I had a client with a 1930s cast iron that she was dead set on keeping—thing weighed a ton and the enamel was chipped to hell. We tried reglazing it, but the finish just wouldn’t stick right th...
I get the appeal of keeping the old tub, but honestly, I’ve started leaning toward swapping them out. Here’s why: in a lot of flips, dealing with “surprise costs” just eats into your margin. Like you said, “nothing lines up, and you can’t just run to Home Depot for parts.” I’ve found that unless the tub is truly unique or there’s strict historic guidelines, a high-quality new one saves so much hassle. Plus, buyers often just want something that looks classic but won’t need maintenance for years. I do appreciate the vibe of the originals, but sometimes the math just doesn’t work.
Yeah, I’m with you on this. Those old tubs look great in theory, but once you start factoring in the labor to move them, the cost of refinishing (which doesn’t always last), and the hassle of fitting new plumbing, it’s rarely worth it unless you’re restoring for historic value. I’ve had projects where we spent more trying to save a tub than we would’ve dropping in a solid new one. Buyers usually just want something that looks clean and works—most don’t care if it’s original or not. If you’re flipping, the numbers almost never add up.
I hear you on the tub struggle. I once tried to salvage a clawfoot because I thought it’d be “charming”—ended up with a sore back and a bill that made me rethink my life choices. In the end, I swapped it for a new acrylic one and nobody batted an eye. Curious, did you guys splurge anywhere else, like tile or fixtures, or just keep it simple? I always debate if the fancy showerhead is worth it...
I get the temptation with old tubs—there’s just something about them. I kept my cast iron one, but it took more patching and paint than I care to admit. Where I did splurge was tile. Went with handmade encaustic in a pattern that nods to the house’s age. Fixtures, though? Kept it simple. Honestly, the “fancy” showerhead felt like overkill for me, but I know folks who swear by them. Sometimes, it’s about picking your battles (and your budget).
I hear you on the “picking your battles” part—those little choices add up fast. I’ve always wondered if splurging on tile really makes a difference in the long run, or if it’s more about the look.
That sounds gorgeous, but did you notice any maintenance headaches with those tiles? I keep reading mixed things about cleaning and sealing them. Trying to figure out if it’s worth stretching the budget for something like that, or if I’d regret it later.“Went with handmade encaustic in a pattern that nods to the house’s age.”
