Curious how much of your budget went on “invisible” fixes vs. the fun stuff.
That’s always the big question, isn’t it? The “invisible” stuff eats up way more than people expect. I’ve seen projects where 60% of the budget disappears behind walls—rewiring, replumbing, waterproofing—before you even get to pick out tile or faucets. It’s not glamorous, but it’s what keeps everything working (and safe).
If you had to rip out walls for plumbing, I’d say you probably did the right thing. Old pipes can be a ticking time bomb, and it’s so much easier to deal with them when everything’s already torn up. In my experience, once you open up a wall in an older house, you almost always find something unexpected—sometimes it’s just weird framing or ancient insulation, but sometimes it’s a slow leak that’s been quietly rotting the subfloor for years.
I get why people grumble about spending money on things they’ll never see, but honestly, those fixes are what let you enjoy the “fun stuff” without worry. I’ve worked with clients who tried to cut corners on plumbing or electrical and ended up paying double later when something failed.
If you’re still in planning mode, I’d suggest setting aside at least 30-40% of your budget for those invisible upgrades—especially in houses with any real age on them. It feels like a lot upfront, but it saves headaches down the line. And if you get lucky and don’t need all of it? That just means more room for splurging on finishes or fixtures.
It sounds like you’re taking a really practical approach. That balance between fixing what needs fixing and making it look great is tough to strike, but it pays off in peace of mind (and resale value) later.
You nailed it with the “invisible” stuff being the real budget gobbler. I swear, my bathroom reno felt like a magic trick—watching money disappear into the walls and floor. At one point I joked that I should’ve just framed the new pipes and wiring and called it “industrial chic.” Nobody would go for it, but hey, at least I’d see where my cash went.
Seriously though, you’re spot on about old houses hiding surprises. When we opened up our walls, we found a weird patchwork of pipes that looked like they’d been installed by someone with a grudge against right angles. It wasn’t pretty, but fixing it now means I won’t be dealing with leaks or electrical gremlins down the road. My wallet cried a little, but my future self is grateful.
I get wanting to spend more on the “fun” stuff—who doesn’t want fancy tile or a rain shower? But honestly, peace of mind is worth its weight in gold (or at least in grout). And you’re right: if you end up not needing all that contingency money, suddenly you can justify that splurge-y light fixture or heated towel rack without guilt.
It’s easy to feel like you’re throwing money into a black hole when you’re paying for things you’ll never see. But every time I walk into my bathroom and don’t hear weird gurgling or see water stains, I remember why we did it this way. Sounds like you’ve got your priorities straight—future-you will thank present-you for not cutting corners, even if present-you has to settle for mid-range tile instead of marble this time around.
I get the logic behind prioritizing the “invisible” stuff, but I’ll admit I went a bit rogue with my last reno. My house is only about 20 years old, so I took a calculated risk and left some of the original plumbing in place since it was still up to code and no signs of leaks. That freed up more budget for the fun stuff—heated floors, nicer vanity, etc. Maybe I’ll regret it in another decade, but sometimes I think we can over-fixate on what’s behind the walls if everything checks out. Not saying it works for every situation, but sometimes mid-range tile *and* a rain shower is possible if you’re strategic.
I get where you’re coming from—sometimes the “out of sight, out of mind” approach makes sense, especially in a newer home. I’ve done a few flips where I left the original plumbing if it was solid, and honestly, it’s rarely come back to bite me. That extra budget can really elevate the finishes, which buyers notice right away. Curious—did you do any upgrades to electrical or just stick with the plumbing as-is? Sometimes those hidden costs sneak up, especially with older wiring.
Honestly, I’m with you on prioritizing finishes when the bones are good. Buyers walk in and see a killer tile job or high-end fixtures, not copper pipes behind the wall. That said, I’ve been burned once by skipping an electrical update—old knob-and-tube hidden behind drywall nearly tanked a sale. Did you run into any surprises like that? Sometimes it’s just not worth gambling if the wiring’s ancient…
