Title: How Much Did Your Bathroom Remodel Run You (Roughly)?
- Gotta admit, I’m not totally sold on MDF, even for guest baths. Maybe it’s just my old house bias, but I’ve seen too many “budget” vanities turn into mush after a few years—sometimes even with careful use.
- In my place, I actually went with reclaimed wood and sealed it like crazy. Not as cheap as MDF, but honestly, it cost less than new oak or marble. Plus, it fits the vibe of a 1920s house way better.
- If you’re handy or up for a little DIY, salvaged materials can stretch the budget a lot further. Found my vanity base at a salvage yard for $60, then spent maybe $100 on sanding, stain, and a good waterproof sealer.
- Not saying everyone has the time or patience for that route, but if you want something tougher than MDF without the high-end price tag, it’s worth poking around.
- Main bath with kids? Yeah, I’d still skip MDF. Water finds a way, no matter how careful you are...
- Ran me about $4,200 all-in for a full gut and rebuild (midwest prices). Did most of the work myself except plumbing rough-in and tile.
- Materials breakdown: $700 on tile (floor + shower), $500 on vanity (solid wood, Craigslist find), $300 on fixtures, $1,200 for plumber/electrician, rest on paint, drywall, misc.
- Agree with you on MDF—seen too many swollen drawer fronts after a year or two. Even in powder rooms, it’s just not worth the hassle unless you’re flipping.
- Salvage yards are goldmines if you’ve got time to dig. Picked up a cast iron tub for $80 once... needed elbow grease but still cheaper than new acrylic.
- If you’re patient and don’t mind some imperfections, DIY and reclaimed stuff can cut costs way down. Just budget extra for tools or fixing surprises behind the walls—old houses always have ‘em.
- For main baths with kids? Wouldn’t touch MDF either. Water wins every time.
Salvage yards are goldmines if you’ve got time to dig. Picked up a cast iron tub for $80 once... needed elbow grease but still cheaper than new acrylic.
Couldn’t agree more—my “vintage” medicine cabinet came from a salvage yard and cost less than a pizza. And yeah, MDF is basically a sponge with hinges. Learned that the hard way after my kids turned the bathroom into a splash zone. If you’re not flipping, solid wood or bust.
Totally get the MDF pain—ours started swelling after just a couple months. Never again. We did our bathroom for around $2,500, but that’s with a lot of DIY and hunting for deals. Salvage yards are hit or miss, but when you score, it’s worth the grime under your nails. I’d rather scrub up an old cast iron sink than pay triple for something flimsy and new.
I’d rather scrub up an old cast iron sink than pay triple for something flimsy and new.
Totally with you on that—there’s just something about old fixtures that feels solid, like they’ve got a story. We did a similar thing, lots of elbow grease and patience, but it paid off. MDF is such a gamble... I learned the hard way too. Honestly, the hunt for deals and salvage finds is half the fun for me, even if it takes forever.
