Sometimes I think it’s more about the character than the cost savings, for sure.
Totally get that. I tried to save the original tile in mine, but once I opened things up, it was a domino effect—cracked joists, ancient plumbing, you name it. Ended up around $11k, mostly labor and fixing old mistakes. Sometimes “character” just means more work.
Sometimes “character” just means more work.
That’s the truth. I thought I’d just be swapping out fixtures, but the second I pulled up the floor, I found old knob-and-tube wiring and a weird patch job from the ‘60s. Ended up redoing way more than planned. Did you run into any surprises with the plumbing? I swear, every time I touch something in this house, it’s like opening a can of worms.
Did you run into any surprises with the plumbing? I swear, every time I touch something in this house, it’s like opening a can of worms.
That’s such a classic old-house move. I’ve lost count of how many times a “simple” swap turned into a full-blown project. Plumbing is usually the wild card for me, too. Once I opened up a wall expecting to just reroute a shower line, only to find a Frankenstein mess of galvanized, copper, and even some random PVC thrown in. Ended up replacing almost everything just for peace of mind.
If you’re still in the thick of it, here’s how I usually tackle those can-of-worms moments:
1. **Assess what’s salvageable.** Sometimes, old pipes or wiring look scary but are actually fine. Other times, you find a patch job that’s just too sketchy to leave alone. I always try to weigh the cost (and mess) of replacing versus the risk of leaving it.
2. **Budget for the unknowns.** I know it’s not what anyone wants to hear, but I always set aside at least 15-20% of my budget for “surprises.” It’s not fun, but it saves so much stress when you inevitably hit something weird.
3. **Prioritize safety and code.** If you find knob-and-tube or old lead pipes, it’s almost always worth updating, even if it blows the budget. I’ve seen too many people try to work around it, then regret it later when they have to rip everything out again.
4. **Document as you go.** Take photos before you close up walls or floors. You’ll thank yourself if you ever have to troubleshoot or sell the house down the line.
I know it can feel like the house is fighting you at every turn, but sometimes those surprises are a blessing in disguise. At least you know things are done right. And honestly, sometimes the weird quirks end up being the parts you love most—once you’re on the other side of the chaos, anyway.
Curious—did you end up keeping any of the vintage fixtures or details, or did everything have to go? I’ve had clients who insisted on keeping the original sink or tile, even if it meant a little extra work. Sometimes it’s worth it for the character (even if it means more work, like you said).
Plumbing is usually the wild card for me, too. Once I opened up a wall expecting to just reroute a shower line, only to find a Frankenstein mess of galvanized, copper, and even some random PVC thrown in. Ended up replacing almost everything just for peace of mind.
That’s exactly what happened to us with our last bathroom reno. We thought we’d be clever and just swap out the tub—no big deal, right? Two days later, we were staring at a mess of corroded pipes and at least three different kinds of fittings (none of which matched). I was tempted to patch it up and hope for the best, but honestly, that never pays off in the long run. Ended up shelling out for all new PEX lines. The initial quote was $8k for the whole job, but after “surprises” and code upgrades, it crept closer to $11k.
I get wanting to keep original fixtures for character, but sometimes it’s just not practical if you’re on a budget. We kept the old cast iron tub (that thing’s not going anywhere), but everything else had to go. I’d rather spend money where it counts than risk another plumbing disaster in five years.
We ran into the same thing—thought we’d just update the vanity and toilet, but once we opened the floor, it was a maze of ancient lead and cast iron. Ended up gutting everything down to the studs. Honestly, I wish we’d budgeted more for “unknowns.” Did you run into any electrical surprises too, or was it just plumbing chaos?
