That “bare minimum” list is a lifesaver, though I’ll admit I sometimes sneak in a “nice to have” if the budget’s holding up. When you hit those surprise issues—foundation cracks, ancient wiring, or, in my case, a hidden well under the kitchen floor—how do you decide what gets bumped? Do you ever regret holding off on something, or does patience pay off in the long run? I keep wondering if it’s smarter to just bite the bullet on certain upgrades while everything’s already torn up.
Biting the bullet on upgrades is such a mood, especially when you’re staring at a mess of demo and thinking, “Well, while we’re here…” Here’s my take after seeing a lot of folks juggle these decisions:
- If it’s a safety thing (like wiring or foundation), I always say fix it now. No one wants to live with a side of anxiety or a surprise indoor waterfall later.
- Cosmetic stuff? That’s where I get ruthless. Paint colors and fancy tile can wait. Your future self will thank you for not blowing the budget on the perfect shade of greige.
- Regrets? Sometimes, yeah. I once waited on a kitchen backsplash and then never got around to it. But honestly, I stopped noticing after a while. The “nice to haves” lose their shine when you’re not staring at them every day.
Patience mostly pays off, but if you know you’ll never want to rip up the floor again, maybe just go for it. Hidden wells, though… that’s next-level. You win the renovation bingo for sure.
Backyard guest houses are a whole different beast compared to paint colors or tile. I get the idea of holding off on the “nice to haves,” but I’ve learned the hard way that sometimes those “cosmetic” upgrades can actually become real value drivers, especially if you’re thinking long-term or resale.
I get where you’re coming from with this:
Cosmetic stuff? That’s where I get ruthless. Paint colors and fancy tile can wait. Your future self will thank you for not blowing the budget on the perfect shade of greige.
But here’s the thing—when you’re talking about something like a guest house, even the “cosmetic” choices can start to matter a lot more. I once tried to cut corners on finishes in a detached ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit), thinking I’d upgrade later. Never happened. And guess what? Every single renter I showed it to commented on the lack of kitchen backsplash or the cheap flooring. It ended up sitting empty longer than I’d planned, and I had to go back in and upgrade anyway, only now it was way more expensive and inconvenient.
I’m not saying go wild with upgrades, but I’d argue that when you’re building new—especially something meant for guests or rental income—it’s often cheaper and easier to do it right the first time. The “while we’re here…” mentality can get out of hand, but sometimes it’s just practical. Ripping up new floors or walls down the road is a real pain, and you lose out on the economies of scale you get during initial construction.
Safety stuff is non-negotiable, no argument there. But I’d just caution against getting too ruthless with the aesthetics if you want your guest house to actually pay off. People notice, and even little things can make a difference in how much you can charge or how often it gets used.
Hidden wells, though... can’t say I’ve ever run into that one. Closest I’ve come is finding an old septic tank under a shed. That was a fun day.
You nailed it with this:
. It’s wild how much the little things add up. I once thought I could live with “temporary” vinyl floors in a rental, but every time I walked in, it bugged me—and renters noticed too. Sometimes it’s worth stretching for the upgrades that actually make the space feel finished. You’re right, ripping stuff out later is brutal. If you’re building for guests or income, those details really do pay you back.even the “cosmetic” choices can start to matter a lot more
I get what you mean about the “temporary” stuff—sometimes it’s the little annoyances that end up driving you nuts. I tried to ignore the old laminate counters in my kitchen for years, thinking I’d just swap them out “someday,” but honestly, it bugged me every single morning. I finally caved and upgraded, and it made a way bigger difference than I expected.
But here’s something I keep wondering: when it comes to a backyard guest house, do you think it’s better to go all-in on finishes right away, or is there ever a case for starting basic and upgrading later? I always worry about over-improving for the neighborhood, but then again, if you’re renting it out or hosting family, maybe it’s worth it to splurge up front. Curious if anyone’s regretted either approach...
