- Rewiring old knob-and-tube is always a budget killer. I’ve run into that a few times and it’s never cheap, especially if you’re dealing with plaster walls.
- Plumbing—yeah, that’s almost a given with these old houses. Cast iron and galvanized pipes are always a surprise waiting to happen.
- Keeping the original medicine cabinet and tile is a solid move. Salvaging those details is a ton of work, but you just can’t replicate that kind of charm with new stuff.
For numbers, here’s how my last one broke down (midwest, 2023, 5x8 bathroom):
- Electrical: $2,200 (full rewire, new GFCIs, vent fan, LED can light)
- Plumbing: $2,800 (replaced all supply and drain lines, new shutoffs, moved shower valve)
- Tile: $1,500 (kept floor, but retiled shower surround)
- Fixtures: $1,200 (mid-range toilet, sink, faucet, shower hardware)
- Misc (paint, drywall repairs, trim): $600
- Labor: Did demo and some finish work myself, hired out the rest
All in, I landed just under $8,500. If you’re keeping more original stuff, you might save a bit, but honestly, sometimes working around old features ends up costing more in labor. Had one job where keeping the old cast iron tub meant spending extra on refinishing and custom plumbing to make it work. Worth it for the look, but definitely not for the wallet.
If you’re in a pricier area or hiring everything out, I wouldn’t be shocked to see it hit $12k+. Just depends how deep you go and how much you’re willing to DIY. Every old house has its surprises... sometimes you open up a wall and just have to laugh (or cry).
You nailed it about the surprises—old houses are never straightforward. I had a client who wanted to keep their original hex tile floor, which sounded easy at first, but matching the old grout and repairing a few cracked tiles ended up taking way longer (and costing more) than just retiling. Still, the end result was worth it for the character. Labor is always the wild card, especially when you’re working around vintage details. Sometimes you save, sometimes you just cross your fingers and hope there aren’t too many curveballs behind those walls...
Yeah, labor is where it gets you every time, especially with old tile. I tried to salvage a 1920s floor once—thought I’d save money, but between matching the grout and finding replacement tiles, it ended up costing almost double what I’d budgeted. Sometimes it’s just easier to start fresh, but I get the appeal of keeping the original charm. Those surprises behind the walls are no joke... found an old newspaper stuffed in mine as insulation.
I tried to salvage a 1920s floor once—thought I’d save money, but between matching the grout and finding replacement tiles, it ended up costing almost double what I’d budgeted. Sometimes it’s just easier to start fresh, but I get the appeal of keeping the original charm.
I get where you’re coming from—those hidden costs can really spiral. Still, I think there’s a case for sticking it out with the old tile, even if it takes more time and patience. Here’s why:
- Salvaging original features can actually add value in certain neighborhoods, especially if you’re somewhere with a lot of historic homes. Buyers notice that stuff.
- Even when replacement tiles are pricey, sometimes you can get creative—rearrange the layout, use contrasting tiles as an intentional “border,” or even repurpose tiles from other parts of the house.
- Labor is a killer, but if you’re willing to DIY some of it (demo, prepping surfaces), you can shave off a decent chunk.
That said, I totally agree on the “surprises behind the walls.” My last place had what looked like horsehair plaster and about five layers of wallpaper under the tile. Took forever to get everything prepped. Still, I’d argue that starting fresh isn’t always cheaper in the long run—modern materials and labor aren’t exactly a bargain either.
If you’re watching every dollar like I usually am, sometimes piecing things together slowly over time is less painful than one big expense. It’s not fast, but it keeps things manageable. Plus, there’s something satisfying about making it work with what’s already there... even if it means living with weird grout lines for a while.
I hear you on the surprises—my last bathroom had a subfloor that looked like it’d survived a flood or two, and that was a whole extra project I hadn’t planned for. I do think there’s something cool about keeping the old stuff, even if it means living with a few quirks. Out of curiosity, did you end up finding any decent tile matches, or did you just go with something totally different? I’ve had mixed luck with salvage yards and online sellers... sometimes you score, sometimes it’s a total bust.
