Yeah, I totally get that—there’s definitely a difference between what you’d pick for a flip versus your own place. I’ve got an old house, so I end up splurging on certain things just to keep the vibe right (like, clawfoot tub was non-negotiable for me). But honestly, I’ve mixed in some budget stuff too, especially for things like lighting or hardware. Sometimes you can get away with it if you’re careful and it all blends together. It’s kind of a balancing act, especially when you’re trying to respect the original character but not break the bank.
- Totally agree on the splurge vs. save thing—my last bathroom reno was a mix, too.
- Ended up spending more on tile to match the era, but went with basic fixtures elsewhere.
- Curious, did you run into any weird surprises with plumbing or wiring once you started demo? That’s where my budget took a hit...
Funny you mention the plumbing—on my last flip, I thought I’d budgeted for everything, but as soon as we opened up the walls, surprise: ancient galvanized pipes. Ended up needing a full re-pipe, which definitely wasn’t in the original plan. Wiring was actually less of a headache for me that time, but I’ve had other projects where the electrical was a total mess. It’s wild how those hidden issues can really eat up your “splurge” money fast...
- Oh man, the “surprise, it’s ancient plumbing!” moment is a classic.
- My last bathroom reno was supposed to be all about low-flow fixtures and recycled tile... then we found a pipe that looked like it belonged in a museum.
- Ended up spending almost double what I’d planned—most of it on stuff you never even see.
- At least the composting toilet install went smoothly (for once).
- Honestly, I’d rather deal with weird old pipes than knob-and-tube wiring again. That’s a whole different kind of headache...
Knob-and-tube’s a nightmare, for sure—at least old pipes usually just mean more mess and less fire risk. Did you have to rip out any walls to get at the plumbing, or did you get lucky? Curious how much of your budget went on “invisible” fixes vs. the fun stuff.
