Funny you mention the faucets—
That’s been my experience too. I restored a 1920s bathroom and splurged on a vintage-look brass faucet. People barely notice the tilework, but everyone comments on that tap. Lighting matters, but there’s something about a unique fixture that just draws folks in. My remodel ran about $14k, mostly because I kept the original tub and went all-in on period details. Worth every penny for the character, honestly.“people love a fancy tap—especially if it’s one of those waterfall ones or has some weird finish.”
That’s wild—my friends are the same way about faucets. I put in a pretty basic one (budget was tight), and nobody even blinked at it, but my neighbor’s got this matte black thing that looks like it belongs in a spaceship, and everyone’s obsessed. Maybe I should’ve splurged there instead of on the heated towel rack… live and learn, right?
$14k sounds pretty reasonable for all those period details, honestly. Did you run into any surprise costs with keeping the original tub? I keep hearing horror stories about hidden plumbing issues or weird old pipes. I’m just starting to plan mine and I’m torn between restoring what’s there or ripping everything out and going modern. The character is tempting, but I’m nervous about what’s lurking behind those walls.
Honestly, faucets get way more attention than I expected too—people love a flashy fixture. I’ve definitely seen buyers light up over “statement” hardware, even if the rest of the bathroom is basic. As for keeping the old tub, I get the hesitation. In one of my flips, we tried to save a clawfoot and ended up spending extra when the pipes turned out to be ancient and leaky. Sometimes you open up a wall and it’s fine, sometimes it’s a can of worms. Are you leaning toward keeping the vintage look or just going full modern? Both have their headaches, but there’s something about original details that really sells a place...
Sometimes you open up a wall and it’s fine, sometimes it’s a can of worms.
Couldn’t agree more on the “can of worms” part. I’ve had bathrooms where the budget doubled because old plumbing or electrical was a mess. Last one I did, full gut job, ran about $19k all-in (mid-range finishes, labor included). Tried to keep the original tile but ended up tearing it out after finding water damage underneath—sometimes those “original details” just aren’t worth saving.
Honestly, statement faucets and hardware are the best bang for your buck. Most buyers don’t care if the tub is vintage unless it’s in perfect shape. If you’re debating between keeping old stuff or going modern, just factor in what’s behind the walls too. Saving a few grand on fixtures won’t matter if you end up redoing all the plumbing anyway.
My advice: set aside a contingency fund. Bathrooms always have surprises.
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought a bathroom reno would be straightforward, only to find ancient wiring or pipes that look like they belong in a museum. That “can of worms” line is spot on. I’ve had projects where the initial estimate was $12k, but after opening up the walls and finding rot or outdated plumbing, it crept up closer to $18k. It’s wild how quickly those hidden issues add up.
I do think there’s sometimes value in keeping original features if they’re in great shape—old cast iron tubs can be a selling point in certain markets. But yeah, if there’s water damage or mold, it’s just not worth the risk or cost to salvage. I’d rather spend a bit more upfront and know everything behind the walls is solid.
Contingency fund is a must. I usually pad my budget by at least 15%, just in case. And you’re right about hardware—swapping out faucets or pulls can make a huge difference without breaking the bank.