Angelo Christopoulos, owner/operator, Custom Coat and Glaze, Newton, Mass., customcoatglaze.com

Jonathan Gleason, president, Porcelain Patch & Glaze, Watertown, Mass., porcelainpatch.com

Mark Hawker, president, New Look Refinishing, Quincy, Mass., newlookrefinishing.com

What services do you offer?

Christopoulos: "We refinish porcelain or fiber glass bathtubs, tiles and sinks."

Gleason: "Refinishing of fiber glass and porcelain as well as kitchen cabinets and electrostatic painting."

Hawker: "We primarily refinish porcelain tubs, tiles and sinks."

What's the advantage of refinishing a tub rather than replacing it?

Christopoulos: "Time. We have the tub up and running within 36 hours and is one-seventh of the cost of replacement."

Gleason: "The main reasons would be cost. It's a lot cheaper, and it's a lot quicker."

Hawker: "The cost is the biggest advantage."

How do you charge for the job and what's the average price range?

Christopoulos: "The standard porcelain tub is $325. A complete fiberglass unit is usually $425."

Gleason: "The average bath is a flat rate of $325. The fiberglass tub with enclosure is $375."

Hawker: "A standard bathtub is $325."

After you've refinished a tub, how long do customers have to wait before using it?

Christopoulos: "We like to tell them to wait about 36 hours."

Gleason: "Ideally, 48 hours."

Hawker: "I tell them 48 hours."

How long does the refinishing process take?

Christopoulos: "Anywhere from two and a half to four hours."

Gleason: "The standard tub takes about three to four hours."

Hawker: "Two hours for the standard tub."

How far in advance should customers call you to schedule service?

Christopoulos: "Usually seven to 10 days."

Gleason: "In the winter, they should call a week in advance, but in the summer, about a month."

Hawker: "A week."

What's your busiest time of year?

Christopoulos: "From March to Thanksgiving."

Gleason: "The summertime."

Hawker: "June, July and August."

Is it true that refinishing a bathtub has a strong odor? What do you do to help alleviate this?

Christopoulos: "There will be a paint odor for about a day, but our exhaust systems limit the smell. They can shut the door and leave the window open."

Gleason: "The odor dissipates fairly quickly, but it does have a strong odor. A fan placed for cross-ventilation can help."

Hawker: "There is a strong odor since we use an oil-based paint. It's very similar to nail polish. Leaving the windows open for a few hours gets rid of the smell."