Haha, knob-and-tube wiring...been there, done that. When we redid our upstairs bath, I swear every wall had some surprise waiting—old plumbing patched with duct tape, random studs cut halfway through, you name it. Honestly, I think it's just part of the charm (or curse?) of owning an older home. Hang in there though, once it's done you'll forget all about the headaches and just enjoy your new space.
"Honestly, I think it's just part of the charm (or curse?) of owning an older home."
Haha, charm or curse indeed...I lean toward curse when I'm knee-deep in drywall dust and unexpected expenses. We tackled our bathroom remodel about two years ago, and I went into it thinking I had accounted for every possible scenario. Spoiler alert: I hadn't.
Our house was built in the early 1940s, and the bathroom was probably last updated sometime in the '70s—think avocado-green tile and fixtures that belonged in a museum. We budgeted around $6k initially, thinking we'd do most of the work ourselves. But once we opened up the walls, it was like peeling back layers of history...and not in a good way. We found old galvanized pipes that were corroded beyond belief, wiring that looked like it was installed by someone who'd never seen electricity before, and even a hidden window behind the shower wall (who does that?). Each discovery meant more trips to the hardware store and more money out of pocket.
In the end, after replacing plumbing, updating wiring, new drywall, fixtures, tile, and paint—plus a few splurges like heated floors (worth every penny)—we landed somewhere around $11k. Almost double our initial estimate. But honestly, looking back now, it feels like money well spent. The peace of mind knowing everything is safe and updated is priceless.
My advice: budget generously for surprises. And if you don't end up needing it all...well, that's just a bonus.
Haha, sounds about right. I've seen this scenario play out more times than I can count—especially with older homes. It's like opening Pandora's box every time you start pulling tiles or drywall. Galvanized pipes and mystery wiring are basically par for the course. Heated floors though...nice touch. Definitely agree on budgeting extra—it's less stressful to be pleasantly surprised than scrambling for cash halfway through a project.
"Definitely agree on budgeting extra—it's less stressful to be pleasantly surprised than scrambling for cash halfway through a project."
True, but sometimes setting aside too much can tempt you into unnecessary upgrades. Heated floors are great, but I've seen clients splurge on fancy fixtures they barely notice later... moderation is key, folks.
Good point on moderation—it's easy to get carried away once the money's set aside. I've definitely been guilty of that myself... but honestly, a little splurge here and there can make the project feel special. Just gotta find your balance.
