Lighting changes are always underrated—agree with you there. Honestly, most people don’t realize how much hidden stuff drives up the cost. I’ve seen “simple” makeovers balloon to $10k just because of old plumbing or rot. Keeping a bit of character is smart and saves money too.
I get the point about hidden costs, but honestly, I think keeping “character” can sometimes backfire. Here’s why:
- Old fixtures or tile might look cool, but they can hide leaks or mold. Fixing that later is way pricier.
- Swapping out all the plumbing at once (even if it feels like overkill) can save headaches down the road.
- I tried to save by keeping my old tub—ended up paying more when it cracked during demo.
Sometimes spending a bit more upfront actually saves money long-term... just my two cents.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I tried to “save” by keeping the original vanity in our last place—looked fine, but turned out there was some nasty water damage hiding underneath. Ended up costing more to fix that mess than just replacing it from the start. Sometimes those old features are just ticking time bombs. I still try to reuse stuff when it makes sense, but after a couple surprises, I’m way more cautious about what’s worth keeping.
Sometimes those old features are just ticking time bombs.
I get the worry, but I’ve actually had some luck keeping older stuff—especially if it’s solid wood. Not everything is a disaster waiting to happen. Sometimes a little TLC goes a long way and saves cash.
I totally get that—my place has these old cabinets that looked rough at first, but once I sanded them down and added new hardware, they actually turned out to be one of my favorite things in the bathroom. I was nervous about hidden issues too, but sometimes the older stuff is just built better. Not saying everything’s worth saving, but it’s kinda satisfying when you can keep a bit of the original character and not blow your budget.
