing with holes from dropped items and scuffs and scratches in the surface, we can help, whatever the material.

Peace of mind is built in: each job carries a one-year guarantee, and we explain what it covers before booking.

Location
Southbourne (BH6, BH23)
Area hub
Dorset
Warranty
12 months on all our work
Quotes
From £95. Free, fixed quote from pictures
Phone
0345 017 0787
Page updated
23 October 2026
Before and after: a chipped, rust-stained bath around the plughole

What your bath is made of matters

Pressed steel

Pressed steel is thinner and lighter, with an enamel finish like cast iron. Chips rust quickly on steel, particularly by the plughole, so early repairs matter.

Composite and resin

Composite baths are dense and solid, and often freestanding. Chips and scratches can be filled and colour matched, in much the same way.

What we do, step by step

On the day, we arrive at the time we have agreed, cover the area with dust sheets and masking, and set to work. Expect it to take a morning or an afternoon. We clean up when we are done and tell you when it’s ready to use.

  1. First, we check the damage against your pictures and agree the plan.
  2. Loose enamel, rust and dirt are removed so the repair can bond.
  3. We build up the filler in layers, shaping it to the bath.
  4. We tint the finish by hand to match the bath.
  5. The repair is polished to the same gloss as the bath and left to cure.

Preparing for the visit

  • Plan for the room to be out of bounds to pets and children
  • Mention any earlier repairs or resurfacing
  • Let the surface dry out before the visit

Getting a price

Ring 0345 017 0787, or send us pictures through the quote form. With one close-up and one wider picture, we can give you a fixed price without visiting.

Send photos for a quote

Read more

Aftercare tips

Looking after the surface is easy:

  • Rinse the bath after use, especially in hard water areas
  • Don’t leave razors or cans standing in the bath
  • Avoid scourers, wire wool and gritty cream cleaners
  • Put a towel in the bath if you’re working above it

For the first few days, keep heavy bottles off the repaired spot. After that, clean it as you would the rest of the bath without abrasive products.

Until we visit, a strip of waterproof tape over the damage helps, to keep water out. Remove it before the repair.

What bath repair costs

Repairs from £95. Each job gets its own fixed price. This is what makes a difference:

  • Previous DIY repairs that have to come out
  • The size and number of damaged areas
  • The type of damage
  • The material and finish

The price depends on the type and amount of damage, what it’s made of and how many jobs we combine into one visit. You get a fixed price from your photos, so there are no surprises on the day.

Getting a price from pictures

The better the photos, the more accurate the price. Here’s what helps:

  • The material, if you know it
  • Daylight if possible, and no flash reflection
  • A close-up of the damage, in focus
  • A coin beside the damage so we can judge size

Send us a picture of the damage and a wider shot of the entire item, and tell us you are in Southbourne, and we’ll come back with a fixed quote.

DIY kit or professional repair?

A kit can be fine for a tiny mark out of sight. For damage in plain view, cracks, holes or rust, or coloured finishes, a professional repair is worth it.

DIY kits are sold for most surfaces, and they can make a small mark look better. Where they fall down is colour and preparation: they come in a handful of shades, and if the surface isn’t prepared the repair won’t last.

About Southbourne

Southbourne is about 2 miles south-west of Christchurch, in Dorset. We agree a date that works for you, and we will give you an arrival time in advance, so there’s no waiting around. Southbourne is one of 462 towns and villages in Dorset where we work.

All of BH6 and BH23 is within our area, from the main roads to the quietest streets. From Ken Road, Horsa Road and Grange Road or anywhere nearby, we can come to you. Other places close to Southbourne include Tuckton (1 mile north-east), Wick (1 mile north-east), Portfield (1 mile north), Purewell (2 miles north-east) and Fairmile (2 miles north). Further out, we also cover Wimborne Minster (10 miles north-west), Verwood (11 miles north), Ferndown (7 miles north-west), Broadstone (9 miles west), Corfe Mullen (10 miles west) and Swanage (11 miles south-west).

Around Southbourne

Typical jobs here are in homes near Twynham School, St Katharine's Church of England Primary School and Twynham School, among other places. Nearby too are Seafield Gardens (under half a mile north-west) and Our Lady Queen of Peace and Blessed Margaret Pole (less than half a mile north-east). The closest station to Southbourne is Christchurch station, about 1.3 miles north-east of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Christchurch Tricycle Museum (1.2 miles north-east) and Christchurch Castle (1.3 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include St Catherine's Hill.

  • Parks and local facilities nearby include Christchurch (1 mile north-east)
Map of Southbourne © OpenStreetMap contributors

Repairing versus replacing in Southbourne

Many people think a damaged bath means a new one. In most cases it does not: a repair keeps the bath in service for years, without the cost and upheaval of replacing it. Our bath repair starts from £95. Most people are surprised how affordable a repair is, especially compared with replacing and refitting. Send photos and we will give you the exact figure.

Why book with us

  • Every repair guaranteed for a year
  • No extra charge for your area
  • Colours mixed by hand to suit your surface
  • A fixed quote before booking

See our prices page or resurfacing vs replacement cost guide.

Signs you need bath repair in Southbourne

Baths take more knocks than people expect: bottles, shower heads and razors are dropped every day, and fittings press hard against the enamel. Sooner or later, most baths pick up a chip.

You may need us if you’ve spotted:

  • A chip where the taps sit
  • Rust spots around the plughole
  • Holes from dropped items
  • A chipped rim or side

Questions to ask before booking

  • What prep work is covered
  • If travel is included in the price
  • A fixed quote, and whether VAT is included
  • Whether they match the colour on site

Our hiring checklist

When a repair is not the answer

A repair isn’t always the answer, and we will tell you before we start. We can’t fix:

  • A bath that flexes because its feet or cradle have failed (that needs fixing first)
  • Metal that has corroded all the way through
  • Leaks from the waste or overflow fittings (a plumber’s job)

Send us photos and we will tell you honestly.

Surfaces we repair

  • Pressed steel enamel
  • Whirlpool & spa baths
  • Cast iron enamel
  • Acrylic
  • Roll-top & freestanding
CHAS accredited contractor and Constructionline logos SafeContractor, SMAS Worksafe and Builder’s Profile logos

About our accreditations · Every repair comes with a one-year guarantee.

Read what customers say about us on Trustpilot.